`` Very well , '' said the king ; `` Prince Prigio , you have your choice . There is the gallows , here is Lady Molinda . My duty is painful , but clear . A king 's word can not be broken . Molly , or the gibbet ! '' The prince bowed respectfully to Lady Molinda : `` Madam , my cousin , '' said he , `` your clemency will excuse my answer , and you will not misinterpret the apparent discourtesy of my conduct . I am compelled , most unwillingly , to slight your charms , and to select the Extreme Rigour of the Law . Executioner , lead on ! Do your duty ; for me , Prigio est pret ; '' -- for this was his motto , and meant that he was ready . Poor Lady Molinda could not but be hurt by the prince 's preference for death over marriage to her , little as she liked him . -LCB- The family executioner : p119.jpg -RCB- `` Is life , then , so worthless ? and is Molinda so terrible a person that you prefer those arms , '' and she pointed to the gibbet , `` to these ? '' -- here she held out her own , which were very white , round and pretty : for Molinda was a good-hearted girl , she could not bear to see Prigio put to death ; and then , perhaps , she reflected that there are worse positions than the queenship of Pantouflia . For Alphonso was gone -- crying would not bring him back . `` Ah , Madam ! '' said the prince , `` you are forgiving -- '' `` For you are brave ! '' said Molinda , feeling quite a respect for him . `` But neither your heart nor mine is ours to give . Since mine was another 's , I understand too well the feeling of yours ! Do not let us buy life at the price of happiness and honour . ''
Then , turning XXXXX the king , the prince said : `` Sir , is there no way but by death or marriage ?
Alphonso Molinda Since at by for of on that to