"
The king laughed, while Earl Douglas cast at John Heywood a sharp,
spiteful look.
"He is an impudent imp, is he not, Douglas?" said the king.
"He is a fool!" replied he, with a shrug.
"Exactly, and therefore I just now told you the truth. For you know
children and fools speak the truth. And I became a fool just on this
account, that the king, whom you all deceive by your lies, may have
about him some creature, besides his looking-glass, to tell him the
truth."
"Well, and what truth will you serve up for me today?"
"It is already served, your majesty. So lay aside for a little your
regal crown and your high priesthood, and conclude to be for awhile
a carnivorous beast. It is very easy to become a king. For that,
nothing more is necessary than to be born of a queen under a canopy.
But it is very difficult to be a man who has a good digestion. It
requires a healthy stomach and a light conscience. Come, King Henry,
and let us see whether you are not merely a king, but also a man
that has a good stomach." And with a merry laugh he took the king's
other arm and led him with the earl into the dining-room.
The king, who was an extraordinary eater, silently beckoned his
suite to take their places at the table, after he had seated himself
in his gilded chair. With grave and solemn air he then received from
the hands of the master of ceremonies the ivory tablet on which was
the bill of fare for the day. The king's dinner was a solemn and
important affair.
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