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Thus King Dolor's reign passed year after year； long and prosperous。
Whether he were happy〃as happy as a king〃is a question no human
being can decide。 But I think he was； because he had the power of making
everybody about him happy； and did it too； also because he was his
godmother's godson； and could shut himself up with her whenever he
liked； in that quiet little room in view of the Beautiful Mountains； which
nobody else ever saw or cared to see。 They were too far off； and the city
lay so low。 But there they were； all the time。 No change ever came to them；
and I think； at any day throughout his long reign； the King would sooner
have lost his crown than have lost sight of the Beautiful Mountains。
In course of time； when the little Prince； his cousin； was grown into a
tall young man； capable of all the duties of a man； his Majesty did one of
the most extraordinary acts ever known in a sovereign beloved by his
people and prosperous in his reign。 He announced that he wished to invest
his heir with the royal purpleat any rate； for a timewhile he himself
went away on a distant journey； whither he had long desired to go。
Everybody marveled； but nobody opposed him。 Who could oppose the
good King； who was not a young king now？ And besides； the nation had a
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great admiration for the young regentand possibly a lurking pleasure in
change。
So there was a fixed day when all the people whom it would hold
assembled in the great square of the capital； to see the young prince
installed solemnly in his new duties； and undertaking his new vows。 He
was a very fine young fellow； tall and straight as a poplar tree； with a
frank； handsome facea great deal handsomer than the king； some people
said； but others thought differently。 However； as his Majesty sat on his
throne； with his gray hair falling from underneath his crown； and a few
wrinkles showing in spite of his smile； there was something about his
countenance which made his people； even while they shouted； regard him
with a tenderness mixed with awe。
He lifted up his thin； slender hand； and there came a silence over the
vast crowd immediately。 Then he spoke； in his own accustomed way；
using no grand words； but saying what he had to say in the simplest
fashion； though with a clearness that struck their ears like the first song of
a bird in the dusk of the morning。
〃My people； I am tired： I want to rest。 I have had a long reign； and
done much workat least； as much as I was able to do。 Many might have
done it better than Ibut none with a better will。 Now I leave it to others； I
am tired； very tired。 Let me go home。〃
There arose a murmurof content or discontent none could well tell；
then it died down again； and the assembly listened silently once more。
〃I am not anxious about you； my peoplemy children；〃 continued the
King。 〃You are prosperous and at peace。 I leave you in good hands。 The
Prince Regent will be a fitter king for you than I。〃
〃No； no； no！〃 rose the universal shoutand those who had sometimes
found fault with him shouted louder than anybody。 But he seemed as if he
heard them not。
〃Yes； yes；〃 said he； as soon as the tumult had a little subsided： and his
voice sounded firm and clear； and some very old people； who boasted of
having seen him as a child； declared that his face took a sudden change；
and grew as young and sweet as that of the little Prince Dolor。 〃Yes； I must
go。 It is time for me to go。 Remember me sometimes； my people； for I
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have loved you well。 And I am going a long way； and I do not think I shall
come back any more。〃
He drew a little bundle out of his breast pocketa bundle that nobody
had ever seen before。 It was small and shabby…looking； and tied up with
many knots； which untied themselves in an instant。 With a joyful
countenance； he muttered over it a few half…intelligible words。 Then； so
suddenly that even those nearest to his Majesty could not tell how it came
about； the King was awayawayfloating right up in the airupon
something； they knew not what； except that it appeared to be as safe and
pleasant as the wings of a bird。
And after him sprang a birda dear little lark； rising from whence no
one could say； since larks do not usually build their nests in the pavement
of city squares。 But there it was； a real lark； singing far over their heads；
louder and clearer and more joyful as it vanished further into the blue sky。
Shading their eyes； and straining their ears； the astonished people
stood until the whole vision disappeared like a speck in the clouds the
rosy clouds that overhung the Beautiful Mountains。
King Dolor was never again beheld or heard of in his own country。 But
the good he had done there lasted for years and years； he was long missed
and deeply mournedat least； so far as anybody could mourn one who was
gone on such a happy journey。
Whither he went； or who went with him； it is impossible to say。 But I
myself believe that his godmother took him on his traveling…cloak to the
Beautiful Mountains。 What he did there； or where he is now； who can tell？
I cannot。 But one thing I am quite sure of； that； wherever he is； he is
perfectly happy。
And so； when I think of him； am I。
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THE INVISIBLE PRINCE
THERE were a king and queen who were dotingly fond of their only
son； notwithstanding that he was equally deformed in mind and person。
The king was quite sensible of the evil disposition of his son； but the
queen in her excessive fondness saw no fault whatever in her dear Furibon；
as he was named。 The surest way to win her favor was to praise Furibon
for charms he did not possess。 When he came of age to have a governor；
the king made choice of a prince who had an ancient right to the crown；
but was not able to support it。 This prince had a son； named Leander；
handsome； accomplished； amiablein every respect the opposite of Prince
Furibon。 The two were frequently together