LAST OF THE FAIRIES. 6 



the approaching intruders. Terror filled the hearts 

 of the surrounding audience, their sports were 

 neglected ; their merriment was over, and they has- 

 tened to seek counsel and advice from their queen, 

 Ina. The fairy was reposing on a bed of violets, 

 shaded by the canopy of a white convolvolus, which 

 hung its graceful festoons over the royal couch. 

 Roused by the busy hum of her subjects, she pati- 

 ently listened to their story ; then leading the way 

 to the council hall, thus addressed them. — " I have 

 long forseen that our peaceful region would be one 

 day invaded ; my preparations have been made ac- 

 cordingly, but in this case they are wholly useless : 

 should the rustic advance to the neighbouring pool, 

 he is lost for ever. Its waters must not be sullied 

 by mortal touch ; its sanctity must not be broken by 

 the death of man. Follow me, my friends ! my 

 sceptre, Nina. We will now see if we cannot obviate 

 this mighty evil.'* Saying thus, queen Ina proceed- 

 ed with her wondering train to the borders of the 

 clear stream. Bending over the font, for one mo- 

 ment, she gazed musingly on its pellucid waters ; 

 then gathering together a portion of the liquid store, 

 she flung it high into the air ; the drops descending 

 caught the rays of the pale moon, and formed a rain- 

 bow. " For ever, for ever,*' repeated Ina, waving 

 her sceptre over the glittering bow. Stopped in its 

 course the faUing moisture remained suspended in 

 the air, touching on either side the shelving banks 

 of the stream. Gradually it changed its form, stones^ 

 of mighty size replaced the trembling drops, and 

 with wonder and dehght the fairies beheld — a bridge. 

 Then arose a shout of joy from the elfin crew ; they 

 bounded on the object of their admiration; they 

 decked it with moss and fern ; they hid themselves 

 in frolic beneath its spreading arch. 



Scarcely had their vagaries ceased, when a sound, 

 perceptible even at a distance to their delicate organs, 

 scared them from the scene of their sports. From a 

 secure hiding place they beheld a sprite approach. 



