wanted them out of the way that she might reign when the King died. She
dared not send them away so soon; but she ordered them to live quietly
with their tutors and servants in a lonely part of the palace, and never
allowed them to come to the feasts, the hunting-parties, or any of the
splendid shows with which she amused the people. Since their father did
not object, the boys obeyed, and amused themselves by working among the
flowers with old Adam, the gardener, who taught them many curious,
useful, and beautiful things about trees and plants. They also learned
to play and sing, and often sat in the summer evenings making music with
their little lutes sweeter than that of the nightingales in the
rose-bushes, or the court concerts, where the bad Queen and the proud
Princesses sat in all their splendor. The boys studied and grew wise
with the teachers, who loved them; but as time went by they began to
long for more freedom and pleasure, when the horns blew and all the
great people rode away to hunt the deer or fly their falcons. They
begged the Queen to let them see their father; but when she saw what
handsome, tall lads they were growing she was more anxious than ever to
get rid of them, and in the night she sent her soldiers to take them to
the tower, where they were shut up in a high room, with only bread and
water to live on,--no books, no friends, no freedom; for no one knew
where they were, because the Queen told the father that they had run
away, and when he had sent some people to look for them he troubled
himself no more about the matter.
So they lived for a year all alone in the tower; but they were not very
unhappy, for the sun smiled in at them, birds built nests in the ivy
that covered the gray walls, and the wind sang them to sleep as it
roared or whispered round their high room. They loved and cheered each
other, and kept up their courage till one day no bread and water was put
in at the little wicket of the door. For three days no food came, and
then they knew that the wicked Queen meant to starve them to death.
People thought them lost; and all but the few who were faithful forgot
the Princes and obeyed the Queen, who now ruled over them like a tyrant,
while her daughters grew more proud and selfish every day, and the old
King slept most of the time, careless of everything but his ease.
"Now, brother, we must escape, for it is plain that no one will help us;
so we will help ourselves," said Purple bravely, resolving not to starve
to death to please a cruel stepmother.
"We will," cried Plush; "but how can we get out of this high tower with
no ladder?"
"We will make one. I've often planned it all, but thought it our duty to
obey. Now it is right to take care of ourselves, and try to reach our
father if we can. Let us braid ropes of the straw of our beds, the
blankets and sheets, and as many of our clothes as we can spare. All
these will not make a ladder long enough to reach the ground; but it
will carry us down to where the ivy branches are strong, and from there
we can climb safely to the bottom. We will go by night and find good old
Adam. He will feed and help us and tell us what to do."
"A splendid plan! Let us set to work while our strength holds out or it
will be too late," answered Plush, who was very white and weak with
hunger.
Busily flew the fingers, and soon long coils of cord were made; while
the poor lads chewed leaves and drank the rain to keep themselves alive.
At last they had enough to reach a long way down; and when night came
Purple made his brother go first,--for he was an hour younger, and
rather lighter, and he wanted to be sure he was safe before he escaped
himself. Down climbed Plush, while the other lad leaned out, with his
hands on the frail ladder, holding his breath till the dark figure was
out of sight in the gloom, and a soft whistle told him that all was safe
with the dear boy. Then he followed, and Plush caught him in his arms as
he came climbing down; while all the little birds sat silent in their
nests among the ivy, and not a stout branch broke under the clinging
hands and feet,--for birds and plants loved them, and were faithful
friends, as we shall see.
In the darkness the Princes found their way to Adam's house in the great
garden, and were welcomed joyfully; for the old man thought them dead.
When he heard their story he told them that they could never reach their
father, and that they were in danger of their lives if they tried to do
so; for the Queen was very cruel and powerful, and would not let them
live if she could help it.
"Go away till you are grown, my dear little masters; then come back as
men and take the kingdom that belongs to you."
"But how can we live? What can we do, since we have no money or friends
to help us?" asked the boys, as they rested after a good supper.
"Here are your lutes," said old Adam; "I took care of them for you; and
you can go singing through the world, and so earn money for your bread.
I will give you some magic seeds which my father left me, saying that
they would not grow unless royal hands planted them, when they would
bring fortune to the happy owner for whom they bloomed. I taught you how
to garden; so when you are safely out of the kingdom sow the seed in
some wild spot, and see if the story is true. I have nothing else to
give you but bread and wine and all good wishes, my dear wronged
Princes. God be with you, and bring you safely home again to reign over
us long and happily."
The brothers thanked him heartily, and at dawn stole out of the city
with their lutes at their backs, wallets of food at their sides, and
each wrapped in a russet mantle made out of Adam's old cloak. Freedom
and fresh air soon gave them back their strength and courage, and when
they were at a safe distance from home they began to sing and play in
the villages as they travelled along. With their faded suits, bonny
faces, and gentle manners, they were a charming pair of young
troubadours, and every one was glad to listen to the sweet music they
made. Rich people threw silver into the caps they held up when the songs
were done, and poor people gladly gave them food and beds since they had
no money to give. In this way they got on very pleasantly through the
winter, for in that country there was no snow; and the lads grew strong
and brave trudging over hill and dale, with no enemies but wind and rain
to fear, and leaving many friends behind them. They liked the free life,
though it was hard; but they never forgot that they were princes, even
when their purple suits were in rags and the russet cloaks worn out.
Nothing mean or selfish, cruel or unjust, ever disturbed the peace of
their honest hearts and clean consciences; and many generous acts,
gentle words, and brave thoughts made the beggar lads kings of
themselves at least, and very rich in the blessings of those whom they
so kindly helped and comforted.
When spring came they were far from home, and felt that it was time to
try the fairy flowers. So they chose a sunny spot on a lonely moor,
where the earth was rich, and a brook kept it moist, and no one cared
what they did, and there they planted the seeds and tended them
carefully. While waiting for the blossoms they built a hut of green
branches, and lived on wild berries, the rabbits they snared, the fish
they caught, and the black bread they bought of an old woman who came to
look for herbs. They had saved a little money, and when that was gone
one of them would wander off for a few days singing some more into the
bag, while the other watched over the bed of tender plants fast growing
green and strong.
They wondered what the magic flowers would be, and often feared that
they would never bloom, it was so long before any buds appeared.
"If no flowers come we shall know that we are not the right gardeners,
though we _are_ royal," said Purple, as he watered the bed one day.
"Then we will go on singing till we get round the world, brother. By
that time we shall be men and can fight for our kingdom," answered
Plush, weeding busily in among the low plants that spread far and wide
with large tightly folded buds on all of them.
"Our old neighbor, the herb-woman, is very curious about this plot of
ours, and wants to know what we are going to raise here. I told her we
did not know, but when the flowers came she might see them, because she
is very wise and this may be some new herb which will cure the sick.
That would be a pleasant thing to do, even if we never made a fortune."
"Indeed it would! I'd rather make people happy than be a king, and so
would you, brother."
As the boys spoke a very sweet perfume filled the air, and all the
leaves rustled softly as if the south wind stirred them. Then everything
was still again, and the larks twittered high above their heads as if
they were telling some good news to the beautiful blue world far above
the clouds.
Next morning, when the Princes went to their garden, lo! it was all in
bloom, and lay there like a gold and purple carpet fit for a king. The
flowers were pansies, but such as were never seen before; for these
were very large and all alike, looking like little faces, half sad, half
cheerful, as the yellow and the dark leaves framed them in. They were
very sweet, and as they nodded in the wind seemed to be whispering
something to one another so interesting that the lads longed to know the
pretty story they were telling.
"What can we do with them, and how can they bring us good luck?" said
the elder brother, looking seriously down at the lovely things.
"Enjoy them first, then sell them in little posies, and so make money;
for they are the finest ever seen, and people will be glad to buy them,"
answered the younger, as he began to gather the great beauties at his
feet.
"So we can, and keep the seed, and go on planting and selling till we
are rich. It is slow work, but we learned to be patient in the tower,
and will wait to see what fortune heart's-ease is to bring us," said
Prince Purple, going down on his knees before a group of lovely flowers,
who bent as if glad to be gathered by such gentle hands.
"Heyday! what have we here? Surely you are fairy gardeners, my sons, to
bring such splendid blossoms out of this wild moor," said a cracked
voice behind them, as the old herb-woman came hobbling up with her apron
full of mushrooms and her basket of sweet-smelling roots and leaves.
"Only pansies, mother, for the market," answered Plush, looking up with
a smile.
"See how sweet they are! You shall have the first because you are so
kind to us," added Purple, offering her a bunch of them as gallantly as
if he were kneeling to a queen instead of an old woman as brown and
wrinkled as a withered leaf.
"Good lads! I'll be still kinder and read the story these fine flowers
are trying to tell," she said, as her eyes shone and her skinny hands
turned the pansies to and fro. "I can read all plants, and so I learn
many strange things. See if you understand this sad tale, for this is
what is written on these flowers, and it must be true, for they cannot
lie."
The Princes drew nearer and watched curiously as a trembling finger
pointed out the different parts while the old woman spoke, glancing
into their tell-tale faces now and then.
"There are five leaves. This great golden one sits alone on her green
seat at the top. These two smaller yellow ones, with a touch of purple
in them, sit on either side; but these two purple ones have only one
seat between them, though they are the handsomest of all. Now look here
in the middle, and see this little image like a man in a green gown and
a red cap hiding away in the warmest, safest place with a bag of seeds
which will ripen by-and-by if he will let the sun in. Come now, do you
see any meaning to that, my sons?" asked the old soul, with a sharp look
at the boys, who blushed and smiled and sighed, but could not speak, for
here was their own sad story truly told in the magic flower.
The herb-woman nodded wisely, but only said in a kind tone, as she put
the posy in her bosom,--
"Heart's-ease won't grow for every one, but all the world wants it and
will pay well for it; so sell your pansies, lads, and earn a fortune
worth having. I'll be in the market-place when you come, and say a good
word for you, though you don't need it with such bonny faces and gentle
ways of your own."
Then she went away, and the wondering Princes made haste to pick all the
flowers that were in bloom, tying the bunches up with sweet-scented
grass, and laying them in baskets of green rushes which they had made. A
pretty sight it was; for the little pansy faces seemed 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 had killed or banished the
Princes, who ought to be ruling, and would now do it better than she
did.
Primrose and Daffodil had sent for the magic flowers because they wanted
everything new and pretty that they heard of, no matter what it cost.
When the lovely things arrived in beautiful china urns, the young
Princesses were charmed with them and forbade any one else to have them.
"These are our colors, and these flowers shall be our royal badge, and
no one must wear them under pain of death," they said; and they put
their servants as well as themselves into new suits of purple velvet and
gold, very splendid to see, with pansies everywhere,--on carriages and
clothes, banners and furniture,--very proud of the graceful
coat-of-arms.
But they, like their mother, soon found that the name meant something
more than a pretty flower; for _pensee_ is the French for "a thought,"
and into their careless minds came thoughts of all the harm they had
done, as if the breath of the new-fashioned violet reproached them,
while the sweet little faces recalled the sad ones of the banished boys
whose places they had unjustly taken.
So all were ill at ease, and the spell of the flower began to work at
home as well as abroad, helping to make things ready for the wanderers
when they should return.
Meantime the Princes were travelling round the world, learning much and
growing wise and good as well as tall and brave, and handsomer than
ever. In the winter time they sang and played, and no Christmas feast
was merry without the lute-players, no peasant's wedding quite perfect
till they came, and often in palaces they made music for lords and
ladies to dance by, and were generously paid. But what they liked better
was to sing in prisons, hospitals, or poor places, where they not only
gave pleasure but money, and then stole away without stopping to be
thanked, so happy to be able to help the sad and sick and suffering.
In summer they rested in some pleasant spot, and planted the magic seed
which would grow in any soil and was admired everywhere. So they went on
their way busily and happily, leaving music and flowers behind them, and
making the world brighter and better by sweet sounds and happy thoughts,
till they were called "The Blessed Boys," and were waited for and
welcomed and loved east and west and north and south.
Summers and winters passed, and they were tall youths when they came
again to their father's kingdom in their journey round the world. But
though old and wise enough now to rule, and sure to be gladly received
by the discontented people, they found that they no longer felt bitter
and angry with those who had wronged them. Time had taught them to
forgive and forget; their peaceful, happy life made war distasteful, and
they loved freedom so well that they had no heart to force others to
obey.
"We reign over a larger and lovelier kingdom than this, our subjects
love us dearly, and we are not tied to a throne, but are as free as the
wind; let us be content with this, and ask for nothing more," said
Prince Purple to his brother, as they looked down on the familiar city
while resting on a hill outside the gates.
"I don't care to be shut up in a palace and obliged to live by rule any
more. But if what we heard is true, there is plenty of work to do for
the poor here, and we have saved so much we can at least begin to help
those who suffer most. No one need know us, and we can be at work while
waiting for our father to remember and recall us," answered Plush, who
was as princely yet as delicate as the soft silken stuff he loved to
wear.
So they disguised themselves as young Brothers of Mercy in black hoods
and gowns, and went into the city looking about them for a home. Old
Adam was still alive, but very poor now; for the Queen had sent him away
when the Princes escaped, and the King had forgotten him. The boys found
him out and told him who they were, and lived with him, making the old
man very happy, proud, and comfortable. All day they went about among
the poor, helping them in many ways; for the money they had earned never
seemed to give out, no matter how generous they were. Heart's-ease
sprang up where they walked, as if the magic seeds fell out of their
pockets unseen; and soon they could be traced all over the city by happy
faces, and the pots of pansies in humble windows where no flowers would
ever grow before. No one knew them by any name but that of "The
Brothers;" and many sick, sad souls blessed them for the good they did
so quietly.
Before long, tidings of these wonderful young men reached the palace,
where the old King now lay ill, and the Queen lived in fear of her life,
for the people hated her and might break out at any moment. She sent for
the Brothers; and they came at once, hoping to do some good. Nobody
recognized the pretty Princes in the tall young monks, half hidden in
their hoods and gowns; but comfort and courage seemed to come with them,
for the sick King grew stronger when they prayed or sang beside him, and
the sad Queen took heart, and confessed her sins to them, begging them
to tell her what to do, since selfish splendor brought neither
happiness, love, nor honor.
"Repent, and undo the wrong you have done," answered one Brother,
boldly.
"But the Princes are lost or dead, and my people hate me," sighed the
poor Queen.
"God has taken better care of the motherless boys than you did, and they
will come back when it is time. Do you pity and help your people. Make
them love and trust you; then you will be safe and happy, and your
kingdom glorious," said the other Brother in his gentle voice.
"I will, I will!" cried the Queen, while repentant tears fell on her
cloth-of-gold mantle, which was not dimmed by the salt drops, but seemed
to shine the brighter for them.
Then she took counsel with the Brothers; and while Plush nursed and
cheered the old father, Purple helped his stepmother to win the
confidence of her people by giving bread and money generously, building
better houses for them, making wiser laws, and ruling with mercy and
justice, till peace came back and the danger of rebellion was over,--for
kindness conquers all things.
The Princesses at first objected to these changes, and were angry with
the new-comers for preaching self-denial, humility, and simplicity; but
the monks made them so beautiful by their persuasive words and lovely
lives that soon these royal girls, as well as all their ladies, began to
see how selfish and frivolous their days had been and to long for better
things.
It took time to teach them to freely put away their fine clothes, forget
their luxurious habits, and heartily enjoy good books, wise society,
real charity, and all the sweet, simple duties, pleasures, and lessons
which make life happy and death peaceful when it comes to kings as well
as beggars.
Slowly the beautiful work went on. The old father seemed to wake up and
wonder why he had been wasting time in dreams. It was too late now for
him to rule; he had not strength enough, and he vainly longed for his
brave boys. The Queen sat alone on the throne, forgiven and loved, and
might have been happy if the thought of the lost Princes had not haunted
her till she was so full of remorse and sorrow she resolved to go into a
convent and do penance for her sins. But who should reign in her place?
The King was too old and feeble, the Princesses too young, and the
rightful heirs were lost or dead.
"Now is the time!" said Purple. "We are needed, and must enter into our
kingdom before some usurper comes to take it."
"I am ready, brother; and we both are fitter to rule as princes for
having learned to work, wait, and be happy as beggars," answered Plush.
There was to be a grand council of all the wise men, great lords, and
good people to decide about a new king; for the Queen wanted to
abdicate, being tired of her splendor. When all were gathered together,
and the beautiful ladies looked down from the gallery at the knights in
armor, the gray-headed ministers, and the sturdy citizens, every one was
glad to see the beloved Brothers come in and stand humbly at the lower
end of the council board. They were welcome everywhere; for though so
young, they seemed to understand the hearts of people better than the
old men who studied books all their long lives. After much debate the
Queen said, as she left the great golden chair empty,--
"Let us leave it to our good friends who have helped us so much, and
taught us to see what is needed on a throne. Dear Brothers, come up
hither, and tell us who shall sit here, for I am not worthy."
Without a word the two young monks went to the high place, and, standing
on either side of the Queen, dropped off their disguises. There, brave
in purple velvet suits, with the golden heads and handsome faces of the
royal boys, older and graver, but still the same,--there were the lost
Princes, come to their own at last!
People were so startled that for a moment no one spoke or stirred; all
stood up and stared silently while Purple said, with a smile and gesture
that won their hearts,--
"We are ready to take our rightful places, if you need us, glad to
forget the past, forgive our wrongs, and try to make the future happier
for all. We have been prisoners, beggars, gardeners, minstrels, and
monks in our long wanderings. Now we are princes again, more fit to rule
because of the hard lessons we have learned; while time and poverty and
pain have taught us the value of patience, justice, courage, and mercy."
As he ended a great shout greeted them, and the Queen fell at their feet
praying for pardon; while Primrose and Daffodil hid their faces,
remembering the cruel things they had said and done. There could be no
doubt that the Princes were welcome home and well beloved, for soon all
over the city flew the glad news. Bells rang, bonfires blazed, people
danced and sang, and feasts were spread in palaces and cottages in honor
of the Blessed Boys.
The old King was startled wide awake, and so delighted that he got
straight out of his bed, cured of all his ills but age, as if by magic.
The Queen smiled again, and felt that she was forgiven; penitent
Primrose and Daffodil grew as sweet and gay as the flowers they were
named for, and the Princes fell in love with them in the good old
fairy-tale fashion. Everything was all right now, and the kingdom soon
looked like a great garden of pansies; for the chosen flower blossomed
everywhere, and rich and poor loved it.