“‘Are there any Jews within the borders of my territory?’ ses he.
“‘There are two Jews for every fool in the community,’ ses the Prince.
“‘Well, then,’ ses the King, ‘there must be an Irishman about somewhere. And I’m thinking there is a leak in your memory, or else your education was sorely neglected. You should know at this hour of your life, if you know anything at all, that the Irish race was destined by Providence to make things easy for mankind in general, but the Jews in particular.’
“When the Prince heard this, he told his men to get ready for the road, and he marched at the head of his army to where the Jews were located, and sure enough, there he found the one and only Irishman in the whole country, and he brought him before the King. And when the King laid his optics on him, he up and ses: ‘Holy smoke and tailors’ trimmings,’ ses he, ‘where did you bring that red head from?’
“‘Oh,’ ses the Irishman, ‘I never even asked myself that question, but I dare say I must have brought it from Denmark.’
“‘From Denmark?’ ses the King with surprise.
“‘Yes,’ ses the Irishman; ‘’twas my great-grandfather’s great-grandfather’s great-grandfather’s father who killed Brian Boru at the Battle of Clontarf.’
“‘Is that a fact?’ ses the King.
“‘’Tis a solid fact,’ ses Cormac McDermot, for that was his name.
“‘Well, be the seven pipers of Ballymacthomas,’ ses the King, ‘that bates Bannagher. The man who killed Brian Boru was no slaumeen, by all accounts. And I like nothing better, when my day’s work is done, than to read the exploits of Brian, and his compatriots the Knights of the Red Branch, for herself and the children.’