THE LUTE PLAYER Once upon a time there was a king and queen who lived happily and comfortably together . They were very fond of each other and had nothing to worry them , but at last the king grew restless . He longed to go out into the world , to try his strength in battle against some enemy and to win all kinds of honour and glory . So he called his army together and gave orders to start for a distant country where a heathen king ruled who ill-treated or tormented everyone he could lay his hands on . The king then gave his parting orders and wise advice to his ministers , took a tender leave of his wife , and set off with his army across the seas . I can not say whether the voyage was short or long ; but at last he reached the country of the heathen king and marched on , defeating all who came in his way . But this did not last long , for in time he came to a mountain pass , where a large army was waiting for him , who put his soldiers to flight , and took the king himself prisoner . He was carried off to the prison where the heathen king kept his captives , and now our poor friend had a very bad time indeed . All night long the prisoners were chained up , and in the morning they were yoked together like oxen and had to plough the land till it grew dark . This state of things went on for three years before the king found any means of sending news of himself to his dear queen , but at last he contrived to send this letter : ` Sell all our castles and palaces , and put all our treasures in pawn and come and deliver me out of this horrible prison . ' The queen received the letter , read it , and wept bitterly as she said to herself , ` How can I deliver my dearest husband ? If I go myself and the heathen king sees me he will just take me to be one of his wives . If I were to send one of the ministers ! -- but I hardly know if I can depend on them . ' She thought , and thought , and at last an idea came into her head . She cut off all her beautiful long brown hair and dressed herself in boy 's clothes . Then she took her lute and , without saying anything to anyone , she went forth into the wide world . She travelled through many lands and saw many cities , and went through many hardships before she got to the town where the heathen king lived . When she got there she walked all round the palace and at the back she saw the prison . Then she went into the great court in front of the palace , and taking her lute in her hand , she began to play so beautifully that one felt as though one could never hear enough .
After she had played for some time she began XXXXX sing , and her voice was sweeter than the lark 's : ' I come from my own country far Into this foreign land , Of all I own I take alone My sweet lute in my hand .
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