Having thus condescended to hold a little parley with his
fellow-subjects, though not follow-creatures, he gave them all a good
sound flogging, and departed amidst the enthusiastic cheering of those
whom he had so briskly lashed.
By this time Popanilla had arrived at the Hall of Audience.
'It was a vast and venerable pile.'
His Excellency and suite quitted their carriages amidst the renewed
acclamations of the mob. Proceeding through a number of courts and
quadrangles, crowded with guards and officials, they stopped before a
bronze gate of great height. Over it was written, in vast characters of
living flame, this inscription:
TO
THE WISEST AND THE BEST,
THE RICHEST AND THE MIGHTIEST,
THE GLORY AND THE ADMIRATION,
THE DEFENCE AND THE CONSTERNATION.
On reading this mysterious inscription his Excellency experienced a
sudden and awful shudder. Lord Moustache, however, who was more used to
mysteries, taking up a silver trumpet, which was fixed to the portal by
a crimson cord, gave a loud blast.
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