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Title: The Yule Log.
       A Series of Stories for the Young

Author: Anonymous

Release Date: January 6, 2015 [EBook #47897]

Language: English

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                                  THE

                               YULE LOG.

                          A SERIES OF STORIES

                            FOR THE YOUNG.

                               NEW YORK:

                  STANFORD & DELISSER, 508 BROADWAY.

                                 1859.


      ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the Year 1858, by

                        STANFORD AND DELISSER,

       In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United
             States for the Southern District of New York.




INTRODUCTION.


It was an old custom, and one that still holds in many parts of England,
to cut and dry, in order for burning, an enormous log, or “clog,” as it
was anciently called; the trunk or root of a very large tree was
generally used, which on “Merrie” Christmas Eve was paraded into the
house, the father bearing it in his arms, and his family marching after
to the sound of music. It was then introduced into the great kitchen
fire-place, and having lighted it with a brand which had been carefully
preserved from the last year’s clog, the household drew about the
cheerful fire, and inspired by its warmth, and deep draughts of
nut-brown ale, “the song and tale went round.” Many such a Christmas
Eve have I sat and listened to the tales so marvelous and strange; and
now, far away from those bygone scenes, I have striven to snatch from
the decaying embers of memory, a little brand to light for my youthful
readers a new “Yule Clog” for the coming Christmas season.

G. M. B.

GOLDEN HILL,     }
_November, 1858_.}




CONTENTS.


THE BOY AND HIS SILVER WINGS           7

THE SPARROW AND THE FAIRY             17

THE PRINCESS AND THE ROSE             28

THE BEAUTY IN THE MIST                39

THE RICH PERSIAN AND THE STATUE       55

THE ROSE AND THE LILY                 76

THE GOLDEN CLOAK                      86

THE WONDERFUL BIRD                   111

THE MERMAID AND HER CHILD            133




THE YULE LOG.




I.

THE BOY AND HIS SILVER WINGS.


A little boy used to sit and gaze at the stars, and wonder and wonder.
One in particular caught his attention; it was full and round, and shone
with a clear, steady light. One summer evening as he sat in the balcony,
he saw it rise above the horizon, and then gradually go up higher and
higher. He was so full of thought, and so intent watching it, that he
forgot everything about him, till his mother came to him, put her hand
on his shoulder, and told him it was bed-time.

After he had gone to bed, he dreamed of his star, and presently
awakening, his mind was so full of it, that he would steal out softly,
while all in the house were asleep, and see what had become of it. When
he reached the balcony he could not at first find it, as it had changed
its place while he had been slumbering, but on looking directly
overhead, there it was shining down upon him, and as he looked steadily
at it, he thought that it seemed almost to smile at him, and twinkle
more and more. By and by he remembered he had heard that the stars were
worlds like our own, and that there were, most likely, inhabitants in
them. He then wondered if the people were like his father and mother and
himself; and a longing came into his heart to go to the star and learn
all about it, and he stretched out his arms to it and cried aloud, “My
own beautiful star, shall I ever be ready to read you and to know all
your glories?”

While he was still yearning and crying, a bright angel stood before him
and cried, “Poor boy, why do you weep?” The boy answered, “Because I am
bound down to the earth, and can never go to yonder shining star that
seems to be calling me.”

The angel said, “Do you really then so desire to see it?” and the boy
told her how he had been wishing and wishing for it. “Then,” said the
angel, “I will give you this pair of wings, by which you may fly upward
to the star;” and as she spoke she fastened a pair of silver wings upon
his shoulders, and having instructed him how to use them, added, “As
long as these are kept brightly polished, they will bear you upward
whenever you may desire it, but if suffered to grow dull and to get
tarnished, they will no longer avail you.”

The boy thanked her, and felt sure that he never should neglect to keep
the angel’s gift, which was to be the source of so much happiness to
him, bright and shining as now. She then left him. Again looking at the
star, and spreading forth his wings, as directed, he began gently to
arise, fluttering and tumbling like a young bird taking its first
flight; but gaining boldness as he ascended, he breathed freer, till at
last he soared far, far on high, to the star, the beacon towards which
he was directing his course; his bosom swelled triumphantly, and looking
back, he saw the earth receding like a dull spark beneath him. O, how
unlike the glorious light before him! When at last he reached the
golden gates, where stood the angel waiting to receive him, his eyes
were so dazzled with the brightness that burst upon him, when first he
entered, he could no longer perceive anything around him, but was, for a
time, as one blind. Soon, however, regaining his vision, he began to
descry beings unlike those that he had ever seen before, almost
transparent, with wings of golden gauze, sweeping hither and thither;
forward bending their pinions, they skimmed along like beams of
light--myriads upon myriads passing to and fro, some bearing harps, from
whose strings such notes arose as mortal ne’er has heard. Unlike the
toiling inhabitants of earth, these beings knew no labor, no hunger, no
thirst--all was life, freedom, and enjoyment. The boy’s soul was stirred
within him; he could have shouted aloud for joy and gladness.

But now the angel told him that he must return to earth. At this
intelligence the boy’s heart grew sad, and he exclaimed, “Bright angel,
let me ever remain here--let this be forever more my home!” To this the
angel replied, “Your time on earth is appointed--you must fulfill your
days,--but while you still keep these wings bright, you can be permitted
such glimpses of this world above you as may refresh your weary heart,
and when the time for your sojourn beneath is ended, this higher sphere
may be your eternal home.”

The angel attended him through the golden portals,--descended with him
to the earth again, and alighted upon the same spot from whence he had
arisen.

The boy sat himself to work after the angel had left him, to erase from
his wings every dull speck that the dampness of the night had left upon
them; and presently, when polished as a mirror, and he had laid them
carefully away, he retired to rest again and slept till the morning
dawned. When he had arisen and looked forth, the scene which used to be
so dazzling, now looked dull and blank to him, in comparison with the
light of his beloved star. All day long his thoughts were there, and
when night came again, he was once more trying his new-found wings
toward the heavens. Every successive flight became easier and more
delightful to him, and the fleet moments spent among those superior
beings became of far more consequence than whole days with his earthly
friends. Though short his visits there, he became, as it were, like
those glorious beings--and it was remarked by all, that the child’s face
shone with an unearthly light, though none knew of his flights to the
star above, or the secret of his silver wings.

O! had this childlike obedience to the injunction of the angel
continued, what happiness might the boy have always enjoyed! how would
these nightly visits to the star have solaced him during the weary hours
of his pilgrimage below! But the demon of idleness came at length,
stealing in. With diligence _at first_, he polished, nightly, the silver
wings; but soon the task became irksome, and was performed less
thoroughly--at times omitting it altogether, till they became each day
more difficult to use. He deferred his visits, and made them less
frequent, till one night, after having neglected his opportunities for
a longer period than ever, in attempting to rise with them, he found
that they had entirely lost their power. On taking them off to see the
cause of his failure, he beheld the once shining wings of silver so
tarnished, that not one bright spot in them was visible. A burst of
grief followed this discovery, and he cried again to the angel to come
to him in his distress; but finding no answer to his petition he laid
them aside and endeavored to forget all about them.

The boy became a man. In the lonely night, sometimes, the visions of his
boyhood, and his visits to the star, would present themselves to his
memory, and he would have a momentary longing for the brightness of
those days, but as soon would he dismiss them, and even doubt that he
had ever known such hours of bliss. He would say, “The silver wings were
never mine--it was a fantasy of a diseased fancy, born of ignorance and
superstition, which the light of the sun of manhood has dissipated;” and
then he would weave in his fertile brain plans for an earthly future,
more suiting the changed state of his soul than the revelations of his
youth.

He passed the summer of his manhood, and in the autumn, crowned with
success, he looked for the peace that never came. He found that in every
rose of earth is hid a thorn, and when the winter of age advanced toward
him, it found him a poor old man, seeking again the home of his boyhood;
and there, with his grandchildren about him, looking forward to a
termination and a transit from the present scene. And now, as the second
childhood came upon him, his old habits grew; and one of them, gazing
and longing for that one bright star, resumed its old force, so that
night after night he would be found with his eyes upturned; but the
tears would dim them, when he thought of the days, when, at his
pleasure, he could have reached its golden gates; but now he was shut
out, and each day he grew sadder and sadder as he contemplated its
undimmed splendor.

One day his grandchild ran to him and cried, “O! grandpa, see what I
have found, while searching among the lumber in the attic!” The old man
took from the hands of the wondering boy, a little pair of black and
tarnished wings; he knew at once the angel’s gift to his boyhood, and
the tears flowed down his furrowed cheeks. He took the child on his
knee, and told him all about the bright star, the angel, and the silver
wings, which his careless idleness had suffered to grow dim till they
lost forever their power. The child heard and believed--wept, as his
grandsire wept--and after the tale had ceased, he paused awhile--yet
presently exclaimed, “But can these wings never again be made as bright!
O let us try together, and see if they may not shine as before!”

A bright change came upon the face of the old man, and with his
trembling hands, assisted by those of the child, (both feeble, yet both
untiring,) commenced the work. Very slow, indeed was the progress they
made in removing the rust that years had accumulated; but at length, by
little and little, the pale silver shone amid the blackness, till one
night, after long and patient labor, the child, with joyous shouts and
gladness, and the old man with a calm, placid smile amid his tears,
announced that “the work was completed.” Calmly he folded and laid away
the polished wings, but at midnight, when the child and all the
household were hushed and silent, the tottering old man stood in the
place, (with his silver wings,) where years before he had stood, with
his eyes now, as then, raised to the star; he stretched his arms toward
it and mounted up, till on entering the golden gates, they closed behind
him. The star was his resting-place forever.




II.

THE SPARROW AND THE FAIRY.


A fairy once stood by the sea-shore, watching the foam, as it dashed
upon the beach, when an ocean bird caught her up in its beak, and flew
with her far away over the waters. They came, at last, directly above
the deck of a vessel, and one of the mariners, seeing a black speck in
the sky, discharged a musket, which so frightened the bird, it let the
fairy drop down on the ship, but while she was falling, she had the
precaution to take the form of a sparrow to conceal herself. The sailors
gathered round, and wondered to see a sparrow, so far away from the
land, and one of them was going to fling it overboard, when a little
cabin-boy ran forward, and begged that it might be given to him, which
was done, and he ran with the panting trembling thing into the
store-room, where, amid the boxes and hampers of provisions, he made his
poor bed, of straw and a blanket. He found an empty orange-box, placed a
little nest of wool in the corner, in which he put the sparrow, and then
went out again to his work; but came in often during the day, to see how
it was getting along. At night he drew it up to his own bed, and was
just going to sleep, when out of the box sprang the prettiest lady in
green, about six inches high, that you ever saw in your life. The boy
got up, and opened his eyes in wonder, and she came and sat down on his
bed by him. He then looked into his box, and missing his sparrow, burst
into tears. When she asked him what was the matter; he told her that he
cried because his sparrow was gone, and in a twinkling, the little lady
had vanished, and the sparrow was in its nest, as snug and warm as
before. The next day, every chance he could get, he would be running in
to look at his sparrow, and when night came again, and the door was
fastened, out jumped the little lady in green, who came and played nice
little games with him, and told him wonderful stories, and so fond did
he grow of her, he did not mind that the sparrow disappeared, as soon as
the little green lady came.

He used so often to run into his room, to talk with her, that it began
to be remarked by the sailors; that the boy who was always before on
deck, was now moping down in the cabin, by himself, and they resolved to
watch him, and see what he did there. So one of them stood by the door,
when he entered, and when it was shut, he thought he heard voices
talking, and, peeping through the keyhole, saw a little green lady,
dancing over the boxes as light as a feather. He told this to the
others, and they determined to find out the truth, so they burst open
the door suddenly, and went in; but nothing was to be seen of the lady
in green, or anything else, but the boxes, the little boy, and the
sparrow in his warm nest; so after speaking roughly to the little
fellow, all the sailors went out, no wiser than they came in. But from
this time, his mates began to look upon him with distrust and suspicion:
though before a favorite, he came to be much disliked by them, and they
were very unkind to him; but the boy did not mind it, so long as he had
such a good friend as the fairy.

But one night as a dreadful storm arose, so that they could no longer
guide the vessel, they all declared the boy was the cause of their
trouble--that he dealt in witchcraft, and must be thrown overboard, or
the ship and all in it would sink. Notwithstanding that he begged them,
with the tears pouring down his cheeks, to spare him, they were so
hard-hearted as to pay no attention to his beseeching tones, and when he
found that they were in earnest, he only asked them to let him go into
his berth, for a few minutes, to say his prayers; to which they
consented. He then took his sparrow, and put it in his bosom, that it
might not be ill-treated after he had gone, and went out to them. A
great rough sailor instantly seized him, and flung him with a whirl,
over the side of the vessel. For a moment he hung above the glittering
waves, that dashed, and foamed, and yawned, as if to swallow him alive,
then he shut his eyes, and felt the cold waters rush and close over his
head, and down, down, into the darkness, he kept sinking, sinking, till
he heard the sea-monsters dash past him, and expected every moment to be
devoured by them; but no, he escaped them all, and kept on falling,
down, down. At last, he seemed to slip out of the waters, as it were,
into clouds, and then into clear air, and hung a moment suspended in the
sky, till he came plump on to the very softest and greenest turf, which
yielded beneath him like a bed. He was not at all hurt, and getting up
looked around bewildered, till feeling something stir in his bosom, he
opened his vest, and out hopped the little green lady, and stood before
him.

“Now,” said she, “I can repay you for all your care of me. I am a fairy,
and this is one of my homes, and I can show you in a moment many of my
kindred.” So saying, she blew a little bugle at her side, and many like
herself began to flock about, and welcome her to her home. She gave
command to them to bring some food, and directly these busy little
people went to work, and spread on a little rocky table, the snowiest
of cloths and the most delicious repast. After his hunger had been
satisfied, the fairy pointed to the sky, and said: “Above those clouds,
lies the sea, through which you have just now passed; this is what you
call the bottom of the ocean, where dwell mermaids, sea-nymphs, and
fairies.” The boy looked up, and wondered what prevented the ocean from
coming down upon his head, and then reasoned to himself if that was not
also a great sea, which he had called the sky over his mother’s cottage,
and if that was not where all the rain came from? But he did not think
long about this, for the fairy had such sights to show him, as he had
never even dreamed of before, the houses were formed of coral, and
pearls, and instead of glass, the windows had large slabs of pure
diamond, to admit the light; the very pebbles under his feet were the
most costly jewels, and the sun shining on them, dazzled his eyes, so
that he could scarcely see. The fairy had a splendid mansion constructed
for the boy, and a chariot, made of shells, and little fairy horses, so
small that it took six of them to draw him. He had servants to wait on
him, his table was supplied every day, with the most luscious fruits; he
heard the sweetest music, and the fairy herself used to spend the most
of her time with him, yet she noticed that he was often silent and sad.
One day she found him weeping, and begged him to tell her the cause of
his grief,--if there was anything yet wanting to complete his happiness?
The boy dried his tears, and answered her. “Dear little lady, I have
everything that heart can desire; fairies to wait on me, and anticipate
my wishes; nothing to do but to amuse myself from morn till eve; but
when I am enjoying all these things, my heart goes back to my poor
widowed mother, who used to be always toiling for me, and I think that
perhaps she is even now sick, or starving, for want of proper food;
while I am idling here, she may be wearing herself out, in laboring for
the support of my dear little brother, whom I long to see again; and
even if she has been provided with the necessaries of life, I am sure
that her heart is sad, for she most likely thinks that I am drowned in
the ocean, and that I shall never again return to her. Do not then be
astonished, if in the midst of all this beauty, and my good fortune, I
am sad and weep.”

The fairy answered him: “You are a good child, not to forget your poor
mother, and though I should be glad to have you remain with me forever,
yet I can well see, that you would be happier to be with her and your
little brother. Stay here at least a year, and then I will find means to
send you to her.”

“Oh! thank you,” cried the boy; “but my dear little lady, if you can
send me home a year hence, you must be able to send me now; who knows
but my mother may die of grief or of starvation long before that. Oh! if
it is not asking too much, let me go at once.”

The fairy then looked very sad, and told the boy that after his return
to earth and his mother she would never again be able to reveal herself
to him in her own proper shape, or make herself known to him. The boy
was sad to learn this, yet still he begged to go to his dear mother.

Then the fairy, though so sorry to part with him, told him that he
should see his home that very night; and accordingly, when evening came,
the fairy and himself were taken in the arms of a mermaid, and carried
up through the sea, till they rose upon the surface, and he saw the
stars and the blue sky above, and knew that they were the same stars and
sky that shone over his mother’s cottage. Soon they reached the land,
and the mermaid left them upon the shore; and the fairy, beckoning to a
swan that was in sight, mounted with the boy on its back, as it stood by
her side. She and the little boy rose high up in the air, and were borne
swiftly over towns, cities, mountains, rivers and vallies. At last, as
the shades of night were passing away, and morn began to break, the
scenes became more familiar to him, till the fairy, pointing beneath
them, showed him the woods, and the hills, amid which he knew was his
own little home. At her signal, the swan gently descended, and the boy’s
heart bounded lightly, as he felt his feet once more rest upon the firm
ground, and looked around on a scene so familiar and so dear; but his
gladness left him when the fairy said: “We must here part. Never again
shall I be permitted to reveal myself to you; but nightly, though unseen
by you, I shall visit this spot; when all goes well with you and your
mother, and everything prospers to your wishes, think that the fairy has
been here, and at work.”

Before the boy could speak to her, she gently kissed him, at bidding him
adieu, mounted again on the back of the swan, high in the air, and
waving farewell with her hand, as she was lost in the distant cloud, the
boy saw her no more.

He stood gazing forgetfully after she had disappeared, and then
remembering himself, hastened on to the cottage. The blue smoke was
struggling up the chimney, and he knew that the morning fire was
kindled. The old brindled cow stood before the door, and his mother,
with the milk-pail in her hand, and her little child toddling beside
her, came forth, without seeing him, and began to seat herself to milk;
the little boy, however, espied him, and cried out, “Oh, brother!
brother!” The mother started up, and seeing the well-known features of
her son, burst into tears, as she clasped him to her heart. He was as
one restored from the dead, for the wicked crew who had returned home
from the ship, reported that he had fallen overboard and was drowned;
but her joy was now full, when she found that he was never going to
leave her again.

During the winter nights as they sat by the fireside, he used to tell
her and his little brother all about the good fairy, and the wonders
that he had seen; and when the harvest came, and they gathered in a full
crop of corn and fruit, (their neighbors’ crops had all been blighted,)
he used to say to his mother, “The fairy has surely been here.” And as
everything worked to their advantage, and they were well provided for,
they never forgot her or her promise to him.




III.

THE PRINCESS AND THE ROSE.


On a green island in the Pacific Ocean, that has never been put down on
any map, lived a king called Obezon, who married a very beautiful woman,
the queen of a country lying away to the northward. She was attended
when she came from her home by a nurse, who was a fairy. The warm
climate did not agree with her, and she died shortly after, leaving a
daughter in the care of the fairy, of whom, at her birth, it was
foretold that she should live only till she was separated from her first
love. She was very fair, with golden curls, eyes of azure, and delicate
rose-tinted cheeks. The fairy nursed her faithfully, and never trusted
her out of her sight, for she, as well as Obezon, was ambitious that
Gulna should make a splendid match; and remembering the prophecy that
she would die if separated from her first love, they kept her very
strictly out of the way of all the youth, the sons of the petty princes
near them, to whom a young maiden would be likely to give her heart. But
the fame of her beauty had so gone abroad, many of them sought the
island in disguise, on purpose to see her and win her love; but none of
them were able to escape the vigilance of Obezon and the fairy. So Gulna
had reached her seventeenth year with her heart untouched, and spent her
hours in roaming with the fairy about the island.

Now there was in the employ of Obezon a poor boy, who tended the sheep.
He wandered every day with his flock over the meadows, and played sweet
little tunes upon pipes made of the hollow reeds. He was so modest, he
hardly ever raised his head, and had never seen the beautiful
countenance of the Princess, although they encountered each other daily;
nor had she noticed the young lad, who, too humble to cause the fairy
any misgivings, was permitted to come before her. One day a favorite
lamb had broken its leg, and the fairy, who was setting it, summoned
the boy to her assistance, while Gulna held it in her arms, and, bending
together over the little moaning thing, their eyes met, and he never
after forgot the sweet glance of the Princess, nor she the dark,
flashing orbs of the shepherd-boy. Day after day they met each other,
and though no word had been spoken, they contrived by looks and glances
to become better acquainted, till they at last interchanged a few words,
and planned a stolen interview at night, when all the household was at
rest, in a little grove not far away. They succeeded in deceiving the
fairy while she was sleeping soundly, and thought that the Princess was
likewise revelling in golden dreams beside her. This continued for a
long while without discovery, and Gulna and Azor grew more and more
attached to each other, and swore eternal fidelity. One night the fairy
awoke, and feeling the cool breeze blow upon her (for Gulna had
forgotten to close the window through which she had stolen out, as she
had always done before), she started up in affright. The moon was
shining through the open shutters, and showed the bed of the Princess
without an occupant. “Surely the Princess had been stolen away.” She
dared not alarm Obezon. She flung herself from the window, in hopes of
finding some traces to aid her in her search, but could find not even a
footstep. On passing the little grove at the foot of the garden, with
the fountain beside it, she heard a sound of voices mingling with the
falling waters, and, stealing up softly, what was her dismay at there
beholding Gulna and Azor together, she seated on a mound of turf, and he
kneeling at her side, placing a white rose in her belt; and oh! horrors!
Gulna threw her white arms round his neck, and said, “You are, indeed,
my first love, from whom I cannot be separated till death.” But they
were startled from this loving embrace by the fairy, who in a fury stood
before them. “Foolish maiden,” cried she, fiercely, “thus to fling from
you rank, honor, wealth, and all for a miserable little wretch like
this;” “and you,” said she, turning white in her anger, as she looked at
Azor, “who have had the presumption to raise your eyes upon the most
beautiful Princess in the world, knowing that she cannot be severed from
him whom she has first loved, and live, I can by my power at once punish
you for your audacity, and save the Princess from the consequences of
her indiscretion. Henceforth be invisible, and take for your
dwelling-place this rose, which shall ever cling to the heart of the
Princess, by which your hand has placed it.” And touching him with her
wand, he dissolved, as it were, into air; but the rose at Gulna’s side,
which had been pure white, grew red, as if dyed by human blood. Gulna’s
grief, when she saw her lover thus inthralled, was boundless. Her tears
and entreaties made no impression on the fairy, or Obezon, when he had
learned the truth. Great indeed was his rage when he found what had
taken place; and Gulna could only tremble, and be silent. He heartily
approved of the summary manner in which the fairy had disposed of poor
Azor, and had got him out of the way of the Princess, leaving her still
free to marry whom they should choose for her.

She was now allowed to go at large, and the King made it known that he
was in readiness, when a proper offer was made, to betroth her. Suitors
came from all quarters, but were, one after another, rejected by Obezon,
as not being worthy of her, Gulna all the while remaining quite
insensible to all that was taking place around her, rarely raising her
eyelids; her eyes were ever fixed upon a deep red rose at her side,
which never withered, but grew brighter in its hue from day to day. This
singular flower was noticed by all who came to visit the island, and the
“blood-red rose” became as celebrated as the beautiful Princess herself.
Her lovers rallied her on her attachment to it, but no one was ever
allowed to take it from her for a moment, or even to touch it. The King
and the fairy, who were the only ones who knew about it, were wise
enough to keep their own counsel, so it remained still a mystery that
none could solve. After very many suitors had been rejected, one came at
last, richer than all the rest. He brought the most costly gifts, and
his long train of attendants, their waving plumes, the glittering
chariots and prancing horses, and the reports that came before him of
his wealth, so prejudiced Obezon in his favor, he determined that he
would bestow the hand of the Princess upon this great Prince, if she
should please him; so he caused Gulna to be dressed in her robes of
silver and blue, and to be brought before him. The Prince had never
before seen one that would in any wise compare with her in beauty, so he
declared himself at once her suitor, and spread before her the most
costly jewels, and magnificent gifts; but these, and the noble form and
countenance of the Prince, made no impression upon the heart of Gulna,
for that was already given to Azor. But her father commanded her to get
herself in readiness to depart with the Prince, and she dared not
disobey. The marriage was accordingly celebrated with great pomp and
ceremony; the King bestowing upon her a splendid dower; but before this
he had taken the Prince aside, and secured a promise from him that he
would never deprive the Princess of her rose, on account of her great
attachment to it; and “so much,” said he, “was her heart upon it, if he
should insist upon her giving it up, a terrible calamity would happen to
her.” The Prince thought it a slight thing that a young maiden be
indulged in a foolish whim, and readily promised that she should not be
crossed in her fancy; and, all things being now in readiness, the Prince
departed, with his newly-wedded Princess, and her fairy nurse, to his
own dominions.

When he reached his kingdom with his bride, great crowds came out to see
her, and all praised her exceeding fairness; and the Princess Gulna’s
beauty became so famous that many Princes from neighbouring States came
to convince themselves of the truth of what was told, and the poets and
minstrels made songs about her, and the Prince thought himself at first
the happiest husband in the world.

After all this novelty was over, the Princes had returned to their own
homes, and Gulna and himself were left alone together, he began to see
that her eyes, instead of looking into his with loving glances, were
ever cast down upon the rose at her side--that her hand, instead of
clasping his own, was lightly shielding it from harm, and contact with
the rough air, or from a rude touch that might ruffle its leaves. He
grew more unquiet, and his thoughts were seldom turned from the rose and
the Princess, who seemed more and more to cherish it, till at last, mad
with jealousy, he demanded of her that she keep it for ever from his
sight, and would have torn it from her, had not the fairy interposed,
and warned him of what the King had told him, that a terrible calamity
would befall him if he persisted in depriving her of it; and also that
his promise to the King was binding. This quieted him at first; but the
thorn still rankled in his breast. The fairy now wove for the Princess a
scarf of silver, which, hanging from her left shoulder, entirely
concealed the rose, and, being out of his sight, the Prince for awhile
forgot his cause of jealousy. One day, going into the apartments of the
Princess unannounced, he found her asleep upon a couch; the zephyr stole
in through the lattice, and gently stirred the silken hair that fell
around; her long lashes lay quiet upon her transparent cheek. He paused
awhile in admiration, when a stronger breath of the zephyr blew aside
the scarf, and showed the rose, pressed beneath her snowy hand. Like a
spark from the lightning, the fire of jealousy entered his soul. In
madness he tore the rose from her side; a red stream followed the
disembedded stalk in a swift, rushing tide; it had rooted in her heart,
and the distracted Prince saw the pride of his being, the priceless
Gulna, sink lifeless as the fairy entered, who shrieked forth, “Rash
Prince! behold your work! had you heeded my warning, your Princess would
still have been yours; but here” (and touching the rose with her wand,
Azor stood before them), “is the secret of the rose: this youth, and not
thyself, was the first love of the Princess, from whom, it was long
since foretold, she could not be severed, unless by _her_ death. ‘Go,’
said she to Azor, ‘and be free again.’” But when the youth saw Gulna
lying in her blood at his feet, his own heart burst, and, as he fell
beside her, he said with his dying lips, “Even death shall not separate
us.” The generous Prince wept over the unfortunate lovers; he caused
them to be buried together, and erected a magnificent monument over
them, on which was inscribed, in letters of gold, “Let all true lovers
drop a tear upon the grave of Gulna and Azor.”




IV.

THE BEAUTY IN THE MIST.


There lived far away to the westward a king and queen, who had seven
daughters. Six of them were the most charming princesses in the world,
but the seventh and youngest was so very plain, that her friends were
ashamed of her, and kept her always out of sight. The poor thing, in
comparison with her beautiful sisters, seemed almost hideous, which she
really was not. However, her skin was red and very coarse, her large
gray eyes were lustreless and dull, and there was no such thing as
training her harsh black hair in curls, or parting it smoothly on her
forehead. Kluma, for that was her name, would not have cared so much for
her lack of beauty, if it had not been the cause of her sister’s
treating her very ill; and it really was hard that they would not even
allow her to play with them, when by themselves, or to remain in their
company, because she did not look as well as they--a misfortune that was
none of her fault, and which she would have been far more rejoiced than
they to have remedied, if she could have done so. Her father and mother,
too, were so affected by her want of beauty, in their feelings and
conduct toward her, as to be cold and neglectful of _her_ who never
disobeyed their commands, and who was ever ready to do a kindness to
them, or to the sisters, who so heartily despised her; but the king and
queen were weak and silly people, who thought of little else than making
a show in the world, and above all things they desired that their
daughters might make splendid matches, and gain by their good looks,
husbands among the wealthy princes of the neighboring states, and thus
increase their own power and importance, as well as establish their
children according to their liking. As Kluma grew older, she made
herself friends of the inferiors in her father’s palace, by being
generous and forbearing toward them. The very animals loved her, and
she spent her life happily enough, when she was not in the way of her
parents and sisters, who never thought of her, except as of a vexation
that they could not well rid themselves of, so would try to keep her out
of their minds as much as possible.

Once, as the older sisters were all at play in the park, and Kluma was
hidden among the bushes, as usual, looking at them, a little old lady,
very meanly dressed, came by that way. She was ill-formed, and so lame,
she was forced to go upon crutches. She came hobbling along up the path,
and stumbling, dropped first one crutch, then the other. One of the
princesses darted forward, and caught up the crutches, which the poor
old thing supposed she was going to present to her; but instead, the
ill-mannered child ran off with them, and began mimicking the old lady,
by limping and hobbling around, to the great amusement of the other
sisters, who followed her, shrieking with laughter, over a hill, out of
sight. The old woman called after them in piteous tones, but they heeded
her not in the least, only mocking her cry; when Kluma, stealing forth
from her hiding-place, and coming to her, said, “Do not cry; I will find
your crutches for you;” and before the old woman could speak, darted
off, soon returning with the crutches in her hand, having found them
just beyond the hill, where her unfeeling sister had tossed them. Kluma
then assisted the old woman to rise and walk; the poor creature all the
while thanking her; and when they reached the road together, and Kluma
was going back, she turned and said, “Little lady, although you are not
handsome, you are very good; I shall never forget your kindness to me
this day, and though I now look so poor, I may yet be able to do you a
great service, in return for the good you have done me. Remember.”

She then went on, leaving poor Kluma half laughing at the thought of
such a miserable old woman as that ever having it in her power to
benefit a king’s daughter. As Kluma grew older, her sisters’
ill-treatment of her became more marked; they made her perform the most
menial offices for them, and then ridiculed her awkwardness and her
blunders, not heeding the pains that she took to please them. One after
another they were sought in marriage by grand princes, and left their
father’s kingdom for that of their husbands, till at last five of them
had gone, and only one, the next older than Kluma, named Cerulia, the
most beautiful of all, was left at home. This did not render Kluma’s
position any the less trying. Cerulia was the most lovely, it is true,
but also the most ill-natured and exacting of the sisters, and being so
much by herself, she had no other means of passing away her leisure than
by plaguing and tormenting poor Kluma almost out of her life; so that,
at the last (and no wonder,) Kluma’s patience was so severely tried,
that she sometimes retorted in anger, and became in danger of adding a
disagreeable temper to a forbidding countenance.

As the parents of Kluma had married their five eldest daughters so much
to their satisfaction, and had no hope of being able to dispose of Kluma
at all, they determined that their sixth and last marriageable daughter,
the Princess Cerulia, as she surpassed the rest in the elegance of her
person, should as far outshine them in the magnificence of her
settlement. Therefore, they refused the offers made by persons of wealth
and high station near home, and the father himself commissioned one of
his ministers to go to a country far to the east, where dwelt an opulent
king called Hayda, who had an only son, Prince Talyon, who was heir to
the finest kingdom in the world, and to make proposals to the king, to
the effect that his son, Prince Talyon, should wed the Princess Cerulia.
He went, and returned in due time, bringing the consent of King Hayda,
and wonderful accounts of his riches, and of the generosity of the young
Prince.

One night, shortly after this, a fearful storm arose. The castle stood
on an eminence, commanding a view of the sea, and amid the lightnings
and tempest, a ship was seen tossing to and fro, till at last it was
dashed in pieces on the rocks. Then the shrieks and cries of the victims
were most terrible. Kluma could not endure the sight, but ran with a
crowd of domestics to the strand, where the dead bodies were constantly
being washed on shore. Among the rest was a youth meanly clad, but of a
noble form and countenance, who seemed to Kluma to show still some signs
of life. She caused the men, therefore, to bear him to the castle, where
they tried to restore him to consciousness. The domestics took off his
wet garments, and wrapped him in warm dry flannels, and after a long
time he breathed once more, and was able presently to take food, and
even to walk about; but he could see nothing, a blindness having fallen
upon him. The whole charge of nursing him devolved upon Kluma and her
servants, for, as he was found in such mean attire, her parents thought
him a person of low degree, and therefore cared little what became of
him; and as they cared as little for Kluma and her occupation, she was
left to spend her time with the stranger, to whom she became much
attached; and as he could not see, she used to lead him about the parks
and grounds for air. He seemed to be very much pleased with her, and
never liked her to be away from him.

One day, while walking about, she encountered the minister who had been
sent with the commission to the kingdom of Hayda. How great was his
astonishment at recognizing in the poor blind youth that Kluma was
leading about, the rich Prince Talyon! He went directly and reported his
discovery to the King and Queen, who were taken by surprise, and were
perfectly shocked to think that he had been so neglected by all but
Kluma. But they determined now to make amends. Immediately a magnificent
palace was prepared for him, costly robes put upon him, and servants
kept constantly in waiting. As for Kluma, she was sent out of the way,
although he was ever asking for her, and supposed that she was the
Princess to whom he was betrothed, not knowing that the King had another
daughter. He presently confessed his rank, and that he came in disguise
to see for himself his future bride. Being in the hands of a skillful
physician, his sight was soon restored, and when he asked to see her who
had saved his life, and who had nursed him so long and faithfully, they
brought before him the Princess Cerulia. He was charmed when he first
cast his eyes upon her beauty, but when she spoke to him, the smile of
joy left his lips, and he prayed of them not to deceive him; and when
they still strove to convince him that it was she, he cried, “Would that
I might be again blind, if her voice would have the music that it had in
my past hours of darkness!”

Poor Kluma was very much grieved when she learned who the youth really
was, that she had been the means of restoring to life, and though she
knew of his asking for her, she never once thought of presenting herself
to him, for she was sure he only needed to see her coarse features, to
despise and hate her. Nevertheless she could not keep herself from
thinking of him, and every day saw her sadder, and more troubled, till
at last, more miserable than ever, she wandered far away from home, and
sat herself down to bewail her sad lot. While she was weeping, she heard
a step beside her, and a rustling, and on looking up, saw a little lady,
dressed in a robe of spangled silk, all glittering with diamonds. Kluma
could not at first remember, that she had seen her before, but she
spoke and said, “Young Princess, why do you weep; have you forgotten the
poor old lady to whom, years ago, you restored the crutches, that your
naughty sisters willfully threw away from her? She then told you that
perhaps one day it would be in her power to requite you; she has
remembered it if you have not; and now tell me, for I am the same
person, what you need, and why you weep so bitterly? and I, who am an
enchantress of great power, can perhaps fulfill your wishes.”

“Oh!” said Kluma eagerly, “can you take away this red skin, these
colorless eyes, this coarse black hair, and give me instead fairness,
like my sisters?”

“I fear not,” said the Enchantress.

“Then,” said Kluma, “all that you can do for me will be in vain; I shall
yet be hated for my ugliness,” and wept more bitterly than ever.

But the Enchantress was so anxious to console poor Kluma, that she kept
on urging her, till Kluma finally told her everything about her sisters’
ill-treatment, of the young prince that she had saved, and of her great
attachment to him, and of her grief on learning who he was; also, that
she had been forbidden to see him, or to speak to him, and that if
permitted, she never should dare to do so, for fear that he would scorn
her.

The Enchantress mused for a while, then suddenly recollecting herself,
drew from her bosom a small box, formed of diamonds, which she held up
before Kluma, while she said, “I think I can dispel your grief, though I
cannot change your countenance. In this box there is a mist, formed of
the purest dew by morning’s earliest beam; it is so light and
transparent that it can scarce be seen, and yet it forms a medium of
such intensity and power, the very ugliest features seen through it
become softened and harmonized. But listen! only around the face and
form of the most patient and amiable, can it be held; the very slightest
breath of anger, or malicious passion, will blow it away, never more to
return.” So saying, she opened the box, and out flew a light cloud, that
floated over the countenance and form of Kluma, and the Enchantress
holding up a mirror before her, revealed to her her face, shining
resplendent through the diamond fleece. She saw the mild light beaming
from her eyes, the lips around which played a heavenly smile, and the
hair, meekly parted from the brow, “pure as an angel’s.” Kluma was
almost transported, and turned to thank the Enchantress, for so long
remembering, and so generously rewarding, a simple act of kindness. The
little lady smiled on her, and said, “Go back to your home, but do not
forget the conditions on which you keep your charms. Be patient and
obedient, and all will yet prosper with you.” And before Kluma could
thank her again, she vanished.

Kluma reached her home at night, where she was told that her parents had
given their commands that she should remain constantly in her room, and
never expose herself to the risk of being seen by the Prince, who was as
yet ignorant of her assistance. This was sad news to poor Kluma, and she
began to despair of ever seeing the Prince again, as now matters were in
progress for the marriage, which was soon to be celebrated between her
sister and the prince, and they would probably depart ere she would be
released. But she made no resistance, only followed the attendant who
was instructed to lead her to imprisonment. As she passed through the
hall, the servants were struck with wonder at the amazing change which
had taken place in Kluma, and that she had become the most beautiful of
the princesses. Day by day, as they attended her, they became accustomed
to the change, and spoke of her among themselves, as if she had always
been, as now, pre-eminent.

All this long time, for a month at least, Kluma had not seen her parents
and sister (who only wished her to keep out of sight, and beyond this,
cared very little what became of her), nor even had she caught a passing
glimpse of the Prince, from whom they concealed all knowledge of her
existence. The pains they took to accomplish their wishes, in this
respect, was the very cause of bringing Kluma to his notice. One of the
servants, in waiting on him, who, like all the rest, was attached to
Kluma, and indignant at her being deprived of her liberty, let fall
some hints one day that awakened the curiosity of the Prince, about the
beautiful daughter of the King, who was confined in the palace, and,
being urged, told the whole story of her wrongs, that it was Kluma and
not Cerulia who had saved his life, and whose voice he so loved to hear.
The Prince, enraged at the deceit that had been practised upon him,
immediately sent for the King and Queen, and demanded that they should
produce their other daughter, who was a prisoner in the palace, or he
would leave their kingdom at once, and return home alone. They were very
much alarmed, and tried to appease his wrath, by making a confession of
the fraud that they had practised on him, but represented that it was on
account of the perfect hideousness of Kluma, and that she was not even
fit to be presented to him; but, as they had already deceived him, and
the servant had expatiated largely on her great attractions, he
persisted in his desire to see her. The Princess Cerulia, in a rage at
the implied slight to herself, and thinking to mortify the Prince and
Kluma at the same time, proposed that she should be sent for, and the
King, thinking it the best mode of ending this importunity of the
Prince, and of convincing him of the truth, consented to its being done.
She was accordingly conducted, trembling and agitated, into their
presence. The Princess Cerulia haughtily and triumphantly turned her
eyes, first upon the Prince, then upon Kluma, when lo! she stood glowing
before them, in unsurpassed loveliness. The King and Queen were no less
amazed, not knowing how this wonderful change had been wrought. As for
the Prince, he needed no second look to know that to this Princess his
heart should be given. He thanked her for his life, which she had saved
to him, and when she answered he knew the voice he had so longed to hear
again. The King, seeing that there was still a hope of his claiming the
Prince for his son-in-law, came forward, and tendered the hand of Kluma,
which the Prince graciously accepted, as by this time he was completely
captivated.

Words cannot describe the rage of the Princess Cerulia when she saw
Kluma thus openly preferred to herself, and her mortification knew no
bounds, when, after an imposing pageant, and bridal ceremony (at which
she was forced to appear as chief bridesmaid), she saw Kluma depart, as
the bride of the Prince Talyon, to the kingdom of his father, to which
he was heir, and where they lived in happiness many long years; and
Kluma still grew more lovely in the eyes of her husband, for the mist
was never dissipated as long as she lived, by the rude breath of anger
or malice.




V.

THE RICH PERSIAN AND THE STATUE.


There was once a rich Persian, named Bolamah, whose father had left him
in possession of such vast amounts of treasure that he exceeded even the
greatest Princes of the country in wealth. Bolamah had a splendid
palace, full of all that could delight the senses, and furnish food for
the mind; such statuary and rich paintings was never before seen; such
magnificent gardens, grottoes and fountains; beside this, he was
exceedingly handsome in person and accomplished in mind and manners. Of
course, he was surrounded by flatterers, who paid court to him, because,
in return, he heaped benefits upon them, and, so accustomed was he to
praise, that insensibly it became necessary to his happiness, and those
who were most fulsome in their adulation were the surest of gaining his
favor.

He had, however, one true friend, who esteemed Bolamah next to himself;
and if any make profession of greater friendship than that, we ought to
suspect their sincerity. This friend, called Cobez, was poor but honest,
and much attached to Bolamah, who was fond of him also. For a long time
after his father’s death, Bolamah found plenty of employment in
perfecting and adorning his palace, and Cobez was always appointed to
oversee the execution of the plans that the fine taste of his patron
suggested. By their joint efforts the palace of Bolamah was so noted for
its elegance that many came from afar to see it, and were enchanted, and
did homage to the fortunate owner, who was the proudest of men. When he
reached his thirtieth year he felt that his happiness would be more
complete if he had a wife, to be with him constantly, and to share the
grandeur and luxury that surrounded him. He opened, as usual, his mind
to Cobez, and promised to bestow on him a magnificent reward, if he
would procure him a suitable companion. Cobez readily enough accepted
the commission, first revolving in his mind what sort of woman would be
most likely to please Bolamah. In regard to her beauty, that matter was
settled at once--it was indispensable; and in Persia, where the women
have a world-wide reputation for personal attractions, it was no hard
matter to find plenty which would charm the eye. “But,” thought he,
“Bolamah, who is so learned and accomplished himself, will require that
his wife also, in the same manner, excel all others; and to find beauty
and talent combined would be a difficult task.” Nevertheless, he
determined to undertake it, and gain the reward if he was able, for
Cobez was in love, and would have asked no one to choose a wife for him
while pretty little black-eyed Manilla lived with her old father, by the
side of the same river that passed through the splendid grounds of
Bolamah, yet did not disdain to make its gladdest music in rushing by
their little cot, that stood in the humblest vale.

Cobez knew if he could gain the reward that Bolamah offered it would
make him rich as he desired for the rest of his life; he could then
marry his little Manilla, and make sure that she was his own; and he
felt that he could never rest easy till this was done, for she was beset
by all the neighboring swains; and, though she had given him her troth,
he could not help feeling anxious and uneasy when others, richer than
himself, were pressing their suits with such ardor. Cobez, therefore,
sought earnestly to find out some woman to present to Bolamah, and one
fine morning, setting out on a journey, he resolved not to come back
till he had accomplished his object. After having been gone for a long
time, and hearing of many whom he thought would be likely to please,
but, on searching them out, finding himself always disappointed, he one
day heard of a very beautiful woman, of whose voice such wonders were
told that he determined to hear her for himself; accordingly he
travelled to the place where this singing bird (whose name was Natinga),
resided. He found her with a crowd about her, who were listening
breathlessly while she poured forth from her swelling throat such a
melody that poor Cobez sat down overpowered and listened, forgetting
for the time his errand, Bolamah, Manilla, everything, so completely was
his soul ravished from him. When she had ceased he recovered himself
enough to perceive that she was as finely formed and handsome a woman as
one could wish to see, and he felt sure, if Bolamah could only hear her
sing, he would marry her at once, and thus have her where he could
always be listening to the music of her voice.

He found no great trouble in persuading Natinga to go with him. She was
poor, and, like her sex, fond of luxury and splendor, and Cobez had not
been behindhand in picturing the brilliant future that lay before her,
if she would leave her home and follow him. She bade adieu to her
parents and friends, and set off with Cobez, but in parting felt
sorrowful enough, as she remembered how proud they all had been of her;
but when, after three days, she came in sight of a stately palace, and
Cobez told her that, in all probability, it would be her future home,
she banished her regrets, and bore herself through the gateway, on her
camel, with as proud an air as a queen about to receive the homage of
her subjects. Bolamah met them at the door, and conducted them to the
apartments that he had appropriated to the use of his future wife.
“Here,” thought Natinga, “one can but be happy.” And no wonder she
thought so, for everything a woman could fancy or desire was there; the
softest carpets, in which the feet sank as into mossy turf; couches of
velvet and down; fountains, with gay birds dipping their tiny beaks into
the spray; flowers, whose odors almost palled on the senses by their
richness. Poor Natinga was at first bewildered, and Cobez feared she
would not be collected enough to do her best before Bolamah at night,
which he had appointed as the time when he should first listen to her
music. But at evening, seated on a balcony overlooking a scene of
beauty, made visible by the moonlight, she was so excited and inspired
that she poured forth, as if from her very soul, such notes as Cobez had
never heard from her before. Bolamah, completely ravished, declared
passionately that this was the woman of all others to be his chosen
companion; and the hearts of the three that evening were full of joy:
Bolamah, at having such a lovely and accomplished being for his bride,
Natinga, with her new-found splendor, and Cobez, that he had gained the
reward that was to do so much for him. Bolamah was so proud of Natinga
and her genius that he sent invitations to all the wealthy gentlemen of
distinction, with their families, to come to a great feast that he was
preparing, and which was to last for a whole month, and terminate with
his marriage. He caused a sort of throne to be erected for himself and
Natinga at the end of a splendid hall, or court, where, with a harp of
gold in her hand, she performed and sang before the assembly, who were
in raptures. Their applause at first pleased Bolamah, but he soon found
that he was cast into the shade by the superiority of Natinga; that when
he took the harp his own performance did not please even himself, and
only called forth such meager applause as the politeness of his guests
forced from them. And, day by day, as they became more charmed with
Natinga’s music, and poured forth the flattery at her shrine that he had
been wont to receive himself, he grew more disquieted, and laid the
consequences of his own vanity to the account of poor Natinga. He began
to fancy that her music was harsh and discordant, that it grated upon
his ear, and he grew sullen and ill-humored towards her, while she, poor
thing, never imagining the cause of his unhappiness, went on trying to
please him by even outdoing herself, which, of course, only rendered her
the more odious to him.

At last his distaste became so evident that Cobez perceived something
was wrong, and shortly after, Bolamah told him that he must take her out
of his sight, and endeavor to procure for him a wife whose tastes should
better accord with his own. Cobez was very sorry to hear this, indeed
much more grieved than Natinga herself, when she came to be told of it,
for her life had latterly been made so unpleasant, by Bolamah’s
harshness, she was only too glad to be permitted to go back again to the
kind friends who had been so proud of her, more especially so, as
Bolamah in his anxiety to get rid of her, had to make amends to her for
her disappointment, by loading her with valuable presents, and
graciously bidding her farewell.

Cobez conducted her again to her native place, where the whole town,
when they heard that she was returning to them, came out to receive her,
and carried her triumphantly to her own little home--to her parents,
where her song was soon heard “ringing up the sky,” as would a wild
bird’s, who had been confined in a golden cage, when it felt itself
free, and again in the little nest of its infancy.

While Cobez was rather sadly returning, leading the gaily housed animal
which had borne Natinga to her home, all his fine schemes having fallen
to the ground by this sudden change in the mind of Bolamah, he saw
before him a company of ladies and gentlemen to whom he wished to join
himself, as the road was infested with robbers, who were apt to molest
single travellers; he rode up, and asked to go along with them, to which
they gladly gave their consent. He found that they were going to look
at some paintings in a town not far off, which were said to be the most
beautiful in the world. Cobez resolved to go with them, and secure the
choicest for Bolamah’s palace. They entered a gallery where they were on
exhibition, and Cobez felt sure that they surpassed anything that he had
ever seen, although he had made a collection in the palace of all that
were the most celebrated; and on asking to see the artist, he was very
much astonished when a female presented herself, a lovely woman, with a
pure Grecian face and form, mild brown eyes and hair, whose smooth
braids were folded classically around her forehead. Krayona had a
gentleness of manner, that indicated a pliable disposition. Cobez
instantly said to himself, What if I should induce this lady to
accompany me home; Bolamah, who paints so well himself, would surely
enjoy having his wife in possession of the same talent. Dear me, were I
like Bolamah, able to marry, I should not be so long in making a choice;
but such a poor ignorant thing as Manilla would not suit Bolamah. She
cannot sing or paint, or do anything clever, but her laugh is music
enough for me, and her little fingers twirl the thread she spins so
prettily, and her small feet go dancing along with such a graceful
lightness, that she is more charming to me than the most accomplished
lady in the land. But if I do not succeed in getting the reward, what
will all her prettiness avail me; I shall be too poor to marry her; so
at a venture I will take Krayona, and see if she will not please Bolamah
better than Natinga has done. Krayona did not refuse the honor of
becoming a candidate, as the wife of the wealthiest gentleman in Persia,
when Cobez represented to her that he was in favor of her accompanying
him. So one morning saw her on the camel, that had borne Natinga in a
contrary direction, and with her choicest paintings in a caravan behind,
journeying over a delightful country, toward the palace of Bolamah. They
reached it as sunset was gilding its walls with its gorgeous floods of
light. They entered the palace quietly, and Krayona, without being
announced, was conducted by Cobez to his own apartments, and the next
day, when he and Bolamah were alone together, he told him of Krayona,
and caused the finest of her works to be shown to him, which Bolamah so
admired that he greatly desired to see the artist. Her modest address
and mild beauty so charmed him, that he directly desired that she should
be made mistress of the apartments that Natinga had formerly occupied,
and have free access to his galleries of painting and statuary, to
gratify her favorite tastes. She was almost beside herself in the midst
of these works of art, and with Bolamah, spent most of her time there,
copying from the old masters, or out amid the beautiful works of nature,
sketching beside him. Now, Cobez thought his patron would be satisfied,
and all would go well again; but he found that it was not so. Bolamah
had caused Krayona’s paintings to be hung beside his own, and on first
seeing them together, was excessively mortified, to behold what a sorry
appearance his own made beside them; and when he saw that all eyes,
after glancing at his, instantly returned to those of Krayona, he began
to be as jealous of her as he before had been of Natinga, and to wish
her as heartily out of his sight. Krayona was too much occupied with her
art to notice the change in Bolamah; but Cobez, who watched him closely,
soon detected it, and made up his mind that as Bolamah was so fickle, it
would be almost impossible to fix him in his choice, and he felt no
surprise when Bolamah instructed him to make presents to Krayona, as he
had done to Natinga, and convey her away in the same manner. All which
he did; and Krayona, without a word of complaint, left her grandeur, and
returned to her former station, happy and contented.

Now about this time, travelers from the eastern part of Persia came
through the country where Bolamah dwelt, and gave their testimony to the
genius of a bright star in poetry that had arisen in that land; her fame
was so noised abroad as to rivet the ears of Cobez and Bolamah, who,
from time to time conversed upon the various reports of her that came to
them, and at last, so much was he interested, Cobez was directed to find
her out, and if possible, to bring her to the palace. After much
seeking, he obtained an entrance into her presence, where she was
surrounded with auditors, before whom she was reciting her stanzas. He
thought her a glorious creature, with her black hair streaming wildly,
and her eyes of fire, her low broad brow, and cheek pale, excepting as
it was lit by the flash of genius. She needed the most glowing
descriptions from Cobez of Bolamah’s riches and power, to induce her to
consent to go with him; but he succeeded at last; and after a journey,
the most trying to Cobez, they came to a point where a cavalcade, sent
out by Bolamah, to welcome his chosen bride to her home, was waiting to
meet them. Bolamah himself came many miles in state, to receive one so
distinguished, and they conducted her with ceremony into the palace,
where everything had been put in order to welcome her. It took her
several days to recover the fatigues of her journey, and all the while
Bolamah was waiting impatiently to converse with her, and to hear her
poetry. At last she gave out that she would meet him with his friends
in the great hall, and recite to him her poetry. In the evening she was
inducted into the seat that Natinga had occupied, when she sang before
them, and with Bolamah beside her, she commenced a wild rhapsody, then
swelling to a lofty strain, she told of the battle raging high, till the
warriors would place their hands upon their swords, and breathe forth
fire; then her voice and words would soothe, till they sank back and
listened, while she poured a tale of love; then she would melt them to
tears with her pathetic lay, till they hushed their very breaths to hear
her. Bolamah was at first carried along with the tide, and praised and
admired as well as others; but the next day, alone with Hersala, when he
commenced repeating to her some of his own poetry, he found first that
she was yawning wearily, and then, that she was fast asleep. He
discovered, too, that one who had been so constantly flattered as
Hersala, like himself, needed the excitement of praise, and that after
these fits of inspiration, she was more than usually dull; that her
temper was not as mild as that of Natinga, or Krayona, and that the
wild passion she expressed, sometimes moved her own bosom to a storm.

If he had been jealous of Natinga and Krayona, he might well be of
Hersala, for she so wrought upon the minds of all, the very scullions in
the kitchen were repeating her words or singing her songs; and so
greatly was she adored, that a crowd followed her footsteps, and
Bolamah, of so much importance before, sank into insignificance beside
her. He became at last so mad with jealousy, that he dismissed her
suddenly, and she, in a rage at his treatment, wrote verses on Bolamah,
and placed his foibles in such a ludicrous light, that he was so
mortified at the time as to declare he would no more allow a female to
become a candidate for the honor of being his wife, and that he would
remain unmarried to the end of his days.

Cobez, who had been near getting into disgrace himself by his repeated
failures, began now to have an inkling of the true state of the case. He
now understood that Bolamah would not be satisfied with a wife who was
constantly casting him, her lord, into the shade by her superiority;
that a companion, to please him, must be content to be his humble
admirer, and that, if he ever obtained the reward, it must be by the
greatest caution and skillfulness on his own part. Now Cobez had an
intimate friend called Meldon, a cunning sculptor, who carried his art
to the highest degree of perfection. In his perplexity to Meldon Cobez
went, and told him all about Bolamah, and of his unsuccessful attempts
to satisfy him, and of his own desire to make Menilla his wife, and then
promised him half the reward, if he would devise and assist him in
carrying out some plan to fulfill his wishes. This Meldon consented to
do, and on putting their heads together, concocted a scheme so much to
their satisfaction that they proceeded at once to execute it. Meldon set
himself to work, and made the perfect image of a woman; it was tall, and
of the most symmetrical proportions. He moulded the features so
perfectly, they had the form and the very expression of life; the eyes
were of the darkest hazel, soft and varying in their light; the hair,
silken, glossy, and black as the wing of a raven, fell over shoulders of
marble whiteness, round and polished; her bosom was made to rise and
fall with the breath that he breathed from his own lips into hers; her
arms dazzled one to look upon them, and the taper fingers of the slender
hand were taught to move gracefully over the strings of a harp; her
brows were black, and arched like a bow, her lashes long and dark. It
could move its limbs, and walk about with grace and dignity, unclose the
lips, smile sweetly, and softly murmur, “Beautiful! Beautiful!” When it
was completed, they arrayed it in queenly robes. When Cobez saw it
finished, he was so delighted with the beautiful image, he was tempted
to forget Menilla forever, and throw himself at its feet; but he
presently thought of the little warm heart that was beating beneath her
bosom, and felt that she was ten times dearer to him than this stately,
cold beauty. They gave the image the name of Fauna, and set to work to
plan how to bring her to the notice of Bolamah. So they contrived at
last that Cobez should represent to him that a great lady had come from
far to view his splendid palace; and having obtained Bolamah’s consent
to its being exhibited to her by them, they timed their visit so well as
to meet Bolamah at the door as they were alighting from their chariot.
Bolamah, who had so long been distinguished for his high breeding, could
not allow such a magnificent lady, like a queen in her mien and dress,
to pass him without the ordinary expressions of politeness. He therefore
returned her graceful salutation, and gave her his arm, and with a step
as calm and measured as her own, traversed with her the walks and
apartments of the grounds and of the palace. Everything met her
approbation. Did he show her his gardens, his paintings, or take up his
lute and sing, still the sweet smile hovered around her mouth, and the
words, “Beautiful! Beautiful!” were murmured from her lips, till at last
Bolamah, who could no longer resist her beauty, her grace, and, above
all, her appreciation of himself, fell at her feet, telling her that she
of all should be the chosen one who was to share his palace and his
heart; and Fauna only drooped her proud head a little lower, and still
murmured softly, “Beautiful! Beautiful!” till Bolamah was quite overcome
with her dignity and sweet compliance to his wishes. Cobez was in
transports when he found his plan had worked so admirably. Fauna was now
the constant and approved companion of Bolamah; he never was willing to
have her away from him a moment, and preparations for the marriage were
put forward with haste, to the great joy of Cobez, who was convinced
that Bolamah was now in earnest. At last all was in readiness, and the
marriage took place, at which Fauna comported herself with such dignity
as to win the approbation of Bolamah and the admiration of all that
looked upon her; and when she was installed as mistress of the palace,
her bearing toward the guests was so queenly, yet condescending, that
even the ladies, who are apt to be jealous of their own sex, declared
her the most fascinating woman in the universe.

So pleased was Bolamah with Fauna, that he doubled the reward that he
had offered to Cobez, because he had been the means of bringing to his
notice one who was so charming, and of procuring him so much happiness.
This money Cobez divided with his friend Meldon, through whose skill he
had been able to obtain it, and with part of their money they purchased
two cottages; and when Cobez had married Menilla, and had a family about
him, Meldon was godfather to his children, and his favorite, called
after him, bade fair to equal him in skill in the art which Meldon
loved.

Cobez and Menilla lived very happily together--(not quite as calmly,
perhaps, as Bolamah and his spouse, whose domestic peace was a proverb
in the country); but when Menilla was a little capricious and wayward,
Cobez only said to Meldon, “There, she shows her flesh and blood, and
her warm heart,” and he never thought of envying Bolamah and Fauna in
the unvarying calmness of their life.




VI.

THE ROSE AND THE LILY.


Amid a garden of flowers the queen Rose and the queen Lily stood
pre-eminent; but they, like all beauties, were extremely jealous of each
other, and were not willing to divide the palm between them, but each
one was anxious to be acknowledged as the “flower of the flowers.”
Knowing the foibles of the two rival ladies, an old orange-tree sought
to ingratiate himself into the favor of both by alternately flattering
them in private, and laughing at the ridiculous pretensions of the one
to the other, whispering to each that her charms could not be surpassed;
and then the false old fellow used to entertain his friend, the
oleander, who was not a lady’s man at all, with stories of the vanity of
the two queens, and of the lucky strokes of flattery which had told so
well on his susceptible listeners. But he soon found that his sincerity
was going to be put to the test, for these partisans could no longer
conceal their rivalry; so the Rose openly threw down the gauntlet to the
Lily, and called upon all the flowers of the garden to pronounce upon
their respective merits, and to decide which should henceforward take
the lead among them. The old orange-tree was chosen by the consent of
both the queens to be the chief judge, each of them thinking that the
umpire was enlisted in her favor, and thereby that they had the game in
their own hands. Now, the old gallant did not wish to have anything to
say in the matter, but, as they were both so solicitous, he could not
refuse them with a very good grace; and, to put on the best face, he
invited all the flowers of the garden to an entertainment, at which he
gave out that the question was to be put for ever at rest.

When the queen Lily received her invitation she said to one of her fair
maidens, “The presumption of that flaunting Rose deserves its
punishment, and, were it not that she would be vain enough to suppose
that I am afraid to show myself beside her, I would decline meeting her
altogether; but she would feed her vanity upon my refusal, therefore I
shall give my orders to all the family to adorn themselves, and be in
readiness to attend me to-morrow at midnight.”

The orange-tree spared neither labor nor expense in the preparations. A
table was set out in a large arbor in the midst of the garden, with
refreshments, and the walks were brilliantly illuminated by lamps which
the glow-worms and the fire-flies furnished. A fine orchestra of birds
was stationed on the top of the arbor, and long before midnight all were
in readiness, and the orange-tree was awaiting, with the oleander beside
him (who, by the way, had enjoyed a quiet pipe or two), the arrival of
the guests. Many of the flowers came early, but the orchestra only
struck up when the queen Rose approached; she was received with
distinguished attention by the orange-tree, who presented her to the
oleander. The ill-mannered old bachelor, instead of rising and leading
her to a chair, merely nodded his head, and remained stiffly seated,
much to the mortification of the orange-tree, whose own manners were
polished, and very deferential to ladies, though I have no doubt that
the oleander cared far more for them in his heart than the courtly, but
rather deceptive, orange-tree.

The queen was dressed in her diamonds, and no one could blame her for
the pride with which she looked around upon her attendants, who,
blooming with youth and beauty, were filling the seats. There was the
white rose (always a favorite), with her modest and unpretending
manners; the damask, with her beautiful blush; and even the wild rose
was there, and, as the queen observed to one of her intimates, “Though
she had been brought up in the country, and not at all accustomed to
fashionable society, there was a native grace about her, and a propriety
of manner, which made her very presentable, owing, no doubt, to the good
blood she had in her veins.” The queen was very gracious to all, and
only once did she seem at all disturbed, and that was when the little
prude, the moss-rose, passed her, making such a show of her modesty, in
pretending to hide her face under her veil, when she knew well enough
she was only enhancing her charms by so doing; and presently, when the
little beauty stole shyly into a corner, as if to get out of sight,
every one said she was striving to captivate Monsieur de Yellow Rose, a
gentleman who had travelled in foreign parts, and was by all odds the
most desirable beau in the room. Her artifice must have succeeded, for
they presently commenced a flirtation with each other that lasted the
whole evening. Now a second flourish of trumpets by the orchestra
heralded the approach of the Lilies, and at the sound there was quite a
sensation among the Roses, who all shook up their perfumes, and seemed
not a little fluttered. As for the queen Rose, she was quite agitated,
and her color heightened as the queen Lily, with a splendid train, swept
in with such a calm and undisturbed dignity. First after the queen came
the water-lily, who wore a crown of gold on her head, and had sailed
down from her home in her gondola. When the queen Rose caught sight of
her she whispered, “What a shame it was for the Lily to make pretension
that the water-lily was related to her family, when every one knew well
enough there was no foundation for it, excepting the mere accident of
their having the same family name.” But her indignation went far beyond
this when she saw the fleur-de-lis among the rest, and she cried, “This
is unbearable; he is of a French family, not in any wise connected with
her, who, I do not doubt, she urged so strongly to attend her that, with
the good breeding and politeness for which his nation is so celebrated,
he could not refuse.”

She now caught sight of the lily of the valley, and exclaimed, “So, so,
my Lady Lily condescends at last to take notice of her humble little
cousin, who has lived for years in retirement, and who, no doubt, would
have remained there still had not some flowers of distinction noticed
her, and brought her forward. I _was_ in hopes that the little thing
would have had spirit enough to reject the advances made to her at such
a late hour.” Notwithstanding her affecting to despise the pretensions
of the Lily, the Rose was not at all at her ease; she felt that as the
Lily sailed around the circle, with her graceful air, she was a rival to
be feared, and was not so sanguine of gaining the victory as she had
been. She saw that the placid mien of the queen Lily had not been
without its effect in calling forth the admiration of those present;
might they not even be led to overlook the beauty which she felt
conscious far exceeded the Lily’s, by that lady’s self-possession and
imposing carriage. At any rate, the Rose felt uneasy, and was quite
nervous, and began rather to repent of her rashness in thus entering
into the lists without first measuring the resources of her adversary.

But she need not have been so alarmed; the orange-tree knew too well
what he was about to risk his standing with either of the ladies by
siding with the other, so, after walking about among the company, and
holding consultation with one and another, he at last gave the signal
for the guests to gather round the table, and partake of the delicacies
that were set before them. After their glasses had been filled he
raised his voice, and proposed as a toast--“The Queen Rose and the Queen
Lily;” and when they had drunk and lowered their glasses, he bowed to
the rivals, and addressed them thus:--

“Ladies, when you compare one with the other you both do yourselves
injustice. The charm of the Rose is her bloom and warmth--that of the
Lily her exceeding fairness; both of you are pieces of perfection, but
of different casts. Should you, Madam (addressing the Rose), attempt to
attain the whiteness of the Lily, you would only succeed in dimming your
natural brightness; and you (to the Lily), in striving to gain the glow
of the Rose, would only mar your purity without reaching your desire.
Be, therefore, content to shine resplendent each in the way that nature
has marked out for you, and be not envious or displeased that another
excels in a different way. Learn also that the Rose suffers nothing by a
display of the perfection of the Lily, nor the Lily by being brought
into comparison with the Rose, for the beauty of each will be only
enhanced by the contrast.”

The oleander and the other flowers all concurred in the sentiments
expressed by the old orange-tree; and the ladies themselves, though at
first they were both a little angry, and inclined to accuse the
orange-tree with treachery, after a few moments’ consideration,
acknowledged the justice of the remarks just made, and the Rose came
forward in a very frank manner and gave her hand to the Lily, who, on
her part, received the concession with a graceful friendliness. After
they had partaken of the delicacies, they left the table arm in arm, and
thus promenaded for some time before the admiring gaze of the assembly;
their attendants followed their example, and the Roses and Lilies,
commingling instead of standing coldly apart, gave such a variety and
animation to the scene that all declared there never had been so
brilliant a fete in the garden as this. The oleander was so inspired by
the scene that he quite melted from his apathetic state, and danced and
laughed with the best, and invited the company, before they separated,
to a banquet that he would prepare them the following week, and even
engaged the orchestra in attendance to be present.

All parted with the greatest kindness and good feeling, and the amity
thus commenced continued through their lives, and resulted in the mutual
advantage of the queen Rose and the queen Lily.




VII.

THE GOLDEN CLOAK.


There once lived a King, who had reigned for many years over his
kingdom, and with his Queen was idolized by his subjects. Only one thing
was wanting to make his happiness complete. This was the want of an heir
to his crown; and when, after a long period had elapsed, contrary to all
expectations, a son was born to him, you may be sure there was great
rejoicing throughout the land.

In that country, as in many others, it was the custom for all the male
children born on the same day with the heir-apparent to the crown to be
brought up with him, and devoted to his service. They were educated at
the expense of the State, and the parents thought themselves indeed
fortunate in having their children so magnificently provided for
without exertion on their own part. Amid these youths Prince Anjah, who
in reality was a paragon of beauty, stood pre-eminent. They were all
fine looking and noble boys, excepting one, the dwarfish Balzebar, who
was ugly in countenance and deformed in person, and of so weak an
intellect that he was almost an idiot. _He was, beside this, both deaf
and dumb._ The King was going to reject this poor little mischance at
first, but the Queen, who was a wise and benevolent woman, represented
to her husband that this misfortune, in being incapable of providing for
himself, gave him a more especial claim on the protection of his
sovereign, and besides that, as everything, however humble and despised,
had its use, this unfortunate child might perhaps be destined to exert
some powerful influence on the fortunes of their son. Her words made
such an impression on the King’s mind, he consented to receive Balzebar
with the rest, to the great joy of his parents, who would not otherwise
have known what to do with him.

As the children grew older, Anjah, who was of a most generous and noble
disposition, took Balzebar under his own particular care and
guardianship, and thus prevented poor Balzebar from being harassed as he
would have been by the ridicule of his more unthinking companions, who
delighted in tormenting the poor soul, and in playing their tricks upon
him. Balzebar in return became so attached to Prince Anjah, that he
followed him about everywhere, as a dog might have done his master who
was kind to him, and was never contented away from him. It was a curious
sight to see the tall and finely-formed Anjah followed everywhere by
this little stunted and ugly dwarf.

When the Prince had reached his eighteenth year, in accordance with the
custom of that time, he was sent to a foreign country, where learning
and the arts were in an advanced state, to be educated. All the young
men, his followers, accompanied him, even Balzebar; for though the King
and his ministers had at first decided that he should remain at home,
fearing that the constant appearance of such an inferior personage in
his train might be prejudicial to the dignity of the young Prince, yet,
at the earnest solicitation of Anjah (who knew that the faithful
creature would grieve himself to death if he should forsake him), he was
permitted to depart with them. A fine vessel had been put in order for
their use, and with a band of music the Prince and his retinue were
escorted to the place where it was in waiting. Great crowds were
collected on the shore, and the loud huzzas of the populace drowned the
swelling notes of the trumpet as their Prince, with his white plumes
floating to the wind, stepped on board the ship; but they could scarcely
restrain a yell of contempt and derisive laughter as the little
hump-backed mute followed after him up the plank with the agility of a
monkey. Two and two the others embarked, and the young men stood on the
upper deck together as the vessel moved off, and waved their adieus,
till at last the helmet with the snowy plumes, which was the
distinguishing mark of the Prince, could no longer be seen.

Anjah felt grieved at parting with his parents, and as his father was
quite an old man, he thought it very probable that he should never see
him again, for he was to remain five long years away from home; and the
tears, in spite of his efforts, started forth as he saw the King
watching the receding vessel, and knew what a pang his heart was
suffering in thus separating from his child, the pride of his old age.
But when distance shut from his sight the land and all familiar objects,
the world seemed as it were opening before him, full of bright promise;
he forgot his sorrow, and as the bark bounded lightly over the billows,
his heart danced within him, buoyant with hope and pleasure. After a
short and prosperous voyage, they came in view of the beautiful land
which was their destination. They were received by the King of the
country with distinguished honor, befitting their rank and importance.
This King was reputed to be as wise as Solomon, and had collected to his
court all the learned men of the world; and hither were sent the youth
of high rank from all nations, to learn wisdom of these sages. But their
parents would have done well to have kept them at home out of harm’s
way, for the high-spirited young men who flocked to this Temple of
Minerva thought their own wisdom far superior to that of the sages, and
held all their acquirements in very light esteem; and if they learned
anything at all, it was the knowledge which experience gives, which, to
be sure, is the very best sort of lore, but which they might have
acquired just as perfectly anywhere else.

Anjah had not been long there before he became initiated into the secret
that Merea, the King’s daughter, was the most beautiful Princess in the
world, and he pondered much more deeply on this fact than on the
philosophy of the schools, and he strove with much greater assiduity to
be the successful candidate for her heart and hand than for the prizes
offered to the victorious scholar, or the laurel wreath of the poet. As
he was far handsomer than all her other suitors, he had very little
difficulty in gaining the young maiden’s particular and approving
notice. His agreeable manners became a certain passport to her favor,
and she so honored him above the rest, that Anjah, conscious of
victory, assumed rather a high and triumphant air among those who were,
like himself, captivated with the King’s charming daughter. He spent all
his leisure time in her company, and did not rest easy till he had
obtained her father’s permission to address his daughter, which he found
little difficulty in gaining, for the King “as wise as Solomon,” saw
very plainly that no more noble son-in-law would ever be likely to
present himself. After Anjah had conversed with Merea, and found the
maiden already won, he sent to seek his father’s consent to his
betrothal to her, as the fame of her excellence and beauty had reached
him. The King, his father, could think of no more suitable consort for
his son than a Princess so charming and of such a high rank, so, sending
his approval and blessing to his son, Anjah and Merea were publicly
betrothed. Then, and not till then, Anjah applied himself sedulously to
the study of the sciences which should fit him for governing a kingdom,
and filling with dignity the exalted station to which Providence had
destined him.

Three years passed away, and Anjah’s improvement in mind did honor to
his teachers, and to his own perseverance and capacity; two years more,
and the allotted time of his exile, (which owing to the society of
Merea, had been anything but irksome,) would be fulfilled, and he was
looking forward to the time when he should return with his bride to his
native land, when a hasty summons came, commanding him to speed his
departure, as his father was lying at the point of death, and longed
once more to see his son alive. Anjah delayed not a moment to obey the
call, though his heart was full of conflicting emotions--sorrow at being
obliged to leave his betrothed, mingled with anxiety to see his father
once more; and bidding adieu to the many friends that his kindness and
affability had won, he went with his followers down to the vessel, which
had been sent to convey him home, accompanied by the King, the Princess
Merea, and all their retinue. The King, in bidding him farewell,
pronounced a blessing, and conferred on him many valuable presents as
marks of his favor; but the Princess, when she parted with him, gave
him only one keepsake, but that was of surpassing richness; it was a
cloak of beaten gold, curiously wrought, of the purest metal, so elastic
and pliable that it fell like a mantle over his shoulders; she clasped
it with her own hands about his neck, and then by signs bade Balzebar,
who stood beside them, to make it his especial care, so that Anjah
should not lose or be robbed of it.

In the time of their sojourn in this country, Balzebar had attached
himself more than ever to Anjah; and Merea, who had petted him, on
account of his attachment to the Prince, was looked upon by the dwarf as
almost as great a paragon as his master,--indeed, an angel of goodness.
She became so associated in his mind with the Prince Anjah, that he was
ever eager to do her bidding, and promised to take care of the cloak,
and suffer no one to take it away; then giving Prince Anjah her last
adieu, Merea departed with her father. Anjah assuring her that he would
return as speedily as possible, and make her his wife. When the vessel
was out at sea, Anjah and his companions remained on deck, pacing up and
down, or looking pensively at the receding shore, thinking of the kind
and fair ones that they had left behind, and wishing themselves back
again, all but the poor mute, Balzebar, who sat watching Anjah, with his
cloak glittering in the sun, and the white plumes of the golden helmet,
which he always wore, fluttering in the breeze. His dull eyes were half
dazzled by the light which was reflected on this shining mantle, and he
opened and shut them as if basking in the radiance. When night came, and
the Prince had divested himself of his golden helmet, with the white
plumes, and the golden cloak, Balzebar put them carefully away, in a box
which had been prepared for the purpose, and then placing it under his
head, for a pillow, slept, as he always did, like a great dog at the
feet of Prince Anjah.

About midnight, they were awakened by a terrible noise; it was thunder,
mingling with the roaring of the sea. While they had been sleeping, a
most terrific storm had arisen, and bidding Balzebar follow him, Anjah
rushed on deck. The elements were in a perfect fury, the ship was tossed
wildly about on the summit of the waves, and seemed as if going to
pieces with the strain. Just then there came the cry that the vessel had
sprung a leak, and a boat was hastily let down, into which the Prince
and his companions were hurried. Beside the Prince on deck, gazing on
all with wonder and dismay, Balzebar had stood, till seeing Anjah
descend into the boat, and beckon to himself, he disappeared. Vainly
they called him; he could not hear their cries nor answer them. Fearful
for their own safety, none of the crew would venture in search of him,
and being all in the boat, they pushed off lest they might be swamped
beneath the vessel, and were far away before Anjah discovered that
Balzebar was not among them. To return for him was beyond all human
power. When morning light appeared, the storm had calmed, yet no trace
of the vessel could be seen. So they concluded that the ship had sunk,
and that poor Balzebar had made his grave ere now in the ocean’s
depths. With great exertions, they managed to bend the course of the
boat in the same direction whence they came, and after almost incredible
toils and dangers, were driven by the wind so near the shore, as to be
picked up by a vessel bound for the port, and carried safely to land,
where they were welcomed by the King and the Princess Merea, and with as
great rejoicing as if they had been restored again from the dead. And
now Anjah and Merea seemed doubly dear to each other, and she mourned
with him over the supposed fate of the poor harmless and faithful
Balzebar. But let us leave the Prince in the kind keeping of the King
and Princess, while we see what was in reality become of the lost
Balzebar.

When the Prince descended into the boat, and made signs to Balzebar to
follow him, the first impulse of the dwarf was to obey his master; but,
remembering the box which contained the royal helmet, and the golden
cloak, he ran below to secure it. It took him a long time to find his
way to the berth, on account of the darkness and the motion of the
vessel, and when at last he reached the deck, the boat had gone far
away, out of his sight. Not knowing what to do, he sat down in his
despair, and fearing every moment that he should be washed overboard by
the waves, made preparations to lash himself on to the masts; but ere he
did this, to prevent the loss of that, which to his poor, weak mind, was
of far more importance than his own life, the golden cloak and the royal
helmet and plumes, he placed the latter upon his head, and bound it
firmly on; and then taking the cloak out of its folds, fastened it
securely round his own neck; it was intended to cover the shoulders, and
fall to the knees of Anjah; but it sufficed to envelop the whole form of
the dwarf, even to his very feet; and now with this rich shroud about
him, he lashed himself to the mast, just in time to be saved from an
impending death; for very soon the vessel divided asunder, and the
drifting wreck to which Balzebar was attached, was tossed about at the
mercy of the waves. How long he remained in this position he knew not;
he became insensible from hunger and cold, and would no doubt have soon
perished had not some sailors on a vessel espied a glittering object at
a distance. They came nearer to it, and discovered that it was a human
being clinging to the masts of a ship; and rescuing him from his
perilous situation, and seeing the royal garb in which he was arrayed,
they conceived that he was some great prince, and treated him in a
manner that accorded with such a supposition. He was taken on board the
ship, and all treated him with the respect and deference to which his
seeming high rank entitled him. When he reached the shore, a
proclamation was issued, that a great prince had been found shipwrecked,
and had been rescued in his royal robes; his person was also described
as being as imposing and grand as were his habiliments, and
notwithstanding that he was unable to speak one word, or make any
intelligible sound, but kept up a disagreeable sort of muttering, no one
seemed to discover that he was at all wanting in intellect, and the
proclamation went on and stated his mind and accomplishments to be equal
to his person. It was only necessary for him to make his appearance
with his golden cloak about him, and the helmet with the white plumes on
his head, (and no one could persuade him for one moment to divest
himself of them,) to have a crowd of adorers follow in his pathway with
shouts and huzzas.

Indeed, such was their adulation, that they bore him about in a sort of
triumphal car, and he became the people’s idol. The little sense that
Balzebar had ever been blessed with, had nearly all been lost in the
hardships and dangers to which he had been exposed, and he allowed
himself to be borne about, pleased as a child might have been with a
pageant, in which he himself was the principal object.

At last the account of the finding of this wonderful prince in the
golden cloak was read at the court, which had long been awaiting the
return of Anjah and his suite, and when his fine person, and the helmet
with the snowy plumes, were described, his subjects and friends, of
course, felt very sure that it was no other than their own prince, and,
as the country was not far distant, a cavalcade was dispatched to make
certain of the truth, and to attend him to his home. The King was not
yet dead, but illness had so impaired his intellect that he had become
perfectly imbecile and unfit to govern, and, in the absence of any
acknowledged head, the affairs of the State were getting into sad
confusion. When the messengers arrived, and were shown into the presence
of Balzebar, although at first surprised to find that he could not speak
one word to them, yet the moment he arose and displayed his glittering
cloak before their eyes they felt ready to fall down at his feet, and
acknowledge him their prince. Besides, the royal helmet and the white
plumes, would, of itself, have been sufficient to convince them, if
there had been no other proof; so, sending a herald before them with the
joyful news that it was indeed the long-absent one, they prepared to
escort him to his kingdom. The Queen could not leave the palace, on
account of the weak state of the King, her husband, but the prime
minister and all the courtiers, with crowds of the common people, went
to the very outskirts of the kingdom to meet the Prince, and, sending
her love and kind messages by him, the Queen sat herself down to await
as patiently as possible the arrival of her son. When the prime minister
was shown into the presence of Balzebar he started back in astonishment,
“Could this be Prince Anjah, this stunted being?” yet here truly was his
helmet and his snowy plumes, and then here, too, was his cloak of gold
with which the rest of the courtiers were so blinded that they never
thought for a moment of doubting that this was their prince indeed, but
were as loud and instant in praise of his fine person and noble mien as
all others had been before them. Disgusted with their shortsightedness,
the prime minister, who was wiser than the rest, and never for a moment
supposed that a noble youth like Anjah could have become this deformed
and withered thing, whose ugliness no cloak of gold could conceal from
him, turned to address the unconscious cause of so much error; instead
of an answer came a low, indistinct muttering and mystical signs. The
truth flashed upon the mind of the prime minister--this was Balzebar,
the poor little idiot mute, and, peering beneath the helmet, which, with
the plumes, concealed his countenance, almost as much as the golden
cloak did his person, recognised the dull, unmeaning eyes and the
expressionless mouth of the poor dwarf. Keeping his discovery in his own
breast, and pretending to share in the delusion of the rest, he prepared
to join in the procession which was to attend Balzebar to the palace,
but, before reaching the gates of the city, under pretence of hastening
home to prepare for the better reception of the Prince, he obtained
leave to arrive at the palace before the rest, in reality to reveal his
discovery to the Queen, and to prepare her mind for the great
disappointment that she must feel, in not being able to welcome her son
to his home. She wept bitter tears when he told his tale, and she
thought of the probable fate of Anjah; but she was a high-souled woman,
and bore herself in her misfortunes like a queen. She agreed with the
minister that it was far better to encourage the infatuation of the
people till such time as the fate of Anjah should be decided, than to
allow a person of more energy and address to get the present possession
of the throne, from whom it would be impossible to wrest it, if he
should still be alive. But their consultation was interrupted by the
noisy shouts from without, which warned her of the approach of the
procession. She instantly recognised Balzebar, whom she received as if
he were indeed her son, and he was installed at once in the Prince’s
apartments in the palace, where all did him homage; and as, day by day,
he used to show himself in his golden cloak on the balconies, his
subjects became more enthusiastic than ever, and would greet him with
shouts that rent the very skies. Preparations were immediately made for
the ceremony of the coronation of the Prince (for the King seemed to be
past all hope of recovering his reason), which, owing to the liberality
of the people, who loved to honor their idol, was to be on a larger
scale than any ever before known, and the whole kingdom seemed united in
a desire to do homage to so great a prince.

About this time one morning a vessel hove in sight, and was spoken, and
from the replies it was gathered that in it was the Prince Anjah, with
his bride the Princess Merea; that the former had been shipwrecked, and
was now returning, with all his train, to his native land. The news
spread like wild-fire; great crowds came down to see the vessel; but it
was at once determined on all hands that the new comer was an impostor,
and that he should not be allowed to land; indeed, so great was the
indignation manifested, they fired upon the ship, which hastily withdrew
from the harbor out of their reach. What must have been the feelings of
Anjah, who, after years of absence and escape from so many dangers, was
thus greeted on coming in sight of his native shore, which he had left
years before, followed by the blessings of the people. One thing was
very certain; it was folly to attempt to land while there was such a
feeling of opposition abroad, so they removed out of harm’s way, and the
vessel was anchored at a distance, but not out of the view of all, for
from the towers of the palace the mother of Anjah was watching the
ship, for she, as well as the prime minister, had heard of the arrival
of the stranger, and all day had been maturing their plans to restore
Anjah to his home and his rights, and were only waiting for the night to
seek the vessel, and bring him, his bride, and his companions on shore.
Accordingly, as soon as it was dark, one or two devoted servants of the
Queen, who were entrusted with the secret, went out in boats till they
reached the ship, and there revealed to the Prince the state of things
at home, and prevailed on him and his followers to return with them.
They were landed as secretly as possible, and gained the palace without
detection. Here they were met by the Queen and the prime minister; the
former embraced her long-lost son and his bride with the most fervent
affection, and they recounted to each other all the trials and dangers
to which both had been subjected. It seems that Anjah had remained in
the kingdom of Merea’s father till a vessel had been fitted up for him,
and, fearing to be again parted from Merea, after the shipwreck, which
had so nearly sundered them for ever, Anjah had determined, ere his
departure, to make her his wife, so that she might accompany him to his
home. When the ship was in readiness the nuptials had been celebrated,
and they had set sail. Anjah recounted to his mother and the minister
the history of the shipwreck, of the loss of Balzebar, the royal helmet
and plumes, and of the golden cloak. The Queen and the minister, in
their turn, related to Anjah the subsequent history of Balzebar, the
infatuation of the people, and that on the morrow he was to be crowned
King with great pomp. They all tried to devise some plan which, if
adopted, might bring all things to their true and proper position. At
last Anjah thought of a way of revealing himself to Balzebar, for upon a
public recognition of him by the poor dwarf himself seemed to hang his
only chance of being acknowledged. The night was spent in revolving this
scheme, which was heartily approved by all.

On the morrow, early in the morning, a great crowd was assembled before
the palace, each striving to be foremost to get a place where they
might witness so august a ceremony. All things were prepared on the most
magnificent scale; music resounded in peals to the skies; trains of
cavalry and infantry, with their glittering arms flashing in the sun,
were filling in the courts; in the midst was a platform under an awning,
on which was placed a throne prepared for Balzebar, and when all was in
readiness he was led forth. As the shouts of admiration went up, the
dwarf lolled idly in his seat, and toyed with the golden sceptre that
was presented to him; his dull eye wandering without expression over the
assembly. Anjah, in disguise, placed himself in front of him, and
presently, when directly in his line of vision, raised the cap that
shaded his brow, and gave him a full view of his countenance, at the
same time fixing on him his eye. Balzebar was transfixed with
astonishment for an instant; then, with a cry of joy, rushing forward,
tore off the royal helmet and the golden cloak, and threw them, with
himself, at the feet of Anjah. A low murmur arose from the crowd as the
well known and despised dwarf, Balzebar, was before them, revealed in
all his natural hideousness. At this moment the prime minister, who
stood near at hand, threw the cloak of gold over the shoulders of Anjah,
and placed the helmet with the white plumes upon his lofty brow, and, as
they knew their true prince, a shout so triumphant arose from the
assembled multitude that it seemed like the breaking of thunder.

No farther notice was taken of Balzebar, but the crown was placed on the
head of Anjah, who now brought forward the Princess Merea, and presented
her as his spouse, and their future Queen. The whole procession returned
to the palace, in which Anjah was received as the reigning prince. The
King, though he recovered sufficiently to recognise his son, remained
still too weak in mind to admit of his assuming the reins of government,
which he quietly resigned to his heir, and passed a quiet and peaceful
old age, cheered by the kind attentions of his Queen and his
daughter-in-law, the Princess Merea, to whom he became tenderly
attached. As for Balzebar, he returned to private life with a much
better grace than many others who have been thrown down from a less
exalted position. He was ever an intimate of the palace, and was
appointed by the King as “Keeper of the Royal Helmet and Golden Cloak,”
a post for which he had before showed himself particularly fitted, and
to which he thenceforth, as before, remained faithful. He lived long
enough to follow the son and daughter of the Prince and Princess as he
had done their father and mother before them. As for Anjah and Merea,
they ever retained the good opinion and admiration of their subjects,
and bequeathed a prosperous and peaceful kingdom to their heirs.




VIII.

THE WONDERFUL BIRD.


Once upon a time an old man felt himself to be dying, and, calling his
family (consisting of three sons, named Obed, Mozam, and Sadoc) to his
bedside, took leave of them one by one, according to the fashion of the
east, and, after recommending to their joint protection an aged uncle,
who had long been unable to take care of himself, and bidding them be
honest and industrious, he addressed them thus:--“My sons, I leave you
in possession of this cottage, its furniture, and a small amount of
treasure in gold, the fruits of many years’ labor, and I wish you to
remain here like brothers, and work together in amity till the death of
your uncle, so that he will not be a burden upon either of you; besides
this, I am able, by means of the power which has latterly been given me,
to foresee future events, and to predict that to one of you will come
good fortune through the means of a wonderful bird, who is to be the
cause of this great wealth. To which of you it is to come I cannot
determine, nor is it of much importance that you should know; it is only
required of you each to do his duty, and leave all the rest to
Providence.” Obed and Mozam were delighted to hear this good news, each
one secretly thinking himself the fortunate one; but poor Sadoc, who was
the youngest, and the most dutiful of the three, was so grieved at the
prospect of parting with his dear father, who had always been so kind
and indulgent to him, that he thought little about this prophecy, as he
sat by the bedside, and closed the eyes that should never again look
upon him with the light of life and love.

After his father was dead he sat by his corpse till, overcome by
weariness (the result of previous long watching), he fell asleep. His
brothers had retired to rest early in the evening, and he had supposed
them slumbering for hours before; but about midnight the eldest, Obed,
who had not undressed himself, hearing the deep, regular breathing of
Sadoc, which assured him that he would not easily awaken, stole softly
into the room, and, finding the keys, took the box of money from under
the bed, and unlocking it, secreted all the gold that he could find in
his pockets, and, taking a small bundle of clothes in his hand, started
off as rapidly as possible, leaving the body of his father still
unburied in the house.

The next morning, when it was discovered that Obed had gone, and that
the strong box had been robbed of all its treasure, the second son,
Mozam, was loud in his exclamations against the wickedness and
ingratitude of his elder brother; but Sadoc felt so disgraced by his
conduct he said hardly a word in his grief, but silently went on with
the preparations for his father’s funeral, and had him interred with all
the appearance of decency and respect possible, in the absence of the
first-born son, he who should have been the principal mourner, and at
night retired to rest less sad, from feeling the happy consciousness of
having done his duty.

And now it was shown that Mozam was in reality no better than his
brother Obed, for no sooner was Sadoc fast asleep in his own bed than
the second brother arose and let into the door several men who had been
waiting outside, and, with their assistance, loaded a cart with all the
effects of the cottage that were movable, and drove off with them to the
pawnbrokers, who advanced on them a sum of money, with which he made
off, as his brother had done before him. When Sadoc arose in the morning
he found every article of furniture missing, with the exception of his
own and his uncle’s bed, and a few old worthless pots and pans; and his
aged relative was seated in the chimney-corner on an old settle, gazing
around with a stare of dismay on the scene of devastation. While Sadoc
remained shocked, speechless, he heard a sort of chuckling noise, and,
looking to see from whence it proceeded, found that an old speckled hen
had stolen a nest in some wool that lay under the seat of his uncle, and
was there sitting upon a large number of eggs. Here, thought poor
Sadoc, is another mouth to feed, and, going into the granary, picked up
a few grains of corn and some seeds which he threw to the hen. He then
sat down sadly to devise a plan by which he could get bread for himself
and his helpless dependent. Had he been alone there would have been no
difficulty; the wide world would have been before him, and, with his
energy and perseverance, he could soon have achieved a fortune without
the intervention of any wonderful bird, and he must now give up any
hopes he might have had of finding it. He felt that his father’s last
injunction, to take care of his poor idiot brother, was, now that his
elders had both proved themselves unworthy of their trusts, doubly
binding upon him, so he went out and hired himself to the first master
that he could find, as a common laborer, and toiled hard all day for a
few scanty pennies, which bought just bread enough to keep himself and
his uncle from actual starvation, and a few crumbs for his old hen.
After going on a week or two in this way, he came home one night and
found the hen had brought out a large brood of chickens. He had now to
work harder to procure them a little food also, on which they seemed to
thrive; and as spring advanced, and the warm weather came, the old man
used to let them out of the coop, and wandered with them about the
meadows, where they picked up worms, grasshoppers, and such seeds as
they could find, and they grew through the summer so well, that by the
time of the Christmas market, they were as plump as partridges, and half
of them sold for quite a little sum of money, which he laid by, and sold
the eggs of the remaining ones for enough to pay for their food during
winter. In the spring, most of them bringing out large broods, he had
quite a lot of chickens for the fall market, and eggs to sell all the
summer, so that he found after several seasons that he had money
enough--the proceeds of his eggs and chickens--to purchase a little spot
of rocky ground close beside his cottage, where he meant his uncle
should amuse himself, in picking up stones, and planting a few turnips
and cabbages. Now we leave him happy and contented, though in poverty
so deep, and see what has become of his brothers, who went off to seek
the wonderful bird.

On the night that Obed had stolen away with the gold, when he had
reached an eminence just beyond, he looked back on the little cottage,
where his father’s body lay, and where his brothers were so peacefully
sleeping, and his conscience smote him for a moment, for the wrong which
he was doing them; but quickly stifling the voice within, he said to
himself, “It is now too late to return and replace the money; I should
probably be discovered, while doing it, and then the disgrace would be
the same; besides I shall, no doubt, be soon able to give them back ten
times the value of that I have taken with me; for when I obtain this
wonderful bird, which is to make the fortune of one of us, and as I am
the oldest, I feel certain that it is my own, I shall come back again,
and enrich them all. I should really do them a greater injustice if I
staid at home till this money should be spent, and deprived myself of
the means of finding it, than by going now, and making a certainty of
securing it.” And thus having succeeded in quieting all scruples, he
went on as fast as he was able, till after several days, having gone a
long distance, he began to proceed on his course more leisurely, without
fear of pursuit. And now his mind began to be more and more upon the
wonderful bird, and he listened to all the tales of travelers of the
birds of Paradise, and of the desert bird, of the owls that hooted
dismally through the woods, and the nightingales that cheered the
darkness with their melody. Great flocks of birds passed over his head,
eastward, and westward, and southward; some of the most beautiful
plumage, but none ever stopped in their flight to point him to the
treasure that he longed for, but they soared away out of his sight. At
last, after a long time, he heard of a bird, which had been known to do
many wonderful things. It was said to have it in its power to foretell
future events; had pointed out to many persons the places where they
found lost money and goods, and was in all respects a most remarkable
fowl. “Now,” thought Obed, when stories of its superior powers were
recounted to him, “I am coming at last to the object of my desires; this
is the bird by whose means I am to realize the great prediction made by
my father, and now I can congratulate myself upon the wisdom of the
course which I have pursued, in putting myself in a way to find this
marvelous creature. I might have staid at home all my lifetime, and have
been no richer, though all this fortune (the secret of which this bird
no doubt possesses,) stands waiting for me.” So losing not a single
moment, he set off to the place where it was being exhibited. He reached
an inn at the town that same night, and made so many inquiries
concerning it, as to awaken the attention of all present. Among the
rest, stopping at the tavern were two men, who seemed disposed to be
very sociable with him. They treated him to drink, and professed to feel
a great and sudden friendship for him; they threw him completely off his
guard, and before he retired to bed he had told them all about the
prophecy of his father, and was silly enough to reveal to them that he
carried a bag of money with him. After he left the room, they sat
whispering together, and laughing about him, and then calling him a
great fool, as he was to be sure, they followed him to bed likewise. Now
these two very men belonged to the company that were exhibiting the
bird, and were stationed at the inn on purpose to gain all the
information that they could about the people in the town, so that they
could by means of the bird, convey to them such a knowledge of their own
private affairs, as to surprise the credulous at once into a belief of
its supernatural powers. They had got all the information they wanted
concerning Obed, and early in the morning left the inn, to get the
conjurer who managed the bird, in readiness to receive him, while he lay
dreaming of being in a world where every thing was turned into gold.

As soon as the hour appointed for the performance of its magical tricks
had come, Obed presented himself before the bird. It was a macaw, with
brilliant plumage; under its feet was a plate, marked like the dial of a
clock; it would walk three times around this, and presently, with one
of its toes, point to a particular mark, which the exhibiter pretended
to interpret and explain. When Obed stood before it, it began to flutter
its wings, and showed great signs of agitation, which was said to be
because it was going to predict some great fortune to him. This at the
offset so prejudiced Obed in its favor, that he was prepared to believe
every word that followed. The bird then walked round the dial three
times and pointed to a mark; the exhibiter commenced explaining it. At
first, he repeated as much of Obed’s plans and history as the two men
had picked up the night before, which gave him, in the course of fifteen
minutes, such confidence in its ability, that had the bird told him to
go to the bottom of the sea in search of the treasure, he would have
been almost stupid enough to have done it; but they told him no such
thing, for they were not at all desirous of putting him out of the way
till they had got possession of his bag of money.

They told him to wait till night came, and then to go alone to a cave,
which they pointed out to him, about half a mile distant from the town,
through the woods, where he would find an old hermit, who would meet
him, and show him where he could find an immense, treasure. They then
dismissed him.

Obed was so impatient to come into possession of his wealth, he scarcely
ate or drank all day, and as soon as it was dark, set off in search of
the cave. After groping about for a long while, and falling down several
times, he came at last upon it, and was rather surprised at not finding
the hermit in waiting for him; but seeing a torch approach, concluded
that it must be he; but was soon much surprised at seeing instead three
men, two of whom he recognized as the same who had been the night before
at the tavern. They came upon him, and suddenly seizing him, gave him a
most unmerciful beating. They then bound him hand and foot, and took
from him his money; and after making themselves merry for a while at his
expense, left him lying upon the ground half dead, telling him that no
doubt the hermit would come and show him the treasure before morning.
There he lay all night, moaning and crying, and then came to his mind
thoughts of his own undutiful conduct, in leaving his brothers
unprovided for, and he felt that he was only justly punished for all his
wickedness. He was not only half frozen with the cold, but was in a
fright lest some beast of prey should come upon him in this helpless
state, all bound as he was, and mangle or devour him; but he was
relieved from the worst of his fears in the morning; for a company of
sailors passing that way going to their vessel, found him in this
pitiable condition; they helped him up on one of their mules, and
bearing him to the inn, from whence he had come, made inquiries,
concerning the two men, and the owners of the bird, but found they had
gone off early the evening preceding; and though great exertions were
made by the people of the town, almost all of whom had been in some way
or other deceived by them, no traces of them could be found.

Now poor Obed knew not what course to pursue; he had no money, to return
to his native home; and even if he had, shame would have prevented his
doing so; he therefore accepted the offer of the sailors, that he
should join them, and go on board the ship; and while he is passing a
life of toil and hardship upon the perilous ocean, let us go back and
trace out the history of his second brother, Mozam.

As soon as he left his home, he went directly to a neighboring seaport,
and embarked in a vessel that was going to the coast of Africa, as if
thinking that the farther he got from his home, the greater would be the
chances of his finding the bird of promise. After reaching the land, he
roamed about from place to place, till nearly all his money had gone,
and yet no richer or wiser. Multitudes of birds of every shape and hue,
daily passed before his eyes. At last he fell in with a company who were
crossing the desert in a caravan, and many strange sights were seen by
Mozam. Nothing awakened his wonder so much as the gigantic ostriches
that ran much swifter than horses over the sands. “Surely,” thought he,
“what creature is more capable of revealing any knowledge or mystery to
man than this--what bird could be one-half so wonderful; this must be
the creature that is to exercise such an influence over my fortunes.”
But yet nothing occurred, day after day, to confirm his hopes of their
being able to assist him, though hundreds of them passed daily before
him.

But one day, one of these creatures who seemed very tame, came near the
caravan, and allowed itself to be fed, caressed, and petted by the
company, which excited much wonder; but above all, they were surprised
at finding a string hung with bits of gold and shells about its neck,
and no one could explain this strange problem. But Mozam, although he
kept his convictions secret, was satisfied in his mind as to the meaning
of it. So in the morning before any else were stirring, he stole off to
the inclosure where the animal had been confined, and mounting upon its
back, he let it go free. It flew off with such speed that he could at
first hardly contrive to hold himself on; but by degrees he became
accustomed to its motion, and maintained his seat. To say that he felt
no fear, while this immense creature was sweeping along with him over
the trackless wastes, would be untrue; but he felt quite sure that it
was sent as the harbinger of his good fortune, and that the gold around
its neck was a sure indication of its being able to conduct him to a
mine of that precious metal. So, blinded by ambition to the danger of
his situation, he continued on till the ostrich ran with him into a camp
of Bedouins, from whom the bird had wandered; a set of wild people, the
very last whom Mozam would have desired to have encountered; and from
whose mercy he had so little to hope. He looked every moment for them to
strike him dead, but instead of this, they only amused themselves in
tormenting him to see him writhe, which was almost worse than death. As
these people subsisted upon raw flesh and roots, he was almost starved,
and as they were constantly fighting with other barbarous tribes, his
life was all the time in danger. Here was a fine end to all his
ambitious schemes, and he had plenty of leisure and cause to repent his
early misconduct. He had brought ruin upon his own head. So miserable
was he among these barbarians, he was several times on the point of
making way with himself. He continued in this miserable state of
existence, till at last, tired of carrying him about with them, these
people sold him as a slave to the Barbary States; and here let him
remain, while we continue the history of Sadoc.

It will be remembered that with the money that he had saved he purchased
a small lot. On digging, it was found to contain a quarry of valuable
stone, which he immediately set about getting out in order for sale, and
it yielded such a quantity, and sold at so high a rate, that he soon
began to be a capitalist, and able to enter into speculations, which,
proving successful, he soon found himself above want, and in time became
the largest landed proprietor in the country. He now built a fine
mansion where his father’s old cottage, which was pulled down, had
stood, and married a lady as wise and prudent as himself, and with as
noble a family of children around him as one could desire, he enjoyed as
great an amount of happiness as generally falls to the lot of man. The
fame of his benevolence spread abroad, and he was more respected for
his integrity than any other person in the country. Notwithstanding all
the honors that were showered upon him, he never forgot his duty to his
poor old uncle, who used to sit, as he had ever done, in the warm
chimney-corner, the long winter days and nights, and doze away his life
with the old speckled hen, who was aged like himself, in her nest beside
him.

During all this long time he had heard nothing from his brothers, and
often wondered what had become of them, and which of them had found the
bird, according to his father’s prediction.

One evening about this time, at the entrance of the town where Sadoc
resided, a poor sailor was seen coming wearily along. He sat himself
upon a stone, and seemed overcome with his emotions. The tears stole
down his cheeks, and he looked as if he could not advance a step
further. While he sat there, another traveler, in very nearly the same
plight as himself, came up with him. The last comer was a tall, dark
man, who seemed to have been bronzed by exposure to the sun. Seeing
each other in a like sad condition, they entered into conversation; then
at last it came out they were the brothers, Obed and Mozam, one of whom,
worn out with voyaging, had left his vocation of mariner to find an
asylum in the poor-house of his native town; the other, who had escaped
from slavery, and toiled his way along on foot for miles and miles, was
coming for the same purpose. They rushed into each other’s arms, and
shed tears of pity at the sorrowful case in which each found the other,
and then, feeling not quite so lonely, they went on together into the
town. They bent their course toward the spot their boyhood had known so
well, where the old cottage had stood. In its place was a splendid
mansion, at which they gazed for a few moments, and were about to turn
away, when a friendly voice hailed them, and arrested their retreating
footsteps; and when they said that they were travellers, without food or
place of shelter, they were led into an apartment where a warm fire was
blazing, and were requested to seat themselves while a servant should
procure them some food. Obed started back in amazement as he caught
sight of a figure seated in the chimney-corner, and exclaimed, “My poor
old uncle, yet alive and here.” Mozam knew him at the same time, and,
turning round as the master of the house entered, recognised in him
Sadoc, their brother (for he had not changed half as much as
themselves), and whispered his discovery to Obed. They consulted apart,
and feared to reveal themselves lest he should spurn them on account of
their poverty, their former misconduct, and his present grandeur; but
ere long their feelings overpowered them; they fell down at his feet,
and asked his forgiveness and his pity.

Sadoc, though at first he could hardly believe that this poor worn
sailor was his brother Obed, and still less that the dark and haggard
man was the once handsome Mozam, yet he was convinced of the truth. He
pardoned them freely, and wept tears over their misfortunes, and
promised them they should never want a home while he was able to give
them one. All night long Obed and Mozam sat by the fireside recounting
their adventures to their brother, and at last, when they had told all,
Sadoc spake, and said, “How strange that the prophecy of our father
should not yet have been fulfilled; the wonderful bird has not been
found.” At this the old uncle, who had all the while been dozing in the
corner, suddenly roused up, and said, pointing to the old hen beside
him, “This is the wonderful bird, and the founder of your good fortune,”
and directly relapsed into his stupor. The truth then flashed upon the
mind of Sadoc, and when he related to his brother the history of the
hen, it was as clear to their minds as to his own, that it was to her
that his father’s prediction related, and that this was the bird that
was to bring such riches to the family. They saw that honesty, and a
careful attention to duty, was more likely to bring a man to prosperity
at last, than roguery and selfishness. But, as they had paid so dearly
for their early misdemeanors, they were permitted to enjoy rest in the
house of Sadoc, where they recovered in some degree from the effect of
their hardships and sufferings, and were contented and happy. As for the
old uncle, he died shortly after this; and the old speckled hen about
the same time departed this life; but Sadoc never forgot his gratitude
for her services, though he lived to a great age.




IX.

THE MERMAID AND HER CHILD.


A mermaid was sporting on the surface of the ocean; in her arms was her
babe, which she nourished at her breast, as a human mother would have
done her own offspring. While she was lightly rocking to and fro, a ship
came in sight, running before the wind, the keel ploughing the white
foam, sails unfurled, and streamers flying. The mermaid knew not what it
was--she thought it might be a huge sea monster; never before had she
seen aught like it, for her home was in those unfrequented seas, which
the ships of men have not explored. She gazed awhile on it in wonder,
retreating, but with her eye still fixed; while thus lost in
astonishment and awe, an enormous shark, that had been watching her,
came swiftly, and snatched the infant from her arms, and ere she was
aware, bore it beneath the surface. The mother immediately dived in
pursuit, but came in sight only in time to see the young one devoured by
a hundred voracious creatures, like that which had torn it from her; and
she barely escaped from them with her own life. In her agony, not
heeding whither she went, all day long she kept in the path of the
vessel, and midnight found her still following it, in a furious storm,
which she fearlessly and stoutly breasted. The sea was her native
element, and the raging of the waters was like music to her ear. At last
shrieks from the ship roused her from the apathy into which her grief
had plunged her, and looking up, she saw the tall masts, which had
seemed to reach the very skies, broken and dismantled, and the vessel
itself about to dash upon the rocks, from which it had no power of
escaping. But ere this, a boat had been lowered, and living beings,
whose forms were wonderful and strange to her, (by the aid of a rope,)
had been let down from the side of the ship, and placed safely within
it. At last a mother and her child together, in descending, missed the
tossing bark, and both fell into the sea. The mother was quickly
rescued, but her babe had fallen from her arms, and sank out of her
sight; and the sailors were forced, notwithstanding the beseeching
petition of the agonized mother, to push off and leave it to its fate,
or the boat, and all in it, would have been swamped in the whirlpool,
which drew in all surrounding objects, as the vessel, which presently
was dashed in pieces, rapidly filled, and sank into the depths of the
ocean. The mermaid saw all, and diving below, she received the babe in
her open arms, and on beholding its beautiful and innocent countenance,
she rejoiced over it, as if she had found a treasure, and tenderly
nourishing it and hushing its cries, she bore it far away to her home in
those unknown seas, from which she had wandered. Here amid the
labyrinths of waters, spring up tiny islands of coral, covered with
verdure, high above the reach of the floods, which dash around them. On
one of these, scarcely larger than the cradle which it was to imitate,
the mermaid made a bed for the little charge, and as in this clime,
“eternal summer reigns,” she left the child sleeping warmly and securely
beneath a large spreading tree, which protected it from the sun, and
fanned its slumbers with broad green leaves, while she sought her
companions and her boy Rosond, whom she found near the spot, and who
welcomed her with joy, after her long absence. Curiously they looked
upon the little daughter with the blue eyes and fair brow; and not
doubting that it was her own infant, born during her absence, they could
but be amazed at its strange form, and in their hearts, pitied the poor
mother, whose little one would undoubtedly soon perish, as it would
never be able, like their own offspring, to paddle about or to live in
the waters without assistance. Little the mother regarded or seemed to
need their sympathy; she appeared quite happy and contented in what they
considered her great affliction; and wondering at her insensibility,
they left her alone with her children.

The little Corala, for so her sea-mother named her, throve under the
watchful care of the mermaid and the boy Rosond, one or the other of
whom was forever with her, bearing her about in their arms on the sunny
waters, or from island to island. Sometimes they would dive with her,
for a moment, beneath the sea, then would hold her aloft, with the water
dripping from her form, at which she would toss her dimpled arms, and
shout with laughter. She soon began to creep about, then stand upon her
feet and move in a strange sort of way; and the mother, trembling to see
her totter, never left her for a moment, for fear of losing her. She was
often thrown into great distress, as Corala, stealing off in spite of
her, would roguishly hide herself among the bushes where her mother and
brother (who could not move at all on land, but were only able to creep
near her, sailing by the edge of the island) could not see her, or reach
her; but as she always presently relieved their fears by returning to
them and throwing herself into their arms, the mother soon began to feel
more confidence in her ability to take care of herself. As she grew
older she was allowed often to venture out of sight, on her promising
to return to them soon; and as no harm ever happened to her, they
frequently bore her from the little isle of infancy to larger
ones--which she explored to their centers; and after having been gone
for hours, would return to her friends laden with berries and fruits,
which she found much more to her taste than the sea-food that had
heretofore formed her nutriment. She learned also in time to swim, where
the waters were not very deep, and used to accompany Rosond on little
aquatic expeditions; though ever when she grew tired of her exertions,
he would carry her in his arms till she reached a place of rest.

By the time that she had reached her thirteenth year she had gone over
all the islands that lay around, and found these fairy realms peopled
with birds and butterflies, and the smaller sort of animals, such as
rabbits and squirrels, who soon came to know her, and to leap in her
pathway without fear. She moved about among them like a queen amid her
subjects; and, like a queen, indeed, she looked, for on her brow she
wore a diadem of precious gems, which Rosond had brought from the
depths of the ocean. Her robe, like that of the mermen and mermaids
around her, was made of the variously and gaily-colored seaweed, which
formed a silken scarf for her shoulders, and a petticoat, reaching just
below the knees, such as was generally worn by these people of the
waters, which left her fair arms and gleaming feet bare in their beauty.
Thus shining and sparkling in the sun, she would sit on the shore and
arrange the beautiful flowers, with which the islands abounded, into
nosegays of magic grace, to present to such of Rosond’s playfellows as
came to visit him, and the strange little sister, of whom he was so
fond, and with whom he had rather spend his hours than to join them in
their frolicksome sports, chasing the gold-fish through the sparkling
waves, and leaping high in the air, in their wild glee. Rosond loved to
watch the varying expression of her eyes, and ever seemed to regard her
as a superior being; and the mother, too, when the mermen and mermaids
commiserated the unfortunate one who was deprived, by what they
considered her deformity, of many of their sources of enjoyment, felt a
proud and happy consciousness (though she kept her secret to herself)
that her child was one of those immortal natures of whom the sages of
their race had recorded such wonders. Yet her heart began to fail her as
Corala grew to womanhood, and the fear that perhaps the truth might some
day burst upon the mind, whose workings terrified her, unused as she was
to the operations of human reason, and she trembled for the revelations
that such a spirit might be capable of making when it reached its
maturity. As her mind expanded she constantly sought food for its
inquiring activity, and became much interested in the tales of worlds
beyond the waters, peopled by a race of mortal immortals, having
perishable bodies, but spirits that must live for ever; and her brother
Rosond, inspired by her earnestness, became almost as eager as herself
to unravel the secrets of their existence. Yet, whenever in their
mother’s presence they broached this topic, she checked their inquiries
with such an unusual tone of disquiet and sternness, that it had the
very opposite effect on the mind of Corala from that the mermaid
intended, by giving to the subject, by this appearance of mystery, a
peculiar and romantic interest. And, notwithstanding that the theme was
for ever at rest while with the mother, yet, when alone with Rosond,
Corala gave loose reins to her fancy; but, in answer to her questions
and conjectures, Rosond, who had never been allowed by his mother to go
beyond his native seas, could only repeat to her the vague and
unsatisfactory talk of those almost as ignorant as himself.

As Corala grew older, her sympathy with the beings about her, with the
exception of her mother and Rosond, diminished; as for the former,
though she did not understand the thoughtfulness that sat on the brow of
her child and shadowed her birth, the soul’s longing for sympathy from
responsive spirits, yet, so great was her love and her gentleness
towards her, that Corala clung to her with the same affection she would
have done to her own natural mother. As for Rosond, so constantly was
he in companionship with his sister that his mind became in time
assimilated to hers, and, from having ever in contemplation a higher
order of intellect, the society of his former associates became as
distasteful to him as to Corala. Soon they were left almost entirely to
themselves, and the mother, satisfied at seeing them happy--to all
appearance happy--left them free to roam together where they would,
never dreaming that Corala was for ever talking of the worlds beyond,
and of the beings that peopled them. But so it was; and as time advanced
Rosond had the grief of seeing his dear sister pining away under the
influence of the unspeakable longing that possessed her, and, in his
anxiety to relieve it, he formed a plan which he imparted to Corala, by
means of which together they would be enabled to know more of those
countries towards which Corala’s heart seemed ever to be yearning.
Accordingly, when all at night were in their resting places, sunk in
sleep, Rosond, with Corala in his arms, were sailing on the seas making
such discoveries as was in their power, and each morning they were
found in their usual places, so that they excited no suspicion. Again
and again they set out and returned, and were so rewarded for their
exertions by the wonders that were thus revealed to them that they grew
elated and fearless of danger. But yet no information concerning the
other worlds was afforded them, and they began to despair of learning
what they wished. One night, however, having reached the point where
their wanderings usually terminated, Rosond was about to go back, but
Corala still urged him onward; and, notwithstanding his misgivings, in
accordance with her wishes, he emerged with her from the warm and quiet
waters into the dashing, foaming sea, over which the blue sky and stars
shone clear and pure. New feelings filled the soul of Corala, new voices
were speaking in her ears; she was as it were in an ecstasy, and, wrapt
in the enjoyment, she forgot all else at the moment. While Rosond paused
at her request, and she was looking around, she espied a great object in
the distance that riveted her whole attention. A tiny speck on the
water seemed to be following it, like a bird with its little one beside
it, but in truth it was a ship far off, and a boat which had been let
down by the seamen, one of whom from the deck having espied through a
glass what seemed to be a maiden riding upon the waves, they were coming
to satisfy themselves concerning this strange sight. The little speck
gradually grew larger and larger as it came nearer to her, till it at
last it looked like one of her own tiny islands afloat upon the waves,
with living beings upon it. She held her breath lest it might alarm
Rosond, who, bearing her on high in his arms, was concealed beneath the
waters, and saw nothing above him. Noiselessly and stealthily the boat
approached her. Corala perceived, and her heart bounded at the sight,
that the forms of the creatures that were moving within were like her
own, and in a moment the truth darted into her brain. She was not then
an isolated being, but one of a race, and these were her kindred. How
her heart yearned towards them! Their gaze was fascinated on their
leader, as cautiously they floated towards her; no sound escaped her
lips till the shriek she uttered when she found herself torn from the
arms of Rosond, and borne away within the hearing of his cries--seeing
him beaten back by the oars, as he vainly endeavored to pursue and
rescue her, till at last, fainting with affright, she became unconscious
of all that passed. When she was restored to herself she was on the
vessel, which was bearing her fast away from all that she had known and
loved. Most pitiful was the moaning she made as the tenants of the ship
gathered around, and tried in vain to comfort her. She at first refused
all consolation; yet, in time, as the poignancy of her grief abated, and
she looked more calmly around, she felt herself inspired with a new and
more powerful interest in life; every glance conveyed intelligence; all
about her, like herself, were reasoning and thinking. She was ONE in a
mass of SOULS, and, though she could not comprehend a single word they
uttered, yet their expression and gestures conveyed to her a meaning
that she could well interpret. When they reached the port from which
the vessel sailed, the news spread afar like wildfire, that a young
maiden of great beauty, speaking a language that no one understood, had
been rescued from the grasp of a frightful sea monster, so that many
came from great distances to see her. Among others was a gentleman and
lady of high rank, who, on beholding Corala, were so impressed with her
appearance, that they determined to take her home with them, and adopt
her for their own daughter, as their only child had been lost at sea
years before, while still an infant, and strange to say, if she had
lived, would have been about the age that Corala now appeared to be; and
stranger still it seemed, when it was made known that Corala had been
rescued near the very spot where the shipwreck had occurred so many
years before; and to their redoubled wonder, the likeness of Corala to
both of them, was remarked by many persons, as if she had been their
daughter indeed; so that the mother could hardly help feeling that their
child had been saved by some good spirit; nurtured and restored to her
again by the mercy of heaven. But as this would have been deemed
madness, she kept her thoughts to herself, and only revealed them to her
husband, who, like her, felt as if heaven indeed had interposed in their
behalf, and that the beautiful girl they bore to their pleasant home was
their lost darling. Corala found relief in this quiet spot by the
seaside, from the noise and bustle of the town, the confusion of
tongues, and the curious gazers who came on board the ship to see her.
Enraptured with the beauty of all that surrounded her, she would have
been most happy could she have forgotten that her sea-mother and Rosond,
far away, were mourning their lost one; and she wept in bitterness at
the thought that she should never again behold those who loved her so
dearly, and were by her so dearly loved. Soon by the care and patience
of her new-found mother she became acquainted with the names of the
various objects that she saw around, and very rapidly she learned to
express herself in sentences. At last she could relate to them the tales
of her infancy, of her cradle on the sea-girt isle, of her sea-mother,
and her sea-brother, that she longed again to find. They deemed it all a
fantasy of her imagination; and she, finding how little faith her
hearers had in her representations, kept these remembrances to herself.
However, they only grew more vivid from being thus repressed, and were
still her first thoughts. As she made progress in the language, she was
taught to read, and gradually the treasures of knowledge were unfolded
to her. The universe, which had been to her sealed, was now as it were
opening before her; she began to unravel its mysteries, and her whole
being expanded in the genial atmosphere by which she was surrounded. So
passed several years, but time did not efface from her memory the images
of her early days; each new joy only rendered more poignant her grief,
that the companions of her infancy were debarred from these pleasures to
which she had such free access. Each day found her in a favorite seat by
the water-side, looking afar at the sea, watching it toss on the shore,
and listening to the roar of its waters, as if such sounds could tell
her the fate of those for whom her heart yearned, and for whom every
night she put up a petition to heaven.

And now let us leave Corala for a while, and see what has become of the
protectors of her helpless infancy. When Rosond, after giving up all
hope of recovering his sister, returned with the sad news to his mother
that she was lost to them, in a frenzy she flew hither and thither.
Then, for the first time, her companions of the sea learned that she who
had lived for years among them, whom they had despised, was one of those
immortal natures for whom they had been taught such veneration. Rosond
also now learned his sister’s history, and great was his grief to find
that she was not only far removed from him in space, but was also above
him in the scale of being; yet he felt he could still but worship her as
he had ever done. The mermen and mermaids at first pitied Rosond and his
mother; but when they found them ever dwelling upon the one sad theme,
nearest to their hearts, they forsook them for more cheerful companions,
till they were left at last to wander about alone together. All their
conversation turned upon the engrossing topic--would Corala ever again
be restored? At last they heard of an old wizard of the sea, who like a
hermit dwelt in a cave in the depths of the ocean, and who was said to
have the power of foretelling future events. Together they sought his
dwelling-place, which for an age he had not left. The door was guarded
by two sea monsters, whose eyes glared, as the two went tremblingly by,
but they only opened their terrific jaws to shut them harmlessly again;
so they passed safely in. Upon a heap of sea-weed piled up with books,
on which was inscribed strange characters, sat the wizard of the sea; he
was bent and wrinkled, and when they told him their errand he shook his
briny locks, muttered strange words, and taking a curious shell in his
hand, placed it at his ear and listened long. The mermaid fearfully
asked, “shall the dear child, that I have so long cherished and loved as
my own, ever be restored to my arms?” He paused, with the shell at his
ear, and then made answer--“The voices of the deep wail and cry; she
can never more return to her home on the sea-girt isle, for she is a
mortal, and has found her kind; be therefore content and go in peace;
seek no further into the hidden things of the future.” But they still
lingered. At last Rosond spoke and said: “If indeed it is decreed that
she can never return to us, can we not go to her, and again see her
beautiful countenance, and have our hearts cheered by the music of her
loving voice?” The sage turned over leaf after leaf, and searched into
the mysterious tomes, till they grew weary with waiting, yet would not
depart till he bade them; so much did they long to hear what fate had in
store for them; while he seemed as it were to be dozing, and then at
last unclosing his eyes, he sleepily muttered, holding a shell that
glowed like living fire to his ear, made answer, “All things are
possible to superhuman power; if, after the lapse of many years, you can
find again the lost one, and your love for her is then as strong as now,
and she is able to reveal to you that she still loves you as in days
gone bye, then may you take her nature, and be united to her again; but
she can never return to you while you are of another race. Hence! no
more disturb the slumbers of the aged, who soon shall sleep forever.
Then he fell back and relapsed into a repose so deep, that they sought
no more to arouse him, but hand in hand passed out as they had entered,
and returned to their home again.”

Here they related to their companions the words of the wizard, and
declared their intention of seeking Corala, and endeavoring to ascertain
if she still loved them as of yore. The mermen and mermaids endeavored
to dissuade Rosond and his mother from attempting what must be a
fruitless task. “For,” said they, “should you succeed in discovering
whither she is carried, and to communicate with her, which is almost an
impossibility, how can you suppose that she would regard you as she once
did? Perhaps,” said they, “she even now remembers with a shudder the
friends of her former days, and, happy amid her own kindred, strives to
banish all thoughts of the repulsive beings whom she once loved.”
Though all this seemed so reasonable, and so likely to be the truth, yet
Rosond and his mother had such a certain conviction of the intensity of
Corala’s attachment to themselves, that they even dared to hope, in
spite of all, that one day they might be united to her again. Their
companions used all their arts to persuade them to abandon these hopes,
that they deemed so fallacious, and to leave Corala, and return again to
their accustomed sports. But no words could prevail upon them to give up
the search, and, bidding adieu to all that had ever known them, they set
off together.

On their voyage over the wide waste of waters the spot they both were
intent on seeking was that from whence Corala had been borne away, and,
when found, they made it the starting point from which they sailed long
distances, only to return, after vain efforts to gain some clue that
might lead them in the direction to find her once more. Months and even
years passed, and yet no success had attended their wanderings; and,
almost hopeless, they came back to the well-known spot, from whence all
their journeyings had proceeded. One day, while hovering around, in the
distance they saw an object, that both had learned to know well--a ship,
bearing the same colors as that which had been wrecked before the eyes
of the mermaid, and Rosond also marked it as being like the vessel which
had borne Corala from them. A sudden hope darted into the minds of both.
Could they not, by following it, reach the place to which Corala had
been carried? It probably was bending its course in the same direction
as the other ship had gone. Day after day saw them in this hope,
tirelessly pursuing the vessel, that, like a leading star, pointed out
their course.

The journey seemed almost endless, but at last the scenes began to
change before their eyes; the broad waste of waters gradually narrowed;
and seemed to be bounded by land, not in small islands, like dots here
and there, as they had been accustomed to see, but a broad expanse, even
as the ocean itself, over which the eye could not reach, covered with a
garment of emerald, where stately towers and spires rose pointing to
the skies. All was strange and wonderful to them, and they clung to each
other, and kept beneath the waters, but still in sight of the vessel
that had led them on, for they felt less lonely when near to that which
had so long been as a beacon before them. The ship at last was moored,
and hidden by some rocks. Rosond and the mermaid watched the busy crowds
who came flocking down to the water, to welcome the friends who
disembarked from the decks. There were among them female forms who moved
as Corala once had done. But well they knew she was not there, nor was
she in the throng that flocked along the pier, or hung over the sides,
day after day. They floated at a distance from the shore, and at last,
going out of sight of the ship, and sailing with swiftness past the
various cities and towns, they began to feel the very hopelessness of
their ever being able, amid such myriads of living creatures, of finding
her whom they sought. Yet Rosond, although in despair of gaining the
object of his search, longed to know more of her race, and, approaching
as near the land as he dared without fear of discovery, contemplated the
faces, and forms, and movements of those who came within his sight.

A long period passed in this manner, and, sick at heart, the mother and
son one evening, when the moon was shining clearly, left behind them all
the noise and bustle of the towns, and followed the current, which
carried them beside a peaceful and quiet country. At last, as daylight
passed away, they floated near the shore, where a castled mansion stood
on a hill alone, overlooking the peaceful waters. The air was soft and
balmy, and warm as that of their native clime, to which their hearts now
sometimes turned, as towards a haven where they might find rest. They
gazed in wonder at the beauty of the green slope, studded here and there
with oases of flowers, in the midst of which marble fountains threw up
jets of water that returned to bedew all around. Gradually they drew
nearer to the bank; the serenity of the scene inspired them with a
calmness and buoyancy that they had not felt for many months. All at
once a strain of soft music burst on their ears. It was a gentle voice,
accompanying a harp. The tones seemed to call up in their minds thoughts
of the sea-girt isle, and the song of the birds that there gladdened the
air, and the gentle tossing of that summer sea, and the murmurs of the
breeze that ever softly sighed, and their tears streamed, as if melted
from their hearts, at the sound. Presently a white figure emerged from
the shadowy portal of the mansion, and, like an angel shining in the
moonlight, with streaming golden hair and light footsteps, came flitting
down the slope. Their hands trembled as they held them together; their
hearts beat loudly, for they knew this was Corala. Noiselessly they sank
below the surface, as she came nearer, but their keen eyes were piercing
through the crystal, and were upon her. How their bosoms throbbed, and
they longed to rush forward and to meet her, but they dared not; she
would flee in her terror far from them. Oh! they felt that the words
which had been spoken to them by their companions must be true. She
would shrink from them if they were to reveal themselves to her; they
would be regarded as monsters in her eyes. Better thus to watch her,
and worship her at a distance, than, by revealing themselves to her,
lose their only chance of beholding her once more. Thus they thought,
and kept silently beneath the waters, though, with all their natures,
they were yearning to embrace her. At length she knelt down, and,
bending her brow till it touched the foam, cried, “Oh! mother and
brother of the sea! cannot these waves, that so ceaselessly dash upon
the shore, bear to you the cries of your mourning Corala? and tell you
how her heart still longs for you with unchangeable love, and that each
night she puts up a prayer to Heaven that you may be preserved and
restored to her!”

With one impulsive movement, hand-in-hand, the mermaid and Rosond rushed
forward. But, oh! wonder of wonders! as they came into the shallow
waters they felt themselves rising erect, with limbs and feet, upon the
pebbly shore! They knew then that the prediction of the wizard was thus
verified: they had loved each other to the end, and now were made
partakers of the same natures. With a cry of joy they rushed into each
other’s embrace, when words and explanations followed. Corala led up
the steep her long-lost sea-mother, with her gentle voice, and mild brow
and mien. Proudly, too, she watched Rosond moving stately, with his
diadem of jewels on his lofty brow, his garb of silken weed fluttering
like a scarf of honor from his shoulders, and looking like a royal
prince.

The lord and lady of the castle received with joy the long-lost friends
of their adopted child, and welcomed them to the mansion. After arraying
them in garments befitting their dignity, they presented them to their
servants and retainers. Corala saw no reason to blush for them, the
avowed guardians of her youth.

During the time that Rosond and his mother remained as inmates of the
mansion the lord and lady learned of a certainty that this was, indeed,
as they had long hoped and expected, their long-lost daughter; and,
though wonderful as was the tale of her rescue, and of her life on the
isles of the sea, and of the transformation of the mermaid and Rosond,
yet they believed all, and received her as their own with all the faith
of innocent hearts.

Rosond, by the sale of the jewels worn by his mother and himself, which
were almost of a priceless value, realized an immense fortune, and
purchased a castle within a short distance of that of the parents of
Corala, to which he took his mother to reside. Here, by the assistance
of masters, he rapidly acquired the language, and all those arts which
were befitting a young gentleman of distinction. He became one of the
most accomplished courtiers of that period, and soon, by the consent of
her parents, was betrothed to Corala, with whom he spent much of his
time. After a short space had elapsed, their marriage was celebrated in
a manner befitting the rank of both, and thus Corala became, indeed, the
child of her who had once been her adopted mother. She divided her time
between her two homes, making all happy, and seeing their children grow
up around them.

Rosond and Corala never regretted having loved through all difficulties,
and to the end.

       *       *       *       *       *

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Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

Covez=> Cobez {x 8}

Corola=> Corala {x 2}

accordingy=> accordingly {pg 53}

peformed=> performed {pg 61}

liitle=> little {pg 72}

frighful=> frightful {Pg 146}

tones seemd=> tones seemed {Pg 157}








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