etime after the occurrence of
these events, he again visited the seashore, and lamented in sweetest
tones his lost treasures, which had been dear to him as remembrances of
happier hours, and as tokens of love and gratitude. While he was thus
singing, his old friend came swimming joyfully through the waves, and
rolled from his back upon the sand the long-lost treasures. The
boatmen, after the minstrel had leaped into the sea, began immediately
to divide the spoil. During the division a murderous quarrel arose
between them, which cost many of them their lives. The few that
remained were not able to navigate the vessel; it struck the shore and
foundered. They with difficulty saved their lives, and reached the
beach with torn garments and empty hands. Thus by the aid of the
grateful sea-monster, who had gathered them up from the bottom of the
sea, the treasures came into the hands of their original possessor."
[See Note I. at the end.]

CHAPTER III.

There is another story, continued the merchants after a pause,
certainly less wonderful and taken from later times, which yet may
please you and give you a clearer insight into the operations of that
wonderful art. There was once an old king, whose court was the most
splendid of his age. People streamed thither from far and near, in
order to share in the splendor of his mode of life. There was not
wanting the greatest abundance of costly delicacies at his daily
entertainments. There was music, splendid decorations, a thousand
different dramatic representations, with other amusements to pass away
the time. Nor did intellect fail to be represented there in the persons
of sage, pleasant, and learned men, who added to the entertainment and
inspiration of the conversation. Finally, there were added many chaste
and beautiful youth of both sexes, who constituted the real soul of the
charming festivals. The old king, otherwise a strict and stern man,
entertained two inclinations, which were the true causes of the
splendor of his court, and to which it owed its thanks for its
beautiful arrangement. The first of these inclinations was his love for
his daughter, who was infinitely dear to him, as a pledge of the love
of his wife, who had died in her youth, and to whom, for her marvellous
loveliness, he would have sacrificed all the treasures of nature, and
all the powers of human minds, in order to create for her a heaven upon
earth. The other was a