Page:Curious myths of the Middle Ages (1876).djvu/445



to the music; and every moment more and more would tumble out of the water, charmed by the wonderful tune. Crabs of monstrous size spun round and round on one claw with the nimbleness of a dancing-master, and twirled and tossed their other claws about like limbs that did not belong to them. “John-dories came tripping; Dull hake by their skipping To frisk it seem’d given; Bright mackrel came springing, Like small rainbows winging Their flight up to heaven; The whiting and haddock Left salt-water paddock This dance to be put in, Where skate with flat faces Edged out some odd plaices; But soles kept their footing.” Then up came a mermaid, and whispered to Maurice of the charms of the land beneath the sea, and the blind piper danced after her into the salt sea, followed by the fish, and was never seen more.

In Sclavonic tales the magical instrument has a quite opposite effect—it sends to sleep. This signifies the whistling autumn wind, chilling the earth and checking all signs of life and vegetation. But another magical harp—that is, the spring breeze— restores all to vigour. The sorcerer enchant