Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/272

244 shave him for the next day. Prince Bulbo kicked him away, and went on writing a few words to Princess Angelica, as the clock kept always ticking and the hands hopping nearer and nearer to next morning. He got up on the top of a hat-box, on the top of a chair, on the top of his bed, on the top of his table, and looked out to see whether he might escape, as the clock kept always ticking and the hands drawing nearer, and nearer, and nearer.

But looking out of the window was one thing, and jumping another: and the town clock struck seven. So he

got into bed for a little sleep, but the jailer came and woke him, and said, “Git up, your Royal Highness, if you please, it’s ten minutes to eight.”

So poor Bulbo got up: he had gone to bed in his clothes (the lazy boy), and he shook himself, and said he didn’t mind about dressing, or having any breakfast, thank you; and he saw the soldiers who had come for him. “Lead on!” he said; and they led the way, deeply affected; and they came into the court-yard, and out into the square, and there was King Giglio come to take leave of him, and his Majesty most kindly shook hands with him, and the gloomy procession marched on:—when hark!

“Haw—wurraw—wurraw—aworr!”

A roar of wild beasts was heard. And who should come riding into the town, frightening away the boys, and even the beadle and policeman, but