WITH GOLDEN LOCKS. 295

is the ring which the Fair One with Locks of Gold dropped
into the river.” Upon this, Avenant stooped and took it out of
the carps mouth ; to whom he returned a thousand thanks,
‘And now, instead of returning

home, he went directly to the
palace with litle Cabriole, who
skipped about and wagged his
tail for joy, that he had_per-
suaded his master to walk by
the side of the river. ‘The prin- :
cess being told that Avenant de-
sired an audience : ‘t Alas,” said ¢
she, “the poor youth has come
to take his leave of me! He
has considered what I enjoined 2
him as impossible, and is returning to his master.” But Avenant
being admitted, presented her the ring, saying, “ Madam,
behold I have exceuted your command ; and now, I hope, you
will reeeive my master for your royal consort.” When she
saw her ring, that it was no ways injured, she was so amazed,
that she could hardly believe her cyes.—* Surely, courteous
Avenant,” said she, “ you must he favoured by some fairy, for,
naturally, this is impossible.’’"—‘ Madam,” said he, “ I am
acquainted with no fairy; but I was willing to obey your
command.”—“ Well, then, seeing you have so good a will, you
must do me another picce of service, without which I will never
marry. ‘There is a certain prince who lives not far from hence,
whose name is Galifron, and whom nothing would serve but
that he must needs marry me. He declared his mind to me,
with most terrible menaces, that, if I denied him, he would
enter my kingdom with fire and sword; but you shall judge
whether I could accept his proposal : he is a giant, as high as a