to smile up at
whoever looked, the sweet breath called out, "Come and buy us!" and the
dew sparkled on the leaves like diamonds on the gold and purple robes of
some queen.

When the Princes came to the town they stood in the market-place and
cried their wares like the other people with fruit and vegetables; but
their faces were so noble, their voices so clear, their flowers so large
and beautiful, that in spite of their poor clothes and humble work every
one who saw and heard them felt that there was something strange and
interesting about the fine boys who called so sweetly,--

"Heart's-ease! here's fresh heart's-ease! Who'll buy? Who'll buy?"

All who passed were charmed with the great pansies, for the like had
never been seen in that country; so the baskets were soon empty, and
more than one bit of gold shone among the copper and silver coins in
their pockets, because the rich as well as the poor hastened to buy
heart's-ease. Much pleased with their day's work, the lads went gayly
home to water the bed and rejoice over the buds that were thicker than
ever. After that they sold flowers all summer long; for the magic
pansies kept on blooming till the frost came, and every one who bought
them discovered that they really did bring comfort and happy thoughts,
and this made high and low eager to get them. Doctors sent for them for
the sick; sad people ordered many to cheer them up; even bad people
loved them because the bright faces, half grave, half gay, never
reproached them, but smiled so pleasantly, that they woke better
feelings in the evil minds. Far and wide flew the fame of this new herb,
as they called it; and kings and queens begged for the seed, since they
especially needed heart's-ease. Several plants even reached the lazy
King as he sat in his luxurious room drinking his wine, studying, and
sleeping; and the sight of the flowers woke him up, for his beautiful
dead wife's name was Pansy, and he began to wonder where his sons could
be and to ask about them.

The Queen also needed the wonderful herb, for she was troubled by the
disorder of her kingdom. Her subjects did not love her, and grew tired
of being taxed to pay for her splendor. They began to rebel, especially
the poor, of whom she took no care, but left them to starve and suffer
while she enjoyed herself. Even the rich and noble people became
discontented and wanted to be still richer and nobler, and quarrelled
among themselves, and hinted that she