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then called for her guards with an enraged voice, who, supposing she was surrounded by the banditti, ran te her assistance in haste. She commanded them instantly to strip and bind the princess, her two children, tho cook, his wife, and their maid. She then ordered the largo brewing copper to be filled with oil, and a fire te bo lighted under it, intending, as soon as it boiled, to put them all in, as the most cruel death she could devise. While the oil was heating, she exulted over her unfortunatevictims, every new and then pricking them with pins, and enjoying the pain it put them to. Tho oil was now on the point of boiling, and the poor creatures expected in a few minutes that they should be plunged into it. The queen approached the copper in order to try if the oil was sufficiently heated for her diabolical purpose, when the princess took the opportunity of kneeling down with her children to implore the divine mercy. At this awful moment, a sudden cry of “Make way! make way!” was heard; when instantly, on a horse all covered with foam, entered the prince; he was struck with astonishment at seeing his amiable wife and lovely children in this situation. The queen, overcome with rage, disappointment, and shame, instantly threw herself headlong into the boiling oil, which she had intended for her victims, and died in great agonies. Tho prince could not but be very sorry, for she was his mother, although an Ogress. He, however, comfortod himself in the reflection that ho had so opportunely saved his dear wife and children. He now resolved to take his family to court, where they arrived the next day. The king received them very aftectionately, and being much hurt at the ill conduct of the deceased queen, and, convinced of his son’s ability to govern, by the able manner that he negotiated the peace, he resigned his crown to him, and retired to a palace he had in the ceuntry. The prince and princess, now king and queen, lived long and happy, and were succeeded by little Day, who became a great king, and who took care, by the example of his father, not to marry without the consent
of his parents.
