Stranica 196 [196]
OCR
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 education 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 156
