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knew who it was that brought the beautiful feeling。 And when Easter Day
came； never had there been so lovely； so holy a day： in the great churches；
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filled with flowers； and sweet with incense； the kneeling people listened to
the choirs singing； and it was like the voices of angels； their prayers were
more earnest than ever before； their praise more glad； there was something
heavenly in Rome。
Robert of Sicily went to the services with the rest； and sat in the
humblest place with the servants。 Over and over again he heard the sweet
voices of the choirs chant the Latin words he had heard long ago： 〃He hath
put down the mighty from their seat； and hath exalted them of low
degree。〃 And at last； as he listened； his heart was softened。 He； too； felt the
strange blessed presence of a heavenly power。 He thought of God； and of
his own wickedness； he remembered how happy he had been； and how
little good he had done； he realized； that his power had not been from
himself； at all。 On Easter night； as he crept to his bed of straw； he wept；
not because he was so wretched； but because he had not been a better king
when power was his。
At last all the festivities were over； and the King of Sicily went home
to his own land again； with his people。 Robert the jester came home too。
On the day of their home…coming； there was a special service in the
royal church； and even after the service was over for the people； the
monks held prayers of thanksgiving and praise。 The sound of their singing
came softly in at the palace windows。 In the great banquet room； the king
sat； wearing his royal robes and his crown； while many subjects came to
greet him。 At last； he sent them all away； saying he wanted to be alone； but
he commanded the jester to stay。 And when they were alone together the
king looked into Robert's eyes； as he had done before； and said； softly；
〃Who art thou？〃
Robert of Sicily bowed his head。 〃Thou knowest best；〃 he said； 〃I only
know that I have sinned。〃
As he spoke； he heard the voices of the monks singing； 〃He hath put
down the mighty from their seat；〃and his head sank lower。 But suddenly
the music seemed to change； a wonderful light shone all about。 As Robert
raised his eyes； he saw the face of the king smiling at him with a radiance
like nothing on earth； and as he sank to his knees before the glory of that
smile； a voice sounded with the music； like a melody throbbing on a single
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string：
〃I am an angel； and thou art the king！〃
Then Robert of Sicily was alone。 His royal robes were upon him once
more； he wore his crown and his royal ring。 He was king。 And when the
courtiers came back they found their king kneeling by his throne； absorbed
in silent prayer。
THE JEALOUS COURTIERS＇1＇
＇1＇ Adapted from the facts given in the German of H。 A。 Guerber's
Marchen und Erzahlungen （D。 C。 Heath & Co。）。
I wonder if you have ever heard the anecdote about the artist of
Dusseldorf and the jealous courtiers。 This is it。 It seems there was once a
very famous artist who lived in the little town of Dusseldorf。 He did such
fine work that the Elector； Prince Johann Wilhelm； ordered a portrait
statue of himself； on horseback； to be done in bronze。 The artist was
overjoyed at the commission； and worked early and late at the statue。
At last the work was done； and the artist had the great statue set up in
the public square of Dusseldorf； ready for the opening view。 The Elector
came on the appointed day； and with him came his favorite courtiers from
the castle。 Then the statue was unveiled。 It was very beautiful； so
beautiful that the prince exclaimed in surprise。 He could not look enough；
and presently he turned to the artist and shook hands with him； like an old
friend。 〃Herr Grupello；〃 he said； 〃you are a great artist； and this statue will
make your fame even greater than it is； the portrait of me is perfect！〃
When the courtiers heard this； and saw the friendly hand…grasp； their
jealousy of the artist was beyond bounds。 Their one thought was； how
could they safely do something to humiliate him。 They dared not pick
flaws in the portrait statue； for the prince had declared it perfect。 But at
last one of them said； with an air of great frankness； 〃Indeed； Herr
Grupello； the portrait of his Royal Highness is perfect； but permit me to
say that the statue of the horse is not quite so successful： the head is too
large； it is out of proportion。〃
〃No；〃 said another； 〃the horse is really not so successful； the turn of
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the neck； there； is awkward。〃
〃If you would change the right hind… foot； Herr Grupello；〃 said a third；
〃it would be an improvement。〃
Still another found fault with the horse's tail。
The artist listened； quietly。 When they had all finished； he turned to the
prince and said； 〃Your courtiers； Prince； find a good many flaws in the
statue of the horse； will you permit me to keep it a few days more； to do
what I can with it？〃
The Elector assented； and the artist ordered a temporary screen built
around the statue； so that his assistants could work undisturbed。 For
several days the sound of hammering came steadily from behind the
enclosure。 The courtiers； who took care to pass that way； often； were
delighted。 Each one said to himself； 〃I must have been right； really； the
artist himself sees that something was wrong； now I shall have credit for
saving the prince's portrait by my artistic taste！〃
Once more the artist summoned the prince and his courtiers； and once
more the statue was unveiled。 Again the Elector exclaimed at its beauty；
and then he turned to his courtiers； one after another； to see what they had
to say。
〃Perfect！〃 said the first。 〃Now that the horse's head is in proportion；
there is not a flaw。〃
〃The change in the neck was just what was needed；〃 said the second；
〃it is very graceful now。〃
〃The rear right foot is as it should be； now；〃 said a third； 〃and it adds