IN times of yore there was a King and a Queen in the south of
Ireland who had three sons, all beautiful children; but the
Queen, their mother, sickened unto death when they were yet very
young, which caused great grief throughout the Court, particularly
to the King, her husband, who could in no wise be comforted.
Seeing that death was drawing near her, she called the King to her
and spoke as follows:

`I am now going to leave you, and as you are young and in
your prime, of course after my death you will marry again. Now
all the request I ask of you is that you will build a tower in an
island in the sea, wherein you will keep your three sons until they
are come of age and fit to do for themselves; so that they may not
be under the power or jurisdiction of any other woman. Neglect not
to give them education suitable to their birth, and let them be
trained up to every exercise and pastime requisite for king's sons to
learn. This is all I have to say, so farewell.'

The King had scarce time, with tears in his eyes, to assure her
she should be obeyed in everything, when she, turning herself in
her bed, with a smile gave up the ghost. Never was greater
mourning seen than was throughout the Court and the whole
kingdom; for a better woman than the Queen, to rich and poor,
was not to be found in the world. She was interred with great
pomp and magnificence, and the King, her husband, became in
a manner inconsolable for the loss of her. However, he caused
the tower to be built and his sons placed in it, under proper
guardians, according to his promise.

In process of time the lords and knights of the kingdom counselled
the King (as he was young) to live no longer as he had done,
but to take a wife; which counsel prevailing, they chose him a rich
and beautiful princess to be his consort--a neighbouring King's
daughter, of whom he was very fond. Not long after, the Queen
had a fine son, which caused great feasting and rejoicing at the
Court, insomuch that the late Queen, in a manner, was entirely
forgotten. That fared well, and King and Queen lived happy
together for several years.

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