Now he was a very handsome and powerful Prince , who had been in love with the Princess for years , but had not thought that she would ever care about him at all . You can easily imagine how delighted he was when he heard the news , and how angry it made all the other kings to lose for ever the hope of marrying the Princess ; but , after all , Bellissima could not have married twenty kings -- indeed , she had found it quite difficult enough to choose one , for her vanity made her believe that there was nobody in the world who was worthy of her . Preparations were begun at once for the grandest wedding that had ever been held at the palace . The King of the Gold Mines sent such immense sums of money that the whole sea was covered with the ships that brought it . Messengers were sent to all the gayest and most refined Courts , particularly to the Court of France , to seek out everything rare and precious to adorn the Princess , although her beauty was so perfect that nothing she wore could make her look prettier . At least that is what the King of the Gold Mines thought , and he was never happy unless he was with her . As for the Princess , the more she saw of the King the more she liked him ; he was so generous , so handsome and clever , that at last she was almost as much in love with him as he was with her . How happy they were as they wandered about in the beautiful gardens together , sometimes listening to sweet music ! And the King used to write songs for Bellissima . This is one that she liked very much : In the forest all is gay When my Princess walks that way . All the blossoms then are found Downward fluttering to the ground , Hoping she may tread on them . And bright flowers on slender stem Gaze up at her as she passes Brushing lightly through the grasses . Oh ! my Princess , birds above Echo back our songs of love , As through this enchanted land Blithe we wander , hand in hand . They really were as happy as the day was long . All the King 's unsuccessful rivals had gone home in despair . They said good-by to the Princess so sadly that she could not help being sorry for them . `` Ah ! madam , '' the King of the Gold Mines said to her `` how is this ? Why do you waste your pity on these princes , who love you so much that all their trouble would be well repaid by a single smile from you ? ''
`` I should be sorry , '' answered Bellissima , `` if you had not noticed how much I pitied these princes who were leaving me XXXXX ever ; but for you , sire , it is very different : you have every reason to be pleased with me , but they are going sorrowfully away , so you must not grudge them my compassion . ''
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