"You must be for us the angel with the flaming sword, and open the
gates of paradise, but not to cast us out."

Deesen opened the gate, and our adventurers entered "the wide, wide
world."

"Let us stand here a few moments," said the king, as his glance
rested upon the green fields spread far and wide around him. "How
great and beautiful the world appears to-day! Observe Nature's grand
silence, yet the air is full of a thousand voices, and the white
clouds wandering dreamily in the blue heavens above, are they not
the misty veils with which the gods of Olympus conceal their
charms?"

"Ah! sire," said Balby, with a loving glance at the king's hand some
face--"ah, sire, my eyes have no time to gaze at Nature's charms,
they are occupied with yourself. When I look upon you, I feel that
man is indeed made in the image of God."

"Were I a god, I should not be content to resemble this worn, faded
face. Come, now, let us be off! Give me your instrument, Deesen, I
will carry it. Now I look like a travelling apprentice seeking his
fortune. The world is all before him where to choose his place of
rest, and Providence his guide. I envy him. He is a free man!"

"Truly, these poor apprentices would not believe that a king was
envying them their fate," said Balby, laughing.

"Still they are to be envied," said the king, "for they are free.
No, no, at present I envy no one, the world and its sunshine belong