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Where do you come from, and what do you want? The seventh Simon answered from the ship: 'We are peaceful people. We come from the country of the great and good King Archidej, and we bring foreign wares rich brocades, carpets, and costly jewels, which we wish to show to your king and the princess. We desire to trade to sell, to buy, and to exchange.
The seventh Simon answered the nurse: 'We come from the country of the wise and good King Archidej, said he, 'and we have brought all sorts of goods for sale. We trust the king of this country may condescend to welcome us, and to let his servants take charge of our wares. If he considers them worthy to adorn his followers we shall be content.
King Archidej went out himself, took her by the hand and led her into the royal apartments. 'Madam, said he, 'the fame of your beauty had reached me, but I had not dared to expect such loveliness. Still I will not keep you here against your will.
It darted towards a hole, but before it could reach it Simon sprang upon it more swiftly than any cat, and then the little mouse turned once more into the beautiful Princess Helena. Early one morning King Archidej sat thoughtfully at his window gazing out to sea. His heart was sad and he would neither eat nor drink. His thoughts were full of the Princess Helena, who was as lovely as a dream.
Then the seventh Simon stepped back a little, cleared his throat, and said: 'My trade, King Archidej, is of such a kind that the man who follows it in your kingdom generally loses his life and has no hopes of pardon. There is only one thing I can do really well, and that is to steal, and to hide the smallest scrap of anything I have stolen.
He sits on his throne and declares that no prince or king on earth is good enough for his lovely daughter, that he will give her to none, and that if any king asks for her hand he will declare war against him and destroy his kingdom. 'Has the king of Busan a great army? asked King Archidej; 'is his country far off?
She shines like the sun, and the stars of heaven seem to sparkle in her eyes. Up sprang King Archidej in haste: 'Hurry, hurry, he cried. 'Let us hasten to meet her! Let the bugles sound and the joy bells be rung! And the whole Court swarmed with courtiers and servants. Golden carpets were laid down and the great gates thrown open to welcome the princess.
On being asked who they were, the eldest said, bowing low: 'We, King Archidej, are your labourers, children of one father and mother, and we all have the same name, for each of us is called Simon. Our father taught us to be true to our king, and to till the ground, and to be kind to our neighbours.
The Story of the Seven Simons Far, far away, beyond all sorts of countries, seas and rivers, there stood a splendid city where lived King Archidej, who was as good as he was rich and handsome. His great army was made up of men ready to obey his slightest wish; he owned forty times forty cities, and in each city he had ten palaces with silver doors, golden roofs, and crystal windows.
The King of Busan read the letter over and over again, and ordered the knights and soldiers to be set free. He entertained King Archidej's ambassadors hospitably, and sent his blessing to his daughter, but he could not be brought to attend the wedding. When the wonder-ship got home King Archidej and Princess Helena were enchanted with the news it brought. The king sent for the seven Simons.
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