That from mercy you can't depart.
Observe that your lenient, kind, intervenient
King has a tender heart!"
He saw that the cook in a neighboring brook
Was drowned (as he quite deserved),
And he ordered the steward at once to be skewered.
(The steward was much unnerved.)
"It's a curious thing," said the merciful King,
"That monarchs so tender are,