4 QUEEN ISAy OR THE 



hideous in form as evil in nature, waving above him 

 that deceitful torch, fed by unwholesome vapours of 

 the marsh, which invited onward an unfortunate vic- 

 tim to his treacherous wiles. The rustic followed 

 with wearied and dejected mien, vainly attempting 

 to approach the light, which ever flitted before him. 

 ^^ Unlucky Hobnail ! " said he aloud, " never again 

 will thy mother's fire warm thy shivering limbs, 

 never again will her home-brewed ale refresh thy 

 parched mouth ! Oh," continued he, smacking his 

 lips, as thoughts of former dainties crowded on his 

 mind, " Oh, for a savoury pie, or a tasty pasty, or 

 even a morsel of bread to satisfy my gnawing hun- 

 ger." Saying thus, he would most probably have 

 wandered thoughtlessly into the dangerous pool, 

 had not the gentle Ina suggested an idea of the 

 friendly bridge. " Good luck," cried Hobnail, as 

 he safely passed over the arch " every thing favours 

 me, there 's the light before, and the bridge and all ; 

 I shall reach my mother's house to night." The 

 sound of his voice died away in the distance, and 

 the fairies sprang from their hiding place, and with 

 thoughtless glee began their games again. Not so 

 queen Ina. She wandered away from her com- 

 panions, and seating herself on a leafy spray, rumi- 

 nated on the adventure of the nie^ht. "They will 

 worry to death that poor rustic," said she, " but I 

 will befriend him, the power of the wicked shall be 

 laid low. I will haste to set him free." Following 

 up her good design, she sprang from her resting 

 place, and, collecting together the elfin tribe, directed 

 them to prepare for a removal. Signs of discontent 

 were of no avail, the rule of their sovereign was 

 arbitrary, and the next evening saw them on the 

 bosom of the rivulet, each in a tiny bark, ready to 

 follow the golden shell which contained their queen. 

 The sails of the royal vessel, formed of the filmy 

 wing of the gad-fly, were quickly filled by a gentle 

 breeze, which bore them onwards against the contrary 

 power of the rushing current, to the very source of 



