'
'Fair lady,' answered Danhasch, 'you meet me at a good time to hear
something very wonderful. I come from the utmost limits of China,
which look on the last islands of this hemisphere. But, charming
Maimoune,' said Danhasch, who so trembled with fear at the sight of
this fairy that he could hardly speak, 'promise me at least that
you will forgive me, and let me go on after I have satisfied your
demands.'
'Go on, go on, cursed spirit,' replied Maimoune; 'go on and fear
nothing. Dost thou think I am as perfidious an elf as thyself, and
capable of breaking the solemn oath I have made? Be sure you tell
nothing but what is true, or I shall clip thy wings, and treat thee
as thou deservest.'
Danhasch, a little heartened at the words of Maimoune, said, 'My
dear lady, I will tell you nothing but what is strictly true, if
you will but have the goodness to hear me. The country of China,
from whence I come, is one of the largest and most powerful
kingdoms of the earth. The king of this country is at present
Gaiour, who has an only daughter, the finest maiden that ever was
seen in the world since it was a world. Neither you nor I, nor your
class nor mine, nor all our respective genies, have expressions
strong enough, nor eloquence sufficient to describe this brilliant
lady.
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