Page 21 - The Goose

to espy their doings, and to gratify their curiosity;
and they played the spy for so long that one
evening, when the sun whippeth with its rays the
banks of the Indian sea to give rest to the hours of
the day, 486 they beheld Lilla and Lolla spreading
sheets upon the ground; then they made the goose
walk thereon, and as soon as she was on the sheets,
the goose began shitting crowns until the very
balls of her eyes stood out.
When morning came, and Apollo with his golden
wand exorciseth the shadows to withdraw, came
Vasta to visit the two damsels, and after twisting
and lengthening the conversation, she came to the
point, and begged they would kindly lend her the
goose for two hours, to make a few young
ducklings she had bought to take affection for the
house; and she begged, prayed, and besought so
much, that the simpleton, partly because they
knew not how to deny, and partly not to cause
suspicion on the part of the gossips, lent the bird
to her upon the understanding that she should
return her at the time appointed. Then Vasta went
home where the other gossips were waiting for
her, and they laid clean sheets upon the floor, and
made the goose walk thereon, but instead of
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