“Go out in the world and taste its pleasures, but keep your Star of Hope as bright as those shining in the heavens over your head if you wish for happiness.”
The next morning Prince Lorenzo started on his journey. He was dressed in a shining suit of mail and sat upon a white horse with trappings of silver. In the center of his helmet was a little silver star which his mother gave him with these words:
“My son, may your armor protect you from all evil and may this star be your guide. It is enchanted, for it was given to me by a fairy when I was Queen and your father King.
“If ever it grows dim look into your own heart to find the cause, and, finding it, cast it from you if you wish for happiness.”
Prince Lorenzo promised to look to the brightness of the little star and rode away to seek his happiness.
After several days he came to a big city, the City of Pleasure it was called, and those who lived there told him his armor was much too heavy for one so young to wear.
“Cast it aside,” they told the Prince, “and we will show you the joys of living.”
So the Prince listened and followed the people in the City of Pleasure to a beautiful palace where merriment reigned, and laid aside his armor for a lighter garb. One day Prince Lorenzo looked from the Palace of Merriment and saw all around the castle men, women, and children working, and on their faces the look of misery.
“Who are these creatures?” he asked his gay companions.
“Those are the toilers who make the money for us to spend,” was the reply. “Look at us and forget these creatures and be merry.”