the metal into it, and steered back to his cottage. Now, in this chasm, lay the fair green Snake, who was roused from her sleep by the gold coming chinking down. No sooner did she fix her eye on the glittering coins, than she ate them all up, with the greatest relish, on the spot; and carefully picked out such pieces as were scattered in the chinks of the rock. Scarcely had she swallowed them, when, with extreme delight, she began to feel the metal melting in her inwards, and spreading all over her body; and soon, to her lively joy, she observed that she was grown transparent and luminous. Long ago she had been told that this was possible; but now being doubtful whether such a light could last, her curiosity and the desire to be secure against the future, drove her from her cell, that she might see who it was that had shaken in this precious metal. She found no one. The more delightful was it to admire her own appearance, and her graceful brightness, as she crawled along through roots and bushes, and spread out her light among the grass. Every leaf seemed of emerald, every flower was dyed with new glory. It was in vain that she crossed the solitary thickets; but her hopes rose high, when, on reaching the open country, she perceived from afar a brilliancy resembling her own. "Shall I find my like at last, then?" cried she, and hastened to the spot. The toil of crawling through bog and reeds gave her little thought; for though she liked best to live in dry grassy spots of the mountains, among the clefts of rocks, and for most part fed on spicy herbs, and slaked her thirst with mild dew and fresh spring water, yet for the sake of this dear gold, and in the hope of this glorious light, she would have undertaken any thing you could propose to her. At last, with much fatigue, she reached a wet rushy spot in the swamp, where our two Willo'-wisps were frisking to and fro. She shoved herself along to them; saluted them, was happy to meet such pleasant gentlemen related to her family. The Lights glided towards her, skipped up over her, and laughed in their fashion. "Lady Cousin," said they, "you are of the horizontal line, yet what of that? It is true we are related only by the look; for observe you," here both the Flames, compressing their whole breadth, made themselves as high and peaked as possible, "how prettily this taper length beseems us gentlemen of the vertical line! Take it not amiss of us, good Lady; what family can boast of such a thing? Since there ever was a Jack-o'-lanthorn in the world, no one of them has either sat or lain." The Snake felt exceedingly uncomfortable in the company of these relations; for let her hold her head as high as possible, she found that she must bend it to the earth again, would she stir from the spot; and if in the dark THOUGHT, Understanding, roused from her long sleep by the first produce of modern Belles Lettres; which she eagerly devours.-D. T. +True enough: Thought cannot fly and dance, as your wildfire of Belles Lettres may; she proceeds in the systole-diastole, up-and-down method; and must ever bend her head to the earth again," (in the way of Baconian Experiment,) or she will not stir from the spot. D. T. ་ thicket she had been extremely satisfied with her appearance, her splendour in the presence of these cousins seemed to lesson every moment, nay she was afraid that at last it would go out entirely. In this embarrassment she hastily asked: if the gentlemen could not inform her, whence the glittering gold came, that had fallen a short while ago into the cleft of the rock; her own opinion was, that it had been a golden shower, and had trickled down direct from the sky. The Will-o'-wisps laughed, and shook themselves, and a multitude of gold-pieces came clinking down about them. The snake pushed nimbly forward to eat the coin. “Much good may it do you, Mistress," said the dapper gentlemen: "we can help you to a little more." They shook themselves again several times with great quickness, so that the Snake could scarcely gulp the precious victuals fast enough. Her splendour visibly began increasing; she was really shining beautifully, while the Lights had in the mean time grown rather lean and short of stature, without however in the smallest losing their good-humour. "I am obliged to you for ever," said the Snake, having got her wind again after the repast; "ask of me what you will; all that I can I will do." "Then tell "Very good!" cried the Lights. us where the fair Lily dwells? Lead us to the fair Lily's palace and garden; and do not lose a moment, we are dy ng of impatience to fall down at her feet." "This service," said the Snake with a deep sigh, "I cannot nov do for you. The fair Lily dwells, alas, on the other side of the water.""Other side of the water? And we have come across it, this stormy night! How cruel is the River to divide us! Would it not be possible to call the old man back?" "It would be rseless," said the Snake; "for if you found him ready on the bank, he would not take you in; he can carry any one to this side, none to yonder." "Here is a pretty kettle of fish!" cried the Lights: "are there no other means of getting through the water?"-"There are other means, but not at this moment. I myself could take you over, gentemen, but not till noon."-" That is an hour we do not like to travel in."—" Then you may go across in the evening, on the great Giant's shadow."-"How is that?"-"The great Giant lives not far from this; with his body he has no power; his hands cannot lift a straw, his shoulders could not bear a fagot of twigs; but with his shadow he has power over much, nay all. At sunrise and sunset therefore he is strongest; so at evening you merely put yourself upon the back of his shadow, the Giant walks softly to the bank, and the shadow carries you across the water. But if you please, about the hour of noon, to be in waiting at that corner of the wood, where the bushes overhang the bank, I myself will take you over and present you to the fair Lily: or on the other hand, if you dislike the noontide, you have just to go at nightfall to that bend of the rocks, and pay a visit to * Is not SUPERSTITION Strongest when the sun is low 1 with body, powerless; with shadow, omnipotent D. T. the Giant; he will certainly receive you like | about to speak, when a vein which ran dimlya gentleman." With a slight bow, the flames went off; and the Snake at bottom was not discontented to get rid of them; partly that she might enjoy the brightness of her own light, partly satisfy a curiosity with which, for a long time, she had been agitated in a singular way. In the chasm, where she often crawled hither and thither, she had made a strange discovery. For although it creeping up and down this abyss, she had never had a ray of light, she could well enough discriminate the objects in it, by her sense of touch. Generally she met with nothing bt irregular productions of nature; at one the she would wind between the teeth of large ystals, at another she would feel the barbs ar hairs of native silver, and now and then cay out with her to the light some stragging jeels. But to her no small wonder, in a rock hich was closed on every side, she had comon certain objects which betrayed the shapi hand of man: smooth walls on which she could not climb, sharp regular corners, welformed pillars; and what seemed strangest of 11, human figures which she had entwined moe than once, and which appeared to her to be f brass, or of the finest polished marble. All these experiences she now wished to combine by the sense of sight, thereby to confirm what is yet she only guessed. She believed she could illuminate the whole of that subterranean vault by her own light; and hoped to get acquainted with these curious things at once. She hastened back; and soon found, by the usual way, the cleft by which she used to penetrate the Sanc uary. On reaching the place, she gazed around with eager curiosity; and though her shining could not enlighten every object in the rotunda, yet those nearest her were plan enough. With astonishment and reverence she looked up into a glancing niche, where the image of an august King stood formed of pure Gold. In size the figure was beyond the stature of man, but by its shape it seemed the likeness of a little rather than a tall person. His handsome body was encircled with an unadorned mantle; and a garland of oak bound his hair together. No sooner had the Snake beheld this reverend figure, than the King began to speak, and asked: "Whence comest thou?"-"From the chasms where the gold dwells," said the Snake." What is grander than gold?" inquired the King. "Light," replied the Snake. "What is more refreshing than light?" said he."Speech," answered she. During this conversation she had squinted to a side, and in the nearest niche perceived another glorious image. It was a Silver King in a sitting posture; his shape was long and rather linguid; he was covered with a decorated robe; crown, girdle, and sceptre were adorned with precious stones: the cheerfulness of pride was in his countenance; he seemed Primitive employments, and attainments, of Thought, in this dark den whither it is sent to dwell. For many long ages, it discerns "nothing but irre zular productions of Nature;" having indeed to pick material hed and board out of Nature and her irregular productions.- T. coloured over the marble wall, on a sudden became bright, and diffused a cheerful light throughout the whole Temple. By this bril liancy the Snake perceived a third King, made of Brass, and sitting mighty in shape, leaning on his club, adorned with a laurel garland, and more like a rock than a man. She was looking for the fourth, which was standing at the greatest distance from her; but the wall opened, while the glittering vein started and split, as lightning does, and disappeared. A Man of middle stature, entering through the cleft, attracted the attention of the Snake. He was dressed like a peasant, and carried in his hand a little Lamp, on whose still flame you liked to look, and which in a strange manner, without casting any shadow, enlightened the whole dome." 64 Why comest thou, since we have light?" said the golden King.—“ You know that I may not enlighten what is dark."-" Will my Kingdom end?" said the silver King." Late or never," said the old Man. With a stronger voice the brazen King began to ask: When shall I arise?""Soon," replied the Man.-" With whom shall I combine?" said the King." With thy elder brothers," said the Man.-"What will the youngest do?" inquired the King." He will sit down," replied the Man. "I am not tired," cried the fourth King, with a rough faltering voice.‡ While this speech was going on, the Snake had glided softly round the temple, viewing every thing; she was now looking at the fourth King close by him. He stood leaning on a pillar; his considerable form was heavy rather than beautiful. But what metal it was made of could not be determined. Closely inspected, it seemed a mixture of the three metals which its brothers had been formed of. But in the founding, these materials did not seem to have combined together fully; gold and silver veins rau irregularly through a brazen mass, and gave the figure an unpleasant aspect. Meanwhile the gold King was asking of the Man, "How many secrets knowest thou?"— "Three," replied the Man.-"Which is the most important?" said the silver King." The open one," replied the other.§-" Wilt thou open it to us also?" said the brass King.When I know the fourth," replied the Man."What care I?" grumbled the composite King, in an under tone. "I know the fourth," said the Snake; approached the old Man, and hissed somewhat in his ear. "The time is at hand!" cried the old Man, with a strong voice. The temple re * Poetic Light, celestial Reason :-D. T. Kings: much annotation from D. T. is here necessarily Let the render, in one word, attend well to these four swept out.-O. Y. Reason: modern Science is come: modern Poesy is still What is wholly dark. Understanding precedes but coming, in Goethe, (and whom else?)-D. T. Consider these Kings as Eras of the World's History; co, not as Eras, but as Principles which jointly or seve rally rule Eras. Alas, poor we, in this chaotic softsoldered "transitionary age," are so unfortunate as to live under the Fourth King.-D. T. Reader, hast thou any glimpse of the" open secret 1" I fear, not.-D. T.-Writer, art thou a goose? 1 fear, yes.--O. Y. echoed, the metal statues sounded; and that instant the old Man sank away to the westward, and the Snake to the eastward; and both of them passed through the clefts of the rock, with the greatest speed. All the passages, through which the old Man travelled, filled themselves immediately behind him with gold; for his Lamp had the strange property of changing stone into gold, wood into silver, dead animals into precious stones, and of annihilating all metals. But to display this power, it must shine alone. If another light were beside it, the Lamp only cast from it a pure clear brightness, and all living things were refreshed by it.* The old Man entered his cottage, which was built on the slope of the hill. He found his Wife in extreme distress. She was sitting at the fire weeping, and refusing to be consoled. "How unhappy am I!" cried she: "Did I not entreat thee not to go away to-night?"-"What is the matter, then?" inquired the husband, quite composed. "Scarcely wert thou gone," said she, sobbing, "when there came two noisy Travellers to the door: unthinkingly I let them in; they seemed to be a couple of genteel, very honourable people; they were dressed in flames, you would have taken them for Will-o'-wisps. But no sooner were they in the house, than they began, like impudent varlets, to compliment me, and grew so forward that I feel ashamed to think of it." "No doubt," said the husband with a smile, "the gentlemen were jesting: considering thy age, they might have held by general politeness." | Age! what age?" cried the Wife: "wilt thou always be talking of my age? How old am I then?-General politeness! But I know what I know. Look round there what a face the walls have; look at the old stones, which I have not seen these hundred years; every film of gold have they licked away, thou couldst not think how fast; and still they kept assuring me that it tasted far beyond common gold. Once they had swept the walls, the fellows seemed to be in high spirits, and truly in that little while they had grown much broader and brighter. They now began to be impertinent again, they patted me, and called me their queen, they shook themselves, and a shower of gold pieces sprang from them! See how they are shining there under the bench! But ah! what misery! Poor Mops ate a coin or two; and look, he is lying in the chimney, dead. Poor Pug! O well-a-day! I did not see it till they were gone; else I had never promised to pay the Ferryman the debt they owe him."-"What do they owe him?" said the Man.-"Three Cabbages," replied the Wife," three Artichokes and three Onions: I engaged to go when it was day, and take them to the River." "Thou mayest do them that civility," said * In Illuminated Ages, the Age of Miracles is said to cease; but it is only we that cease to see it, for we are Still" refreshed by it."-D. T. + Poor old Practical Endeavour! Listen to many an Encyclopédie-Diderot, humanized Philosophe, didactic singer, march-of-intellect men, and other "impudent Varlets" (that would never put their own finger to the work ;) and hear what "compliments" they uttered.D. T. Meantime the fire on the hearth had burnt low; the old Man covered up the embers with a heap of ashes, and put the glittering gold pieces aside; so that his little Lamp now gleamed alone, in the fairest brightness. The walls again coated themselves with gold, and Mops changed into the prettiest onyx that could be imagined. The alternation of the brown and black in this precious stone made it the most curious piece of workmanship. "Take thy basket," said the Man, "and put the onyx into it; then take the three Cabbages, the three Artichokes, and the three Onions; place them round little Mops, and carry them to the River. At noon the Snake will take thee over; visit the fair Lily, give her the onyx, she will make it alive by her touch, as by her touch she kills whatever is alive already. She will have a true companion in the little dog. Tell her not to mourn; her deliverance is near; the greatest misfortune she may look upon as the greatest happiness; for the time is at hand.” The old Woman filled her basket, and set out as soon as it was day. The rising sun shone clear from the other side of the River, which was glittering in the distance: the old Woman walked with slow steps, for the basket pressed upon her head, and it was not the onyx that so burdened her. Whatever lifeless thing she might be carrying, she did not feel the weight of it; on the other hand, in those cases the basket rose aloft, and hovered along above her head. But to carry any fresh herbage, or any little living animal, she found exceedingly laborious. She had travelled on for some time, in a sullen humour, when she halted suddenly in fright, for she had almost trod upon the Giant's shadow, which was stretching towards her across the plain. And now, lifting up her eyes, she saw the monster of a Giant himself, who had been bathing in the River, and was just come out, and she knew not how she should avoid him. The moment he perceived her, he began saluting her in sport, and the hands of his shadow soon caught hold of the basket; with dexterous ease they picked away from it a Cabbage, an Artichoke, and an Onion, and brought them o the Giant's mouth, who then went his way up the River, and let the Woman go in peace. She considered whether it would not be better to return, and supply from her garden the pieces she had lost; and amid these doubts, she still kept walking on, so that in a little while she was at the bank of the River. She sat long waiting for the Ferryman, whom she perceived at last, steering over with a very * Why so? Is it because with "lifeless things" (with inanimate machinery) all goes like clock-work, which it is, and "the basket hovers aloft;" while with living things, (were it but the culture of forest-trees) poor Endeavour has more difficulty 1-D. T.-Or, is it chiefly because a Tale must be a Tale 2-0. Y. ↑ Very proper in the huge Loggerhead Superstition, to bathe himself in the element of TIME, and get refreshment thereby.-D. T. singular traveller. A young, noble-looking, handsome man, whom she could not gaze upon enough, stepped out of the boat. What is it you bring?" cried the old man. "The greens which those two Will-o'-wisps owe you," said the Woman, pointing to her ware. As the Ferryman found only two of each sort he grew angry, and declared he would have none of them. The Woman earnestly entreated him to take them; told him that she could not now go home, and that her burden for the way which still remained was very heavy. He stood by his refusal, and assured her that it did not rest with him. What belongs to me," said he "I must leave lying nine hours in a heap, touching none of it, till I have given the River its third." After much higgling, the old man at last replied: "There is still another way. If you like to pledge yourself to the River, and declare yourself its debtor, I will take the six pieces; but there is some risk in it."—"If I keep my word, I shall run no risk?"-"Not the smallest. Put your hand into the stream," continued he, "and promise that within four-and-twenty hours you will pay the debt." The garrulous old Woman tried to lead him into conversation; but with his short answers he gave her small encouragement or information; so that in the end, notwithstanding the beauty of his eyes, she grew tired of speaking with him to no purpose, and took leave of him with these words: "You walk too slow for me, worthy sir; I must not lose a moment, for I have to pass the River on the green Snake, and carry this fine present from my husband to the fair Lily." So saying she stepped faster forward; but the fair Youth pushed on with equal speed, and hastened to keep up with her. "You are going to the fair Lily!" cried he; "then our roads are the same. But what present is this you are bringing her?" Sir," said the Woman, it is hardly fair, after so briefly dismissing the questions I put to you, to inquire with such vivacity about my secrets. But if you like to barter, and tell me your adventures, I will not conceal from you how it stands with me and my presents." They soon made a bargain; the dame disclosed her circumstances to him; told the history of the Pug, and let him see the singular gift. He lifted his natural curiosity from the basThe old Woman did so; but what was her ket, and took Mops, who seemed as if sleeping affright, when, on drawing out her hand, she softly, into his arms. "Happy beast!" cried found it black as coal! She loudly scolded he; "thou wilt be touched by her hands, thou the old Ferryman; declared that her hands wilt be made alive by her; while the living had always been the fairest part of her; that are obliged to fly from her presence to escape in spite of her hard work, she had all along a mournful doom. Yet why say I mournful! contrived to keep these noble members white Is it not far sadder and more frightful to be inand dainty. She looked at the hand with in-jured by her look, than it would be to die by dignation, and exclaimed in a despairing tone: "Worse and worse! Look, it is vanishing entirely; it is grown far smaller than the other." her hand? Behold me," said he to the Woman; "at my years, what a miserable fate have I to undergo. This mail which I have honourably borne in war, this purple which I sought to merit by a wise reign, Destiny has as an empty ornament. Crown, and sceptre, and sword are gone; and I am as bare and needy as any other son of earth; for so unblessed are her bright eyes, that they take from every living creature they look on all its force, and those whom the touch of her hand does not kill are changed to the state of shadows wandering alive." "For the present it but seems so," said the old man; if you do not keep your word, how-left me; the one as a useless burden, the other ever, it may prove so in earnest. The hand will gradually diminish, and at length disappear altogether, though you have the use of it as formerly. Every thing as usual you will be able to perform with it, only nobody will see it."-"I had rather that I could not use it, and no one could observe the want," cried she; "but what of that, I will keep my word, and rid myself of this black skin, and all anxieties about it." Thereupon she hastily took up her basket, which mounted of itself over her head, and hovered free above her in the air, as she hurried after the Youth, who was walking softly and thoughtfully down the bank. His noble form and strange dress had made a deep impression on her. Thus did he continue to bewail, nowise contenting the old Woman's curiosity, who wished for information not so much of his internal as of his external situation. She learned neither the name of his father, nor of his kingdom. He stroked the hard Mops, whom the sunbeams and the bosom of the youth had warmed as if he had been living. He inquired narrowly about the man with the Lamp, about the influences of the sacred light, appearing to expect much good from it in his melancholy case. His breast was covered with a glittering coat of mail; in whose wavings might be traced every motion of his fair body. From his shoulders hung a purple cloak; around his uncovered head flowed abundant brown hair Amid such conversation, they descried from in beautiful locks: his graceful face, and his afar the majestic arch of the Bridge, which well-formed feet were exposed to the scorch-extended from the one bank to the other, gliting of the sun. With bare soles he walked composedly over the hot sand; and a deep inward sorrow seemed to blunt him against all external things. A dangerous thing to pledge yourself to the TimeRiver; as many a National Debt, and the like, black ening, bewitching the "beautiful hand" of Endeavour, can witness.-D. T.-Heavens !--0. Y. tering with the strangest colours in the splendours of the sun. Both were astonished; for until now they had never seen this edifice so grand. "How!" cried the Prince! "was it not beautiful enough, as it stood before our eyes, piled out of jasper and agate? Shalt combined in graceful complexity, of emerald we not fear to tread it, now that it appears and chrysopras and chrysolite?" Neither of | day, while I, refreshed by sleep, was raising a them knew the alteration that had taken place peaceful morning hymn, and my little singer upon the Snake: for it was indeed the Snake, was pouring forth his harmonious tones more who every day at noon curved herself over gaily than ever, a Hawk darts over my head; the River, and stood forth in the form of a the poor little creature, in affright, takes refuge bold-swelling bridge. The travellers stepped in my bosom, and I feel the last palpitations upon it with a reverential feeling, and passed of its departing life. The plundering Hawk over it in silence. indeed was caught by my look, and fluttered fainting down into the water; but what can his punishment avail me? my darling is dead, and his grave will but increase the mournful bushes of my garden." No sooner had they reached the other shore, than the bridge began to heave and stir; în a little while, it touched the surface of the water, and the green Snake in her proper form came gliding after the wanderers. They had scarcely thanked her for the privilege of crossing on her back, when they found that, besides them three, there must be other persons in the company, whom their eyes could not discern. They heard a hissing, which the Snake also answered with a hissing; they listened, and at length caught what follows: "We shall first look about us in the fair Lily's Park," said a pair of alternating voices; "and then request you at nightfall, so soon as we are any wise presentable, to introduce us to this paragon of beauty. At the shore of the great Lake, you will find us."-" Be it so," replied the Snake; and a hissing sound died away in the air. Our three travellers now consulted in what order they should introduce themselves to the fair Lady; for however many people might be in her company, they were obliged to enter and depart singly, under pain of suffering very hard severities. The Woman with the metamorphosed Pug in the basket first approached the garden, looking round for her Patroness; who was not difficult to find, being just engaged in singing to her harp. The finest tones proceeded from ner, first like circles on the surface of the still lake, then like a light breath they set the grass and the bushes in motion. In a green enclosure, under the shadow of a stately group of many diverse trees, was she seated; and again did she enchant the eyes, the ear, and the heart of the woman, who approached with rapture, and swore within herself that since she saw her last, the fair one had grown fairer than ever. With eager gladness from a distance she expressed her reverence and admiration for the lovely maiden. "What a happiness to see you, what a Heaven does your presence spread around you! How charmingly the harp is leaning on your bosom, how softly your arms surround it, how it seems as if longing to be near you, and how it sounds so meekly under the touch of your slim fingers! Thrice happy youth, to whom it were permitted to be there!" So speaking she approached; the fair Lily raised her eyes: let her hands drop from the harp, and answered: "Trouble me not with untimely praise; I feel my misery but the more deeply. Look here, at my feet lies the poor Canary-bird, which used so beautifully to accompany my singing; it would sit upon my harp, and was trained not to touch me; but to *If aught can overspan the Time-River, then what but Understanding, but Thought, in its moment of pleitude, in its favourable noon-moment 1-D. T. 66 "Take courage, fairest Lily!" cried the Woman, wiping off a tear, which the story of the hapless maiden had called into her eyes; compose yourself; ; my old man bids me tell you to moderate your lamenting, to look upon the greatest misfortune as a forerunner of the greatest happiness, for the time is at hand; and truly," continued she, "the world is going strangely on of late. Do but look at my hand, how black it is! As I live and breathe, it is grown far smaller: I must hasten, before it vanish altogether! Why did I engage to do the Will-o'-wisps a service, why did I meet the Giant's shadow, and dip my hand in the River? Could you not afford me a single cabbage, an artichoke, and an onion? I would give them to the River, and my hand were white as ever, so that I could almost show it with one of yours. "Cabbages and onions thou mayest still find; but artichokes thou wilt search for in vain. No plant in my garden bears either flowers or fruit; but every twig that I break, and plant upon the grave of a favourite, grows green straightway, and shoots up in fair boughs. All these groups, these bushes, these groves my hard destiny has so raised around me. These pines stretching out like parasols, these obelisks of cypresses, these colossal oaks and beeches, were all little twigs planted by my hand, as mournful memorials in a soil that otherwise is barren."* To this speech the old Woman had paid little heed; she was looking at her hand, which, in presence of the fair Lily, seemed every moment growing blacker and smaller. She was about to snatch her basket and hasten off, when she noticed that the best part of her errand had been forgotten. She lifted out the onyx Pug, and set him down, not far from the fair one, in the grass. "My husband," said she, "sends you this memorial; you know that you can make a jewel live by touching it. This pretty faithful dog will certainly afford you much enjoyment; and my grief at losing him is brightened only by the thought that he will be in your possession." 66 The fair Lily viewed the dainty creature with a pleased, and as it seemed, with an astonished look. Many signs combine," said she, "that breathe some hope into me: but ah! is it not a natural deception which makes us fancy, when misfortunes crowd upon us, that a better day is near? * In SUPERNATURALISM, truly, what is there either of flower or of fruit? Nothing that will (altogether) content the greedy Time-River. Stupendous, funereal sacred-groves, "in a soil that otherwise is barren !"— D. T. |