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the air, he had the unspeakable surprise to see his ⟨adored⟩ Princess in a castle of polished steel, leaning her ⟨head⟩ on one hand, and wiping away the tears with the ⟨other⟩. She happened to look up, and had the mortification to see the King sitting by the Fairy, who then by her ⟨art⟩ made herself appear extremely beautiful. Had not ⟨the⟩ King been sensible of the Fairy's power, he ⟨would⟩ cortainly then have tried to free himself from her, ⟨by⟩ somo means or other; but he knew it would be in ⟨vain⟩ and therefore pretended to have a liking for her. ⟨At⟩ last they came to a stately palace, fenced on one sido ⟨by⟩ walls of emeralds, and on the other by a boisterous ⟨sea.⟩
The King, by pretending to be in love with the ⟨Fairy⟩, obtained the liberty to walk by himself on the ⟨shore⟩ and, as he was one day invoking the powers of the ⟨sea⟩ ho heard a voice, and presently after was surprised ⟨with⟩ the appearance of a Mermaid, which, coming up with ⟨a⟩
ploasant smile, spoke these words—"O King of ⟨the⟩ Golden Mines, I well know all that has passed in ⟨regards⟩ to you and the fair Princess. Don't suspect this to ⟨be⟩ a contrivance of the Fairy's to try you, for I am ⟨an⟩ inveterate enemy both to her and the Yellow ⟨Dwarf⟩, therefore, if you will have confidence in me, I will ⟨lend⟩ you my assistanco to procuro the release not only ⟨of⟩ yourself, but of All-Fair also."
She then cut down some sea-rushes, and blowing ⟨upon⟩ them, said, "I order you not to stir off from this ⟨beach⟩ till the Desert Fairy comes and takes you away.
