ENCHANTER'S NIGHTSHADE. 



And garlands might be gathered now, 

 That, twined around the sleeper's brow, 

 Would make him dream, — " 



of Nourmahal, of course ; and further, — 



" Now, too, a chaplet might be wreathed 

 Of buds o'er which the moon has breathed, 

 Which worn by her, whose love has strayed, 



Might bring some Peri from the skies. 

 Some sprite, whose very soul is made 



Of flowerets' breaths and lovers' sighs. 

 And who might tell — " 



how that love is to be restored ; and so 



" ' For me, for me,' 

 Cried Nourmahal, impatiently, 

 ' Oh ! twine that wreath for me to-night.'" 



The enchantress does her bidding, and the result is that the 

 royal lover's affections are again fixed upon the Sultana 

 Nourmahal, the Light of the Harem. 



If the enchanter's art always restored happiness to mortals, 

 we might regret the loss of the race, which is now seemingly 

 represented by professors of spirit-rapping. Since, however, 

 the supposed power of the enchanter was used to stir up the 

 author of all mischief, for some evil purpose, we cannot be 

 sorry that the darkest days of superstition are ended. It was 

 in those days that the enchanter's Nightshade was thought to 

 have very wonderful properties. It is not of any value for 

 good or ill. 



84 



