FLOWERS ANT FAIRIES. 79 



the maiden's cheek ; I can endow you with loveliness beyond all 

 other mortals : shall I dwell with you ?" 



« Ah, mine is the power of genius," spoke a Fairy from beside 

 the Iris', " who can withstand it ? Beauty will fade, the cheek may 

 pale, the bright eye grow dim, but I endure forever, and monarch's 

 bow before my spells." 



" I can give you an ear attuned to all harmony," murmured a 

 voice from the Lily Bell ; " where other mortals listen for no sound, 

 to you there will be sweetest music ; the low breeze that sweeps 

 around you at eventide will whisper mournful melodies, and every 

 breath of air be laden with unwritten music, wrapping the senses 

 in Elysium. ****** 



One by one the fairies spoke, and then each upon her flowery 

 throne sat in silence ; one alone had been mute. 

 " And has the Violet no gift ?" sighed AUce. 

 " The gift of the Violet is purity, modesty, and a gentle heart," 

 whispered a voice like the dying strain of an ^olian. AUce looked 

 upon the flowers and hesitated : the gifts were written upon her 

 heart, and each appealed, aided by the charm of imagination. Agam 

 she looked upon the Violet, and to her eyes it seemed fan-er and 

 brighter than its companions. She gathered and pressed it to her 

 lips "This is my choice," she said as the air seemed more fra- 

 grant : the music rose with a richer swell, and the passing breeze, 

 as it floated by, wafted the petals of the Rose toward her. * * 



Alice awoke-it was evening-the night wind was sighmg through 

 the branches above her, and the flowers looked up pale and quiet m 

 the clear starlight ; but the fairies had passed away. Silently she 

 gathered her mantle around her and stole away through the dim 



shadows. . , 



And in the greenwood bower there wanders a gentle maiden with 

 a chaplet of Violets wreathed in her sunny hair, a symbol of the pu- 

 rity within. 



