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endeavoured, with the voices, to fright her, crying out, in a
voice as loud as them, notwithstanding the smallness of its size,
Retire, fool, and come no higher.
The princess, encouraged more by this object, redoubled her
haste, when she saw herself just at her journey's end, and got to
the top of the mountain, where the ground was all level and
even; and running directly to the cage, and clapping her hand
upon it, cried, Bird, bird, I have got three, in spite of thee; thou
shall not escape me.
While Princess Parizade was pulling the cotton out of her ears,
the bird said to her, Brave lady, be not angry with me, for
endeavouring to preserve my liberty; for, though kept in a cage,
I was content with my condition; but since I am destined to be a
slave, I would rather be yours than any other person's in the
world, since you have obtained me so courageously: From this
instant, I swear an universal fidelity to you, and an entire
submission to your commands. I know who you are, and can
tell you, it is what you do not know yourself; but the time will
come, when I shall do you a piece of service, which, I hope, you
will be obliged to me for; and for a proof of my sincerity, tell
me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you.
The princess's joy was the more inexpressible, because the
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