The cruel king lives

The old, cruel king was dead. All over the kingdom there were celebrations, for no one had loved the king. Some said they had praised him, fearing what he might do to them. The old, cruel king was dead; hope rose like a pillar, sturdy and strong; it climbed up, up, up to highest heavens. There would be kindness in the land. There would be love and honour for all. There would be happiness in abundance; poverty, abuse and disease would be no more. Or so they thought...