Page:Pipetown Sandy (Sousa 1905).djvu/164

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PIPETOWN SANDY

Queen of the Gipsies, when I have passed beyond, and you are King."

"Most lovable father and gracious sovereign, I pray that you may continue to reign for many years to come, but, if I must go forth and find the maid who is to be my helpmeet and my Queen, I pray you, what must her virtues be?" And Prince Braveheart knelt before the King.

"By the laws written on the tablets of gold, she who is to be the Gipsy Queen must possess three charms beyond those of any other maid in all the world—the brightest eyes, the blackest hair, and the pearliest teeth."

"'Tis well," said the Prince, kissing his father's proffered hand, and at the same moment receiving the parental blessing.

"Go, my son."

"I will find her, be the quest never so difficult,"—and with great respect and ceremony he withdrew from the royal presence.

Prince Braveheart called for his beautiful black charger, and commanding his faithful Yeoman and his equally faithful Bowman to follow, he immediately set out upon his journey. The party traveled from village to village, from town to town, from city to city, and from country to coun-