"'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 he 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 he black ingratitude, to turn against
their worship at the very outset of my reign. I hate you for
suggesting it.
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