his nets, which the carcass of the ass had broken in several places, he threw them in a second time; and when he drew them, found a great deal of resistance, which made him think he had taken abundance of fish; but he found nothing except a basket full of gravel and slime, which grieved him extremely. “O fortune!” cried he, with a lamentable tone, “be not angry with me, nor persecute a wretch who prays thee to spare him. I came hither from my house to seek for my livelihood, and thou pronouncest against me a sentence of death. I have no other trade


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said the monster, “is to no purpose; though you should shed tears of blood, they should not hinder me from killing thee, as thou hast killed my son.” “What!” exclaimed the merchant, “can nothing prevail with you? Will you absolutely take away the life of a poor innocent?” “Yes,” replied the genie, “I am resolved.” As soon as she had spoken these


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