there was a great crowd assembled in the hall to see his death,
and the doings after it. The physician went up to the foot
of the throne with a large book in his hand. He carried a basin,
on which he spread the covering of the book, and presenting it to
the king, said: "Sire, take this book, and when my head is cut off,
let it be placed in the basin on the covering of this book; as soon
as it is there, the blood will cease to flow. Then open the book,
and my head will answer your questions. But, sire, I implore your mercy,
for I am innocent."

"Your prayers are useless, and if it were only to hear your head
speak when you are dead, you should die."

So saying, he took the book from the physician's hands, and ordered
the executioner to do his duty.

The head was so cleverly cut off that it fell into the basin,
and directly the blood ceased to flow. Then, to the great astonishment
of the king, the eyes opened, and the head said, "Your majesty,
open the book." The king did so, and finding that the first leaf
stuck against the second, he put his finger in his mouth, to turn it
more easily. He did the same thing till he reached the sixth page,
and not seeing any writing on it, "Physician," he said, "there is
no writing."

"Turn over a few more pages," answered the head. The king went
on turning, still putting his finger in his mouth, till the poison
in which each page was dipped took effect. His sight failed him,
and he fell at the foot of his throne.