Oldal 173 [173]
THE THREE CITRONS
hempen cravat; others thought that the wretch should
be thrown into the water with a stone to his neck. Behead¬
ing seemed to the old minister too mild a punishment for
such a villain; he was in favor of flaying him alive, and all
present applauded his humanity.
When the negress’s turn came she approached without
suspicion, and did not recognize the fairy. “Sire,” said
6
she, "a monster capable of injuring this charming creature
deserves to be roasted alive in an oven, and to have his
ashes thrown to the winds.”
" You have pronounced your own sentence,” cried the
king of the Vermilion Towers. ‘“‘Wretch, behold your
victim and prepare to die. Leta funeral pile be built in the
square in front of the castle. I will give my good people
the pleasure of seeing a witch burn; it will occupy them
for an hour or two."
“Sire,” said the young fairy, taking the king’s hand,
" Your Majesty surely will not refuse me a wedding gift?”’
“No, indeed, my child,” replied the old king. "Ask
what you will; should it be my crown, I will gladly give
it to you.”
Sire,’ continued the fairy, “grant me this wretched
creatures pardon. An ignorant and miserable slave, life
has taught her nothing but hatred and malice; let me
render her happy and teach her that the only happiness
on earth consists in loving others."
135