So he read it to his cousin, Lady Kathleena, just as it was; and she cried over it (though I don't think she understood it); and Enrico cried a little, too.
However, next day he started, with a spear, a patent refrigerator, and a lot of the bottles people throw at fires to put them out.
But _he_ never came back again! After shedding torrents of tears, the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence.
"Dastard!" he said.

"Poltroon! _Your_ turn, which should have come first, has arrived at last.

_You_ must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Firedrake.

Probably you will be grilled, thank goodness; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ?" "Indeed, your majesty," said Prigio, "you must permit me to correct your policy.

Your only reason for dispatching your sons in pursuit of this dangerous but I believe _fabulous_ animal, was to ascertain which of us would most worthily succeed to your throne, at the date--long may it be deferred!--of your lamented decease.