MIRANDA of cloth of gold with diamonds woven into it, and a crown of gold and diamonds on her head, and also he made fast a diamond to every single hair of her head, and also to each of her eyelash hairs, and to those that formed her brows. Thus she twinkled and blazed with splendour. As soon as Miranda had arrived at her father’s court, the king at once ordered all the gates to be closed. When the ceremony was over, he went up to her, and begged leave to escort her to the banqueting-hall. Miranda would have fled, but found all the doors fast. Then the king led her into the hall, and hasted and brought a golden basin with water for her to wash her hands in. Miranda immediately fell at his feet, saying : ‘Sire! behold, my dream is fulfilled. I am your third daughter, and you have offered me water in a golden basin.’ When the king heard this—he recollected the features of his daughter Miranda, and was filled with shame and sorrow. He cried out: ‘O my dear daughter! forgive the cruelty of a father who deserves death for the way in which he treated you. Now what can I do to make amends for my past injustice ?’ ‘Sire,’ answered Miranda, ‘grant me a single favour!’ a will grant you anything you ask,’ answered the ing. ‘Sire!’ said she, ‘suffer a Ram to sit on thy throne, and to drink out of thy cup.’ When the king heard this he was much astonished and became red in the face, and did not know what answer to make. Nevertheless, because he had made the promise before all the court and all the friends and visitors from foreign kingdoms who had come to the wedding, he gave his consent. 158