Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/99

Rh more like a vapor, and at last were as clear as a white cloud in the moonlight. They were now in the mildest air, as refreshing as on the mountains, and as fragrant as among the roses of the valley.

Here flowed a river as transparent as the air itself; and the fish that were in it were of silver and gold; purple-colored eels, that at every turn sent forth a shower of blue sparks, sported in the water; and the broad leaves of the water-lily displayed every color of the rainbow—the flower itself was a pale-yellow burning flame, which was sustained by the water, as the lamp is fed by the oil. A firm bridge of marble, but so fine and so curiously wrought as though it were made of glass beads and lace, led over the water to the Island of Bliss, where bloomed the Garden of Paradise.

The East Wind took the Prince in his arms and carried him across. Then the leaves and the flowers sang the most beauti- ful songs about his childhood; but in such sweet and swelling tones, that no human voice could imitate them.