suddenly there appeared in the circle a new
character--a great green dragon, as fierce and ferocious as well could
be, from his pasteboard jaws to his curling canvas tail. The green
dragon of Wantley! Terrified urchins backed hastily away from his
horrible jaws, and the Lord of Misrule gave a sudden and visible start.
The dragon himself, scarce waiting for the surprise to subside, waved
his paw for silence, and said, in a hollow, pasteboardy voice:
"Most noble Lord of Misrule, before your feast commences and the masks
are doff'd, may we not as that which should give good appetite to
all,--with your lordship's permit and that of my lady's grace,--tell
each some wonder-filling tale as suits the goodly time of Yule? Here
be stout maskers can tell us strange tales of fairies and goblins,
or, perchance, of the foreign folk with whom they have trafficked in
Calicute and Affrica, Barbaria, Perew, and other diverse lands and
countries over-sea. And after they have ended, then will I essay a tale
that shall cap them all, so past belief shall it appear."
The close of the dragon's speech, of course, made them all the more
curious; and the Lady Elizabeth did but speak for all when she said: "I
pray you, good Sir Dragon, let us have your tale first. We have had enow
of Barbaria and Perew. If that yours may be so wondrous, let us hear it
even now, and then may we decide."
"As your lady's grace wishes," said the dragon. "But methinks when you
have heard me through, you would that it had been the last or else not
told at all."
"Your lordship of Misrule and my lady's grace must know," began the
dragon, "that my story, though a short, is a startling one. Once on a
time there lived a king, who, though but a boy, did, by God's grace,
in talent, industry, perseverance, and knowledge, surpass both his own
years and the belief of men. And because he was good and gentle alike
and conditioned beyond the measure of his years, he was the greater prey
to the wicked wiles of traitorous men. And one such, high in the king's
court, thought to work him ill; and to carry out his ends did wantonly
awaken seditious and rebellious intent even among the king's kith
and kin, whom lie traitorously sought to wed,--his royal and younger
sister,--nay, start' not my lady's grace!" exclaimed the dragon quickly,
as Elizabeth turned upon him a look of sudden and haughty surprise. "All
is known! And this is the ending of my wondrous tale. My Lord Seymour
of
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