The Elector assented, and the artist ordered a temporary screen built around the statue, so that his assistants could work undisturbed. For several days the sound of hammering came steadily from behind the enclosure. The courtiers, who took care to pass that way, often, were delighted. Each one said to himself, "I must have been right, really; the artist himself sees that something was wrong; now I shall have credit for saving the prince's portrait by my artistic taste!"
Once more the artist summoned the prince and his courtiers, and once more the statue was unveiled. Again the Elector exclaimed at its beauty, and then he turned to his courtiers, one after another, to see what they had to say.
"Perfect!" said the first. "Now that the horse's head is in proportion, there is not a flaw."
"The change in the neck was just what was needed," said the second; "it is very graceful now."
"The rear right foot is as it should be, now," said a third, "and it adds so much to the beauty of the whole!"
The fourth said that he considered the tail greatly improved.
"My courtiers are much pleased now," said the prince to Herr Grupello; "they think the statue much improved by the changes you have made."
Herr Grupello smiled a little. "I am glad they are pleased," he said, "but the fact is, I have changed nothing!"
"What do you mean?" said the prince in surprise. "Have we not heard the sound of hammering every day? What were you hammering at then?"
"I was hammering at the reputation of your courtiers, who found fault simply because they were jealous," said the artist. "And I rather think that their reputation is pretty well hammered to pieces!"