Francois Rabelais. Gargantua and Pantagruel (№ 438954)

Sextus sent a messenger to Tarquinius for advice on how to completely subdue the Gabians and achieve unquestioning obedience from them. The king, not believing in the fidelity of the messenger, did not answer him. Instead of answering, he led him into his secret garden and before his eyes and in his presence he cut off the heads of the tallest poppies with his sword. The messenger returned without any answer, but as soon as he told Sextus what Tarquin had done under him, Sextus easily guessed from this sign alone that his father advised him to cut off the heads of the city governors and thereby finally enslave all the rest and bring them into complete obedience.