60        NEW  PLAYS  FROM  OLD  TALES

And  what  is  the  Prince  like  whom  your  father  wishes  you  to
marry?

Princess

Well,  I  have  never  seen  him,  of  course,  and  I  never  want  to,
for  I  have  heard  that  he  is  good  for  nothing  and  does  nothing
useful  from  morning  to  night.
Prince

He's  not  much  like  me  then,  for  I  can  do  one  thing  well
myself.  [Swings  his  lute  from  off  his  shoulder.]  I  can  play
beautifully  upon  my  lute.
Princess

Oh,  do  play  a  little  for  me.
[Prince  chooses  his  loveliest  tune  which  so  enchants  the
Princess  that  she  soon  begins  singing  softly  the  same  tune
he  plays.  As  he  continues  she  makes  up  words  to  fit  the
music]

Princess

[Sings.]
Free  would  I  be — alone,  to  laugh  or  sigh,
But  Love  along  my  path  springs  lightly  by.
When  I  do  rest  awhile — awhile  rests  he.
When  I  do  walk — gaily  he  walks  with  me,
Was  it  black,  was  it  red,  was  it  fox-red  hair?
Was  it  me,  was  it  you,  the  lute's  magic  did  snare?

Whate'er  I  willed,  now  will  I  more  than  all.
Love  sweetly  trilling,  joins  the  charmed  lute's  call.
THE  PRINCESS  WHO  HID  HER  SHOES  61

Say,  do  you  weep,  do  you  laugh?

Nay,  you  smile  through  your  tears —

Say,  who  has  stolen  my  heart,  claimed  my  faith,  stilled  my  fears?

See,  my  gold-broidered  shoes!

Who  has  found  my  shoes?

Little  green,  little  gold,  little  pearl-broidered  shoes!

Prince

Ha!  Ha!  That  was  a  jolly  song!  You  are  a  perfect  wonder!
How  I've  always  longed  for  someone  to  sing  whilst  I  played  my
lute.
Princess

I  should  like  always  to  do  that.
