” answered the king, “are in vain; and were it for nothing but to hear your head speak after your death, it is my will you should die.” As he said this, he took the book out of the physician’s hand, and ordered the executioner to do his duty.
The head was so dexterously cut off that it fell into the basin, and was no sooner laid upon the cover of the book than the blood stopped; then to the great surprise of the king, and all the spectators,
” answered the king, “are in vain; and were it for nothing but to hear your head speak after your death, it is my will you should die.” As he said this, he took the book out of the physician’s hand, and ordered the executioner to do his duty.
The head was so dexterously cut off that it fell into the basin, and was no sooner laid upon the cover of the book than the blood stopped; then to the great surprise of the king, and all the spectators,
