once upon a time there was a proud and wicked prince who thought only about how he might conquer all the nations of the earth and make his name a terror to all mankind. he plunged forth with fire and sword; his soldiers trampled down the grain in the fields, and put the torch to the peasant's cottage so that the red flames licked the very leaves from the trees, and the fruit hung roasted from black and charred limbs. many a poor mother caught up her naked baby and tried to hide behind the smoking walls, but the soldiers followed her, and if they found her and the child, then began their devilish pleasure. evil spirits could do no worse, but the prince rejoiced in it all.
day by day his power increased; his name was feared by all, and fortune followed him in all his deeds. from the conquered cities he carried away gold and precious treasures, until he had amassed in his capital riches such as were unequaled in any other place. then he built superb palaces and temples and arches, and whoever saw his magnificence said, "what a great prince!" never did they think of the misery he had brought upon other lands; never did they listen to the groans and lamentations from cities laid waste by fire.
the prince gazed upon his gold, looked at his superb buildings, and thought like the crowd, "what a great prince!" "but i must have more, much more! there is no power that can equal-much less surpass-mine!" and so he warred with his neighbors until all were defeated. the conquered kings were chained to his chariot with chains of gold when he drove through the streets; and when he sat at table they lay at the feet of the prince and his courtiers, eating such scraps as might be thrown to them.
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