all the tribunals, and
no bribes were taken.

[Illustration: THE TSAR WENT ABOUT INQUIRING OF HIS PEOPLE IF ANY WERE
WRONGED]

But the Tsar, the real Tsar, grew more and more wretched. Then, after
three years, a ukase went forth that on such and such a day all the
people were to come together to a great banquet given by the Tsar, all
were to be there, both rich and poor, both high and lowly. And all the
people came, and the unhappy Tsar came too. And so many long tables
were set out in the Tsar's courtyard that all the people praised God
when they saw the glad sight. And they all sat down at table and ate
and drank, and the Tsar himself and his courtiers distributed the meat
and drink to the guests as much as they would, but to the unfortunate
Tsar they gave a double portion of everything. And they all ate and
drank their fill, and then the Tsar began to inquire of the people
whether any had suffered wrong or had not had justice done him. And
when the people began to disperse, the Tsar stood at the gate with a
bag of money, and gave to every one a _grivna_,[21] but to the unhappy
Tsar he gave three.

[21] About twopence-halfpenny.

And after three years the Tsar gave another banquet, and again
entertained all the people. And when he had given them both to eat and
to drink as much as they would, he inquired of them what was being
done in his tsardom, and again gave a _grivna_ to each one of them;
but to the unlucky Tsar he gave a double portion of meat and drink and
three _grivni_.

And again, after three years, he made yet another banquet, and
proclaimed that all should come, both rich and poor, both earls and
churls. And all the people came and ate and drank and bowed low before
the Tsar and thanked him, and made ready to depart. The unlucky Tsar
was also on the point of going, when the angel Tsar stopped him, and
took him aside into the palace, and said to him, "Lo! God hath tried
thee and chastised thy pride these ten years. But me He sent to teach
thee that a Tsar must have regard to the complaints of his people. So
thou wast made poor and a vagabond on the face of the earth that thou
mightst pick up wisdom, if but a little. Look now, that thou doest
good to thy people, and judgest righteous judgment, as from henceforth
thou shalt be Tsar again, but I must fly back to God in heaven."--And
when he had said this he bade them wash and shave him (for his beard
had grown right down to his girdle), and put upon