Page 76 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

and told her all that had taken place; that she
thought it impossible that the children were
still alive, for so frightful a tempest had arisen,
that she had herself been nearly killed by the
hail; but at all events she prayed for time, and
she would find means to do away with them,
one after the other, without any one
suspecting it.

The Queen, who sought but their death, was
slightly appeased: she told her not to lose a
moment about it; and indeed, old Feintise,
who found herself in great danger, did all that
depended upon her; she watched for the
opportunity when the Princes went hunting,
and taking a guitar under her arm, she went

and sat down opposite the Princess's windows,
and sang the following words:—

"Beauty hath o'er all things sway,
Profit by it while you may;
Youth soon flies,
Beauty dies,
And frosty age blights every flower.

Ah, what woe
It is to know,

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