A2 yr - Prince Beder and

cere eel 5
done eating, for fear the sad ‘things~he had to relate might ‘take:
away his appetite. -At-last he: said.to him, “You have great reason
to. thank God you ‘got hither. without.any misfortune.’

‘ Alas ! Hae ee aie Bee ee much surprise vand
alarmed... ~ ;

. ‘Because,’ averted ne ‘this cee is ie fhe City e Ane
and is governed not by a king, but by a queen, who is. a notorious:
and.dangerous sorceress. _ You will be convinced of this,’ added he,
‘when you know that these horses, mules, and other animals that: you
have seer are so. many men, like. you and me, ‘whom she has trans=
formed by her. diabolical art... And: when young men like you enter,
the city, she has persons stationed to stop and bring them,. either by:
fair» means or. force, before her. “She receives them. in’ the most:
obliging manner; she caresses. them, regales ‘them, and lodges them?
magnificently. But she:does not'suffer them long to: enjoy'this happi-.
ness. There is not.one of them’ whom she has not. transformed. into
some animal or bird at.the end of forty. days. You told'me all these?
animals opposed your. landing .and entering the city.. This’ was»
the only way they could make you comprehend the danger. you.
were going. to expose ve to, ane a did all in their power
to. save you.’ ;

“This account een afflicted a young - Ride oe Pata
‘Alas!’ cried he, ‘to what extremities has. my ill- fortune: reduced
me!..I am hardly ‘freed from one’ enchantment, which’ I look.
back upon: with horror, but I find. myself exposed .to. another
much more terrible’ ‘This gave him’occasion to. relate his story:
to the old man more at length, and to acquaint him with his birth,
quality,. his fallingin: love with the Princess. of Samandal, and
her. cruelty in. changing him. into. a bird the yee moment. he: Bes
seen her. and - declared : his love to her.: a Pe : :

When the” ‘prince cameto speak. of ine ‘Sond voane in anaes:
a.queen who broke the’ enchantment, the:.old man, to: encourage.”