of a daughter." But the third sister, called MERCY, hearing what had been said by the other two, exclaimed, "Oh, my lord, I also am thy daughter: forgive the offence of this repentant woman. If thou wilt not, thou abandonest Mercy, and she will never again acknowledge thee her father." The fourth sister, whose name was PEACE, terrified at the discord between her parent and sisters, fled to a remote corner of the earth.

Justice and Truth, however, relinquished not their purpose; and, putting into their father's hands a naked sword, said, “My lord, we present to you the sword of Justice. Take it, and strike the harlot who has wronged our brother." But Mercy,rushing forward, snatched the weapon from their grasp. “Enough, enough," cried she, " long have you reigned, and your inclinations have been your only law. Now forbear; it is fit that my wishes should sometimes be listened to. Remember, that I too, am the daughter of the King." To this Justice made answer," Thou hast said well: we have reigned long and long will we preserve our

authority. But why should there be this dis cord? Call our brother, who is wiser than us all; and let him judge between us." The proposal was assented to. They shewed him the grounds of their altercation, and explained how Justice and Truth pertinaciously demanded the infliction of the law, while Mercy and Peace sought a free forgiveness. "My beloved sisters," said the Prince, " I am little satisfied with the flight of my sister Peace, whom your unbeseeming strife has banished. This ought not to be, and shall not. And as for my adulterous wife, I am prepared to undergo her punishment myself." -"If this be your determination," observed Justice," we cannot oppose you, my brother." Then turning towards Mercy, he said, "Use your endeavour to restore my wife. But should I receive her, and she again falls, do you design to renew your intercession?"-" Not," said the other, "unless she be truly peni

tent." The Prince then conducted back his sister Peace, and caused each of the others to embrace her, in turn. Concord being thus re

established, he hastened to his erring wife. She was received with every honour, and ended her days in peace.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the King is our heavenly Father; the son is Christ; and the wife is the soul, made impure by connexion with the devil.

TALE LVI.

OF REMEMBERING DEATH.

A CERTAIN Prince derived great pleasure from the chase. It happened, on one occasion, that a merchant accidentally pursued the same path; and observing the beauty, af

fability, and splendour of the Prince, he said in his heart; “Oh, ye heavenly powers! that man has received too many favors. He is handsome, bold, and graceful; and even his very retinue are equipped with splendour and comfort." Under the impression of such feelings, he addressed himself to one of the attendants, " My friend," said he, " is your master very powerful?"-" He is," replied the other," the despotic lord of an extensive territory; his treasury is filled with silver and gold; and his slaves are exceedingly nume rous."-" God has been bountiful to him," said the merchant; "he is more beautiful than any one I ever beheld; and his power vouches for his wisdom." Now the person with whom he conversed, related all that the merchant had said, to his master; and as the Prince turned homeward about the hour of vespers, he besought the merchant to tarry there all night. The entreaty of a potentate is a command; and the merchant, therefore, though with some reluctance, entered the palace. The prodigious display of wealth; the number of beautiful halls, ornamented in

every part with gold, surprized and delighted him. But supper-time approached, and the merchant, by express command of the Prince, was seated at his own table. This honor so enraptured the poor tradesman, that he secretly exclaimed, "Oh, Heaven! the Prince possesses every thing that his heart wishes; he has a beautiful wife, fair daughters, and brave sons. His family establishment is too extensive." As he thus thought, the meat was placed before him; but what was his consternation to observe that it was deposited in the skull of a human being, and served from thence to the Prince and his guests on silver dishes. Horror-struck at what he saw, the merchant felt as if his own head must presently make part of the same diabolical service, and frequently did he internally ejaculate, "I am a dead man! I am a dead man!"

In the meantime, the lady of the mansion comforted him as much as she could. The night passed on, and he was shewn into a bed-chamber hung round with cauldrons; and in one corner of the room several lights were burning. As soon as he had entered,