Page 209 - Bulbul Hezar
P. 209

The princess, who had been used to ride on horseback in
             hunting, supported the fatigue of so long a journey better than

             other ladies could have done; and as she made the same days
             journies as her brothers, she met with the dervise on the
             twentieth. When she came near him, she alighted off her horse,
             and leading him by the bridle, went and sat down by the
             dervise; and after she had saluted him, she said,
             - Honest man, will you give me leave to sit by you; and do me
             the favour to tell me if you have not heard that there are,

             somewhere hereabouts, a talking bird, singing tree, and golden
             water?
             - Madam, answered the dervise, since, by your voice, I know
             you to be a woman disguised in man's apparel, I thank you for
             your compliment, and receive the honour you do me with a
             great deal of pleasure. I know the place very well where these
             things you speak of are to be found: But what makes you ask me
             this question?
             - Good dervise, - replied the princess, - I have had such an

             advantageous relation of them given me, that I have a great
             desire to have them.
             - Madam, replied the dervise, you have been told the truth;
             these things are more singular and surprising than they have
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