Page:Sologub Sweet Scented Name.djvu/110

 "And wilt thou then be worthy of thy crown?"

Awe and wonder held the soul of Elèna, and she said:

"I will be worthy of my crown."

Then the princess spoke again:

"Stand always in the presence of fate as pure and brave as now thou standest here before us. Look straight into the eyes of men. Triumph over grief; fear neither life nor the approach of death. Drive far from thee all mean desires and slavish thoughts. In poverty and in bondage and in misery let thy soul be proud and free."

Tremblingly she answered:

"Though in slavery, I will be free."

"Then you shall wear a crown," said the princesses.

"Yes, you shall wear a crown," said they.

They plucked the white and yellow blossoms; with their white hands they wove a chaplet of flowers—the fragrant flower-crown of the woodland nymphs.

Thus Elèna was crowned, and the nymphs joining hands danced about her in a gentle dance—with joyful motion they encircled her.

Fast and faster—the white dresses floated