Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 29, 1918.djvu/205

Rh Alexander, having conquered India, comes to a very broad river, which he learns to be the "Ganges or Phison whose source is the Paradise of Pleasure." Having selected five hundred of his bravest companions, he embarks on a vessel which he finds ready prepared and sails up the river. After thirty-four days of terribly difficult and dangerous navigation against enormous waves, they arrive before a vast city surrounded by an impenetrable wall, so covered over with moss that no trace of opening nor even of the stones could anywhere be seen. For three days they sail along the wall in the vain hope of finding some entrance. At last, on the third, a small window is discerned, at which some of Alexander's companions putting off in a light bark proceed to knock loudly. The window is soon opened, and an inhabitant blandly inquires who they are and what is the purpose of such an unexpected visit. "We are," say they, "the envoys of no ordinary king, but of Alexander who rules the world. His lordship desires to know of what race and laws you are, what are your forces and who is your king? He orders you, if you wish to preserve your peace and safety, to make no show of ambition, but to do as all other races and pay him a tribute."

To this speech the inhabitant, in no way perturbed, replied, "Cease to worry me with your threats, but patiently await my return." After two hours he re-appeared, and handing the envoys a gem of wonderful brilliance and colour, which in size and shape exactly reproduced the human eye, said, "The inhabitants of this place send to Alexander this stone which will put an end to his desires, for once he learns its virtue and nature he shall lay aside all ambition. Nor is it prudent for you to remain any longer in these regions, for should even a slight breeze arise you will without doubt be shipwrecked and destroyed.