With the peasants in his monarchy suffering from growing poverty and disease, his once vast treasury now heavily burdened by overspending and native sons dying in war for his own personal feud, the king addressed the mass of lowly subjects from his palace balcony.
“Stay the course,” he proudly proclaimed. “We are now more prosperous. More will be done to ensure your health and safety.”
As he entered the great hall that evening to feast with the lords of his domain, the moneyed merchants and his court, he raised his chalice in toast.
“Stay the course,” he proclaimed with a smirk, and emptied his golden goblet. “We are now more prosperous. More will be done to ensure us even greater wealth.”
As he tossed a bone to the scraggly dogs, King George laughed, “They believed us.”
