I lifted up the curtain, and was
surprised at beholding no one but the guards in the vestibule, all
petrified.
I came to a large court. I went from thence into a room richly
furnished, where I perceived a lady turned into a statue of stone. The
crown of gold on her head, and a necklace of pearls about her neck,
each of them as large as a nut, proclaimed her to be the queen. I
quitted the chamber where the petrified queen was, and passed through
several other apartments richly furnished, and at last came into a
large room where there was a throne of massy gold, raised several
steps above the floor, and enriched with large enchased emeralds, and
upon the throne there was a bed of rich stuff embroidered with pearls.
What surprised me most was a sparkling light which came from above the
bed. Being curious to know whence it proceeded, I ascended the steps,
and, lifting up my head, saw a diamond as large as the egg of an
ostrich, lying upon a low stool; it was so pure that I could not find
the least blemish in it, and it sparkled with so much brilliancy that
when I saw it by daylight I could not endure its luster.
At the head of the bed there stood on each side a lighted flambeau,
but for what use I could not comprehend; however, it made me imagine
that there must be some one living in the place; for I could not
believe that the torches continued thus burning of themselves.
The doors being all open, I surveyed some other apartments, that were
as beautiful as those I had already seen.
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