, since the blinding of the
sorceress had caused him to see this happy day. And at the same time
they arrived came also Miuccio, who, by the bird's direction, said to
the King, "I have served you to the best of my power; the sorceress is
blinded, the kingdom is yours. Wherefore, if I deserve recompense for
this service, I wish for no other than to be left to my ill-fortune,
without being again exposed to these dangers."

But the King, embracing him with great affection, bade him put on his
cap and sit beside him; and how the Queen was enraged at this, Heaven
knows, for by the bow of many colours that appeared in her face might
be known the wind of the storm that was brewing in her heart against
poor Miuccio.

Not far from this castle lived a most ferocious dragon, who was born
the same hour with the Queen; and the astrologers being called by her
father to astrologise on this event, said that his daughter would be
safe as long as the dragon was safe, and that when one died, the other
would of necessity die also. One thing alone could bring back the Queen
to life, and that was to anoint her temples, chest, nostrils, and pulse
with the blood of the same dragon.

Now the Queen, knowing the strength and fury of this animal, resolved
to send Miuccio into his claws, well assured that the beast would make
but a mouthful of him, and that he would be like a strawberry in the
throat of a bear. So turning to the King, she said, "Upon my word, this
Miuccio is the treasure of your house, and you would be ungrateful
indeed if you did not love him, especially as he had expressed his
desire to kill the dragon, who, though he is my brother, is
nevertheless your enemy; and I care more for a hair of your head than
for a hundred brothers."

The King, who hated the dragon mortally, and knew not how to remove him
out of his sight, instantly called Miuccio, and said to him, "I know
that you can put your hand to whatever you will; therefore, as you have
done so much, grant me yet another pleasure, and then turn me
whithersoever you will. Go this very instant and kill the dragon; for
you will do me a singular service, and I will reward you well for it."

Miuccio at these words was near losing his senses, and as soon as he
was able to speak, he said to the King, "Alas, what a headache have you
given me by your continual teasing! Is my life a black goat-skin rug
that you are for ever wearing it away thus? This is not a pared pear
ready to dr