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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