ing
worth hearing. When the time came for the performance (which lasted five
weary hours) the Princess found to her dismay that the 'opera' consisted
of this more than indifferent verse, chanted with all their might by ten
thousand frogs:

'Admirable Potentilla, Do you think it kind or wise In this sudden way
to kill a Poor Enchanter with your eyes?'

Really, if Narcissus had not been there to whisper in her ear and divert
her attention, I don't know what would have become of poor Potentilla,
for though the first repetition of this absurdity amused her faintly,
she nearly died of weariness before the time was over. Luckily Grumedan
did not perceive this, as he was too much occupied in whipping up the
frogs, many of whom perished miserably from fatigue, since he did not
allow them to rest for a moment. The Prince's next idea for Potentilla's
amusement was to cause a fleet of boats exactly like those of Cleopatra,
of which you have doubtless read in history, to come up the little
river, and upon the most gorgeously decorated of these reclined the
great Queen herself, who, as soon as she reached the place where
Potentilla sat in rapt attention, stepped majestically on shore and
presented the Princess with that celebrated pearl of which you have
heard so much, saying:

'You are more beautiful than I ever was. Let my example warn you to make
a better use of your beauty!'

And then the little fleet sailed on, until it was lost to view in the
windings of the river. Grumedan was also looking on at the spectacle,
and said very contemptuously:

'I cannot say I think these marionettes amusing. What a to-do to make
over a single pearl! But if you like pearls, madam, why, I will soon
gratify you.'

So saying, he drew a whistle from his pocket, and no sooner had he blown
it than the Princess saw the water of the river bubble and grow muddy,
and in another instant up came hundreds of thousands of great oysters,
who climbed slowly and laboriously towards her and laid at her feet all
the pearls they contained.

'Those are what I call pearls,' cried Grumedan in high glee. And truly
there were enough of them to pave every path in Potentilla's garden and
leave some to spare! The next day Prince Narcissus had prepared for the
Princess's pleasure a charming arbour of leafy branches, with couches of
moss and grassy floor and garlands everywhere, with her name written in
different coloured blossoms. Here he caused a dainty little banq