MIRANDA; OR, THE ROYAL RAM

MIRANDA m NCE upon a time there lived a king
who had three beautiful daughters,

the youngest of whom, named

Miranda, was the most amiable, and

was her father’s favourite.

The king was very superstitious, and

had great faith in dreams.

One day he asked his daughters to tell him the

subject of their dreams the foregoing night.

The eldest said that she had dreamed that he gave

her a gown, the gold and jewels of which shone

bright as the sun and stars.

The second said that she had dreamed that he

gave her a golden distaff and spinning-wheel, for

her to spin linen.

The third said that she had dreamed that her

father came to her and held a golden basin with

water in it, and had said to her: ‘Come and wash

your hands.’

The king was very angry with Miranda for her

dream, and he thought that it could have but one

signification, that she would dethrone him, make

herself queen, and turn him into her servant.

As he was a very suspicious and jealous man as

well as superstitious, he worked himself to sucha

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