“The king was a little disappointed at this, and actually laid down his pipe to talk.

“‘Is anything the matter with the ponies?’ he asked.

“’May it please your Majesty, no; only that your incomparable sons call them slow.’

“‘Spirited lads!’ thought the king, quite consoled, and gave the answer as usual:-

“‘Then get them horses instead.’  But when only a few days afterwards he was informed that his incomparable sons had wearied of their horses, because they also were ‘slow,’ and wished to ride on elephants instead, his Majesty began to feel disturbed in mind, and wonder what would come next, and how it was that the teaching of the tutors did not make his sons more moderate in their desires.

“‘Nevertheless,’ said he, ’what saith the proverb, “Thou a man, and lackest patience?” And again,

“Early ripe, early rotten,
Early wise, soon forgotten.”

My sons are but children yet.’

“After which reflection he returned to his pipe as before, and disturbed himself as little as possible, when messenger after messenger arrived, to announce the fresh vagaries of the young princes.

“It is impossible to enumerate all the luxuries, amusements, and delights, they asked for, obtained, and wearied of during several years.  But the longer it went on, the more hardened and indifferent their father became.

“‘For,’ said he, ’what saith the proverb?  “The longest lane turns at last.”  At last my sons will have everything man can wish for, and then they will cease from asking, and I shall smoke my pipe in peace.’

“One day, however, the messenger entered the royal smoking-room in a greater hurry than ever, and was about to commence his usual elaborate peroration respecting the incomparable sons, when his Majesty held up his hand to stop him, and called out:-

“‘What is it now?’

“‘May it please your Majesty, your Majesty’s in—­’

“‘What is it they want?’ cried the king, interrupting him.

“‘May it please your Majesty, something to do.’

“‘Something to do?’ repeated the perplexed king of the hills; ’something to do, when half the riches of my empire have been expended upon providing them with the means of doing everything in the world that was delightful to the soul of man?

“’Surely, oh son of a dog, thou art laughing at my beard, to come to me with such a message from my sons.’

“’Nevertheless, may it please your Majesty, I have spoken but the truth.  Your Majesty’s in—­’

“‘Hush with that nonsense,’ interrupted the king.

“’Your Majesty’s sons, in fact, then, have sickened and pined for three mortal days, because they have got nothing to do.’

“‘Now, then, my sons are mad!’ exclaimed poor King Schelim, laying down his pipe, and rising from his recumbent position; ’and it is time that I bestir myself.’