Let him alone , he is my most trusty John . '' Then the wedding was celebrated , the dance began , and the bride joined in , but Trusty John watched her countenance carefully . Of a sudden she grew deadly white , and fell to the ground as if she were dead . He at once sprang hastily toward her , lifted her up , and bore her to a room , where he laid her down , and kneeling beside her he drew three drops of blood from her right side , and spat them out . She soon breathed again and came to herself ; but the young King had watched the proceeding , and not knowing why Trusty John had acted as he did , he flew into a passion , and cried : `` Throw him into prison . '' On the following morning sentence was passed on Trusty John , and he was condemned to be hanged . As he stood on the gallows he said : `` Every one doomed to death has the right to speak once before he dies ; and I too have that privilege ? '' `` Yes , '' said the King , `` it shall be granted to you . '' So Trusty John spoke : `` I am unjustly condemned , for I have always been faithful to you '' ; and he proceeded to relate how he had heard the ravens ' conversation on the sea , and how he had to do all he did in order to save his master . Then the King cried : `` Oh ! my most trusty John , pardon ! pardon ! Take him down . '' But as he uttered the last word Trusty John had fallen lifeless to the ground , and was a stone . The King and Queen were in despair , and the King spake : `` Ah ! how ill have I rewarded such great fidelity ! '' and made them lift up the stone image and place it in his bedroom near his bed . As often as he looked at it he wept and said : `` Oh ! if I could only restore you to life , my most trusty John ! '' After a time the Queen gave birth to twins , two small sons , who throve and grew , and were a constant joy to her .
One day when the Queen was at church , and the two children sat and played with their father , he gazed again full of grief on the stone statue , and sighing , wailed : `` Oh , if I could only restore you to life , my most trusty XXXXX ! ''
John King Queen dance ground pardon ravens right sea spake