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438 water echoed ineffably sweet sounds and burned as with a magical reflection of the torches, and the gaily-pennoned pleasure-boats with their wondrous masquerades swam in light and music. A lovely lady, who stood by the rudder of one of the barks, cried to me in passing, "Is it not true, friend thou would'st have a definition of the Shakespearean comedy?" I know not whether I answered "Yes," but in that instant the beautiful woman dipped her hand in the water and sprinkled the ringing sparks in my face, so that there was a general laughter, and I awoke.

Who was that charming woman who in such wise made merry with me in my dream? On her ideally beautiful head was a horned cap of variegated colours with bells, a white satin garment with fluttering ribbons enclosed her almost too slender limbs, and on her breast she bore