observe it; as to the first, I own that voices, such as you represent
them to be, are capable of striking terror into the most undaunted; but
as in all enterprises and dangers every one may use stratagem, I desire
to know of you if I may use any in one of so great importance." "And
what stratagem is it you would employ?" said the dervish. "To stop my
ears with cotton," answered the princess, "that the voices, however
terrible, may make the less impression upon my imagination, and my mind
remain free from that disturbance which might cause me to lose the use
of my reason."

"Princess," replied the dervish, "of all the persons who have addressed
themselves to me for information, I do not know that ever one made use
of the contrivance you propose. All I know is that they all perished. If
you persist in your design, you may make the experiment. You will be
fortunate if it succeeds, but I would advise you not to expose yourself
to the danger."

"My good father," replied the princess, "I am sure my precaution will
succeed, and am resolved to try the experiment. Nothing remains for me
but to know which way I must go, and I conjure you not to deny me that
information." The dervish exhorted her again to consider well what she
was going to do; but finding her resolute, he took out a bowl, and
presenting it to her, said: "Take this bowl, mount your horse again, and
when you have thrown it before you, follow it through all its windings,
till it stops at the bottom of the mountain; there alight and ascend the
hill. Go, you know the rest."

After the princess had thanked the dervish, and taken her leave of him,
she mounted her horse, threw the bowl before her, and followed it till
it stopped at the foot of the mountain.

She then alighted, stopped her ears with cotton, and after she had well
examined the path leading to the summit began with a moderate pace and
walked up with intrepidity. She heard the voices and perceived the great
service the cotton was to her. The higher she went, the louder and more
numerous the voices seemed, but they were not capable of making any
impression upon her. She heard a great many affronting speeches and
raillery very disagreeable to a woman, which she only laughed at. "I
mind not," said she to herself, "all that can be said, were it worse; I
only laugh at them and shall pursue my way." At last, she climbed so
high that she could perceive the cage and the Bird which endeavoured, in
company with