The King of China received them all in the same obliging
manner; but as he resolved not to compel his daughter to marry
without her consent, and as she did not like any of the suitors,
the ambassadors were forced to return as they came: they were
perfectly satisfied with the great honours and civilities they had
received.'
'"Sir," said the princess to the king her father, "you have an
inclination to see me married, and think to oblige me by it; but
where shall I find such stately palaces and delicious gardens as I
have with your majesty? Through your good pleasure I am under no
constraint, and have the same honours shown to me as are paid to
yourself. These are advantages I cannot expect to find anywhere
else, to whatsoever husband I should give my hand; men love ever to
be masters, and I do not care to be commanded."
'At last there came an embassy from the most rich and potent king
of all. This prince the King of China recommended to his daughter
as her husband, urging many powerful arguments to show how much it
would be to her advantage to accept him, but she intreated her
father to dispense with her accepting him for the same reasons as
before, and at last lost all the respect due to the king her
father: "Sir," said she, in anger, "talk to me no more of this or
any other match, unless you would have me plunge this poniard in my
bosom, to deliver myself from your importunities.
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