Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/78

Rh within, brightening her face until it seemed a little sun, shining even in the darksome fountain. No one told her this, till the sprite could not keep the secret any longer, and bade Blush look into the mirrors of the crown imperial, where they had been busied late into the dawn. The elf believed she should behold the faded face she had last seen there, but smiled and looked bravely in, there to behold a sweeter face than any glass ever had reflected before. She knew it was her own, was glad to be again her winsome self, but now the vanity was so well cured, that, instead of looking proudly about her, she spread her hands before her face, and would not lift it up until the sprite placed her on the green tuft of leaves that crowned the flower, and set all the scarlet bells to ringing, that the other plants might wake and rejoice with Blush. Very soon the garden was alive with blooming faces and gay voices, as birds and blossoms joined in the song the happy fairy sang, while the sun climbed up the rosy sky, and on her bosom shone the talisman, undarkened by a single shadow.

O lesson well and wisely taught,
 * Stay with me to the last,

That all my life may better be
 * For the trial that is past

O vanity, mislead no more!
 * Sleep, little passions, long!

Wake, happy heart, and dance again
 * To the music of my song!

O summer days, flit fast away,
 * And bring the blithesome hour

When we three wanderers shall meet
 * Safe in our household flower!