One Head Better Than A Dozen
KING HENRY VIII., designing to send an embassy to Francis I. at a very
dangerous juncture, the nobleman selected begged to be excused, saying,
Such a threatening message to so hot a prince as Francis I. might go
near to cost him his life.--Fear not, said old Harry, if the French
king should take away your life, I will take off the heads of a dozen
Frenchmen now in my power.--But of all these heads, replied the
nobleman, there may not be one to fit my shoulders.