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.
CHAP. VI.
Malquidrake the fourth Maſter's Interceſſion.
KNOW, great Sir, ſaid Malquidrake to him, That 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: 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 into the chamber;
