in his mind, he said to himself, "Though I am constantly eating, I am never satisfied, how is this to be accounted for ?"

In this manner three days were elapsed, and on the fourth he said to himself, "Oh, Haitim! were you to look for a hundred years at these illusive appearances, still you would not be tired of them. At the same time you have left behind you a helpless youth, whose hopes and expectations are fixed on your exertions; if you waste the time, what will you have to answer before God?"

Haitim then seized the hands of the fair damsel, which he had no sooner done than a female form issued from the foot of the throne, and struck him a blow which felled him to the ground.

Opening his eyes, and looking around him, he saw no trace of the garden, the palace, the throne, or the damsels; but a dreary and boundless wilderness presented itself to his view, which he knew to

be the desert of Hawaida.

He then commenced his search for the man in quest of whom he had travelled, and after he had wandered for some distance, his ear was greeted by the welcome sound of " What I once saw, I long to see again."

Haitim listened with attention, and three times did he distinctly hear these words pronounced, after which all was silent.

He proceeded in the direction in which he had heard the voice, and for seven nights and days he continued to advance. On his way he often heard the words repeated as if it were a person before him, but never could he discover by whom they were uttered. Haitim, thus bewildered, still went on, when, lo! on the evening of the ninth day he saw an old man reposing on the bare earth. Haitim approached and saluted the old man, who, courteously returning his salutation, said to him,

"Young stranger, whence came you, and what is your business here ?"

"Venerable sir," said Haitim, "my business here is to learn truly from you what it is that you have seen once and long to see again." "Sit down by me," said the aged man, “and I will tell you all." Haitim sat down, and in an instant two loaves and two flagons full of pure water appeared before them as by magic. The old man handed to Haitim one of the loaves and one of the pitchers of water, and reserved the other portion for himself; and both of them silently ate and drank.

After they were refreshed, Haitim addressed the old man, saying, "Venerable sir, pray tell me the meaning of these words which you have so often repeated."

To this the aged man replied, "I, once upon a time, arrived at the border of a lake, from the waters of which arose a damsel of angelic appearance, who, seizing me by the hand, hurried me into the midst of the deep.

"When I opened my eyes, I beheld, to my astonishment, a beautiful garden, from every quarter of which damsels of fairest form came in troops around me. At last they carried me into a palace, and left me standing beside a splendid throne, which I ascended, and then sat down, beholding with admiration the objects which presented themselves to my view.

"Then a beautiful damsel, with a veil gracefully thrown over her face, approached and stood before the throne. The instant I beheld her peri form I lost hold of the reins of my heart and became frantic. I removed the veil from her face; she smiled bewitchingly, and my transport knew no bounds. I seized her hand in order to seat her upon the throne, when on a sudden another female form seemed to issue from the earth beneath us, and raising herself up, she struck me a blow, which hurled me into this desert. Here I wander restless and forlorn, and my thoughts are ever fixed on the image of that heart-ravishing angel."

Thus spoke the aged man, and then sighing bitterly, he shed a flood of tears, and like a maniac rushed about in every direction, crying aloud, "What I once saw, I long to see again."

Haitim ran in pursuit of him, and seizing him by the arm, said to him, "Venerable sir, will your mind be at ease if you should see that peri form a second time?"

Assuredly, young man," said he, "but that thing is impossible." "Follow me," " said Haitim, "and I will conduct you to her

abode."

The old man joyfully accompanied Haitim; and after travelling for some days, they entered the shady groves on the banks of the lake already mentioned.

Haitim then addressed his aged companion, saying, "Now, venerable sir, when you again arrive in the enchanted palace, if it be your wish to remain there admiring the angelic damsel, you must on no acccunt seize her hand or remove her veil. If you lay hold of her hand, the same disaster from which you have now made your escape will again befall you, and your retracing your way back to that enchanted paradise will be impossible. That I have been enabled to do so is owing to the kindness of a hermit of exemplary piety, who gave me the proper directions when on my way hither.

Do you now ascend into yonder tree on the border of the lake, and the naked nymph will arise out of the water as before."

Then Haitim took leave of the old man, and the instant the latter ascended the tree that overhung the lake, the nymph gracefully arose out of the water, and seizing him by the hand hurried him into the midst of the deep.

Haitim now began to retrace his steps towards Shahabad, and in a few days arrived at the abode of the hermit on the mountain, to whom he related his whole adventure. After taking an affectionate farewell of the hermit, he journeyed onwards till he arrived in the desert of the bears, where he spent a whole month enjoying the society of his beautiful wife, the bear's daughter. That period having elapsed, he bade adieu to his wife and new kindred, and his next stage was the residence of the jackals. After parting with them, nothing occurred worth notice till his safe arrival in Shahabad, where he was recognised and conducted to the caravanserai by Husn Banu's people. The Prince Munir Shami came and prostrated himself at Haitim's feet, in order to express his gratitude, but Haitim raised him to his bosom, and related to him all that he had seen.

Haitim, accompanied by the prince, waited upon Husn Banu, who, having veiled herself, most courteously received them, and addressing Haitim, she said, "Tell me, brave youth, what news have you brought?"

"An aged man," replied Haitim, "in the desert of Hawaida, once saw by the effect of magic a damsel of angelic form. She deprived him of his heart and of his senses, and since that time he has traversed the wilderness, crying aloud, "What I once saw I long to see again."

Haitim then gave a full account to Husn Banu of the nature of the enchanted paradise, and how he had conveyed the old man to the banks of the lake through which he might re-enter the magic world.

"In fact," said Haitim, "those sounds will be heard no more in the Desert, for I have conducted the old man to the abode of the houri who had robbed him of his heart.

When Husn Banu had heard the whole adventure, she expressed her admiration; and the nurse addressing her, said, "The youth speaks truly, for the case is really as he has related."

Food was then brought in, and Haitim was invited to take refreshment. This done, he said to Husn Banu, "The Supreme Creator has enabled me to explain one of your questions; let me now hear another, that I may endeavour to accomplish its solution." "Rest yourself," said Husn Banu, "for some days, till you are recovered from your present fatigue.'

Meanwhile Husn Banu had become deeply, though secretly, enamoured of the Prince Munir, but respect for her own dignity compelled her to abide by her declaration, and there was no resource except the solution of the seven questions.

Haitim and the Prince Munir rested for the night in the palace of Husn Banu, and next day waited upon her for the purpose of taking leave.

·

Haitim requested to know her second question, which she told him, as follows:-"I have heard," said Husn Banu, "that a certain person has written above his door, Do good and cast it upon the waters.' What means this motto, and where lives the writer of it? Having investigated this mystery, return and tell me the result; that is, the good that he has done, and cast upon the waters."

Haitim then took leave of Husn Banu, and having soothed the anxiety of the Prince Munir, departed on his second adventure.

CHAPTER II.

Hailim's Journey in quest of the Man of the Motto-His arrival at the famous mountain of Kaf-His finding the Motto written on the gate of the merchant Harith's house-The Explanation-His return to Shahabad and safe arrival there.

WHEN Haitim was taking leave of Husn Banu, he asked her, "Pray, can you tell me in what country the man dwells ?" "I have not the least idea," said the lady. The nurse however replied, "He resides in the city of Maâdin, which lies in a northerly direction, but I know nothing of the locality of that city."

Haitim, without further delay, set out from Shahabad, and proceeded towards the north. After travelling several days he approached the borders of a desert; it was then drawing towards evening, and Haitim halted beneath a tree, and begun to look around him on all sides.

Suddenly a voice that betokened the deepest sorrow reached his ear; his heart glowed with pity, and he said to himself, "Oh, Haitim! dost thou think it right that a fellow creature overwhelmed with distress should be thus left to sigh and lament, without thy inquiring into the cause of his sorrows?"

Haitim arose, and followed the direction of the voice which he had heard. He discovered a young man stretched upon the ground, with his cheeks pale and bedewed with tears, who sighed and lamented bitterly as he uttered the following couplet :"Whither can I go, whom can I consult? Oh, tell me what cure to apply, for the arrow of love has pierced my inmost soul." Haitim addressed the youth, saying, "Friend, what calamity has befallen you so as to cause you to sigh and weep in this manner ?" "Brother," said the youth, "why should I relate the tale of my woe? My telling it can bring no relief, and my repeating it will increase my anguish."

Then Haitim most kindly said to him, "At least let me know where lies the difficulty."

The young man thus proceeded with his story: "I am a merchant, and I sometimes visit a spacious city distant from hence about sixteen miles. In that city lives a merchant by name Harith, who has a daughter of surpassing beauty. One day I went to the city on business, and happened to pass by Harith's dwelling. His daughter was at that moment looking out of a window, and my eyes were attracted towards her. The instant I beheld this beauty, my heart rebelled beyond control, and reason abandoned my mind; in a word, I was taken captive in the fetters of love.

"I inquired of some of the people in the city, 'Pray, sirs, whose house is this?' 'It is,' said they, 'the residence of Harith's daughter.'

"I asked them further, 'Can you tell me whether the lady be married or not?' They replied, Truly, sir, she is unmarried as yet; her father has three questions, and has resolved to bestow his daughter on that man only who can answer them.'

"My uneasiness was so great that I straightway went to Harith's gate, and sent him a message announcing my desire.

"Harith replied, I have no control over my daughter in this matter, she is left to choose for herself; she has three questions to propose, and she will accept as her husband the man who can answer them to her satisfaction.'

"I then proceeded to the door of the apartment of Harith's daughter, and by message announced my attendance. The lady invited me to enter, and having caused me to be seated in an elegant chamber, she sent ine word to this effect: First you must sign an agreement with me, and then I will converse with you.'

"To this I replied, that I was ready to obey whatever she should command.'

666

My second question is as follows:-On a certain night of the week a voice is heard in the wilderness of some one who exclaims, 'I have done nothing which can benefit me this night.' Bring me an account of this person, and tell me why he repeats such an exclamation.

"My third question :-There is a peri, by name, Mah-pari, who has in her possession the precious stone called the Shahmuhra; find out this peri's abode, and procure me the jewel.'

"When she had finished her commands, I returned to my house and conveyed to her the whole of my wealth and property, of which she is now in possession. I then left the city, and made my way into this desert. Here I wander involved in calamities; on the one hand, I have parted with all my substance, and have deprived myself of a home; and on the other, the arrow of love still pierces my heart."

Haitim, on hearing the young man's history, said to him, "Let your mind be easy as to this affair; only conduct me to that city, and I will endeavour to put you in possession of your mistress, and restore to you your lost property."

The youth said, "In my present position my wealth would be useless; only let me gain my mistress, for without her my life will be unendurable."

Haitim took the youth by the hand, and both set out for the city. When they arrived, they rested a little at a caravanserai; there Haitim left his companion, and, proceeding to the gate of Harith's daughter, he addressed the porter, saying, "Tell your mistress that I wish to speak with her on matrimonial affairs."

The attendants immediately conveyed the intelligence to their mistress, that a youth had arrived at the gate who wished to converse with her.

The lady, on hearing this, put on her veil, and gave orders that Haitim should be admitted.

She then stated to him the three questions above mentioned, concerning which Haitim replied, "If your father will enter into a written agreement with me, I will solve your questions. The terms are as follow:-When I shall have brought satisfactory answers to your questions, you must submit to be bestowed by me on whomsoever I please, and the choice of your disposal shall be left entirely with me."

"When you have answered my questions," said the lady, "I shall be yours, and then you may dispose of me as you think proper."

Enough," ," said Haitim; "now send for your father." The father accordingly came, and Haitim received from him a written agreement to the effect already stated.

The daughter, addressing Haitim, said, "If you should prove unsuccessful in the solution of any of the above queries, what will be the consequence ?"

66

Wealth," said Haitim, "I have none, but my head is at your disposal."

On hearing this, the lady was satisfied, and, at Haitim's request, thus stated her first question:-" In the vicinity of this city is a cave, well known to all the inhabitants; bring me a true description of it, and inform me of its innermost secrets."

Haitim took leave of the lady, and taking with him some of her people as guides, he set out from the city, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave; he then said to the guides, "Now, will you return to the city, or remain here till I come out ?"

They answered him-" We are ordered not to quit this spot till you come out, so here we shall remain; meanwhile, one of us shall return to the city, in order to procure food."

Haitim marched boldly into the cave, and began to explore its secrets. For several days he continued to advance, till at last he saw a glimmering light. He then supposed that he had reached the extremity of the cave, and bethought himself that he ought to return. But, on further consideration, he said, in his own mind, "If people ask of me aught concerning the mysteries of its interior, what answer can I give ?" He therefore issued from the extremity of the cave, and continued to advance.

Before him lay a boundless desert, through which flowed rivulets of water. Haitim had brought with him from the city two bags full of almond kernels, and a flask of water. Of these he ate a few every day, and after expressing his thanks to the Creator, he pursued his route, and when his water-flask was emptied, he supplied himself from the streams that flowed through the desert.

After journeying for several days, Haitim beheld a lofty and extensive wall or rampart, and, after examining it all round, he discovered that there was a town contained within it.

He entered within the walls, and, as he advanced towards the town, he perceived signs of its being inhabited; and when he approached still nearer, he saw that the denizens were Deevs.

The moment that Haitim was perceived by the Deevs they rushed upon him, male and female, and having surrounded him, they seized him with the intention of tearing him to pieces, and devouring him.

One of the Deevs interfered, saying, "This is one of Adam's race, and his flesh is a most delicious morsel; if you appropriate him to your own use, and our king should know of it, he will certainly destroy every one of you. You must not, therefore, touch a hair of his head without the king's permission."

The Deevs, in their turn, asked, "Who is he that will carry the information to the king?"

The other replied, "There are many enemies among us; therefore, listen to my advice, and lay not a finger on this man The Deevs accordingly left Haitim and retired to their haunts. Haitim then proceeded onward through the city, and was very soon surrounded and laid hold of by other Deevs.

Here his case was truly desperate, for they were ready to devour him. Again, however, one of them interfered, and thus addressed them :- The deed you are about to do will be fatal to you. You must so proceed in this affair that the earthly man be conveyed to the King. His Majesty's daughter is sick, and he himself is afflicted with an inward pain, from which he never enjoys a moment's respite. Thousands of the human race have been procured, and are now kept in confinement by our monarch, but as yet he has found no remedy; yet his Majesty is convinced that he is to be cured by one of the sons of Adam. If, in short, the King should hear that such a man has arrived, and been devoured by you, he would have both you, and your wives, and your children put to death. On the other hand, if this man should be the means of restoring his Majesty's health, what would be more gratifying? And if otherwise, why then, this man will be kept in confinement along with the rest of his species."

To this another of the Deevs replied, "We lately conveyed such a being as this to his Majesty, but no cure

resulted, so we had nothing but reproaches for our trouble. Why should we concern ourselves with this man? Now he has once entered our country he cannot escape, and it is best to let him make his way to the King of his own accord, and I shall watch him in order that no one may assail him.”

Haitim listened to this conversation of the Deevs, and said, in his own mind, "Now, I wonder what can be the nature of their monarch's disease? I must inquire into his case, as well as that of his daughter."

Having made this resolution, he departed from the town. Shortly after he beheld, at a distance, another town, and, as he approached it, the Deev inhabitants seized him, and carried him before their Chief.

Now, it happened that the wife of the Chief had a violent pain in her eyes, from which water continuously flowed.

When the Deevs entered with Haitim the Chief raised his head, which was bowed in grief for his wife, and thus addressed them: Why have you brought hither this man? Release him, and let him go whither he pleaseth."

Haitim's heart was moved with pity on beholding the anguish of the Chief, and he said to himself, "I must inquire into the cause of his affliction." He approached, and said, "Most worthy Chief, what grieves thee, and why sittest thou thus melancholy?"

"Son of man," replied the Deev, "what avails my telling thee? My wife is tormented with a pain in her eyes without any interval of relief."

"If," said Haitim, "thou wilt conduct me to her presence I will cure her of the pain."

The Deev rose up, and, seizing Haitim by the hand, led him forthwith into his wife's apartments. Haitim was struck with admiration as he viewed the splendid couches that lined the spacious galleries, and a gorgeous throne, with piles of cushions, on which reclined the wife of the Chief.

As they approached her the Deev said to Haitim, "Behold in what a sea of affliction she is involved!"

"Of that," said Haitim, "I will completely cure her, if thou wilt promise to conduct me to the King of the Deevs."

The Chief promised, and said, "Nothing can be more agreeable to me than to conduct thee before his Majesty, for it will afford me an opportunity of paying him my respects; and, besides, he is desirous to have some one of thy race who may cure him of his disease."

Haitim had brought with him the pearl which his wife had given him at parting, with strict injunctions to preserve it, telling him, at the same time, "This is a token of my affection, and is possessed of many virtues." He now drew forth this pearl, and, having immersed it in pure water, he applied the latter to the eyes of the Chief's wife.

The instant this remedy was applied her pain was removed, and the swelling of her eyes diminished. For some time previous she had been quite blind, but she now opened her eyes, and after two or three applications of this remedy she experienced a complete cure. When the Chief of the Deevs saw that his wife was cured he treated Haitim with the utmost kindness, and entertained him most hospitably at his house for some time, and then conducted him into the presence of the King, whose name was Farokash.

On being honoured with an audience from his King, the Deev Chief made a low obeisance, and thus explained his errand :"Sire, one of the human race is come into my possession; he is the most learned man of the day, and the most skilful of physicians, possessed of a most benevolent heart. My wife was so afflicted with a pain in her eyes that her life was a burden to her, and in one day he completely cured her."

When Farokash, the monarch of the Deevs, heard this intelligence his heart rejoiced, and he gave orders to the Chief to produce this learned man with all speed.

Thereupon Haitim was presented to the King, who treated him with great courtesy, and made him sit beside him.

His Majesty then described his case, saying, "For some time I have been afflicted with a pain in my stomach, and amongst my own subjects no one has been successful in curing me. I have also had recourse to many of the human race, but none of them have, as yet, afforded me the least relief."

Haitim said to the King, "Pray tell me, Sire, are there many of your servants usually in attendance when you take your food ?" His Majesty replied that every one of his servants usually stood in his presence at such times.

Haitim then requested that he should be allowed to be present when next his Majesty dined, which request was readily granted. The hour for eating having arrived, the table was laid out, and food placed upon it.

When his Majesty was about to commence eating, Haitim requested him to desist for a little, and taking a joint of meat he held it up so

that every eye in the house might observe it. He then ordered them to lay it aside under cover for about the space of an hour, after which he caused the cover to be removed, and lo! all the meat on the joint had in that short time become worms. Farokash was an observer of this wonderful occurrence, and remarked to Haitim, "Most learned sir, this is wondrous strange." "This, Sire," said Haitim, "accounts for the pain you suffer, and the cause of it is that an envious eye has fallen upon the meat. Henceforth it will be necessary that you eat in private, and that all your attendants be previously satisfied with food; then your Majesty may eat to advantage, for the consequence will be a complete cure, and the pain will be removed."

The King was highly pleased with Haitim's advice, which he forthwith put in practice, and in a short time his pain entirely left him, and he enjoyed perfect health. He gratefully clasped Haitim to his bosom, and placed him upon a throne similar to his own.

Haitim, thus honoured, ventured to petition the King of the Deevs as follows:-"Sire, you are now restored to health; may I beg that you will liberate such of my fellow-creatures as are now your prisoners, in order that they may return to their own country.'

His Majesty ordered that all the sons of Adam then in his possession should be ushered into his presence, which was no sooner said than done. He bestowed on each of them' a splendid dress, entertained them hospitably, and, having furnished them with necessaries for their journey, dismissed them.

The King then addressed Haitim, saying, "Learned sir, I have a favour to ask of you, if it be not too much trouble for you to grant it."

"It will afford me a sincere pleasure," said Haitim, "to comply with your demands."

"I have a daughter," rejoined the King, who has been sick for some time, and my wish is that you will for an instant visit her." To this Haitim readily assented, and the King, taking him by the hand, conducted him into the more private apartments of the house, and gave orders that his daughter should attend.

As the daughter of Farokash entered, Haitim viewed her face, which had become pale and sallow. He gave orders for some water and sugar to be brought in; these he mixed together so as to form a pleasant draught; he then dropped into it the charmed pearl and handed the goblet to the king's daughter to drink from. In a short time she experienced great relief, and when night came she enjoyed a most profound sleep.

At length her father, somewhat alarmed, said to Haitim, "pray tell me, most learned man, what means this long sleep?"

Haitim replied, "Sire, rest you content; if this sleep had not ensued we should have had cause to fear."

For the space of three days Haitim continued to administer this draught to his patient, after which period she was allowed to partake of a small portion of light food; and in the course of ten or fifteen days she was restored to perfect health, and her countenance assumed its natural appearance.

Haitim then addressed Farokash, saying, "Your daughter is completely cured, so I hope you will allow me to depart, in order that I may attend to my own affairs."

Farokash brought for Haitim's acceptance such a mine of wealth, both in pure gold and in valuable jewels, as to be altogether beyond calculation.

His Majesty at the same time apologised to Haitim for making him such an offer, saying, "This dross is indeed unfit to be presented to you, but it will suit your servants and attendants; I therefor hope you will accept it as a mark of my regard."

Hereupon Haitim observed, "I am alone; how then shall I be able to carry it ?"

On hearing this, the King gave orders to his Deev subjects, saying! "Let all this wealth be carefully packed up, and do you accompany this worthy man, in order to carry it to whatsoever place he may desire you."

Haitim took leave of the King, and taking with him the whole of the jewels and gold, he departed under the guidance of the Deevs. (To be continued.)

THE GRASSHOPPER. HAPPY songster, perched above, On the summit of the grove, Whom a dew-drop cheers to sing With the freedom of a king; Thee it satisfies to sing Sweetly the return of Spring, Herald of the genial hours, Harming neither herbs nor flowers,

い

MAY CAROL.

Ur, up, let us greet The season so sweet, For winter is gone;

And the flowers are springing,

And little birds singing,
Their soft notes ringing,

And bright is the sun!
Where all was drest
In a snowy vest,
There grass is growing
With dew drops glowing,
And flowers are seen
On beds so green.

All down in the grove,
Around, above,

Sweet music floats;
As now loudly vying,
Now softly sighing,
The nightingale's plying
Her tuneful notes;
And joyous at Spring
Her companions sing.
Up, maiden, repair

To the meadows so fair,

And dance we away
This merry May!

HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX.* (16-)

I SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris, and he;

I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three;"

"Good speed!" cried the watch, as the gate-bolts undrew;

Speed !" echoed the wall to us galloping through;

Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest,

And into the midnight we galloped abreast.

Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace
Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place;
I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight,
Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right,
Rebuckled the check-strap, chained slacker the bit,
Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit.

'Twas moonset at starting; but while we drew near
Loekern, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear;
At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see;
At Düffeld, 'twas morning as plain as could be;

And from Mecheln church-steeple we heard the half-chime,
So Joris broke silence with, "Yet there is time!"

At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun,

And against him the cattle stood black every one,
To stare thro' the mist at us galloping past,
And I saw my stout galloper Roland at last.
With resolute shoulders, each butting away
The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray.

* Reprinted from "Poems by Robert Browning," with the Author's permission.

And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back
For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track;
And one eye's black intelligence,-ever that glance
O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance !
And the thick, heavy spume-flakes, which are and anon
His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on.

By Hasselt, Dirck groaned; and cried Joris, "Stay spur!
"Your Ross galloped bravely, the fault's not in her,
"We'll remember at Aix"-for one heard the quick wheeze
Of her chest, saw the stretched neck and staggering knees,
And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank,

As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank.

So we were left galloping, Joris and I.

Past Looz and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky;
The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh.

'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff;
Till over by Dalhem a dome-spire sprang white,
And "Gallop," gasped Joris, "for Aix is in sight!"
"How they'll greet us!"-and all in a moment his roan
Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone;
And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight
Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate,
With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim,
And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim.
Then I cast loose my buff-coat, each holster let fall,
Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all;
Stood up in the stirrup, leaned, patted his ear,

Called my Roland his pet-name, my horse without peer;
Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad or good,
Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood.

And all I remember is, friends flocking round

As I sate with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground,

And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine,

As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine,

Which (the burgesses voted by common consent)

Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent.

ON a calm, clear summer's evening a mother was sitting in her bedroom by the side of her sweet baby's cradle, lulling him to sleep with a song:

Then little Adelaide came in from the garden, with beaming eyes. "Oh, dear mother!" she exclaimed, "come: there is something very beautiful to see."

"Well, what is it?" asked her mother.

"Oh! something very beautiful, indeed," replied the little girl, "but you must come and see for yourself."

"I should like very much to do so," answered her mother, kindly, "but I cannot leave your little brother."

Then the little maiden said, coaxingly, "Dear mother, take my little brother with you, that he may see it too, and rejoice at it."

And the mother thought of the simplicity of childhood, which loves not to enjoy anything alone, but would share all with others. "Oh," said she to herself, "thy soul is yet nigh to the kingdom of heaven; how can I refuse any longer?" Then she arose and looked into the cradle; the little boy slept calmly and soundly. Then she took the hand of her joyful daughter, and said, "I wonder what beautiful things you are going to show me."

When they came into the garden the little girl pointed to the sky and exclaimed, "Now look, dear mother, there are the little lambs of heaven-a whole flock; are they not dear and lovely ?" They were delicate fleecy clouds, scattered over the blue sky "The beauteous semblance of a flock at rest;"

and they gleamed white and clear in the rays of the setting sun. The mother of the child lifted up her eyes and gazed on the clouds with chastened delight, for she remembered how childish innocence invests terrestrial things with celestial beauty, and knows not of the gulf which separates heaven and earth. Thus Adelaide saw the lambs of earth in the clouds of heaven.

"Oh, blessed art thou," thought the mother, and pressed the little girl to her bosom.

REPARTEE OF A YOUNG PRINCE.-Hunting one day with his tutor, and complaining of being cold, he said, "Give me my cloak." "My prince," replied the tutor, "persons of your rank must not express themselves in the first person, like interior people, but in the plural; for this reason you should have said 'Give us our cloak.' Some time after the prince had a violent tooth-ache, and cried out, "O, our teeth, our teeth!" "Mine don't ache," said the tutor. So, then. I perceive," returned the prince, "the cloak is for us both, but the pain for me alone."

66

TO THE ВАТ.

LITTLE bat, whose airy flight
Fills the evening with delight,
Flit, and flirt, and frisk along,
Subject of my youthful song.
When in dappled twilight grey,
Through the sombre grove I stray,
Whilst fair Philomela's throat
Warbles forth its varied note,
'Thwart my dusky footsteps fly,
Adding dance to minstrelsy.
Now along the glittering stream,
Now beneath pale Cynthia's beam,
Now amid the vista's shade,
Thou thy giddy circles lead;
Joyous elf! thy fairy play
Glads the gloom of parting day.

THE STORY WITHOUT AN END.

II.

BUT the Child had only sunk into a dream of delight, wishing he were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more and more, listening for ever. But at last, as all was still, he opened his eyes and looked around for his dear guest, but she had flown far away; and he could not bear to sit there any longer alone, so he arose and went to the gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled so merrily, and tumbled wildly along as it hastened to throw itself head-over-heels into the river, just as if the great massive rock out of which it sprung were close behind it, and could only be escaped by a break-neck leap.

Then the Child began to talk to the little ripples, and asked them whence they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced away, one over another; till at last, that the sweet Child might not be grieved, a drop of water stopped behind a piece of rock. From her the Child heard strange histories, but he could not understand them all, for she told him about her former life, and about the depths of the mountain. "A long while ago," said the drop of water, "I lived with my countless sisters in the great ocean, in peace and unity. We had all sorts of pastimes; sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the stars; then we sank plump down a deep billow, and watched how the coral-builders worked till they are weary, that they may reach the light of day at last. But I was conceited, and though myself much better than my sisters. And so one day when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one of his hot beams, and thought that now I should reach the stars, and become one of them. But I had not ascended far, when the sunbeam shook me off, and in spite of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought I must surely die; but the whole cloud laid itself down softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I escaped with my fright and a black eye. Now I thought I should remain hidden, when, all on a sudden, I slipped over a round pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into the depths of the mountain, till at last it was pitch dark, and I could neither see nor hear anything. Then I found, indeed, that pride goeth before a fall,' resigned myself to my fate, and, as I had already laid aside all my foolish pride in the cloud, my portion was now the salt of humility; and after undergoing many purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once more into the free cheerful air; and now I will run back to my sisters, and there wait patiently till I am called to do something better."

But hardly had she done speaking, when a root of a forget-menot caught the drop of water by her hair and sucked her in, that she might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star on the green garment of earth.

THE BEAUTIFUL HERD-GIRL.

A SWEDISH LEGEND.

THERE was once a king who had an only daughter. She was so fair and good, that she was beloved by all who saw her. The queen, his wife, had also an only daughter; but she was ugly to look upon, and of evil disposition, so that no one could speak well of her. For this the queen bore her step-daughter a bitter grudge, which became more manifest on the death of the king, when she put her to all kinds of coarse labour. But the poor damsel never complained, and was always patient and submissive.

It happened one day that the queen sent her step-daughter up into the granary to watch the corn. While she was sitting and watching, the little birds of heaven came twittering round the heap of corn, as though they wished to have a few grains. The king's daughter felt compassion for the little creatures, and threw a few grains to them from the heap, saying: "My poor little birds! as you are so hungry, here is a little corn; peck it now, quickly, and eat your fill."

When the sparrows had eaten, they flew away, perched on the roof, and consulted together how they should reward the damsel for her kindness. One bird said: "My gift is, that wherever she treads the ground red roses shall spring up.' The second said: "I will give, that she shall become fairer and fairer every day of her life." "And I," added the third, "will give, that every time she laughs, a gold ring shall fall from her mouth." Having said this, they flew away; but all came to pass as the birds had said, and from that day the king's daughter became more lovely than before, so that a more beautiful damsel could not be found, even if search were made in seven kingdoms.

When the queen was informed of all this, she became still more envious than before, and meditated with herself how her own daughter could become as fair as her step-sister. With this view, she sent the princess in like manner to watch the corn up in the granary. The damsel went, but in great anger, because so mean an employment had been assigned her. When she had watched a little while the birds of the air came twittering round the heap of corn, as if they wished to have a few grains.

Seeing this, the damsel became angry, and snatching up a broom, What do ye she drove away the little birds, saying in her passion: want here, ye ugly creatures? Can ye not understand that a young lady of rank, such as I am, is not to soil her hands by giving food to the like of you?" The sparrows then flew away, perched on the roof, and consulted together how they should recompense the princess for her harsh words. One of them said: "My gift is, that she grow uglier and uglier every day of her life." The second said: "I will give, that every time she treads on the ground, there shall thistles and thorns spring up." 66 And I," added the third, "will give, that every time she laughs, toads and frogs spring out of her mouth." to pass as the sparrows had said, and from that day the queen's Having thus spoken, they flew their several ways; but all came daughter became uglier and uglier, and more odious in disposition than she had ever been before.

endure to see the king's fair daughter before their eyes, and thereThe stepmother and her wicked daughter could now no longer fore sent her to tend cattle in the forest. Thus the poor damsel had to wander about like other herd-girls, while the wicked princess remained with her mother in the royal palace, and rejoiced in her false heart to think that no prince could get sight of the king's fair daughter or hear of her beauty.

It happened one day that the beautiful herd-girl was sitting in the forest knitting a glove, while her cattle were grazing, when some young men came riding by. On seeing the maiden as she sat working so industriously, they were smitten with her beauty. Courteously greeting her, they asked :-" Why do you sit here, fair maiden, and knit so diligently?" The king's daughter answered :"I am knitting a glove :

I expect to wed the king's son of Denmark." At these words the young men were surprised, and prayed the damsel to accompany them to the king's court. But the maiden would not listen to their entreaties, and gave them rings of red gold that they might leave her in peace.

On their return they were never weary of telling of the fair herdgirl, whom they had met in the forest, and thus there was much talk about her throughout the palace, both about her beauty and riches.

When the king's young son heard all this, he was seized with a