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 for 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 . '' The King of the Gold Mines was quite overcome by the Princess 's good-natured way of taking his interference , and , throwing himself at her feet , he kissed her hand a thousand times and begged her to forgive him . At last the happy day came . Everything was ready for Bellissima 's wedding . The trumpets sounded , all the streets of the town were hung with flags and strewn with flowers , and the people ran in crowds to the great square before the palace . The Queen was so overjoyed that she had hardly been able to sleep at all , and she got up before it was light to give the necessary orders and to choose the jewels that the Princess was to wear . These were nothing less than diamonds , even to her shoes , which were covered with them , and her dress of silver brocade was embroidered with a dozen of the sun 's rays . You may imagine how much these had cost ; but then nothing could have been more brilliant , except the beauty of the Princess ! Upon her head she wore a splendid crown , her lovely hair waved nearly to her feet , and her stately figure could easily be distinguished among all the ladies who attended her . The King of the Gold Mines was not less noble and splendid ; it was easy to see by his face how happy he was , and everyone who went near him returned loaded with presents , for all round the great banqueting hall had been arranged a thousand barrels full of gold , and numberless bags made of velvet embroidered with pearls and filled with money , each one containing at least a hundred thousand gold pieces , which were given away to everyone who liked to hold out his hand , which numbers of people hastened to do , you may be sure -- indeed , some found this by far the most amusing part of the wedding festivities .
The Queen and the Princess were just ready to set out with the King when they saw , advancing toward them from the end of the long gallery , two great basilisks , dragging after them a very badly made box ; behind them came a tall old woman , whose ugliness was even more surprising XXXXX her extreme old age .
above except for from in of so than that with