emeralds and rubies, who carried her flying through the air to take an
airing; and a number of apes, clad in cloth of gold, were given to
attend on her person, who forthwith arrayed her from head to foot, and
adorned her so that she looked just like a Queen.

When night was come, and the Sun--desiring to sleep on the banks of the
river of India untroubled by gnats--had put out the light, the Slave
said to Parmetella, "My dear, now go to rest in this bed; but remember
first to put out the candle, and mind what I say, or ill will betide
you." Then Parmetella did as he told her; but no sooner had she closed
her eyes than the blackamoor, changing to a handsome youth, lay down to
sleep. But the next morning, ere the Dawn went forth to seek fresh eggs
in the fields of the sky the youth arose and took his other form again,
leaving Parmetella full of wonder and curiosity.

And again the following night, when Parmetella went to rest, she put
out the candle as she had done the night before, and the youth came as
usual and lay down to sleep. But no sooner had he shut his eyes than
Parmetella arose, took a steel which she had provided, and lighting the
tinder applied a match; then taking the candle, she raised the
coverlet, and beheld the ebony turned to ivory, and the coal to chalk.
And whilst she stood gazing with open mouth, and contemplating the most
beautiful pencilling that Nature had ever given upon the canvas of
Wonder, the youth awoke, and began to reproach Parmetella, saying, "Ah,
woe is me! for your prying curiosity I have to suffer another seven
years this accursed punishment. But begone! Run, scamper off! Take
yourself out of my sight! You know not what good fortune you lose." So
saying, he vanished like quicksilver.

The poor girl left the palace, cold and stiff with affright, and with
her head bowed to the ground. And when she had come out of the cavern
she met a fairy, who said to her, "My child, how my heart grieves at
your misfortune! Unhappy girl, you are going to the slaughter-house,
where you will pass over the bridge no wider than a hair. Therefore, to
provide against your peril, take these seven spindles with these seven
figs, and a little jar of honey, and these seven pairs of iron shoes,
and walk on and on without stopping, until they are worn out; then you
will see seven women standing upon a balcony of a house, and spinning
from above down to the ground, with the thread wound upon the bone of a
dead per