"
The next day the tailor brought me a rope, a hatchet, and a short
jacket, and recommended me to some poor people who gained their bread
after the same manner, that they might take me into their company.
They conducted me to the wood, and the first day I brought in as much
upon my head as procured me half a piece of gold of the money of that
country; for though the wood was not far distant from the town, yet it
was very scarce, by reason that few would be at the trouble of
fetching it for themselves. I gained a good sum of money in a short
time, and repaid my tailor what he had loaned me.
I continued this way of living for a whole year. One day, having by
chance penetrated farther into the wood than usual, I happened to
light on a pleasant spot, where I began to cut. In pulling up the root
of a tree I espied an iron ring, fastened to a trap door of the same
metal. I took away the earth that covered it, and having lifted it up,
discovered a flight of stairs, which I descended with my ax in my
hand.
When I had reached the bottom I found myself in a palace, which was as
well lighted as if it had been above ground in the open air. I was
going forward along a gallery supported by pillars of jasper, the base
and capitals being of massy gold, when I saw a lady of a noble and
graceful air, and extremely beautiful, coming toward me.
I hastened to meet her; and as I was making a low obeisance she asked
me, "Are you a man, or a genie?"
"A man, madam," said I.
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