he petals of the Burning Rose as it lay upon the
heart of Melilot, drew out honey from its centre, filling his hand
with the golden crumblings of fragrance; and he leapt upon the
Galloping Plough, urging it in the way the Princess's nurse had
pointed out to him. As they went he caressed it with all the names
under heaven, stroking it with his hand and praising it for the
delicacy of its steering: saying, 'O my moonbeam, if thou wouldst save
the life of thy master, or restore the five senses of the Princess
Melilot, thou must surpass thyself to-day. Listen, thou heaven-sent
limb, thou miracle of quicksilver, and have a long mind to my words;
for in a short while I shall have no speech left in me till the
thing be done, and the deliverance, from head to feet, of my Beloved
accomplished.'

Even while he spoke they came to the edge of the Bitter Lake--a small
pool, but its waters were blacker than night, and heavier than lead to
the eye. Then Noodle leapt down from the Plough, and caressed it for
the last time, saying: 'Set thy face for the garden where the Princess
Melilot is; and when I am come back to thee speechless out of the Lake
and am striding thee once more, then wait not for a word but carry me
to her with more speed than thou hast ever mustered to my aid till
now; go faster than wind or lightning or than the eye of man can see!
So, by good fortune, I may live till I reach her lips; but if thou
tarry at all I am a dead man. And when thou art come to Melilot set
thy share beneath the roots of her feet, and take her up to me out of
the ground. Do this tenderly, but abate not speed till it be done!'

Then the youth put into his mouth the honey of the Burning Rose, and
into his lips the Sweetener, and stripped himself as a bather to the
pool. And the Plough, remembering its master's word, turned and set
its face to where lay the garden with Melilot waiting to be relieved
of her enchantment. Whereat Noodle, bowing his head, and blessing it
with lips of farewell, turned shortly and slid down into the blackness
of the lake.

The weight of that water was like a vice upon his limbs, and around
his throat, as he swam out into the centre of the pool. As he went he
breathed upon the water, and the scent of the honey of the Burning
Rose passing through the Sweetener made an incomparable fragrance,
gentle, and subtle, and wooing to the senses.

When he came to the middle of the lake he stayed breathing full
breaths, till t