and I found the long-wiſhed for opportunity of ſpeaking to her alone in the jeſſamine arbour of her garden. The rapture I felt, in approaching ſo cloſe to the object of my wiſhes, filled my ſoul with tranſport ſurpaſſing all human ſenſations. I fell, inſpired with love, at her feet, and ſeized her ſnowy hand, which I preſſed in mute extacy to my lips, while I endeavoured to collect myſelf ſo far as to avow my paſſion. But the cunning deſpot had watched all my footſteps with the eye of a baſiliſk, and now ſaw me fallen into the ſnare he had long laid for me. A party of his guards at this inſtant emerged from behind their place of concealment, and tore me forcibly from the arms of the charming princeſs, though ſhe ſtretched them out in deep diſtreſs to protect me. The terror of ſo ſudden a ſurprize, and the clanking of armour, overpowered her ſenſes; her ſpirits retired inward, her cheeks grew pale, and
