THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 61

dolphins that drew the chariot, tossed up their heads, and
threw into the air the glittering jets of rosy crystal, which
fell in variegated showers of all the colours of the rainbow.
Moreover, that pleasure might penetrate every sense, a soft
music began to echo round; and sweet silvery voices were
heard singing in the following manner:—
“Who art thou, thus floating where essence of rose
In a stream of sweet perfume deliciously flows ?
Art thou the. Fairies’ Queen?
Say, dear little fishes that gleam in the tide;
Or answer, ye cygnets that gracefully glide
‘Upon that flood serene!”
And all this time the little Moors, who stood behind the
seat on the chariot of shells, shook two parasols, hung with
bells, in such a manner that those sounds formed an accom-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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paniment to the vocal melody. And Mary, beneath the
shade of the parasols, leant over the waters, each wave of
which as it passed reflected her smiling countenance.

In this manner she traversed'the River of Essence of Roses,
and reached the bank on the opposite side. Then, when
they were within an oar's length of the shore, the little
Moors leapt, some into the water, others on the bank, the
whole forming a chain so as to convey Mary and the Nut-
cracker ashore upon a carpet made of angelica, all covered
with mint-drops.