`` `Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to cut down
the first tree with a specially consecrated axe,' said the
obsequious official.
`` `I'll cut off your head first, with any axe that comes
handy,' said Vespaluus indignantly; `do you suppose that I'm
going to begin my reign by mortally affronting the sacred
serpents? It would be most unlucky.'
`` `But your Majesty's Christian principles?' exclaimed
the bewildered Chamberlain.
`` `I never had any,' said Vespaluus; `I used to pretend
to be a Christian convert just to annoy Hkrikros. He used
to fly into such delicious tempers. And it was rather fun
being whipped and scolded and shut up in a tower all for
nothing. But as to turning Christian in real earnest, like
you people seem to do, I couldn't think of such a thing.
And the holy and esteemed serpents have always helped me
when I've prayed to them for success in my running and
wrestling and hunting, and it was through their
distinguished intercession that the bees were not able to
hurt me with their stings. It would be black ingratitude to
turn against their worship at the very outset of my reign.
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