says the other , ` if I had my princess here , and could see you now and then , I 'd never know a dismal day . ' ` Well , you 're long enough here now , and you 're wanted there above . Keep your bride 's crowns safe , and whenever you want my help , open this snuff-box . Now take a walk down the garden , and come back when you 're tired . ' The prince was going down a gravel walk with a quickset hedge on each side , and his eyes on the ground , and he was thinking of one thing and another . At last he lifted his eyes , and there he was outside of a smith 's gate that he often passed before , about a mile away from the palace of his betrothed princess . The clothes he had on him were as ragged as you please , but he had his crowns safe under his old cloak . Then the smith came out , and says he , ` It 's a shame for a strong , big fellow like you to be lazy , and so much work to be done . Are you any good with hammer and tongs ? Come in and bear a hand , an I 'll give you diet and lodging , and a few pence when you earn them . ' ` Never say ' t twice , ' says the prince . ' I want nothing but to be busy . ' So he took the hammer , and pounded away at the red-hot bar that the smith was turning on the anvil to make into a set of horse-shoes . They had n't been long at work when a tailor came in , and he sat down and began to talk . ` You all heard how the two princess were loth to be married till the youngest would be ready with her crowns and her sweetheart . But after the windlass loosened accidentally when they were pulling up her bridegroom that was to be , there was no more sign of a well , or a rope , or a windlass , than there is on the palm of your hand . So the princes that were courting the eldest ladies would n't give peace or ease to their lovers nor the king till they got consent to the marriage , and it was to take place this morning . Myself went down out o ' curiousity , and to be sure I was delighted with the grand dresses of the two brides , and the three crowns on their heads -- gold , silver , and copper , one inside the other . The youngest was standing by mournful enough , and all was ready . The two bridegrooms came in as proud and grand as you please , and up they were walking to the altar rails , when the boards opened two yards wide under their feet , and down they went among the dead men and the coffins in the vaults .
Oh , such shrieks XXXXX the ladies gave !
So above as at down of on than till with