As to the first, I desire to know of you if I
may use a stratagem against those voices which you describe, and which
are so well calculated to excite terror."
"And what stratagem is it you would employ?" said the dervish.
"To stop my ears with cotton," answered the princess, "that the
voices, however loud and terrible, may make the less impression upon
my imagination, and my mind remain free from that disturbance which
might cause me to lose the use of my reason."
"Princess," replied the dervish, "if you persist in your design, you
may make the experiment. You will be fortunate if it succeeds; but I
would advise you not to expose yourself to the danger."
After the princess had thanked the dervish, and taken her leave of
him, she mounted her horse, threw down the bowl which he had given
her, and followed it till it stopped at the foot of the mountain.
The princess alighted, stopped her ears with cotton, and after she had
well examined the path leading to the summit, began with a moderate
pace, and walked up with intrepidity. She heard the voices, and
perceived the great service the cotton was to her. The higher she
went, the louder and more numerous the voices seemed; but they were
not capable of making any impression upon her. She heard a great many
affronting speeches and insulting accusations, which she only laughed
at. At last she saw the cage and the bird, while at the same moment
the clamor and thunders of the invisible voices greatly increased.
Pages:
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158