So at last he let her bind the handkerchief round his ankle and hang him over the wall , and they both laughed and jested at the strength of the princess . ` Now pull me up again , ' called he ; but as he spoke a great cry arose that the palace was burning . The princess turned round with a start , and let go her handkerchief , and the Shifty Lad fell , and struck his head on a stone , and died in an instant . So his mother 's prophecy had come true , after all . West Highland Tales . The False Prince and the True The king had just awakened from his midday sleep , for it was summer , and everyone rose early and rested from twelve to three , as they do in hot countries . He had dressed himself in cool white clothes , and was passing through the hall on his way to the council chamber , when a number of young nobles suddenly appeared before him , and one amongst them stepped forward and spoke . ` Sire , this morning we were all playing tennis in the court , the prince and this gentleman with the rest , when there broke out some dispute about the game . The prince lost his temper , and said many insulting things to the other , who was playing against him , till at length the gentleman whom you see there struck him violently in the face , so that the blood ran from his mouth and nose . We were all so horrified at the sight , that we should most likely have killed the man then and there , for daring to lay hands on the prince , had not his grandfather the duke stepped between and commanded us to lay the affair before you . ' The king had listened attentively to the story , and when it was ended he said : ' I suppose the prince had no arms with him , or else he would have used them ? ' ` Yes , sire , he had arms ; he always carries a dagger in his belt . But when he saw the blood pouring from his face , he went to a corner of the court and began to cry , which was the strangest thing of all . ' On hearing this the king walked to the window and stood for a few minutes with his back to the room , where the company of young men remained silent . Then he came back , his face white and stern . ' I tell you , ' he said , ` and it is the solemn truth , that I would rather you had told me that the prince was dead , though he is my only son , than know that he would suffer such an injury without attempting to avenge it . As for the gentleman who struck him , he will be brought before my judges , and will plead his own cause , but I hardly think he can escape death , after having assaulted the heir to the crown . ' The young man raised his head as if to reply , but the king would not listen , and commanded his guards to put him under arrest , adding , however , that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city , he was at liberty to do so properly guarded , and in fifteen days he would be brought to trial before the highest judges in the land . The young man left the king 's presence , surrounded by soldiers , and accompanied by many of his friends , for he was a great favourite . By their advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about to seek counsel from wise men of all sorts , as to how he might escape death , but no one could help him , for none could find any excuse for the blow he had given to the prince .
The fourteenth night had come , and XXXXX despair the prisoner went out to take his last walk through the city .
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