THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED. 19

or settle upon his head, stretching out its beautiful neck,
which in the sunshine seemed painted with a thousand rich
colours. He was so brilliant in plumage, so handsome, and
so elegant, that Prince Hempseed, who had a name for all
his favourites, gave him the poetical title of Awriol.

And now you will shudder when I tell you, that two or
three times a year, Auriol appeared without any feathers
at all—bleeding and naked, as if ready for the spit. The
author of this shameful action was—But why should we
mention his name? It is not difficult to guess it, And
will not God punish him for his wickedness? We shall see.

Although Prince Hempseed found nearly every one in
the castle against him, he said boldly that he would never
cease to protect and defend those useful and good creatures
who are the children of God as well as ourselves. He was
thus enabled to defy the jeering and mockery that were
cast upon him; and this is the true courage which every
one must possess when he knows that he is acting well.

As the evenings are always very beautiful in Italy,
Prince Orfano-Orfana was accustomed to assemble all his
family, after sunset, upon the terrace of the castle; and
from that point they obtained a charming view of both

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shores of the lake, amidst the alabaster statues and the

rose-laurels.
B