A quartet of historians now made their appearance; they asked, respectively, for the statesman (18) who has always been a thorn in the side of Americans; the Colonial general (19) who might have been used to close the Revolution; the American poet (20)whose mouth was larger than his head; and the New England doctor (21) for which the city of Philadelphia is famed.
Once more the King's agent triumphed. Next came the most learned (22) of all the Romans, who asked for Molly Maguires. (23) "You are only fit to wear a steeple-crowned hat," (24) said the wise man when he had given the required explanation, "but I will be lenient with you."
Just now a beautiful song is heard. It is sung by the Prince of the Ode, (25) and it runs as follows:
"My first makes all Nature appear with one face,
At my second are music, beauty, and grace;
And if this charade you cannot e'er guess,—
Throwing my whole at your head,— I'll take the princess." (26)
But he didn't. The princess remained for another. A poor knight from the Land of Cakes (27) inquired for Tom of Lincoln, (28) but he did not live long enough to use the information when it was given him. An arrogant fellow who imagined the princess was his, said, "Tell me, if you can, to whom did the flying tapestry belong?" (29) That was the last question this man ever propounded. A tall minstrel, who reminded one of the Snow King, (30) presented this:
"My first we oft lend to each other in turn,
To borrow it would be exceedingly droll;
My next near my first you may often discern.
In my first too, alas! you perhaps find my whole." (31)
"Tell me where I can find the Key of Russia?" (32) inquired a bold adventurer. The Wizard told him, and, brave as he was, he lost his head completely.
"I am here to seek the First Gentleman of Europe," (33) said a young gallant. "You are on the road to him," rejoined the Wizard.
A jolly old chap, who resembled the King (34) noted for his penmanship, walking up slowly, shouted:
"What insects (35) does everybody sleep on?"