- The Prouds 10
king was another such chair to which he pointed and said to
his visitor, “Sit here, Milton.”
“How can I sit here alone with you, My Lord?”
asked Milton to show the king his loyalty.
“I said sit, man,” the king replied.
Milton sat down.
The king said, “Eat and drink as you wish.”
But Milton neither ate nor drank anything.
So the king insisted, “I told you to eat and drink as
you wish.”
Milton started to do so.
“Ask me what you want,” said the king.
Milton said with amazement, “You are great, My
Lord. How did you know that I wanted to ask you
something?”
The king smiled.
Milton asked, “What is it that you want us to do,
My Lord, in order to provide us with security and safety?”
The king replied, “I swear to God, all I want you to
do is to join my army in battle and pay me an annual tax.”
He stared at Milton. “Is this too much to ask for,
Milton?”
Milton kept silent as the king repeated his question,
He added, “Tell me what you think of this entire
matter.”