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LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
strategist, and that he could say, like the ancient poet,
with a slight variation, “I am a man, and nothing that
pertains to the art of despatching poor human beings 1s
indifferent to me." It was he that initiated Charming into
the mysteries of button gaiters and shoulder-straps; It
was he that taught his pupil that the noblest study for a
prince is the drilling of battalions, and that the groundwork
of statesmanship is to have reviews in order to make war,
and to make war in order to have reviews.
This was not perhaps altogether according to Bizarre’s
idea of the art of government; but he thought he could
correct any errors in the future, and besides, he was so
rejoiced at Charming’s progress that he was unwilling in
any way to meddle with the admirable work of an educa¬
tion so long considered hopeless.
“My child,” he often said, "never forget that you owe
5
everything to Pazza.” As the king spoke thus, Pazza
gazed tenderly at the young man. Despite all her wit,
she was foolish enough to love him. Charming contented
himself with coldly answering that gratitude was a princely
virtue, and that Pazza should some day learn that her pupil
had forgotten nothing.
IV
PAZZA S WEDDING
When Prince Charming had attained his seventeenth
year, he went one morning in search of King Bizarre, whose
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