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Darius was a circumspect prince, and had three sons, whom he much loved. On his death-bed he bequeathed the kingdom to the first-born; to the second, all his own personal acquisitions; and to the third a golden ring, a necklace, and a piece of valuable cloth. The ring had the power to render any one, who bore it on his finger, beloved; and, moreover, obtained for him whatsoever he sought. The necklace enabled the person who wore it upon his breast, to accomplish his heart's desire; and the cloth had such virtue, that whosoever sat upon it, and thought where he would be carried, there he instantly found himself. These three gifts the king conferred upon the younger son, for the purpose of