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 hold the helm of this life." After these and a hundred other
ceremonies and discourses they arose. And so it went on for
several days.