ions of every sort to amuse the
people; and in these sports,' said she, 'ask the King's sons to play
a game at cards with you, which they will not refuse. Now,' says
the hen-wife, 'you must make a bargain, that if you win they must do
whatever you command them, and if they win, that you must do whatever
they command you to do; this bargain must be made before the assembly,
and here is a pack of cards,' says she, 'that I am thinking you will not
lose by.'

The Queen immediately took the cards, and, after returning the hen-wife
thanks for her kind instruction, went back to the palace, where she
was quite uneasy until she got speaking to the King in regard of his
children; at last she broke it off to him in a very polite and engaging
manner, so that he could see no muster or design in it. He readily
consented to her desire, and his sons were sent for to the tower,
who gladly came to Court, rejoicing that they were freed from such
confinement. They were all very handsome, and very expert in all arts
and exercises, so that they gained the love and esteem of all that had
seen them.

The Queen, more jealous with them than ever, thought it an age until
all the feasting and rejoicing was over, that she might get making her
proposal, depending greatly on the power of the hen-wife's cards. At
length this royal assembly began to sport and play at all kinds of
diversions, and the Queen very cunningly challenged the three Princes
to play at cards with her, making bargain with them as she had been
instructed.

They accepted the challenge, and the eldest son and she played the first
game, which she won; then the second son played, and she won that game
likewise; the third son and she then played the last game, and he won
it, which sorely grieved her that she had not him in her power as well
as the rest, being by far the handsomest and most beloved of the three.

However, everyone was anxious to hear the Queen's commands in regard to
the two Princes, not thinking that she had any ill design in her head
against them. Whether it was the hen-wife instructed her, or whether it
was from her own knowledge, I cannot tell; but she gave out they must
go and bring her the Knight of the Glen's wild Steed of Bells, or they
should lose their heads.

The young Princes were not in the least concerned, not knowing what they
had to do; but the whole Court was amazed at her demand, knowing very
well that it was impossible for them ever to get the s