THE ROYAL RAM. 231

liberty, when I would endeavour to please her. But this gave
her such offence, that she called me a traitor, and very angrily
told me I should stay and keep her sheep. She afterwards
Drought me into this plain, and showed me her luck ; but all
my regard was taken up by a young slave of incomparable
leauty, who was loaded with chains of gold, My eyes betrayed
ine; Which the cruel Ragotte observing, flew upon the unfor-
tunate female, and deprived her of life. by stabbing her in the
eye with a bodkin, At this shocking sight, } clapped my hand
upon my sword, and was going to make an instant sacrifice of
Ragotte, when, by her wicked arts, she rendered me motionless,
ad with an ironic: id: *1 will make you feel my
power: you are at present as a lion, but shall ere long become
a sheep, and continue so for five years.’ Then, touching me
with her wand, I became such as you now see ine, reta
speech; and she presently disappeared. ‘The sheep
of acknowledged me for their king, and I comfort them under
their several misfortunes, whi are in some respcets like my
own.” Miranda was so forcibly strack with the remarkable
history of the Ram, that she could not tell what reply to make :
however, paying him some civilities, she congratulated him upon
the prospect of soon recovering his former shape and liberty.
Indeed, the royal Ram, who was passionately in love with
Miranda, had made such an impression upon her mind by
‘it and delicacy, that she began to feel a tender regard for him,
especially when she considered that he was a king, who would
soon be restored to his throne. ‘Thus the princess passed many
days in sweet anticipation of a more happy fate; while the
Ram, who completely idolised her, made a variety of enter-
tainments, and did everything in his power to divert her. It
is natural to suppose that the royal Ram was very fond of news,
the best of which was constantly brought him by his courtiers.

 

 

   

 

   

 

   
       

smile, §