"My lord," he turned to the English Ambassador again, "do you consider melons indigestible in England?
I have lately heard much against them." "A melon is a poor thing, of a watery constitution, your Majesty," replied the Ambassador glibly.

"There can be but little sustenance in a hollow piece of water that is sucked from a marsh and enclosed in a green rind.

To tell the truth, I hear it ill spoken of by our physicians, but I cannot well speak of the matter, for I never ate one in my life, and please God I never will!" "Why not!" enquired the King, who took an extraordinary interest in the subject.

"You fear them, then! Yet you seem to be exceedingly strong and healthy." "Sire, I have sometimes drunk a little water for my stomach's sake, but I will not eat it." The King smiled pleasantly.
"How wise the English are!" he said.

"We may yet learn much of them." Philip turned away from the Ambassador and watched the dance in silence.
The courtiers now stood in a wide half circle to the right and left of him as he faced the hall, and the dancers passed backwards and forwards across the open space.