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 on curious rings, should drop valuable jewels: One of the kings favourites overhearing the discourse, went and informed the king thereof, who ordered them to come to him, and being charmed with the modesty of Blondina, he resolved to marry her: As did his brother, and the admiral, the other two. But when the queen-mother who was the most cruel of all women, heard that the king and prince were married to two girls of obscure birth, she flew into such a passion, as frightened the whole court.

The fair queen and the princess were united by a strict friendship, but Rosetta envied them for their good fortune; which made her enter into all the queen-mother's measures who only waited an opportunity to do Brunetta and Blondina, all the mischief the could. The queen and princess both proved with child, but by ill fortune a war happened which obleged the king to put himself at the head of his troops; so taking leave of his spouse with great tenderness he departed.

Whilst the king was at the wars, the queen was brought to bed of two boys and a girl, with stars in their foreheads, and chains of gold about their necks as was the princess the same day of a beautiful boy; but Brunetta died in the birth. Rosetta's thoughts were wholly employed how to injure the queen; and seeing such charming children, and that she herself had none, her rage encreased, and she resolved to speak with the queen-mother. I have, said she to her, a little bitch that has just pupped two dogs and a bitch, with stars on their foreheads & rings about their necks. We must, make the queen believe, she has been delivered of these creatures, and make away with