`` Enrico , my boy , '' said his majesty , `` the task awaits you , and the honour . When you come back with the horns and tail of the Firedrake , you shall be crown prince ; and Prigio shall be made an usher at the Grammar School -- it is all he is fit for . '' Enrico was not quite so confident as Alphonso had been . He insisted on making his will ; and he wrote a poem about the pleasures and advantages of dying young . This is part of it : The violet is a blossom sweet , That droops before the day is done -- Slain by thine overpowering heat , O Sun ! And I , like that sweet purple flower , May roast , or boil , or broil , or bake , If burned by thy terrific power , Firedrake ! This poem comforted Enrico more or less , and he showed it to Prigio . But the prince only laughed , and said that the second line of the last verse was not very good ; for violets do not `` roast , or boil , or broil , or bake . '' Enrico tried to improve it , but could not . So he read it to his cousin , Lady Kathleena , just as it was ; and she cried over it -LRB- though I do n't think she understood it -RRB- ; and Enrico cried a little , too . However , next day he started , with a spear , a patent refrigerator , and a lot of the bottles people throw at fires to put them out . But he never came back again ! After shedding torrents of tears , the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence . `` Dastard ! '' he said . `` Poltroon ! Your turn , which should have come first , has arrived at last . You must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Firedrake . Probably you will be grilled , thank goodness ; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ? '' `` Indeed , your majesty , '' said Prigio , `` you must permit me to correct your policy .
Your only reason XXXXX dispatching your sons in pursuit of this dangerous but I believe fabulous animal , was to ascertain which of us would most worthily succeed to your throne , at the date -- long may it be deferred !
So as at by for over that though to with