"This roused the guard, who seized upon the whole three, and was taking them away, when the King whispered to the Captain to bring them to the Palace next day.
"Accordingly in the morning they were brought to the King in the garden before prayer time.
"'I hear,' said Almanzor, 'that you talked of me last night. It is said that you think me sober, sad, and foolish.'
"Not one of them answered.
"'I will think of your crime, and how you shall be punished. Begone, and return hither at noon.'
"At noon-tide they were brought again to the King, who said to them gravely, 'You have abused the King. You shall die to-morrow.'
"'Woe is me!" cried they all, and as they were led away the King stayed weeping by the water's edge.
"But at evening, the guard took them out yet once more, and this time the King was merry, and the sound of music mocked their sadness.
"'You are pardoned,' said the King Almanzor. 'Judge not lightly of me again. In the morning I reflect on the crimes which I have to judge, and then I am grave. At noon I condemn some to die, and then ever I weep. But at night-fall I pardon the least guilty, and then always I am glad at heart. Be ye also merry to-night, and to-morrow wiser.'
"And thus saying, the King gave them a purse of gold and turned away."