1H. ] THE SILVER FAIRIES, 159

 

burst of passionate exclamations which cannot with
propriety be here inscribed, he had shortly afterwards
occasion to go to his treasure drawer, which to his
surprise stuck fast, and resisted all his efforts to open
it. Dismayed at so unpleasant an occurrence, he
sought the advice of his female relations, but even
with their assistance failed to open the drawer. He
feared, however, to resort to any violent means to
do this, lest he should give offence to the Fairies, and
determined to wait until next day in hopes that the
drawer might be less obstinate.

That same evening it chanced that the House of
Commons was not sitting, and Simon smoked a pipe
in the den after his old fashion. After a while, the old
creaking sound fell again upon his ears, the piece of
furniture opened, and the Silver Fairies once more ap-
peared. Mournful, however, was the strain which the
music played, and sad were the countenances of the
dancers, and presently Simon heard a voice singing
words which ran as follows :—

‘ Where Silver Fairies make their home
And bounteous gifts on men bestow,
No evil thoughts or words may come,
Or gifts and Fairies thence will go.
Warned once again by Elfin rhyme,
Mortal! from evil words forbear,
Lest, banished by thy foolish crime,
The Fairies make their home elsewhere.’

The meaning of these words was easily understood
by Simon, who now recollected that the Fairy Queen,
when she had appeared to him on the first occasion,
had warned him against allowing her to hear bad
language whilst she was domiciled in his house. He