THE ROYAL RAM. 233

request touched the royal Ram to the heart, for he had a fore-
boding that she would never return: however, to show his
unfeigned desire of doing everything to please the princess,
he said: “ My beloved lady ! I consent to your going, though
some seeret feeling intimates to me that you will never return ;
but if you do not, you shall sce your royal Ram expire at
your feet, since he never can make you a greater sacrifice !”
Miranda assured him she would be as punctual in coming back
as she had been before, and set off again for her father’s court
with the same equipage. As soon as she entered, there was a
general shout, and the king immediately gave orders to have
the doors shut. When the ceremony was over, the princess
thought to have retired as before, but she found the doors
closed ; and the king coming up, entreated her to stay and
honour his court with her presen He then led her into a
very fine hall, and held a golden basin full of water for her to
wash her hands in. Miranda immediately threw herself at his
feet, saying, “ See, sire, my dream is fulfilled ;—you hold a
golden basin, and bid me come and wash at my second sister's
wedding.” The king immediately recollected the features of
Miranda, and, shedding tears, cried out, * O my dear daughter!
forgive the cruelty of a father who would have deprived you of
life, because he thought your dream denoted the loss of his
crown; but it shall still be so: both your sisters have crowns,
and mine shall be yours:” and with that he put his crown on
the princess's head, exclaiming, “ Long life and happiness to
the queen Miranda!”

‘Time now passed rapidly with the princess, whilst the royal
Ram waited with the most anxious eagerness for her return,
but in vain. At last, having lost all patience, he resolved to
venture to the court, where he asked admittance to the princess
Miranda, but was scornfully refused by the soldiers who kept