THERE had been much feasting and merry-making in the palace at Sicily for several months, while the king of Bohemia had been a guest there. Leontes, the king of the Sicilian dominions, and Polixenes of Bohemia, had for many years been fast friends, and loved each other very dearly. When they were young princes, unused to the cares that wait upon a crown, they had been reared together in the same palace; had hunted and fished and played games together like any school-boys of ignoble blood; and when years passed away, and each became ruler over distant kingdoms, they had not forgotten their boyish love, but kept a place in their hearts still fresh and green with the memory of the old friendship.
Only a few years before, Leontes had visited his friend in Bohemia; and now Polixenes had come to be entertained in Sicily. Polixenes had left behind him in his palace his wife, and his
