FLOWERS AND 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 Llysium. ****** 
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 Alice. 
“ The gift of the Violet is purity, modesty, and a gentle heart,” 
whispered a voice like the dying strain of an JEolian. Alice looked 
upon the flowers and hesitated : the gifts were written upon her 
heart, and each appealed, aided by the charm of imagination. Again 
she looked upon the Violet, and to her eyes it seemed fairer 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 sighing through 
the branches above her, and the flowers looked up pale and quiet in 
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. 
