the ‘Princess of China | | RE TIO
to her} he has built for her seven palaces, the most Sy and
magnificent that ever were known.

‘The first palace is of rock crystal, the second of copper, the
third of fine steel, the fourth of brass, the fifth of touchstone, the
sixth of silver, and the seventh of massy gold. He has furnished
these palaces most sumptuously, each in a manner suited to the
materials that they are built of. He has filled the gardens with grass
and flowers, intermixed with pieces of water, water-works, fountains,
canals, cascades, and several great groves of trees, where the eye is
lost in the prospect, and where the sun never enters, and all differently
arranged. ‘King Gaiour, in a word, has shown that he has spared
no expense. -

‘Upon the fame of this incomparable princess’s beauty, the most

_ powerful neighbouring kings sent ambassadors to request her in

"marriage. The King of China received them all in the same obliging’
manner; but as he resolved ‘not to compel his daughter to marry
without her consent, and as she did not like any of the suitors, the:
ambassadors were forced to return as they came: they were perfectly’
satisfied with the great honours and civilities they had received.’

‘« Sir,” said the princess to the king her father, “you have an
inclination to see me mairied, and think to oblige me by it; but
where shall I find such stately palaces and delicious. gardens as I’
have with your majesty? Through your good pleasure I am under
no constraint, and have the same honours shown to me as are paid
to yourself. These are advantages I cannot expect to find anywhere
else, to whatsoever husband I should give my hand; men love ever
to be masters, and I do not care to be commanded.”

‘At last there came an embassy from the most rich and potent
king of all. This prince the King of China recommended to his
daughter as her husband, urging many powerful arguments to show.
how much it would be to her advantage to accept him, but she
intreated her father to dispense with her accepting him for the same