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Certainly, replied Zumio, she would, did she not possess a turquoise ring, which becomes as yellow as gold whenever one of her lovers commits the least infidelity, or his affection ceases for her. The fairy constantly wears this ring in the day, and, fearing lest it should be stolen from her during sleep, she every night incloses it in a brazen casket, which she locks up in a subterranean grotto, dug in her garden, the entrance to which is defended by twelve monstrous crocodiles, six basilisks, and four dragons, whose frightful jaws, resembling the most fearful volcanoes, vomit devouring flames, and send forth stones of fire.
As the princess ended, the sylph thus continued: Such, my lord, are the perils that await you; hut what glory would equal your's, were you victorious! know, these enchanted gardens are full of the most beautiful princesses in the universe, whom this most jealous fairy here detains, and has condemned to different pangs and punishments. Had the fairy only robbed the world of her rivals, her barbarity
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