The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-16
THE LYING SERVANT.

~
lord 4 not in the story, therefore the reader
need not trouble himself about il.
The knaye was given 10 boast OF his won
drous travels. Hehad visited countries which
are no where to be found in the map, and seen
things which mortal eye never beheld. lie
would lie through the twenty -four hours OF the
clock-for he dreamed falsehoods IA bis sleep,
TO the truth Of which he swore when he was
awake. His lord was cunning and vrtuous
man, and used to see the lies in the Wallets
mouth, so that be was often caught--hung as
il we're in his own untruths, as in trap. Me-
yertheless he persisted still the more in his
lies, and when any one said, slow can that BET
he would answer with fierce oaths and protes-
tatons, that so it was. He swore, sione and
bone, and might the ---, and SO forth! Yet
was the knave useful in the household, quick
and handy; therefore he was not disliked Of
his lord, though verify great liar
II CHANGED, one pleasant day in spring, al
ter the rains had fallen heavily, and swollen
much the floods, that the lord and the knaye
rode out together, and their way passed
through shady and silent forest. Suddenly
appeared an old and well-grown fox. Look =
exclaimed the master Of the knave; look,
what a huge beast never before have seen
a reynard so large ? Doth this beast surprise
thee by its hugeness p replied straight the
serving-grooni, casting his eye s.ightingly on
the animal, as he fled for fear away into the
cover Of the brakes; by stone and bone,
have been in kingdom where the foxes are
big as are the bulls in this = Whereupon,
hearing so vast a lie, the lord answered calm
ly, but with mockery in his heart, In that
l., IL 10, la
cloaks, if turriers can there be found well to
dress skins SO Target
And so they rode on-the lord in silence;
but soon he began to sigh heavily, Still he
seemed to wax more and more sad IN spirit,
and his signs grew deeper and more quick.
Then inquired the knaYe Of the lord what
sudden affliction or cause OF sorrow had hap
pened. Alas y replied the willy master.
trust in heavens goodness that neither Of us
two hath to-day, by any furwardness OF for
tune, CHANGED to say the thing which IS not !;
for, assuredly he that hath so done must this
day perish The knave, on hearing these
doleful words, and perceiving real sorrow de-
picted on his masters counlenance, instantly
felt as if his ears grew more wide, that not
word or syllable of so strange discovery
might escape his troubled sense. And so,
with eager EXPLANATIONS, he demanded Of the
lord to ease his suspense, and to explain why
so cruel doom was now about to fall upon
companionable liars.
Hear, then, dear knave,' answered the
lord, TO the earnestnoss of his servant, since
thou must needs know, hearken and may no
trouble come to thee from what | shall say.
To. day we ride far, and in our way is vast
and heavy rolling food, Of which the ford is
narrow, and the pool is deep TO it hath hea-
ven given the power of sweeping down into
its dark holes all dealers in falsehood, who
may rashly venture to put themselves within
its truth-loving current But to him who hath
told no lie, there is no fear of this river Spur
we Our horses, knave, for to-day our journey
must be long
Then the knave thought, long, indeed, must
the journey be for some who are here; and
as he spurred, he sighed heavier and deeper
than his master had done before him, who
now went gaily on; nor ceased he to cry,
Spur we our horses, knave, for to-day our
journey be long,
Then came they to a brook Its waters
were small, and its channel such as boy
might leap across. Yet, nevertheless, the
groom began to tremble, and falteringly asked,
is this now the river where harmless liars
must perish ? This, all no y replied tho
lord, this is but brook, no liar need trem-
BILE here Yet was the knave not wholly
assured, and stammering, he said, My gra-
cious lord thy servant now be,hnks him that
he to-day hath made fox too huge; that Of
which he spake was verify not so large as an
OK, but stone and bone, as big as a good sized
roe
The lord replied, with wonder in his tone,
What Of this fox concerneth me? If large
or small, | care not. Spur we our horses, for
to-day our journey must be long
Long, indeed, still thought the serving
groom and in sadness he crossed the brook
Then they came to a stream running quickly
through green meadow, the stones showing
themselves in many places above its frothy
water The varlet started, and cried aloud,
Another river! surely of rivers there is To-
day no end was it of this thou talkest here
toiore Z No. replied the lord, not of this ;
And more he said not yet marked he with
inward gladness his servants fear. Because,
in good truth, rejoined the knave, it is on
my conscience 10 give thee note, that the fox
of which spake was not bigger than caif'
Large or small. let me not be troubled with
thy fox the beast concerneth not me at all. :
As they quilted the wood, they perceived
river in the way, which gave signs of hav-
ing been swollen by the rains, and on it was
a boat. This, then, is the doom OF liars,
said the knave, and he looked earnestly to-
wards the passage craft. Be informed, my
good lord, that reynard was not larger than a
fat 'ceddcr sheep The lord seemed angry,
and answered, This is not yet the grave OF
talsehood; why torment me with the fox
Rather spur our horses, for we have far to
go Stone and bone, said the knave to him
sell, the end of my journey approached
Now the day declined, and the shadows OF
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