seeing her so pretty, he bought her of the Moor who had her for sale. By her gentle manners and disposition he recognised that she must be the daughter of some gentle blood. He therefore had her taught to read and write as well as everything else to which she could attain, and so well did she give herself to virtue and wisdom, that she surpassed in science and in music all the men and all the women who then existed. And as all things in this life are changing, it was the will of Heaven to send such a reverse on the merchant, that several vessels belonging to him, laden with very precious merchandise, were all lost at sea. So that he found himself so completely ruined in a foreign land, that he knew not what remedy to apply for the very great poverty into which he had fallen. Finding himself, therefore, in such misery that nothing was left to maintain him withal, he decided to say to the damoiselle, "You already know that such a terrible reverse has overtaken me that of all the treasures I possessed, I have nothing left to sell or to engage (pledge); this has doubtless happened on account of the great sins I have committed, but in truth there is now nothing left if it is not you; that is why, my daughter and sennora, it is a forced thing that I should sell you. God knows how much it costs me, but I have already seen that I cannot do otherwise. I now, therefore, supplicate you, my child, to give me advice as to what in your judgment it appears to you I ought to do. From your great learning, I have such confidence in you, that I do not doubt you will find in your mind some means of extricating me from my dreadful embarrassment."

And the damoiselle Theodora, when she heard her master thus speak was in great sorrow and chagrin. She cast her eyes on the ground and began to weep, remaining a long time without speaking, and thinking from the bottom of her heart.

And after she had well examined in private what means of relief she could give her master, who had brought her up, and had expended so much money of his treasure in having her taught all she knew, she raised her head and said, "Take courage, my master, give yourself no more trouble about anything in the world, but have good faith in the mercy of our blessed Saviour, for he will succour you and give you an excellent way of getting out of the difficulty and poverty in which you now are. Think no more of it. God, I repeat, can remedy all this. Immediately go forth to the jeweller's, bring me a rich female dress, and get some high coloured stuffs for yourself. I must appear in full dress to-day, and after that I am clothed with these fine things, you must conduct me to the King Miramolin Almanzor, and you will say to him that you want to sell me. He will ask you what you want for my person,-then answer him in this wayMy lord, I come to

your highness, for I am in great necessity; but if you will buy this damoiselle, I will sell her at a fair price. And if the king ask you what price you require for me, tell him you must have ten thousand doubloons of good red gold. If he be astonished at the sum you ask, reply in this manner: 'My lord, be not surprised at the price I demand for this damoiselle, in truth she is worth much more."

After the merchant had heard these words, and the advice given him by the damoiselle, he began to think he was on the good road to be saved. He went to the dealers in precious things, and he addressed himself to a very great friend named Mahoma, who sold all kinds of merchandize,--fine linens, silks, jewels, and spices. To him he related the sad situation to which his sins had brought him.

And Mahoma, pitying him, thus spoke: "In truth, my worthy friend, my heart is broken, and the tears come into my eyes for the great trouble you are in; see all I possess, and know for certain that no part shall be refused you. Whatever you require I will give you with frank good will, and may it please Heaven that thou and thy damoiselle may experience advantage and happiness."

"Friend!" said the merchant to him, "you must know I want robes of fine colours, and elegant head ornaments to dress the damoiselle; and then, friend, I propose to conduct her to the king."

And after that the merchant had thus given his reasons, the jeweller gave him stuffs and ornaments as beautiful as he required.

The merchant on receiving them returned thanks to God, and said in his heart,—“ If it is Thy will, the thing has well commenced.”

He returned to the house, gave the damoiselle the rich stuffs and jewellery, and she rejoiced in seeing them; for she was beautiful, and their richness greatly enhanced her charms. She said to her master, "Rejoice and make merry; if it please Heaven this will become the foundation of our fortune."

She then dressed herself in these fine things, and one would think they had been cut to her measure. She adjusted the jewels in the best way she possibly could, and when the damoiselle Theodora was thus dressed, she appeared the most graceful and the most lovely being that could be found in the world.

The merchant sat forward to the palace of the king Miramolin Almanzor, who was well pleased to look upon the marvellous beauty of ladies and damoiselles.

I.

How the merchant conducted the damoiselle before the king in his alcaçar (palace in Arabic). What he the king said to him, and the reply he the merchant made the king.

History relates that the merchant conducted the damoiselle Theodora to the king's alcaçar. He spoke to the doorkeeper, supplicating admittance, because he wished to speak with the king. The porter instantly opened the door, telling him he was welcome. The merchant then retired with the damoiselle into the room where was the king, whom he saluted, as he did all that were present; and after having prostrated himself to the ground, he approached nearer and kissed the king's hand; and the king said to him :-"Answer me, friend, what are thy wishes, and what dost thou want of me?"

The merchant then replied:" I have brought your highness this damoiselle, to know if it would please you to buy her."

The king replied, that he would do so, but that he should declare what he wanted.

And the merchant answered, that he demanded ten thousand doubloons of good red gold.

And the king marvelled greatly that so large a sum should be asked of him. "Friend," said he, "you must be out of your mind, or it must be imagined that the damoiselle has boasted of things she cannot perform."

"My lord," answered the merchant, "do not regard the high price I have asked as wonderful. You must know that she is in possession of many sciences, that there is no wise man who can conquer her. I have expended my treasures to enable her to acquire all that was to be taught. She has studied all written matters,--she knows everything in this lower world that can be known by the wise and learned-men or women."

And the king, on hearing these words, began addressing the damoiselle. He desired her to withdraw the mantle that fell over her eyes, and ordered that the veil which covered her face should be taken off. The damoiselle did as she was commanded, and Miramolin then beheld a more surprising beauty than any he had ever seen before during his life. He asked her name, and she with great humility and reverence, answered him: "Very illustrious lord, I am called the damoiselle Theodora."

"Be pleased to inform me which is the science you have learned among all the sciences of this lower universe."

The damoiselle replied: "Your royal highness shall know that the first thing I have learned is the seven liberal arts; next, the art of astrology;

the properties of stones and of the waters; those of herbs; the qualities belonging to every species of animal created by God in this world. I also know all that pertains to music. I can sing and play on various instruments—figure and dance better than any one in the world.

11.

How the king marvelled at the things which were told him by the damoiselle Theodora, and how he sent for all the wise men that they might enter into a discussion with her.

When the wise men were come, the king commanded them to argue sharply against the damoiselle, since as she had boasted of knowing so many things, he desired to know the truth of it. And among all the sages present, he selected three of them more learned than all the others put together; these immediately addressed the damoiselle, and entered into discussion with her. The first who spoke to her, began speaking to her in a disdainful way, as if he had to do with a simple ignorant girl, "Damoiselle, will you answer what I am about to ask of you?"

She replied :—“ Discreet and learned lord, I will answer you with God's assistance, and my lord the king's good pleasure (whom God maintain), and who is here present with all his knights as well as the noble men of his crown. Let him give me commandment and licence.

The king answered that she must immediately reply to the sage's questions, and that without delay.

The damoiselle told him that she was prepared and willing. The sage began in the following fashion.

IJI.

Of the first dispute that the first sage had with the damoiselle.

The wise man then began thus :-" Damoiselle, in the first place I beg of thee not to agitate thyself; we are here before the king our lord. It is necessary every point should be examined with diligence. Being all of us well known wise and lettered men, it is important to know which shall be vanquished, thou or I.”

"You must reply

The damoiselle repeated to him that so it pleased her. then to what I shall ask of you. Tell me what are the things that the almighty and powerful God has created in the most secret part of the heavens ?"

The wise and discreet 'damoiselle immediately replied to this question :"My master, you ought to know that the Lord has created in the highest skies seven planets, whose names I will tell you: the Sun, the Moon; and the stars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury; and besides twelve signs the Ram, the Bull, the Twins, the Crab, the Lion, the Virgin, the Balance, the Scorpion, the Archer, the Goat, the Waterpot, and the Fishes; and our Lord after he had created his immense heaven, composed the four parts of the world.

The sage asked:-"Tell me, damoiselle, in what month reigns each sign, and what are the properties it has ?"

She answered:-"In the month of January the Waterpot reigns. It influences the reflection of stones; it is of the nature of air; whoever is born under this sign will be little, and of a sorrowful complexion, and he must never allow himself to rise from the table being thirsty."

"What is the sign of the month of February ?"

"It is that of Fishes. It reigns over the feet; it is assigned to the planet Jupiter; it is of the nature of water; its quality is cold; him who is born under this planet will be well-formed bodily. Care must be taken not to bleed at this time."

"Speak of the month of March," said the sage.

"In the month of March the Ram reigns. He influences the head; it is assigned to the planet Mars; because when the sun was first born, he appeared in the fourth part of this sign; he is very changeable, analogous to fire, and hot in its nature. Those born under this influence lose their temper for the slightest cause."

"And of the month of April ?".

"The sign of the Bull is assigned to the planet Venus. It is a fixed, permanent sign; its properties are cold and dry; and according to true astrology, persons born under this sign frequently fall sick.”

The sage asked what was to be thought about the month of May, and the damoiselle answered :-"The sign which reigns in this month is the Twins; it influences the arms. We assign it to the planet Mercury; its qualifications are hot and wet. He who is born under this sign will be a man of frank character; he will follow the king in his court, and will inhabit the palaces of the great."

"What dost thou say of the month of June ?"

"The Crab is master of the month of June, a sign submissive to the moon; its qualities are cold and wet. Those born under it will be valiant, and fearless of their persons; but I tell you to take care of diseases of the chest, for they are then very perilous,"