Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/177

Rh crowning his misshapen head with the rarest and most fragrant flowers. All around him, at her command, were her most delicate attendants,the white-robed Moth, the graceful Peaseblossom, the aërial Cobweb, and the pert little Mustard-seed, all fairies of noble birth and royal manners. These brought him dews from violets’ eyes, the overflowing sacs of the honey-bee, and the sweetest nut-kernels from the squirrels’ hoard. Even Oberon could not look on such a sight without relenting; and when he asked for and obtained the changeling boy from Titania, he awaited eagerly the time for her noontide nap. As soon as she was asleep, he applied to her eyes the charmed herb which would cure her of her unnatural passion. Then he bade Puck remove the monstrous head from Bottom’s shoulders, who, being released from this enchantment, went quickly home to join his companions, and study over his part in the play, which must be performed that night before the Duke.

When evening came, the Amazon Queen and the two Grecian maidens were led as brides to Hymen’s altar, gayly decorated with offerings of flowers. Neither mortals nor fairies were then lacking in respect to the joyous occasion. While the clumsy but well-meaning artisans made the wedding-train laugh at their tragedy