Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/307

Rh

Olives and nuts, his favourite food of yore, Insipid seem—are relish'd now no more. He dies; your help alone we come to crave,— 'Tis you alone can snatch him from the grave. I scorn to tempt you by the grosser bait Of the choice fare within our happy state, Where grapes and figs are in profusion found, And all the finest fruit the whole year round."

Perroquet had scarcely finished his oration when the Queen turned her eyes on Babiole, who felt more disconcerted than anybody had ever been before. The Queen wished to ascertain her sentiments before she replied. She told the parrot to make his excellency the ambassador understand that she favoured the King's pretensions as far as it depended on herself. The audience over, she retired, and Babiole followed her into her closet. "My little ape," said the Queen to her, "I acknowledge that I shall regret thy absence, but there is no way of refusing Magot, who asks thy hand in marriage, for I have not yet forgotten that his father brought two hundred thousand monkeys into the field against me, and they ate so many of my subjects that we were obliged to agree to a shameful peace." "That means, then, Madam," replied Babiole, impatiently, "that you are resolved to sacrifice me to this horrid monster to avoid his anger; but I supplicate your Majesty at least to grant me a few days to make up my mind finally." "That is but just," said the Queen; "nevertheless, if you will take my advice, decide promptly; consider the honours prepared for thee, the magnificence of the embassy, and what maids of honour he sends thee. I am sure that Magot never did for Monette what he has done for thee." "I do not know what he has done for Monette," said little Babiole, indignantly, "but I know well that I am not greatly touched by the sentiments with which he honours me." She rose instantly, and with a graceful curtsey went to search for the Prince, to tell him her troubles. As soon as he saw her, he exclaimed, "Well, Babiole, when are we to dance at your wedding?" "I do not know, Sir," said she, sadly; "but the deplorable state I am in renders me incapable of keeping my own secrets, and however my delicacy may suffer, I must own to you that you are the only person I could take for a husband." "Me!" said the Prince, bursting into a loud laugh, "for a husband! My little ape, I am charmed at