` It will take seven herds of sheep , ' said she , ` and their increase for seven years . ' ` How much butter will it take to fill your crock ? ' ` Seven dairies , ' said she , ` and their increase for seven years . ' ` And how much will it take to fill the barrel you have ? ' says the Queen . ` It will take the increase of seven barrels of wheat for seven years . ' ` That is a great quantity , ' says the Queen ; ` but the reason must be extraordinary , and before I want it , I will give you all you demand . ' ` Well , ' says the hen-wife , ` it is because you are so stupid that you do n't observe or find out those affairs that are so dangerous and hurtful to yourself and your child . ' ` What is that ? ' says the Queen . ` Why , ' says she , ` the King your husband has three fine sons he had by the late Queen , whom he keeps shut up in a tower until they come of age , intending to divide the kingdom between them , and let your son push his fortune ; now , if you do n't find some means of destroying them ; your child and perhaps yourself will be left desolate in the end . ' ` And what would you advise me to do ? ' said she ; ' I am wholly at a loss in what manner to act in this affair . ' ` You must make known to the King , ' says the hen-wife , ` that you heard of his sons , and wonder greatly that he concealed them all this time from you ; tell him you wish to see them , and that it is full time for them to be liberated , and that you would be desirous he would bring them to the Court . The King will then do so , and there will be a great feast prepared on that account , and also diversions of every sort to amuse the people ; and in these sports , ' said she , ` ask the King 's sons to play a game at cards with you , which they will not refuse . Now , ' says the hen-wife , ` you must make a bargain , that if you win they must do whatever you command them , and if they win , that you must do whatever they command you to do ; this bargain must be made before the assembly , and here is a pack of cards , ' says she , ` that I am thinking you will not lose by . ' The Queen immediately took the cards , and , after returning the hen-wife thanks for her kind instruction , went back to the palace , where she was quite uneasy until she got speaking to the King in regard of his children ; at last she broke it off to him in a very polite and engaging manner , so that he could see no muster or design in it . He readily consented to her desire , and his sons were sent for to the tower , who gladly came to Court , rejoicing that they were freed from such confinement . They were all very handsome , and very expert in all arts and exercises , so that they gained the love and esteem of all that had seen them . The Queen , more jealous with them than ever , thought it an age until all the feasting and rejoicing was over , that she might get making her proposal , depending greatly on the power of the hen-wife 's cards .
At length this royal assembly began to sport and XXXXX at all kinds of diversions , and the Queen very cunningly challenged the three Princes to play at cards with her , making bargain with them as she had been instructed .
advise consented demand freed make observe play said sent win