The dawn was breaking . It seemed odd to the king that he had been so long in the grave . It appeared but a few minutes ago that he had descended , passed along a few steps to the place where he had peeped beyond the veil , and returned again after perhaps five minutes of that wonderful view ! And what WAS it he had seen ? He racked his brains to remember , but he could not call to mind a single thing ! How curious everything looked too ! Why , his own city , which by now he was entering , seemed changed and strange to him ! The sun was already up when he turned into the palace gate and entered the public durbar hall . It was full ; a chamberlain came across and asked him why he sat unbidden in the king 's presence . ` But I am the king ! ' he cried . ` What king ? ' said the chamberlain . ` The true king of this country , ' said he indignantly . Then the chamberlain went away , and spoke to the king who sat on the throne , and the old king heard words like ` mad , ' ` age , ' ` compassion . ' Then the king on the throne called him to come forward , and , as he went , he caught sight of himself reflected in the polished steel shield of the bodyguard , and started back in horror ! He was old , decrepit , dirty , and ragged ! His long white beard and locks were unkempt , and straggled all over his chest and shoulders . Only one sign of royalty remained to him , and that was the signet ring upon his right hand . He dragged it off with shaking fingers and held it up to the king .
` Tell me who I am , ' he cried ; ` there is my XXXXX , who once sat where you sit -- even yesterday ! '
chest dawn durbar fingers minutes presence right sight signet sun