Prince Lazybones and Other Stories

s seemed to prolong themselves into musical strains, which, f

lfin music, but swelling into mimic bursts

h sprites in every conceivable attire. Some were dressed in the party-colored habits of court pages, some in royal robes of ermine, others

d by misty wreaths, upon which were borne aloft the more radiant members, who danced and flashed as heat-lightning on the clouds of a summer's night. The light, instead of being

ssed with fear, for he knew not how to reveal himself to these sportive beings

line upon line, facing each other, with shouts and drum beats and bugle blasts, they fell upon each other in the fury of combat. Swords clashed, javelins were hurled, and the slain fell in heaps; but still the leaders charged, and still the martial blasts were heard; and over and over were repeated the manoeuv

ere able withdrew with those of their companions who were

people weeping, and a party of elves in the garb of monks headed a procession bearing lighted tapers and carrying biers, upon which they placed th

birds flew about and perched undismayed, and little hay-carts, piled high with their loads, came creaking along, led by peasant elves, who were also seated on top of their fragrant heaps of hay. Then the sun beamed upon a party of drovers-elves in smock-frocks or blouses, driving flocks of sheep and horned cattle,

ver a wide field of the same glassy substance. On it were elves in bright costumes, merrily skating. They glided about,

roken by twinkling stars. The music became softer

ay, came forth the elves, and from the floating veils Leo saw that it was meant to represent a bridal proc

little actors had poured in. The sound of their coming was like that of a bevy of birds with wings fluttering. Suddenly a starry cross appeared; it flashed and flamed with a light which was as if it were compo

these things again as a reality, instead of only a semblance of it? How grand it would be to travel and see novel and beautiful sights, to learn also wo

you?" asked Knops, sitting down by h

o find myself alone in such a place, for of cours

uess how we have been employed and how much we have had to detain us; but you may rest assured that nothing would keep me from finishing what I have unde

ou a thousand times for your entertainment and instruction. I have been so pleased and delighted that I

ste time on a good-for-naught. Paz can tell

kindness of heart is the s

up and asked, "How did yo

all living things. Ah! we are c

ly, Master

s the Gulf Stream, for instance. But you are not up in science yet. No matter. You have time enough b

ashamed of my ignorance that I would do anything to get

he nearest approach to a wink Leo had seen on his grave little

panion of it; so he at once assented, tempted to ask only that he might not be left quite so long again alone. But fearing this would