When they had been gone a year , Telephassa threw away her crown , because it chafed her forehead . `` It has given me many a headache , '' said the poor queen , `` and it can not cure my heartache . '' As fast as their princely robes got torn and tattered , they exchanged them for such mean attire as ordinary people wore . By and by , they come to have a wild and homeless aspect ; so that you would much sooner have taken them for a gypsy family than a queen and three princes , and a young nobleman , who had once a palace for a home , and a train of servants to do their bidding . The four boys grew up to be tall young men , with sunburnt faces . Each of them girded on a sword , to defend themselves against the perils of the way . When the husbandmen , at whose farmhouses they sought hospitality , needed their assistance in the harvest field , they gave it willingly ; and Queen Telephassa -LRB- who had done no work in her palace , save to braid silk threads with golden ones -RRB- came behind them to bind the sheaves . If payment was offered , they shook their heads , and only asked for tidings of Europa . `` There are bulls enough in my pasture , '' the old farmers would reply ; `` but I never heard of one like this you tell me of . A snow-white bull with a little princess on his back ! Ho ! ho ! I ask your pardon , good folks ; but there never such a sight seen hereabouts . '' At last , when his upper lip began to have the down on it , Phoenix grew weary of rambling hither and thither to no purpose . So one day , when they happened to be passing through a pleasant and solitary tract of country , he sat himself down on a heap of moss . `` I can go no farther , '' said Phoenix . `` It is a mere foolish waste of life , to spend it as we do , always wandering up and down , and never coming to any home at nightfall . Our sister is lost , and never will be found . She probably perished in the sea ; or , to whatever shore the white bull may have carried her , it is now so many years ago , that there would be neither love nor acquaintance between us , should we meet again . My father has forbidden us to return to his palace , so I shall build me a hut of branches , and dwell here . ''
`` Well , son Phoenix , '' said Telephassa , sorrowfully , `` you have grown XXXXX be a man , and must do as you judge best .
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