Then said the king: 'I thank you, my good beasts; and I hope to visit you ere long.

Take these evil men with you, and go to your place.' Like a whirlwind they were in the crowd, scattering it like dust.

Like hounds they rushed from the city, their burdens howling and raving.
What became of them I have never heard.
Then the king turned once more to the people and said, 'Go to your houses'; nor vouchsafed them another word.

They crept home like chidden hounds.
The king returned to the palace.

He made the colonel a duke, and the page a knight, and Peter he appointed general of all his mines.