Page 236 - Child's own book

Miranda having: descended a very numerous flight of steps,
was exceedingly surprised to behold a vast plain enamelled
with flowers, in the midst of which were fountains of wine
and other exquisite liquors, forming cascades and pleasant
purling brooks. Ilcre and there clumps of trees formed an
habitation fur a variety of choice birds and fowls ; and in other
parts the air was darkened with showers of biscuits, tarts,
cheesecakes, and all manner of sweetmeats; in short, there was
every necessary of life, besides ^reat plenty of gold and silver
coins, pearls, and diamonds. The princely Ram told Miranda
that he had reigned here several years, and had sufficient cause
for grief; but that he refrained, being unwilling to renew her
misfortunes. To which the princess courteously replied, that
she could not sufficiently express her acknowledgment of tbe
kindness of his treatment ; hut everything seeming uncom­
monly strange to her, she should be glad to hear some particulars
of his history. The gentle Ram, after endeavouring to remove
every uneasiness that remained in the mind of Miranda,
complied, and related as follows :—'“ Horn and educated as a
prince, 1 came into the possession of one of the most beautiful
kingdoms iu the world, and was beloved by my subjects, and
revered by foreigners. Being extremely fond of bunting, as 1
was one Jay pursuing a stag he took to a pond, into which 1
very imprudently plunged my horse after him. Instead of
finding the water cold, I found it extraordinarily hot; and the
pond becoming dry all of a sudden, there issued out of a cliff
a terrible lire, and I fell to tike bottom from off a precipice,
where I could see nothing hut flitmcs; at the same time I
heard a voice exclaim : ‘ They must be fiercer flames that can
warm thy heart, ungrateful man ! ’— * Alas!'cried I, ‘whocom­
plains of my coldness?'—; An unfortuuate wretch,’ returned
the voicc, ‘ who adores you without hope** The fire then