~ the Princess Giauhara & 49
—_—

‘The. magic queen arrived at her palace; she alighted, and
giving her hand to King Beder, entered with him, accompanied
-by her women and the officers. She herself showed him all her»
apartments, where there was nothing to be seen but massy gold,
precious stones, and furniture of wonderful magnificence. Then she
led him out into a balcony, from whence he observed a garden
of surprising beauty. _King Beder commended all he saw, but so
that he might not be discovered to be any other than old Abdallah’s
nephew. They discoursed of indifferent matters, till the queen
was informed that dinner was upon the table.

The quéen and King Beder arose, and sat down at the table,
which was of massy gold, and the dishes of the same metal. They
began to eat, but drank hardly:at all till the dessert. came, when the
queen. caused a cup to be filled for her with excellent wine. She
took it and drank to King Beder’s health; and then, without
putting it out of her hand, caused it to be filled again, and pre:
sented it to him. ..King Beder received it. with profound respect,

~ and’ by atvery low bow signified to her : may that he in return
‘drank: to her health.

At the same time ten of) ee, Labe’s women entered. with
' musical instruments; with which. ‘they made: an agreeable concert.
At length both. began so to be. heated with wine, that King Beder
forgot he had to do with a magic queen, and looked upon her
only as the most beautiful queen he ever saw.

Next morning the women who. had served the king presented him
with fine linen and a magnificent robe. The queen likewise, who was
more splendidly dressed than the day: before, came to receive him,

_ and they went together to her apartments, where they had a good
repast brought them, and spent the remainder of the day in walking
in the garden, and in various other amusements.
Queen Labe treated King Beder after this manner for forty days, as
she had been accustomed: to do:to:all.the others. The fortieth night

5