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ALEXANDER'S EPISTLE TO ARISTOTLE. l6l<br />

"and casteth in that region. And when the rain<br />

"falleth upon it plants shoot up and burst into<br />

"blossom, and there cometh an odour of flowers<br />

"which is more beautiful than anything else, and<br />

"it is like unto aloes, and ambergris, and camphor— Acountryof<br />

*^°wers and<br />

• ni'i r ^ 'r 1 r<br />

"now all kmds of beautiful trees are found msweetscent.<br />

"India because it is situated on the borders of<br />

"Paradise—and the water of the streams -which<br />

"flow there is as clear as crystal. And, moreover,<br />

"in the [p. go] wilderness here is the abode of the<br />

"fiends and devils, for the Devil, with his wiles<br />

"and crafts, fell from heaven into that place, and<br />

"there they abide. And as for us, we will gather<br />

"together [for thee] from our whole country the<br />

"things which thou seekest, and do thou command<br />

"us [to do] that which thou pleasest, for we will<br />

"turn away neither from thy word nor from thy<br />

"command."<br />

Then I answered and said unto them, "If there<br />

"be anything in your country which is marvellous,<br />

"bring me to see it, for I desire nothing more<br />

"than this, and I will deal graciously with you."<br />

And one of their' nobles said to me, "In this<br />

"country we have two trees which can talk in all The talking<br />

"languages;" and I meditated within myself and"^^^^'<br />

said, "This is something exceedingly marvellous."<br />

And I commanded that they should beat that man<br />

with many stripes, in order that I might know the<br />

truth of his words and if they were to be believed,<br />

• Read h9"iirfl«>- :

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