Part 31 (2/2)

If you could only see me dine, You'd find me extremely placid; I never fear a dish of mine Is seasoned with prussic acid!

BROWNIES

Oh, you're all right!

KING STANISLAUS

Eh, I didn't catch it quite; Repeat it, please! I didn't understand.

BROWNIES

Why, you, you, you, you! You're all right!

KING STANISLAUS

And so is the Brownie band!

KING STANISLAUS

I need no sabre, lance, or spear To guard me whene'er I slumber; My people kneel, but not thro' fear; Love governs the entire number.

My slightest wish they all obey; I never use any axes; I always let them have their way; They don't have to pay high taxes; No undertaker need apply; I'm not for embalmment crazy; My subjects cry as I pa.s.s by, ”The Brownie king is a daisy!”

BROWNIES

Oh, you're all right, etc.

The refrain was so rollicking and infectious that when it was repeated Dragonfel and his followers could not keep from joining in with the Brownies, and they l.u.s.tily roared out the words with a right good will.

The delayed wedding of Prince Florimel and Queen t.i.tania was celebrated very soon after in the fairy-palace with all the joy and happiness that can come to such a momentous occasion.

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Brownies and fairies vied with each other in having a good time, and the walls rang with their innocent merry-making. Everyone said that King Stanislaus was the life of the party.

Dragonfel and his followers partic.i.p.ated in the festivities, this time unfeared, and to the strains of a Brownie orchestra they mingled with others in the dance. Dragonfel even tried to do the fox-trot with Dame Drusilda, which greatly delighted Euphrosyne who was among those present.

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In place of the useless, c.u.mbersome presents he had first brought the enchanter gave the bride the more appropriate and useful gift of a dozen bushels of precious stones.

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So in this wonderful country King Florimel and his beautiful queen are still living and ruling wisely, and, to make their happiness complete, there are little children round them.

To these King Florimel will leave the heritage of the magic bow and arrows, for life has glided smoothly on, and the time has never been so grave or distressing, as to necessitate their use. But should that time ever come the king has full confidence in his ex-fairy G.o.dmother's gift.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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