bring into the middle of the great court a very large tub, which she caused to be filled with toads, vipers, snakes, and all sorts of serpents, in order to have thrown into it the Queen and her children, the clerk of the kitchen, his wife and maid; all of whom she had given orders to be brought thither with their hands tied behind them, to suffer the vengeance of the incensed Ogress.
They were brought out accordingly, and the executioners were going to throw them into the tub, when the King fortunately entered the court on horseback; and asked, with the utmost astonishment, what was the meaning of this most horrible spectacle; no one dared to tell him. When the Ogress, all enraged to see what had happened, threw herself, head foremost, into the tub, and was instantly devoured by the ugly creatures, she had ordered to be thrown into it for others.
The King could not but chuse being very sorry, for she was his Mother; but he soon comforted himself with his beautiful wife, and his two pretty children. And, after all things were settled, he well rewarded the clerk of the kitchen for his wisdom, humanity, and compassion.
