"So every king went to war to prove that he could conquer every
one else, and there was a great deal of bloodshed and misery.
But the proud princess laughed and sang, and she and her maidens
worked at a wonderful lace veil which she meant to wear when the
king of all kings came. It was a very beautiful veil; but her
maidens whispered that a man had died and a woman's heart had
broken for every stitch set in it.

"Just when a king thought he had conquered everybody some other
king would come and conquer HIM; and so it went on until it did
not seem likely the proud princess would ever get a husband at
all. But still her pride was so great that she would not yield,
even though everybody except the kings who wanted to marry her,
hated her for the suffering she had caused. One day a horn was
blown at the palace gate; and there was one tall man in complete
armor with his visor down, riding on a white horse. When he said
he had come to marry the princess every one laughed, for he had
no retinue and no beautiful apparel, and no golden crown.

"'But I am the king who conquers all kings,' he said.

"'You must prove it before I shall marry you,' said the proud
princess. But she trembled and turned pale, for there was
something in his voice that frightened her. And when he laughed,
his laughter was still more dreadful.

"'I can easily prove it, beautiful princess,' he said, 'but you
must go with me to my kingdom for the proof. Marry me now, and
you and I and your father and all your court will ride