Page:Story of the little white mouse, or, The overthrow of the tyrant king (1).pdf/20

20 I be otherwise than afflicted," answered he, "to be thus set at defiance by a keeper of poultry?" "What, will not she love you?" said the king; "I am determined she shall love you, or be put to death." He then called his guards. "Go," said he, "and bring her here immediately; I will punish her so severely, that she shall soon repent of her obstinacy."

They went to the poultry-yard, and found Juliet there, magnificently dressed, as the fairy left her; they had never seen so lovely a figure, and, taking her for some princess, were afraid to speak to her. She said to them, in a sweet and condescending voice, "Pray whom do you seek here?" "Madam," said they, "we seek an unfortunate creature named Juliet." "I am the person you seek," replied she; "what do you want?" Hearing this, they seized her, and having tied her hands and feet with cords, lest she should escape, they carried her into the presence of the king. "Well, insolent wretch," said he, "and so you are determined not to love my son? He is a thousand times handsomer than you; love him therefore immediately, or I'll have you flayed alive." The princess, trembling like an affrighted dove, kneeled before him, and tried to inspire pity in a heart that never felt any; but she pleaded in vain, as the