er than their
dreaming sires, are gathering round the dell and vale where thy co-mates
linger: a few years, and where will be the green solitudes of England?"

The queen sighed, and the prince, perceiving that he was listened to,
continued,--

"Who, in thy native shores, among the children of men, now claims the
fairy's care? What cradle wouldst thou tend? On what maid wouldst thou
shower thy rosy gifts? What barb wouldst thou haunt in his dreams? Poesy
is fled the island, why shouldst thou linger behind? Time hath brought
dull customs, that laugh at thy gentle being. Puck is buried in the
harebell, he hath left no offspring, and none mourn for his loss; for
night, which is the fairy season, is busy and garish as the day. What
hearth is desolate after the curfew? What house bathed in stillness
at the hour in which thy revels commence? Thine empire among men hath
passed from thee, and thy race are vanishing from the crowded soil; for,
despite our diviner nature, our existence is linked with man's. Their
neglect is our disease, their forgetfulness our death. Leave then those
dull, yet troubled scenes, that are closing round the fairy rings of thy
native isle. These mountains, this herbage, these gliding waves, these
mouldering ruins, these starred rivulets, be they, O beautiful fairy!
thy new domain. Yet in these lands our worship lingers; still can we
fill the thought of the young bard, and mingle with his yearnings
after the Beautiful, the Unseen. Hither come the pilgrims of the world,
anxious only to gather from these scenes the legends of Us; ages will
pass away ere the Rhine shall be desecrated of our haunting presence.
Come then, my queen, let this palace be thine own, and the moon that
glances over the shattered towers of the Dragon Rock witness our
nuptials and our vows!"

In such words the fairy prince courted the young queen, and while she
sighed at their truth she yielded to their charm. Oh, still may there be
one spot on the earth where the fairy feet may press the legendary soil!
still be there one land where the faith of The Bright Invisible hallows
and inspires! Still glide thou, O majestic and solemn Rhine, among
shades and valleys, from which the wisdom of belief can call the
creations of the younger world!

CHAPTER XI. WHEREIN THE READER IS MADE SPECTATOR WITH THE ENGLISH
FAIRIES OF THE SCENES AND BEINGS THAT ARE BENEATH THE EARTH.

DURING the heat of next day's noon, Fayzenheim took the English