The king was so angry that he jumped at the duke to choke him, but the attendants seized him and soon had him locked up in prison to think over the change that had come over his fortune by a mere change of clothes.
THE PROUD KING
Part Two
A real king is greater than his crown, and a real man is more than his clothes.
The king had now time to think it all over. Here he was no king at all, just because some one had stolen his clothes.
“Is that the only difference between a king and a beggar?” said he. And he sat all night with his head between his knees thinking how proud he had been.
Early in the morning he stood up and saw that the prison door was open. He walked out and down the road and came to his own palace. The porter did not know him and would not let him pass.
“But,” said the king, “I am your emperor; I am your master. Let me pass!” The porter was a strong man and held the gate tight shut.
“The emperor indeed!” he replied. “Come here and I will show you the emperor.” Then taking the king by the arm he led him to the door of a great hall where there were many people together. He saw an emperor seated on the throne and by his side was the queen.