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brothers then went home like two fools, and left foolish Jack to be reverenced at court, with the king's fair daughter.
Said the fourth boy, this verifies the old Proverb, tools have Fortune; besides, it has put me in mind of a story that was told me by my aunt.
TALE IV.
Long before Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table, here reigned in the easterly part of this land, a King who kept his court at Colchester: He was witty, strong and valiant, by which means he subdued his enemies abroad, and planted peace among his subjects at home.
Nevertheless, in the midst of all his earthly glory, his queen died, leaving behind her an only daughter, about fifteen years of age, under the care of her royal husband. This lady, from her courtly carriage, beauty and affability, was the wonder of all that knew her; but, as covetousness is the root of all evil, so it happened here,
