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THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGNCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. 1793.

IVAN CZAROWITZ,

OR THE ROSE WITHOUT PRICKLES, THAT STINGS NOT,

IN the way he met the Han's daughter, who was married to the Sultan Briuzga, (harping, faultfinding person.) This man never laughed himself, and

could not bear that an other should smile. The Sultana on the contrary was of a sprightly temper, and very agreeable. She seeing Ivan said to him; "Welcome Ivan, how do you do? where are you "going." The Czarowitz answered; By order of your father the Hau, I am going to seek the rose without prickles, that stings not.' The Sultana Felitsa, (that was her name,) wondered that they should send a child to seek such a rarity, and taking a sincere liking to the boy, fhe said to him: "Czarowitz VOL. XV ii.

L

stay a little, I will go with you to

seek the rose without prickles, that stings not, if my father will "give me leave." Ivan went into his kibitka to dine, for it was dinner time, and the Sultana went to the Han to afk leave to go with the Czarowitz, to seek the rose without prickles, that stings not. The Han did not only not give her leave, but strictly forbade her to go with the child to seek the rose without prickles, that stings not. Felitsa having left the Han, persuaded her husband stay with her father the Han, and went herself to the Czarowitz. He was very happy to see her, and begged her to sit down beside him, which she did, and said, "The Han has forbid me to go with you, "Czarowitz, to seek the rose without prickles that

Sultan Briuzga, to

stings not; but I will give you good advice;

pray do not forget, do you hear, do not forget "what I tell you." The Czarowitz promised to remember. "At some distance from hence, (con"tinued fhe,) as you go to seek the rose without prickles, that stings not, you will meet with people of very agreeable manners, who will endeavour to persuade you to go with them; they will "tell you of a great many entertainments, and that

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they spend their time in innumerable pleasures; do "not believe them; they lie; their pleasures are "false, and attended with much wearinefs. After "them you will see others, who will still more "earnestly prefs you on the same subject; refuse "them with firmnefs, and they will leave you. "You will then get into a wood; there you will "find flatterers, who by agreeable conversation,

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"and every other means, will endeavour to draw you out of your proper way; but do not forget that you "have nothing to do but to seek one flower, a rose "without prickles that stings not. I love you, and "will send my son to meet you, who will help you to find the rose without prickles that stings 66 not." Ivan having heard the words of Felitsa, afked her; Is it so difficult to find the rose with

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out prickles that stings not?" "No, answered "the Sultana, it is not so very difficult to an upright person who perseveres firmly in his intention." Ivan asked if ever any body had found that flower? "I have seen, said Felitsa, peasants and tradesmen, "who have as happily succeeded in this pursuit, as

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nobles, kings, or queens." The Sultana having said this, took leave of the Czarowitz. Then the Starfhina his tutor led him to seek the rose without prickles that stings not; and for this purpose let him out at a wicket into a large game park.

On entering the park, Ivan saw a vast number of roads. Some were streight, some crooked, and some full of intricate windings. The child did not know which way to go; but on seeing a youth coming towards him, he made haste to meet him, and afk who he was? The youth answered, "I am Raf"sudok, (judgement,) the son of Felitsa; my mo"ther sent me to accompany you in your search "for the rose without prickles that stings not."

The Czarowitz thanked Felitsa with heart and lips, and having taken the youth by the hand, informed himself of the way he fhould go. Rafsudok said with a chearful and afsured look, "Fear nought

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"Czarowitz, let us go on the streight rood, where "few walk, though it is more agreeable than the "others." Why do not all keep the streight road?' said the Czarowitz :' Because, replied the youth, "they lose themselves, and get bewildered in the others." In going along, the youth fhowed Ivan a very beautiful little path, and said, "Look Czarowitz, "this is called the path of the nonage of well disposed souls. It is very pretty, but very short." They pursued their way through a wood into an agreeable plain, through which ran a rivulet of clear water. On the banks they saw troops of young people. Some were sitting on the grafs, and others were lying under the trees. As soon as they saw the Czarowitz, they got up and came to him. One of them with great politenefs and insinuation of manner addressed him. "Give me leave, said he, "to afk you, Sir, where you are going? Did you 66 come here by chance? Can we have the pleasure "of serving you in any thing? Your appearance "fills us with respect and friendship; and we are ra"vished with the number of your brilliant accom"plishments." The Czarowitz recollecting the words of Felitsa, replied, I have not the honour to know you, and you also are unacquainted with " me; I therefore attribute your compliments to your politenefs, and not to my own merits: I am going to seek the rose without prickles, that stings not. Another of the company joined the conversation, and said, "Your intention is a proof of your talents; but oblige us so far as to favour us "with your company a few days, and to take a

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fhare in the inimitable pleasures which we enjoy." Ivan told them that he was restricted to a time, and that he could not delay lest he should incur the Han's displeasure. They endeavoured to persuade him that rest was necefsary for his health, and that he could not find a place for this purpose more convenient, nor people more inclined to serve him. It is impofsible to conceive how they begged and persuaded him. At length the men and women took each other by the hand, and formed a ring about Ivan and his conductor, and began to leap and dance, and hinder them from going further; but while they were whirling themselves about, Rafsudok snatched Ivan under his arm, and ran out of the ring with such speed, that the dancers could not catch hold of them.

Having proceeded farther, they came to Lœntyag Murza (the sluggard chief,) the chief governor of the place, who was taking a walk with his houfhold. He received Ivan and his conductor very civilly, and afked them into his lodging. As they were a little tired they went in with him. He desired them to sit down on the divan; and laid himself down by them on down pillows covered with old fashioned cloth of gold. His domestic friends sat down round the walls of the chamber. Læntyag Murza then ordered pipes, tobacco, and coffee to be served. Having understood that they did not smoke nor drink coffee, he ordered the carpets to be sprinkled with perfumes, and afked Ivan the reason of his excursion into the game park. The Czarowitz answered, that by order of the Han he was in quest of the rose without prickles that stings not.