In 1848 the first calls for revolution rang out from these very steps, inspiring Hungarians to rise and throw off the shackles of their Austrian overlords.
The beast's scales had turned pale and flaky during its long incarceration under the ground, its eyes were milkily pink; both rear legs bore heavy cuffs from which chains led to enormous pegs driven deep into the rocky floor.
" You might remove the handcuffs, " he said that night, as we stood in consultation over him. " It's dead safe. I'm a paralytic now. The next thing to watch out for is bed sores" .