songs and dances." They began immediately to sing the following words, dancing at the same time a round, to the music of tambourines and castagnets:—
"Sweet are pleasures after pains,
Lovers, do not break your chains;
Trials though you may endure,
Happiness they will ensure.
Sweet are pleasures after pains,
Joy from sorrow lustre gains."
When they ceased dancing and singing, the deputy who had been spokesman said to the Princess: "Here, Madam, are a hundred pagodines, who have been selected to have the honour of waiting on you. Every wish you can have in the world will be gratified, provided you consent to remain amongst us." The pagodines appeared in their turn; they carried baskets, proportioned to their own size, filled with a hundred different articles, so pretty, so useful, so well made, and so costly, that Laidronette was never weary of admiring and praising them, uttering exclamations of wonder and delight at all the marvels they displayed to her. The most prominent pagodine, who was a little figure made of diamonds, recommended her to enter the Grotto of the Baths, as the heat of the day was increasing. The Princess proceeded in the direction indicated, between two ranks of body-guards, whose forms and appearance were enough to make one die with laughter.
She found in the grotto two baths of crystal, ornamented with gold, full of scented water, so delicious and uncommon, that she was perfectly astonished at it. The baths were under a pavilion of green and gold brocade. The Princess inquired why there were two. They answered, that one was for her, and the other for the King of the Pagods. "But where is he, then!" exclaimed the Princess. "Madam," they replied, "he is at present with the army, making war on his enemies. You will see him as soon as he returns." The Princess then inquired if he were married. They answered, no; and that he was so charming, no one had ever yet been found worthy of him. She indulged her curiosity no further, but undressed and entered the bath. All the pagods and pagodines began immediately to sing and play on various instruments. Some had theorbos made out of nut-shells—others, bass-viols made
