Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/74

 "'I've been around the whole world twice, once under sea and once atop,' grumbled the King.

"'And I've lived beside your door all the time,' she said to him.

"'Give me to drink of the golden goblet,' he commanded.

"''Tis only for the wise to drink,' said she. 'One drop gives supreme happiness, two drops satiety, and three drops death.'

"'Give it me!' cried the King.

"So she lifted the goblet to his lips, and he drank one drop.

"''Tis sweet!' cried the King.

"'Beware!' said the Water-Lily Maiden.

"She raised it again to his lips, and he drank two drops.

"''Tis bitter,' moaned the King.

"'Beware!' cried the Water-Lily Maiden.

"Eagerly he seized the cup and drank. three drops, and then the King fell dead of too much joy, even at his own threshold."

"What was in the cup?" demanded Peter.

"I don't know," she said.