More Tales in the Land of Nursery Rhyme | Page 6

branches of the fruit trees, and to birds of every plumage singing the sweetest songs imaginable?
Truly there never was such a garden!
"There must be a great many gardeners here!" gasped Sir Hunny Bee.
"Oh, no," answered the old man. "The Princess does it all herself, with the help of some Bees (cousins of yours by the way), a few of the Byrdes, and the nymphs Wynde and Worta. Everything looks so beautiful now, because the Princess is in the garden. If we wait in this arbour here, she will pass behind it on her way to the palace. But do not go out until she calls you. For no man is allowed to see her face until she gives him permission. When she speaks to you, tell her your business speedily."
They waited in the arbour; the little old man still held Sir Hunny Bee's silver bell in his hat. Presently soft footsteps were heard approaching, and a gentle voice said:
"Not to-day,"--and the footsteps passed on behind the arbour.
Then the colour faded from the grass and flowers and shells. The fountains ceased to play, and the birds to sing; and Sir Hunny Bee was almost ready to cry with vexation.
"She is gone," he said, "and I have come so far to seek her."
"You must wait till to-morrow now," said the old man.
So Sir Hunny Bee waited till to-morrow, and exactly the same thing happened. The grass shone, and the flowers glowed. The fair maids turned and curtseyed on their stems. The fountains splashed, and the birds sang. The Princess passed behind the arbour and once more said in her gentle voice, "Not to-day," and then all grew dull and dim and silent, and Sir Hunny Bee more impatient.
He remained there for seven days--and on the seventh, without waiting for the old man to give him leave, as the Princess approached he called out:
"Seven times seven leagues over hill and dale have I ridden, most gracious Princess--and I have waited here for you for seven days. Oh, grant me permission to tell you of my quest."
Then the gentle voice said:
"Have you paid your fine, oh, bold stranger?"
"Yes," said Sir Hunny Bee.
"Throw it from the arbour that I may see it," said the Princess.
So the old man took the silver bell from his hat and flung it out on to a flower-bed near.
Immediately it began to grow and blossom till it was many feet high.
"The Princess smiles on it," said the old man, "tell her your mission speedily."
"Gracious lady," said Sir Hunny Bee from within the arbour, "the King of a far kingdom has sent me to beg you to come back with me to his kingdom, and smile on his back-yard that it may become a garden,--even as when you smiled on my poor bell it grew and blossomed."
"Oh, stranger," answered the Princess, "go home and tell your master that through the air must he send yet another messenger to fetch me, ere I will come to him. Come forth now and pluck the flower that sprang from your bell, and take it to your master in token that I speak truth."
So Sir Hunny Bee came forth from the arbour to pluck the flower, and his eyes fell on the glory of the Princess Mary Radiant.
She was dressed all in gold, and her hair was gold, and her glowing smile was more beautiful than words can tell. Sir Hunny Bee was dazzled with the sight of her, and, kneeling, kissed her hand.
"Pluck your flower and go," she said, "and if your master will send yet another messenger, I will come."
So Sir Hunny Bee plucked the flower, and, mounting his horse, rode away the way he had come. But when he stopped to look at the flower he had plucked, he found it was only quite an ordinary Canterbury bell!
The King was waiting on the steps of the back-yard when Sir Hunny Bee approached. It looked drearier than ever. Half a dozen gardeners were watering a muddy-looking stone with patent water, while the King looked on. When he saw Sir Hunny Bee he said:
"Have you brought her?"
"No, your Majesty," said the Knight, "but she sent you this flower, in token that if you will send her another messenger through the air, she will come. Oh, your Majesty, she is more beautiful than day, and her garden is Paradise itself!"
"Don't waste time talking," said the King. "Send Sir Richard Byrde. He learnt to fly long ago. He can fetch her through the air. Have a garden I must and will. This Canterbury bell shall be planted immediately." So the half-dozen gardeners were straightway sent off to plant it.
Meanwhile Sir Richard Byrde had arrived at the palace, having been sent for by an express messenger. He looked splendid in a knightly garb of russet brown.
"What is