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t of my House。 I started from my bed； and striking on the ground three times with my wand； there came such a quantity of water from the heavens； as soon extinguished the fire； and the next morning； by again having recourse to my wand； all things grew up into their convenient and proper order。 When my sister Brunetta found that I had such a supernatural power at my command； though she knew not what it was； she desisted from ever attempting any more by force to disturb me； and now only uses all sorts of arts and contrivances to deceive me； or any persons whom I would wish to secure。 One of my father's daily lessons to me was； that I should never omit any one day of my life endeavouring to be as serviceable as I possibly could to any person in distress。 And I daily wander； as far as my feet will carry me； in search of any such； and hither I invite them to peace and calm contentment。 But my father added also this command； that I should never endeavour doing any farther good to those whom adversity had not taught to hearken to the voice of reason； enough to enable them so to conquer their passions as not to think themselves miserable in a safe retreat from noise and confusion。 This was the reason I could not gratify you in relating the history of my life； whilst you gave way to raging passions； which only serve to blind your eyes； and shut your ears from truth。 But now； great queen （for I know your state； from what you vented in your grief）； I am ready to endow this little princess with any gift in my power； that I know will tend really to her good； and I hope your experience of the world has made you too reasonable to require any other。'
The queen considered a little while； and then desired Sybella to endow the princess with that only wisdom which would enable her to see and follow what was her own true good； to know the value of everything around her； and to be sensible that following the paths of goodness and performing her duty was the only road to content and happiness。
Sybella was overjoyed at the queen's request； and immediately granted it； only telling the Princess Hebe； that it was absolutely necessary towards the attainment of this great blessing； that she should entirely obey the queen her mother； without ever pretending to examine her commands； for 'true obedience （said she） consists in submission； and when we pretend to choose what commands are proper and fit for us； we don't obey； but set up our own wisdom in opposition to our governorsthis； my dear Hebe； you must be very careful of avoiding； if you would be happy。' She then cautioned her against giving way to the persuasions of any of the young shepherdesses thereabouts； who would endeavour to allure her to disobedience； by striving to raise in her mind a desire of thinking herself wise； whilst they were tearing from her what was indeed true wisdom。 'For （said Sybella） my sister Brunetta； who lives in the castle she drove me from （about a mile from this wood） endows young shepherdesses with great beauty； and everything that is in appearance amiable； and likely to persuade； in order to allure away and make wretched； those persons I would preserve： and all the wisdom with which I have endowed the Princess Hebe will not prevent her falling into my sister's snares； if she gives the least way to temptation； for my father's gift to Brunetta； in her infancy； enables her （as I told you） to succeed in all her designs； except they are resisted by the virtue of the person she is practising against。 Many poor wretches has my sister already decoyed away from me； whom she now keeps in her castle； where they live in splendor and seeming joy； but in real misery； from perpetual jars and tumults； railed by envy； malice； and all the train of tumultuous and tormenting passions。'
The Princess Hebe said； she doubted not but she should be able to withstand any of Brunetta's temptations。 Her mother interrupting her； cried out； 'Oh； my dear child； though you are endowed with wisdom enough to direct you in the way to virtue； yet if you grow conceited and proud of that wisdom； and fancy yourself above temptation； it will lead you into the worst of all evils。' Here the fairy interposed； and told the Princess Hebe； that if she would always carefully observe and obey her mother； who had learned wisdom in that best school； adversity； she would then； indeed； be able to withstand and overcome every temptation； and would likewise be happy herself； and able to dispense happiness to all around her。 Nothing was omitted by the fairy to make this retirement agreeable to her royal guests； and they had now passed near seven years in this delightful grove； in perfect peace and tranquillity； when one evening； as they were walking in the pleasant wood which surrounded their habitation； they espied under the shade； and leaning against the bark of a large oak； a poor old man； whose limbs were withered and decayed； and whose eyes were hollow； and sunk with age and misery。 They stopped as soon as they saw him； and heard him in the anguish of his heart； with a loud groan； utter these words： 'When will my sorrows end？ Where shall I find the good fairy Sybella？' The fairy immediately begged to know his business with her； and said； if his sorrows would end on finding Sybella； he might set his heart at ease； for she stood now before him； and ready to serve him； if his distresses were such as would admit of relief； and he could prove himself worthy of her friendship。 The old Man appeared greatly overjoyed at having found the fairy； and began the following story：
'I live from hence a thousand leagues。 All this tiresome way have I come in search of you。 My whole life has been spent in amassing wealth； to enrich one only son； whom I doted on to distraction。 It is now five years since I have given him up all the riches I had laboured to get； only to make him happy。 But； alas how am I disappointed！ His wealth enables him to command whatever this world produces； and yet the poorest wretch that begs his bread cannot be more miserable。 He spends his days in riot and luxury； has more slaves and attendants than wait in the palace of a prince； and still he sighs from morning till night； because； he says； there is nothing in this world worth living for。 All his dainties only sate his palate； and grow irksome to his sight。 He daily changes his opinion of what is pleasure； and； on the trial； finds none that he can call such； and then falls to sighing again； for the emptiness of all that he has enjoyed。 So that； instead of being my delight； and the comfort of my old age； sleepless nights； and anxious days； are all the rewards of my past labours for him。 But I have had many visions and dreams to admonish me； that if I would venture with my old frame to travel hither a…foot in search of the fairy Sybella； she had a glass； which if she showed him； he would be cured of this dreadful melancholy； and I have borne the labour and fatigue of coming this long tiresome way； that I may not breathe my last with the agonizing reflection； that all the labours of my life have been thrown away。 But what shall I say to engage you to go with me？ Can riches tempt； or praise allure you？'
'No； （answered the fairy） neither of them has power to move me； but I compassionate your age； and if I thought I could succeed； would not refuse you。 The glass which I shall bid him look in； will show him his inward self； but if he will not open both his eyes and heart enough to truth； to let him understand； that the pleasures he pursues not only are not but cannot be satisfactory； I can be of no sort of service to him。 And know； old man； that the punishment you now feel is the natural result of your not having taught him this from his infancy； for； instead of heaping up wealth； to allure him to seek for happiness from such deceitful means； you should have taught him； that the only path to it was to be virtuous and good。'
The old man said； he heartily repented of his conduct； and on his knees so fervently implored Sybella's assistance； that at last she consented to go with him。 Then striking on the ground three times with her wand； the car and horses rose up； and placing the old Man by her； after taking leave of the queen； and be