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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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<strong>The</strong> false jade, the-" and here he added a great many descriptions <strong>of</strong> Queen Susan which<br />

would not look at all nice <strong>in</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>t. For <strong>of</strong> course this young man was Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Rabadash<br />

and <strong>of</strong> course the false jade was Susan <strong>of</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong>.<br />

"Compose yourself, O my son," said the Tisroc. "For the departure <strong>of</strong> guests makes a<br />

wound that is easily healed <strong>in</strong> the heart <strong>of</strong> a judicious host."<br />

"But I want her," cried the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce. "I must have her. I shall die if I do not get her- false,<br />

proud, black-hearted daughter <strong>of</strong> a dog that she is! I cannot sleep and my food has no<br />

savour and my eyes are darkened because <strong>of</strong> her beauty. I must have the barbarian<br />

queen."<br />

"How well it was said by a gifted poet," observed the Vizier, rais<strong>in</strong>g his face (<strong>in</strong> a<br />

somewhat dusty condition) from the carpet, "that deep draughts from the founta<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

reason are desirable <strong>in</strong> <strong>order</strong> to ext<strong>in</strong>guish the fire <strong>of</strong> youthful love."<br />

This seemed to exasperate the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce. "Dog," he shouted, direct<strong>in</strong>g a series <strong>of</strong> well-aimed<br />

kicks at the h<strong>in</strong>dquarters <strong>of</strong> the Vizier, "do not dare to quote the poets to me. I have had<br />

maxims and verses flung at me all day and I can endure them no more." I am afraid<br />

Aravis did not feel at all sorry for the Vizier.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Tisroc was apparently sunk <strong>in</strong> thought, but when, after a long pause, he noticed what<br />

was happen<strong>in</strong>g, he said tranquilly:<br />

"My son, by all means desist from kick<strong>in</strong>g the venerable and enlightened Vizier: for as a<br />

costly jewel reta<strong>in</strong>s its value even if hidden <strong>in</strong> a dung-hill, so old age and discretion are to<br />

be respected even <strong>in</strong> the vile persons <strong>of</strong> our subjects. Desist therefore, and tell us what<br />

you desire and propose."<br />

"I desire and propose, O my father," said Rabadash, "that you immediately call out your<br />

<strong>in</strong>v<strong>in</strong>cible armies and <strong>in</strong>vade the thrice-accursed land <strong>of</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong> and waste it with fire and<br />

sword and add it to your illimitable empire, kill<strong>in</strong>g their High K<strong>in</strong>g and all <strong>of</strong> his blood<br />

except the queen Susan. For I must have her as my wife, though she shall learn a sharp<br />

lesson first."<br />

"Understand, O my son," said the Tisroc, "that no words you can speak will move me to<br />

open war aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>Narnia</strong>."<br />

"If you were not my father, O ever-liv<strong>in</strong>g Tisroc, " said the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce, gr<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g his teeth, "I<br />

should say that was the word <strong>of</strong> a coward."<br />

"And if you were not my son, O most <strong>in</strong>flammable Rabadash," replied his father, "your<br />

life would be short and your death slow when you had said it." (<strong>The</strong> cool, placid voice <strong>in</strong><br />

which he spoke these words made Aravis's blood run cold.)

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