Page 320 - Child's own book

fantastic humours of the prince; nor was be tirt’d in the least
with the Solitude of the plfice. One day as he was walking int
the garden^ finding the heat inrrea.se, he retired into a grove,
whose lofty and thick-tufted shade afforded him a conl retreat.
And he™ he began to play upon his flute for his diversion,,
when he felt something that wound
itself about his leg, and grasped it very
hard ; he looked to see what it was,
and was surprised (o find it was a
yreflt adder; he tuok his handkerchief
iind catching it hy tho head, was going
to kill it. J3<it the adder, winding the
rest of its M v round his arm, and
■ 1
locking steadfastly in his face, seemed
to beg his pardon and compassion. At
this instant one of Ihe gardeners hap­
pened to come to lh« place where Leander was, and spying the
snake* cried out to his master, u Hold him fast, sir; it is hut an
hour since we ran afttr him to kill
him ; it is the most mischievous crea­
ture in the world; he sjioils. all our walks."
Leander easting his eyes a second time
upon the snake, which was speckled with
a thousand extraordinary colours, per­
ceived the poor creature still looked upon
him with an aspect that seemed to b^g
compassion, and never stirred in the least
to defend itself. *' Though thou hast such
a mind to kill it,” said he to the gardener,
“ yet as it is come to me for refuge, 1 forbid thee to do
it any harm, for I will keep it, and when it has cast ita
beautiful skin 1 will let it go.” He then returned home, and