Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/262

234 Prince, thy Giglio? Good Corporal, methinks we once were friends. Ha, Sergeant, an my memory serves me right, we have had many a bout at singlestick.”

“I’ faith, we have a many, good my lord,” says the Sergeant.

“Tell me what means this mighty armament,” continued his Royal Highness from the balcony, “and whither march my Paflagonians?”

Hedzoff’s head fell. “My lord,” he said, “we march as the allies of great Padella, Crim Tartary’s monarch.”

“Crim Tartary’s usurper, gallant Hedzoff! Crim Tartary’s grim tyrant, honest Hedzoff!” said the Prince, on the balcony quite sarcastically.

“A soldier, Prince, must needs obey his orders: mine are to help his Majesty Padella. And also (though alack that I should say it!) to seize wherever I should light upon him…”

“First catch your hare! ha, Hedzoff!” exclaimed his Royal Highness.

“…on the body of Giglio, whilom Prince of Paflagonia,” Hedzoff went on, with indescribable emotion. “My Prince,