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226 Tzar could not gaze sufficiently at her, and the instant she had gone felt himself seized with a violent love for her. He sent in hot haste for his Court Ministers, his Boyars, and his great Generals, and said: "Here are the keys of my royal treasury. Take as much gold as ye require to search throughout the four corners of the white world. Only fetch me, to become my Tzaritza, such another beauty as the wife of my archer!"

They answered: "O Tzar's Majesty! we are already in the latter half of our lives and never have we seen one to be compared with her!" The Tzar, however, headstrong and evil-tempered, would not listen, and bidding them go at once and begin the search, sent them from his presence in displeasure.

The Boyars and Councilors scratched their gray heads and stroked their beards. They were so depressed that their very noses drooped, but they had, perforce, to go upon the highway to search. While they were thus engaged a ragged beggar approached them. "Why are ye so cast down, O Boyars and gentlemen?" he asked.

"Get thee gone, thou bundle of rags!" they said.

"Best not to drive me away," the beggar replied.