his belly; or this serpent, who appears to you so mild, will give him a mortal sting."
The white bull, who understood perfectly the old woman's conversation, but was unable to speak, humbly accepted all the proposals. He laid himself down at her feet; he lowed softly; and, looking tenderly at Amasidia, seemed to say to her:
"Come and see me sometimes, upon the lawn."
The serpent now took up the conversation:
"Princess," said he, "I advise you to act implicitly as mademoiselle of Endor has told you."
The she-ass likewise put in her word, and was of the opinion of the serpent.
Amasidia was afflicted that this serpent and this ass should speak so well; while a beautiful bull, who had such noble and tender sentiments, was unable to express them.
"Alas!" said she, in a low voice, "nothing is more common at court. One sees there every day fine lords who cannot converse, and contemptible wretches who speak with assurance."
"This serpent," said Mambres, "is not a contemptible wretch. He is perhaps the personage of the greatest importance."
The day now declined, and the princess was obliged to return home, after having promised to come back next day at the same hour. Her ladies of the palace were astonished, and understood nothing of what they had seen or heard. Mambres made
