THE SOURCEOFTHENILE, 599 . 



lioufe had made the deepeft impreffion upon him, and laid 

 him under, the greateft obligations. 



The family confifted. of five young men in the flower of 

 their youth, and one daughter, whofe name was Berhan 

 Magafs, the Glory of Grace, exceedingly beautiful, gentle, mild, 

 and affable ; of great underftanding and prudence beyond 

 her age ; the darling, not only of her own family, but 

 of all the neighbourhood. 



Bacutfa recovering his health, returned fpeedily to the 

 palace, which he entered privately at night, and appeared 

 early next morning fitting in judgment, and hearing caufes 5 , 

 which, with thefe princes, is the firft public occupation of 

 the da)v 



A messenger, with guards and attendants, was immedi- 

 ately fent to Kuara, and Berhan Magafs hurried from her 

 father's houfe, me knew not why, but her furprife was 

 carried to the utmoft, by being prefented and married to 

 the king, no reply, condition, or ftipulation being fuffered. 

 She gained, however, and preferved his confidence as long 

 as he lived : not that Bacuffa valued himfelf upon conftan* 

 cy to one wife, more than the reft of his predeceflbrs had 

 done. He had, indeed, many miftrefles, but with thefe he 

 obferved a very fingular rule ; he never took to his bed any 

 one woman whatever, the fair Berhan Magafs excepted^ 

 without her having been firft fo far intoxicated with wine 

 or fpirits as not to remember any thing that paned in con- 

 verfation*. 



While 



