Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/103

 shade of the waterfall. ’Twere vain to aim at any description of the utter amazement which overcame her, when she saw the entire change that had taken place there since her last visit. The once rude and straggling rocks were now reduced to form, and clothed in carved marble and alabaster; the stream no longer fell wildly and noisily over a rugged precipice, but murmured in gentle gradations over a smooth descent into a noble basin of polished marble, in the centre of which stood a fountain, through whose thousand jets the sparkling waters rose high into the clear air, and then returning with a graceful sweep, scattered abroad, as it seemed in the sun’s rays, myriads of brilliants, and rubies, and emeralds, and topazes, and other stones of price, of varied form and colour, ere it regained its marble home beneath. Around the basin, up to its very edge, lay a soft carpet of the brightest verdure, sprinkled thick with daisies and the other modest flowers which add beauty to the fresh and beautiful grass. A hedge of jasmine and sweetbriar, and roses and honeysuckles, bordered this charming spot, at once affording shade and sweet odours and security from intrusion. Right and left of the cascade stood gates, giving double entrance to a magnificent grotto, whose walls and arched ceiling were composed of a mosaic of the richest crystals and spars, the many-coloured effulgence of which dazzled the sight. In niches around was arranged