ewel--he
saw, in short, a sight to amaze one.

In astonishment he cried, "O sleep, sweet sleep! heap poppies on the
eyes of this lovely jewel; interrupt not my delight in viewing as long
as I desire this triumph of beauty. O lovely tress that binds me! O
lovely eyes that inflame me! O lovely lips that refresh me! O lovely
bosom that consoles me! Oh where, at what shop of the wonders of
Nature, was this living statue made? What India gave the gold for these
hairs? What Ethiopia the ivory to form these brows? What seashore the
carbuncles that compose these eyes? What Tyre the purple to dye this
face? What East the pearls to string these teeth? And from what
mountains was the snow taken to sprinkle over this bosom--snow contrary
to nature, that nurtures the flowers and burns hearts?"

So saying he made a vine of his arms, and clasping her neck, she awoke
from her sleep and replied, with a gentle smile, to the sigh of the
enamoured Prince; who, seeing her open her eyes, said, "O my treasure,
if viewing without candles this temple of love I was in transports,
what will become of my life now that you have lighted two lamps? O
beauteous eyes, that with a trump-card of light make the stars
bankrupt, you alone have pierced this heart, you alone can make a
poultice for it like fresh eggs! O my lovely physician, take pity, take
pity on one who is sick of love; who, having changed the air from the
darkness of night to the light of this beauty, is seized by a fever;
lay your hand on this heart, feel my pulse, give me a prescription.
But, my soul, why do I ask for a prescription? I desire no other
comfort than a touch of that little hand; for I am certain that with
the cordial of that fair grace, and with the healing root of that
tongue of thine, I shall be sound and well again."

At these words the lovely fairy grew as red as fire, and replied, "Not
so much praise, my lord Prince! I am your servant, and would do
anything in the world to serve that kingly face; and I esteem it great
good fortune that from a bunch of myrtle, set in a pot of earth, I have
become a branch of laurel hung over the inn-door of a heart in which
there is so much greatness and virtue."

The Prince, melting at these words like a tallow-candle, began again to
embrace her; and sealing the latter with a kiss, he gave her his hand,
saying, "Take my faith, you shall be my wife, you shall be mistress of
my sceptre, you shall have the key of this heart, as you ho