Page 51 - The Green Beaubird

poisonous beast or of death. You must take this
robe, which, as you see, is all covered with
mirrors, and one of you must put it on, and
thus attired enter the garden, the door of
which will be found unfastened; but the other
must bide without and be careful not to let
himself be seen. And the beast forth with will
make for the one who enters, and, seeing an

exact similitude of him self reflected by the
mirrors, will fall down to the ground, and
then the adventurer may go quickly up to the
tree and pluck tenderly the singing apple and
without once looking behind him quit the
garden.' The young men thanked their host
courteously, and observed all his directions so

faithfully that they won the apple without
mischance, and carried it back to Serena, and
again besought her no more to compel them
to run into such danger.

Thus for a second time they failed to keep
their engagement with the king, who, meeting
them again a few days afterwards, said: ' For
what reason have you once more disobeyed

my commands and failed to come and dine
with me?' Fluvio answered as be fore that
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