Every evening he had a dance in the palace; and every day there were
picnics and merrymakings of all kinds, and before long King Cole had
the reputation of having the merriest court in all the world.
He loved to feast and to smoke and to drink his punch, and he was
never so merry as when others were merry with him, so that the three
fiddlers were almost always by his side, and at any hour of the day
you could hear sweet strains of music echoing through the palace.
Old King Cole did not forget the donkey that had been his constant
companion for so long. He had a golden saddle made for him, with a
saddle-cloth broidered in gold and silver, and the bridle was studded
with diamonds and precious stones, all taken from the King's treasury.
And when he rode out, the old fat King always bestrode the donkey,
while his courtiers rode on either side of him upon their prancing
chargers.
Old King Cole reigned for many years, and was generally beloved by his
subjects; for he always gave liberally to all who asked, and was
always as merry and happy as the day was long.
When he died the new King was found to be of a very different temper,
and ruled the country with great severity; but this only served to
make the memory of Old King Cole more tenderly cherished by his
people, and they often sighed when they recalled his merry pranks, and
the good times they enjoyed under his rule.
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