. Tales of fantasy . the King (like allthe rest of them), never mind the young men ! Turnthy eyes on a middle-aged autocrat, who has been con-sidered not ill-looking in his time. 280 Tales of Fantasy Oh, sir! what will her Majesty say ? criesBetsinda. Her Majesty! laughs the monarch. Her Majestybe hanged. Am I not Autocrat of Paflagonia ? HaveI not blocks, ropes, axes, hangmen - - ha ? Runs not ariver by my palace wall ? Have I not sacks to sew upwives withal? Say but the word, that thou wilt bemine own, — your mistress straightway in a sack issewn, and thou the sharer of my heart and throne.

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. Tales of fantasy . the King (like allthe rest of them), never mind the young men ! Turnthy eyes on a middle-aged autocrat, who has been con-sidered not ill-looking in his time. 280 Tales of Fantasy Oh, sir! what will her Majesty say ? criesBetsinda. Her Majesty! laughs the monarch. Her Majestybe hanged. Am I not Autocrat of Paflagonia ? HaveI not blocks, ropes, axes, hangmen - - ha ? Runs not ariver by my palace wall ? Have I not sacks to sew upwives withal? Say but the word, that thou wilt bemine own, — your mistress straightway in a sack issewn, and thou the sharer of my heart and throne. When Giglio heard these atrocious sentiments, heforgot the respect usually paid to Royalty, lifted upthe warming-pan and knocked down the King as flat asa pancake; after which, Master Giglio took to his heelsand ran away, and Betsinda went off screaming, andthe Queen, the Princess, and Gruffanuff all came out oftheir rooms. Fancy their feelings on beholding theirhusband, father, sovereign, in this posture! •**». The Rose and the Ring 281

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