Hark, hark, the dogs do bark, The beggars are coming to town:
Some in rags, and some in tags,
And some in velvet gown.
VERY fair and sweet was little Prince Lilimond, and few could resist his soft, pleading voice and gentle blue eyes. And as he stood in the presence of the King, his father, and bent his knee gracefully before His Majesty, the act was so courteous and dignified it would have honored the oldest nobleman of the court.
 
The King was delighted, and for a time sat silently regarding his son and noting every detail of his appearance, from the dark velvet suit with its dainty ruffles and collar to the diamond buckles on the little shoes, and back again to the flowing curls that clustered thick about the bright, childish face.
 
Well might any father be proud of so manly and beautiful a child, and the King's heart swelled within him as he gazed upon his heir.
 
"Borland," he said to the tutor, who stood modestly behind the Prince, "you may retire. I wish to speak privately with his royal highness."
 
[184]
 
The tutor bowed low and disappeared within the ante-room, and the King continued, kindly,
 
"Come here, Lilimond, and sit beside me. Methinks you seem over-grave this morning."
 
"It is my birthday, Your Majesty," replied the Prince, as he slowly obeyed his father and sat beside him upon the rich broidered cushions of the throne. "I am twelve years of age."
 
"So old!" said the King, smiling into the little face that was raised to his. "And is it the weight of years that makes you sad?"
 
"No, Your Majesty; I long for the years to pass, that I may become a man, and take my part in the world's affairs. It is the sad condition of my country which troubles me."
 
"Indeed!" exclaimed the King, casting a keen glance at his son. "Are you becoming interested in politics, then; or is there some grievous breach of court etiquette which has attracted your attention?"
 
"I know little of politics and less of the court, sire," replied Lilimond; "it is the distress of the people that worries me."
 
"The people? Of a surety, Prince, you are better posted than am I, since of the people and their affairs I know nothing at all. I have appointed officers to look after their interests, and therefore I have no cause to come into contact with them myself. But what is amiss?"
 
"They are starving," said the Prince, looking at his[185] father very seriously; "the country is filled with beggars, who appeal for charity, since they are unable otherwise to procure food."
 
"Starving!" repeated the King; "surely you are misinformed. My Lord Chamberlain told me but this morning the people were loyal and contented, and my Lord of the Treasury reports that all taxes and tithes have been paid, and my coffers are running over."
 
"Your Lord Chamberlain is wrong, sire," returned the Prince; "my tutor, Borland, and I have talked with many of these beggars the past few days, and we find the tithes and taxes which have enriched you have taken the bread from their wives and children."
 
"So!" exclaimed the King. "We must examine into this matter." He touched a bell beside him, and when a retainer appeared directed his Chamberlain and his Treasurer to wait upon him at once.
 
The Prince rested his head upon his hand and waited patiently, but the King was very impatient indeed till the high officers of the court stood before him. Then said the King, addressing his Chamberlain,
 
"Sir, I am informed my people are murmuring at my injustice. Is it true?"
 
The officer cast an enquiring glance at the Prince, who met his eyes gravely, before he replied,
 
"The people always murmur, Your Majesty. They are many, and not all can be content, even when ruled by so wise and just a King. In every land and in every age there are those who rebel against the[186] laws, and the protests of the few are ever heard above the contentment of the many."
 
"I am told," continued the King, severely, "that my country is overrun with beggars, who suffer for lack of the bread we have taken from them by our taxations. Is this true?"
 
"There are always beggars, Your Majesty, in every country," replied the Chamberlain, "and it is their custom to blame others for their own misfortunes."
 
The King thought deeply for a moment; then he turned to the Lord of the Treasury.
 
"Do we tax the poor?" he demanded.
 
"All are taxed, sire," returned the Treasurer, who was pale from anxiety, for never before had the King so questioned him, "but from the rich we take much, from the poor very little."
 
"But a little from the poor man may distress him, while the rich subject would never feel the loss. Why do we tax the poor at all?"
 
"Because, Your Majesty, should we declare the poor free from taxation all your subjects would at once claim to be poor, and the royal treasury would remain empty. And as none are so rich but there are those richer, how should we, in justice, determine which are the rich and which are the poor?"
 
Again the King was silent while he pondered upon the words of the Royal Treasurer. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed them, and turned to the Prince, saying,
 
[187]
 
"You have heard the wise words of my councilors, Prince. What have you to say in reply?"
 
"If you will pardon me, Your Majesty, I think you are wrong to leave the affairs of the people to others to direct. If you knew them as well as I do, you would distrust the words of your councilors, who naturally fear your anger more than they do that of your subjects."
 
"If they fear my anger they will be careful to do no injustice to my people. Surely you cannot expect me to attend to levying the taxes myself," continued the King, with growing annoyance. "What are my officers for, but to serve me?"
 
"They should serve you, it is true," replied the Prince, thoughtfully, "but they should serve the people as well."
 
"Nonsense!" answered the King; "you are too young as yet to properly understand such matters. And it is a way youth has to imagine it is wiser than age and experience combined. Still, I will investigate the subject further, and see that justice is done the poor."
 
"In the meantime," said the Prince, "many will starve to death. Can you not assist these poor beggars at once?"
 
"In what way?" demanded the King.
 
"By giving them money from your full coffers."
 
"Nonsense!" again cried the King, this time with real anger; "you have heard what the Chamberlain[188] said: we always have beggars, and none, as yet, have starved to death. Besides, I must use the money for the grand ball and tourney next month, as I have promised the ladies of the court a carnival of unusual magnificence."
 
The Prince did not reply to this, but remained in silent thought, wondering what he might do to ease the suffering he feared existed on every hand amongst the poor of the kingdom. He had hoped to persuade the King to assist these beggars, but since the interview with the officers of the court he had lost heart and despaired of influencing his royal father in any way.
 
Suddenly the King spoke.
 
"Let us dismiss this subject, Lilimond, for it only serves to distress us both, and no good can come of it. You have nearly made me forget it is your birthday. Now listen, my son: I am much pleased with you, and thank God that he has given me such a successor for my crown, for I perceive your mind is as beautiful as your person, and that you will in time be fitted to rule the land with wisdom and justice. Therefore I promise, in honor of your birthday, to grant any desire you may express, provided it lies within my power. Nor will I make any further condition, since I rely upon your judgment to select some gift I may be glad to bestow."
 
As the King spoke, Lilimond suddenly became impressed with an idea through which he might succor the poor, and therefore he answered,
 
[189]
 
"Call in the ladies and gentlemen of the court, my father, and before them all will I claim your promise."
 
"Good!" exclaimed the King, who looked for some amusement in his son's request; and at once he ordered the court to assemble.
 
The ladies and gentlemen, as they filed into the audience chamber, were astonished to see the Prince seated upon the throne beside his sire, but being too well bred to betray their surprise they only wondered what amusement His Majesty had in store for them.
 
When all were assembled, the Prince rose to his feet and addressed them.
 
"His Majesty the King, whose kindness of heart and royal condescension is well known to you all, hath but now promised me, seeing that it is my birthday, to grant any one request that I may prefer. Is it not true, Your Majesty?"
 
"It is true," answered the King, smiling upon his son, and pleased to see him addressing the court so gravely and with so manly an air; "whatsoever the Prince may ask, that will I freely grant."
 
"Then, oh sire," said the Prince, kneeling before the throne, "I ask that for the period of one day I may reign as King in your stead, having ............