and the Princess of the Sea | ee 7

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the unjust invader from our dominions. One day “Sister,” said he,
“I may fail in the attempt I intend-to make to recover my kingdom;
and I shall be less concerned for my own disgrace than for what may
possibly happen to you. To prevent it, and to secure you from all
accident, I would fain see you married first: but in the miserable
condition of our affairs at present, I see no probability of matching

‘you to any of the princes of the sea ; and therefore I should be very
glad if you would think of marrying some of the princes of the earth
I am ready to contribute all that lies in my power towards it; and I
am certain there is not one of them, Hone powerful, but would be
proud of sharing his crown with you.”

‘At this discourse of my brother’s, I fell into a violent passion,
“Brother,” said I, “ you know that I am descended, as well as you, by
both father’s and mother’s side, from the kings and queens of the sea,
without any mixture of alliance with those of the earth; therefore I
do not intend to marry below myself, any more than they did. The
condition to which we are reduced shall never oblige me to alter my
resolution ; and if you perish in the execution of your design, I am
prepared to fall-with you, rather than to follow the advice I so little
expected from you.”

‘My brother, who was still earnest for the marriage, however im-
proper for me, endeavoured to make me believe that there were kings
of the earth who were nowise inferior to those of the sea. This put
me into a more violent passion, which occasioned him to say several
bitter words that stung me to the quick. He left me as much dis-
satisied with myself as he could possibly be with me; and in this
peevish mood I gave a spring from the bottom of the sea up to the
island of the moon.

-‘ Notwithstanding the violent displeasure that made me cast
myself upon that island, I lived content in retirement. But in spite
of all my precautions, a person . of distinction, attended by his.
servants, surprised me sleeping, and carried me to his own house, and