Never would you have seen your king again , if a young lute player had not delivered him . I shall remember him with love and gratitude as long as I live . ' Whilst the king was sitting with his council , the queen found time to disguise herself . She took her lute , and slipping into the court in front of the palace she sang , clear and sweet : ' I sing the captive 's longing Within his prison wall , Of hearts that sigh when none are nigh To answer to their call . ` My song begs for your pity , And gifts from out your store , And as I play my gentle lay I linger near your door . ` And if you hear my singing Within your palace , sire , Oh ! give , I pray , this happy day , To me my heart 's desire . ' As soon as the king heard this song he ran out to meet the lute player , took him by the hand and led him into the palace . ` Here , ' he cried , ` is the boy who released me from my prison . And now , my true friend , I will indeed give you your heart 's desire . ' ' I am sure you will not be less generous than the heathen king was , sire . I ask of you what I asked and obtained from him . But this time I do n't mean to give up what I get . I want YOU -- yourself ! ' And as she spoke she threw off her long cloak and everyone saw it was the queen . Who can tell how happy the king was ? In the joy of his heart he gave a great feast to the whole world , and the whole world came and rejoiced with him for a whole week . I was there too , and ate and drank many good things . I sha 'n' t forget that feast as long as I live . -LRB- From the Russian . -RRB-
THE GRATEFUL PRINCE Once upon a time the king XXXXX the Goldland lost himself in a forest , and try as he would he could not find the way out .
From Within as by if of than that to with