They arranged themselves in two rows, and thus formed a lane through which John Heywood had to pass.
"Come, John Heywood, come and receive your punishment;" and they raised their thorny rods threateningly, and flourished them with angry gestures high above their heads.
The scene was becoming to John in all respects very piquant, for these rods had very sharp thorns, and only a thin linen shirt covered his back.
With bold step, however, he approached the fatal passage through which he was to pass.
Already he beheld the rods drawn back; and it seemed to him as if the thorns were even now piercing his back.
He halted, and turned with a laugh to the king.

"Sire, since you have condemned me to die by the hands of these nymphs, I claim the right of every condemned criminal--a last favor." "The which we grant you, John." "I demand that I may put on these fair women one condition--one condition on which they may whip me.

Does your majesty grant me this ?" "I grant it!" "And you solemnly pledge me the word of a king that this condition shall be faithfully kept and fulfilled ?" "My solemn, kingly word for it!" "Now, then," said John Heywood, as he entered the passage, "now, then, my ladies, my condition is this: that one of you who has had the most lovers, and has oftenest decked her husband's head with horns, let her lay the first stroke on my back." [Footnote: Flogel's "Geschichte der Hofnarren," p.899] A deep silence followed.

The raised arms of the fair women sank.

The roses fell from their hands and dropped to the ground.