SERPENT.--Curiosity is necessary to human nature, and especially to your amiable sex. Without it they would live in the most shameful ignorance. I have always satisfied, as far as lay in my power, the curiosity of the ladies. I am accused indeed of using this complaisance only to vex the ruler of the world. I swear to you, that I could propose nothing more agreeable to myself than to obey you; but the old woman must have informed you that the revealing of this secret will be attended with some danger to you. PRINCESS.--Ah! it is that which makes me still more curious. SERPENT.--In this I discover the sex to whom I have formerly done service. PRINCESS.--If you possess any feeling; if rational beings should mutually assist each other; if you have compassion for an unfortunate creature, do not refuse my request. SERPENT.--You affect me. I must satisfy you; but do not interrupt me. PRINCESS.--I promise you I will not. SERPENT.--There was a young king, beautiful, charming, in love, beloved-- PRINCESS.--A young king! beautiful, charming, in love, beloved! And by whom? And who was this king? How old was he? What has become of him? Where is his kingdom? What is his name? SERPENT.--See, I have scarce begun, and you have already interrupted me. Take care. If you have not more command over yourself, you are undone. PRINCESS.--Ah, pardon me, sir. I will not repeat my indiscretion. Go on, I beseech you. SERPENT.--This great king, the most valiant of men, victorious wherever he carried his arms, often dreamed when asleep, and forgot his dreams when awake. He wanted his magicians to remember and inform him what he had dreamed, otherwise he declared he would hang them; for that nothing was more equitable. It is now near seven years since he dreamed a fine dream, which he entirely forgot when he awoke; and a young Jew, full of experience, having revealed it to him, this amiable king was immediately changed into an ox for-- PRINCESS.--Ah! it is my dear Neb---- She could not finish, she fainted away. Mambres, who listened at a distance, saw her fall, and believed her dead. [Illustration: Serpent.] [1] A prophetic reference by the serpent to Milton's _Paradise Lost_.--E. [Illustration: Nebuchadnezzar.--Nebuchadnezzar, transformed into a white bull, is recognized by Amasidia.] CHAPTER IV. HOW THEY WANTED TO SACRIFICE THE BULL, AND EXORCISE THE PRINCESS.