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answered; the seven springs signified his seven counsellors, who had usurped his royal authority, casting a mist of delusion before his eyes, that he might not behold their extortions; therefore, strike off their heads said he, and the springs shall cease. To this he consented, the springs vanished, and his sight was restored———Just so, said she, is with you and your seven masters. On this he again consented his son should die.
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CHAP. VI.
Malquidrake, the fourth Master's Intercession.
Know, Great Sir, said Malquidrake to the Emperor. There formerly lived in this city, an old Knight, who married a young Lady, who complained to her mother, that she was unhappy in the marriage of this old man, designing to open her case to some priest. From this her mother persuaded her, urging her to try his temper. The means she used were, to cut down the finest plant in the garden, and put a fire under it; at another time, she dashed out the brains of his favourite hound; and lastly, when he and his friends were sitting at dinner, she threw all the dishes from off the table. Yet, with her excuses he seemed satisfied, and that morning she intended to go to the priest, he brought a surgeon
