And one did wish, by sudden freak,
His dog be granted power to speak;
And now the beast can talk as well
As I, and also read and spell.
And—”
“Stop!” cried the queen, with sudden excitement. “Do you lie, minstrel, or are you speaking the truth?”
Secretly glad that his news was received thus eagerly, Quavo continued to twang the harp as he replied in verse:
“Now may I die at break of day,
If false is any word I say.”
“And what is this cloak like—and who owns it?” demanded the queen, impetuously.