The Sleeping Beauty.

HERE was formerly, in a distant
country, a king and a queen, the
most beautiful and happy in the world ,
having nothing to cloud their delight,
but the want of children to share in
their happiness. This was their whole
concern: physicians, waters, vows and
offerings were tried, but all to no
purpose. At last, however, after long
waiting, a daughter was born. At the
christening the princess had seven fairies
for her godmothers, who were all they
could find in the whole kingdom, that
every one might give her a gift.

The christening being over, a grand
feast was prepared to entertain and thank
the fairies: before each of them was
placed a magnificent cover, with a spoon,
a knife, and a fork, of pure gold and
exquisite workmanship, set with divers