The ambassador did not know what he meant, for he had never heard of the fight, but he answered gravely: “Never more than now.” Then he showed the prince two proclamations, which had been posted all about the town. Here is the first:
TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS.
Whereas,
Our eldest son, Prince Prigio, hath of late been guilty of
several high crimes and misdemeanours.
First: By abandoning the post of danger against the
Firedrake, whereby our beloved sons, Prince Alphonso and
Prince Enrico, have perished, and been overdone by that
monster.
Secondly: By attending an unseemly revel in the town of
Gluckstein, where he brawled in the streets.
Thirdly: By trying to seduce away the hearts of our loyal
subjects in that city, and to blow up a party against our
crown and our peace.
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This is to give warning,
That whoever consorts with, comforts, aids, or abets the
said Prince Prigio, is thereby a partner in his treason; and
That a reward of Five Thousand Purses will be given to
whomsoever brings the said prince, alive, to our Castle of
Falkenstein.
Grognio R.
And here is the second proclamation:
Reward. The firedrake. Whereas,
Our dominions have lately been devastated by a Firedrake
(the Salamander Furiosus of Buffon);
This is to advise all,
That whosoever brings the horns and tail of the said
Firedrake to our Castle of Falkenstein, shall receive Five
Thousand Purses, the position of Crown Prince, with the
usual perquisites, and the hand of the king’s niece, the
Lady Molinda.
Grognio R.
“H’m,” said the prince; “I did not think his majesty wrote so well;” and he would have liked to say, “Don’t you think we might join the ladies?”
“But, sir,” said the ambassador, “the streets are lined with soldiers; and I know not how you have escaped them. Here, under my roof, you are safe for the moment; but a prolonged stay—excuse my inhospitality—could not but strain the harmonious relations which prevail between the Government of Pantouflia and that which I have the honour to represent.”
“We don’t want to fight; and no more, I think, do you,” said the prince, smiling.
“Then how does your royal highness mean to treat the proclamations?”
“Why, by winning these ten thousand purses. I can tell you £1,000,000 is worth having,” said the prince. “I ‘ll deliver up the said prince, alive, at Falkenstein this very night; also the horns and tail of the said Firedrake. But I don’t want to marry my Cousin Molly.”
“May I remind your royal highness that Falkenstein is three hundred miles away? Moreover, my head butler, Benson, disappeared from the house before dinner, and I fear he went to warn Captain Kopzoffski that you are here!”