Louis XII

: Kings.

Josquin, a celebrated composer, was appointed master of the
chapel to Louis XII. of France, who promised him a benefice, but contrary

to his usual custom, forgot him. Josquin, after suffering great

inconvenience from the shortness of his majesty's memory, ventured, by a

singular expedient, publicly to remind him of his promise, without giving

offence. Being commanded to compose a motet for the chapel royal, he chose

the verse
of the Psalm, "Oh, think of thy servant as concerning thy word,"

&c., which he set in so supplicating and exquisite a manner, that it was

universally admired, particularly by the king, who was not only charmed

with the music, but felt the force of the words so effectually, that he

soon after granted his petition, by conferring on him the promised

appointment.





George the Second, when returning from his German dominions, on the way

between the Brill and Helvoetsluys, was obliged to stay at an obscure

public house on the road, while some of his servants went forward to obtain

another carriage, that in which he had travelled having broken down. The

king ordered refreshment, but all he could get was a pot of coffee for

himself and Lord Delawar, and two bottles of gin made into punch for his

footmen; however, when the bill was called for, the conscientious Dutchman,

knowing his customer, presented it as follows: "To refreshments for His

Sacred Majesty, King George the Second, and his household, L91." Lord

Delawar was so provoked at this imposition, that the king overheard his

altercation with the landlord, and demanded the cause of it. His lordship

immediately told him; when his majesty good humouredly replied, "My lord,

the fellow is a great knave, but pay him. Kings seldom pass this way."



A similar anecdote is related of another monarch, who, passing through a

town in Holland, was charged thirty dollars for two eggs. On this, he said,

that "Eggs were surely scarce in that town." "No, your majesty," replied

the landlord, "but kings are."



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