'
'By what adventure,' said she, fetching a deep sigh, 'are you come
hither? I have lived here these twenty-five years, and never saw
any man but yourself during that time.'
Her great beauty, and the sweetness and civility wherewith she
received me, emboldened me to say to her, 'Madam, before I have the
honour to satisfy your curiosity, give me leave to tell you that I
am infinitely pleased with this unexpected meeting, which offers me
an occasion of consolation in the midst of my affliction; and
perhaps it may give me an opportunity to make you also more happy
than you are.' I gave her a true account by what strange accident
she saw me, the son of a king, in such a condition as I then
presented to her eyes; and how fortune directed that I should
discover the entrance into that magnificent prison where I had
found her according to appearances in an unpleasant situation.
'Alas! prince,' said she, sighing once more, 'you have just cause
to believe this rich and pompous prison cannot be otherwise than a
most wearisome abode; the most charming place in the world being no
way delightful when we are detained there contrary to our will. You
have heard of the great Epitimarus, King of the Isle of Ebony, so
called from that precious wood, which it produces in abundance: I
am the princess his daughter.
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