THE TWIN-BROTHERS OF MEZZORANlA. 



as fiie believed, accepted from him the firft token of 

 his inclination, and at length confented to become his ; 

 that thereupon me wore the full-blown flower: but 

 fhe was totally ignorant which of the two brothers it 

 was by whom it was given her. She concluded by 

 faying, that fhe was ready to abide by the judgement 

 of the elders, and to fubmit to any punifhment they 

 fhould think fit to inflict. 



As the marriage-engagement is among the weigh- 

 tier! concerns of the empire, and as there was no law 

 already provided in regard to fo peculiar a cafe, it was 

 neceffarily left to the decilion of the pophar, or prince 

 of the country. The caufe was propounded in pre- 

 fence of him and the elders. The likenefs of the two 

 brothers was in reality fo great, that they were fcarcely 

 to be diftinguifhed afunder. The prince afked, which 

 of the two it was that led her to the altar ? The eldeft 

 replied, that it was he. Berilla confefTed, that indeed 

 he pleafed her at firft; but the impreffion he made on 

 her was but flight. Upon this it was afked, who gave 

 the firft flower ? and it proved to be the youngeft. 

 Berilla faid fhe loft that ; but, fhortly after, her lover 

 returned it to her, though at this moment he appeared 

 lefs amiable to her than before ; however, fhe con- 

 ftantly thought it had been the fame. The point which 

 moft perplexed the judge, was, that the maiden had 

 received the full-blown flower from both the lovers. 

 They looked ftedfaftly on each other, without daring 

 to utter a word. The pophar interrogated the young 

 lady, whether, at the time fhe gave her confent, fhe 

 did not believe fhe was giving it to him who had led 

 her to the altar? She affirmed, that fhe did 3 but like- 

 wife 



