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take care of the young lady； while the three others went after Gris…de…line；
who gave them a great deal of unwelcome exercise。
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Meantime the young lady continued her cries and complaints。 〃Oh； my
dear princess；〃 said she； 〃how happy was I in your palace！ Did you but
know my sad misfortune； you would send your Amazons to rescue poor
Abricotina。〃
Leander； having listened to what she said； without delay seized the
ruffian that held her； and bound him fast to a tree before he had time or
strength to defend himself。 He then went to the second； and taking him by
both arms； bound him in the same manner to another tree。 In the meantime
Abricotina made the best of her good fortune and betook herself to her
heels； not knowing which way she went。 But Leander； missing her； called
out to his horse Gris…de…line； who； by two kicks with his hoof； rid himself
of the two ruffians who had pursued him： one of them had his head broken
and the other three of his ribs。 And now Leander only wanted to overtake
Abricotina； for he thought her so handsome that he wished to see her again。
He found her leaning against a tree。 When she saw Gris… de…line coming
toward her； 〃How lucky am I！〃 cried she； 〃this pretty little horse will carry
me to the palace of pleasure。〃 Leander heard her； though she saw him not：
he rode up to her； Gris…de…line stopped； and when Abricotina mounted him；
Leander clasped her in his arms and placed her gently before him。 Oh；
how great was Abricotina's fear to feel herself fast embraced； and yet see
nobody！ She durst not stir； and shut her eyes for fear of seeing a spirit。 But
Leander took off his little cap。 〃How comes it； fair Abricotina；〃 said he；
〃that you are afraid of me； who delivered you out of the hands of the
ruffians？〃
With that she opened her eyes； and knowing him again； 〃Oh； sir；〃 said
she； 〃I am infinitely obliged to you； but I was afraid； for I felt myself held
fast and could see no one。〃
〃Surely；〃 replied Leander； 〃the danger you have been in has disturbed
you and cast a mist before your eyes。〃
Abricotina would not seem to doubt him； though she was otherwise
extremely sensible。 And after they had talked for some time of indifferent
things； Leander requested her to tell him her age； her country； and by what
accident she fell into the hands of the ruffians。
〃Know then； sir；〃 said she； 〃there was a certain very great fairy
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The Little Lame Prince
married to a prince who wearied of her： she therefore banished him from
her presence； and established herself and daughter in the Island of Calm
Delights。 The princess； who is my mistress； being very fair； has many
loversamong others； one named Furibon； whom she detests； he it was
whose ruffians seized me to…day when I was wandering in search of a stray
parrot。 Accept； noble prince； my best thanks for your valor； which I shall
never forget。〃
Leander said how happy he was to have served her； and asked if he
could not obtain admission into the island。 Abricotina assured him this was
impossible； and therefore he had better forget all about it。 While they were
thus conversing； they came to the bank of a large river。 Abricotina alighted
with a nimble jump from the horse。
〃Farewell； sir；〃 said she to the prince； making a profound reverence； 〃I
wish you every happiness。〃
〃And I；〃 said Leander； 〃wish that I may now and then have a small
share in your remembrance。〃
So saying； he galloped away and soon entered into the thickest part of
the wood； near a river； where he unbridled and unsaddled Gris…de…line；
then； putting on his little cap； wished himself in the Island of Calm
Delights； and his wish was immediately accomplished。
The palace was of pure gold； and stood upon pillars of crystal and
precious stones； which represented the zodiac and all the wonders of
nature； all the arts and sciences； the sea； with all the variety of fish therein
contained； the earth； with all the various creatures which it produces； the
chases of Diana and her nymphs； the noble exercises of the Amazons； the
amusements of a country life； flocks of sheep with their shepherds and
dogs； the toils of agriculture； harvesting； gardening。 And among all this
variety of representations there was neither man nor boy to be seennot so
much as a little winged Cupid； so highly had the princess been incensed
against her inconstant husband as not to show the least favor to his fickle
sex。
〃Abricotina did not deceive me；〃 said Leander to himself； 〃they have
banished from hence the very idea of men； now let us see what they have
lost by it。〃 With that he entered into the palaces and at every step he took
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he met with objects so wonderful that when he had once fixed his eyes
upon them he had much ado to take them off again。 He viewed a vast
number of these apartments； some full of china； no less fine than curious；
others lined with porcelain； so delicate that the walls were quite
transparent。 Coral； jasper； agates； and cornelians adorned the rooms of
state； and the presence…chamber was one entire mirror。 The throne was one
great pearl； hollowed like a shell； the princess sat； surrounded by her
maidens； none of whom could compare with herself。 In her was all the
innocent sweetness of youth； joined to the dignity of maturity； in truth； she
was perfection； and so thought the invisible Leander。
Not seeing Abricotina； she asked where she was。 Upon that； Leander；
being very desirous to speak； assumed the tone of a parrot； for there were
many in the room； and addressed himself invisibly to the princess。
〃Most charming princess；〃 said he； 〃Abricotina will return
immediately。 She was in great danger of being carried away from this
place but for a young prince who rescued her。〃
The princess was surprised at the parrot； his answer was so extremely
pertinent。
〃You are very rude； little parrot；〃 said the princess；〃 and Abricotina；
when she comes； shal