ng channel. For, instead of rock or shingle or
sand, it flowed over grass in which grew primroses and daisies, crocuses
and narcissi, pimpernels and anemones, a starry multitude, large and
bright through the brilliant water. The river had gathered no turbid
cloudiness from the rain, not even a tinge of yellow or brown; the
delicate mass shone with the pale berylline gleam that ascended from its
deep, dainty bed.

Drawing nearer to the mountain, we saw that the river came from its very
peak, and rushed in full volume through the main street of the city.
It descended to the gate by a stair of deep and wide steps, mingled of
porphyry and serpentine, which continued to the foot of the mountain.
There arriving we found shallower steps on both banks, leading up to
the gate, and along the ascending street. Without the briefest halt, the
Little Ones ran straight up the stair to the gate, which stood open.

Outside, on the landing, sat the portress, a woman-angel of dark visage,
leaning her shadowed brow on her idle hand. The children rushed upon
her, covering her with caresses, and ere she understood, they had taken
heaven by surprise, and were already in the city, still mounting the
stair by the side of the descending torrent. A great angel, attended
by a company of shining ones, came down to meet and receive them, but
merrily evading them all, up still they ran. In merry dance, however,
a group of woman-angels descended upon them, and in a moment they were
fettered in heavenly arms. The radiants carried them away, and I saw
them no more.

"Ah!" said the mighty angel, continuing his descent to meet us who were
now almost at the gate and within hearing of his words, "this is well!
these are soldiers to take heaven itself by storm!--I hear of a horde of
black bats on the frontiers: these will make short work with such!"

Seeing the horse and the elephants clambering up behind us--

"Take those animals to the royal stables," he added; "there tend them;
then turn them into the king's forest."

"Welcome home!" he said to us, bending low with the sweetest smile.

Immediately he turned and led the way higher. The scales of his armour
flashed like flakes of lightning.

Thought cannot form itself to tell what I felt, thus received by the
officers of heaven***. All I wanted and knew not, must be on its way to
me!

We stood for a moment at the gate whence issued roaring the radiant
river. I know not whence came the stones that