The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-01-05
THE FAMILY CIRCLE.
THE KING AND PEASANT.
A Sicilian Tale.
BY JOHN q. SAKE.

BY JOHN @. SAKE.
There lived man who, from his youth,
Was known to all Us Peasant Truth"
Because ctwas said.) he'd sooner die
Than tell or hint the smallest lie.
Now, when it happened that the King
Had heard, at last, ;his wondrous thing,
He babe the peasant come and keep
The royal flock of goats and sheep,
(TO-wit: one goat, little lamb,
A fine bcll-wether and ramD
And once a week he went to court
To see the King, and make report
How Jared the flock, and truly tell
If each were doing Ill or we'll;
Whercat the King was we'll content.
And home the happy peasant went.
At last, a wicked cOurticr--struck
With envy at his neighbors luck
Essaycd to put him in disgrace,
And gain himself the peasants place.
Think you, go,d Sire i'm very sooth,
He never lies--this Peasant Truth?
He'll lie next Saturday" he said,
"Or, for Il forfeit, take my head !!
$50 be it land I'll lose my own"
The King replied" il it be shown,
With all the arts that you may try,
That Peasant Truth can tell a lic!'
Aud now the wicked courtier faiu u
Some trick to try his end to gain,
But still he failed to find plan
To catch at fault the honest man,
Until at last, in sheer despair,
He told his wife "a lady fair
AS one in all the world could find
And cunning like all wOmankind)
About the wager he had made,
And all the case before her laid.
And is that all ?" the woman said;
Tossing In scorn her handsome head;)
Leave all to me, and never doubt
That what you wish, III bring about"
Next day the crafty dame was seen
Apparellcd like very queen,
And on her brow diamond star,
That like a meteor bazed afar--
Approaching where the peasant stood
Among his flock. Now. by the IOod!'
He cried, amazed, "but she is fair,
And beautiful beyond comparew-
Then, bowling to the earth. quoth he
"What may your highness want with me
Whate'er You ask, swear to grant"
"Ah" sighed the lady, "mnch | want
Some roasted wether-else shall
(Such is my longing9 surely die"
"Alasw he said, Just this one thing
| cannot do. / serve the King,
Who owns the wetller that you see,
And if kill him woe Is me-
Aack the day for Peasant Truth!
His tender soul was moved to ruth;
For weeping much, and saying still
That she should die, she had her will,
And of roast wether TOOK her fill!
"Ahw sighed the man when she was gone
Alas the deed that have done!
To Kill the sheep What shall l say
When am asked next saturday.
: How fares the wether?' will tell
His majesty the sheep Is well.
No--that won't do! III even say
A thief has stolen him away.
No-that won'tanswer. will teiGn
Some prowling wolf the sheep hiss slain.
No-that won't dol All! how can
Look in his face and tell lie?"
Now when the peasant came to court
On Saturday, to make report,
As was his wont-the King began
His questioning; and thus it ran:
" How is my goat? Iprithec tell!'
1" The goat, your Majesty. is well"
"And how's my ram!' Good sire! the ran
Is W ell and risky" "How's my lamb?"
"IIc's well and beautiful. in sootll"
And how's my wether? Peasant Truth. !.
Whereat he answered, 20, my King!
I hate lie like--anythinG.
When on the mountain side afar
saw the lady with the star,
NV soul was dazzled with her beauty,
And forgot my loyal duty; .
And when. she asked for wether's meat,
killed the sheep that she might eat"
{" Good (" said the King, "my wager's won
This grieyous wrong that you have done,
My truthful peasant. | forgive;
In health and wealth long may yon live!
While this, your enemy. instead,
Shall Justly lose his foolish head!'