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wine, are made toflourish; these red streams again, are to run beside thebrooks of water; and thus the
fiery creatures are keptever busy and glad. But for thee it is too hot here; let us return to the garden."
In the garden, the scene had changed since they leftit. The moonshine was lying on every flower; the
birdswere silent, and the children were asleep in complicatedgroups, among the green groves. Mary and
her friend,
136 Johann Ludwig Tieck
however, did not feel fatigue, but walked about in thewarm summer night, in abundant talk, till morning.
When the day dawned, they refreshed themselves onfruit and milk, and Mary said: "Suppose we go, by
wayof change, to the firs, and see how things look there?"
"With all my heart," replied Zerina; "thou wilt seeour watchmen too, and they will surely please thee; they
are standing up among the trees on the mound." Thetwo proceeded through the flower-garden by
pleasant groves, full of nightingales; then they ascended a vine-hill; and at last, after long following the
windings of a clear brook, arrived at the firs, and the height which bounded the domain. "How does it
come," said Mary,"that we have to walk so far here, when without, thecircuit is so narrow?"
"I know not," said her friend; "but so it is."
They mounted to the dark firs, and a chill wind blewfrom without in their faces; a haze seemed lying far
and wide over the landscape. On the top were many strangeforms standing: with mealy, dusty faces; their
misshapenheads not unlike those of white owls; they were clad infolded cloaks of shaggy wool; they held
umbrellas of curi-ous skins stretched out above them; and they waved andfanned themselves incessantly
with large bat's wings,which flared out curiously beside the woollen roque-laures. "I could laugh, yet I am
frightened," cried Mary.
"These are our good trusty watchmen," said her play-mate; "they stand here and wave their fans, that
coldanxiety and inexplicable fear may fall on every one thatattempts to approach us. They are covered
so, becausewithout it is now cold and rainy, which they cannot bear.But snow, or wind, or cold air, never
reaches down tous; here is an everlasting spring and summer: yet if these poor people on the top were
not frequently relieved, theywould certainly perish."
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"But who are you, then?" said Mary, while againdescending to the flowery fragrance; "or have you no
name at all?"
"We are called the Elves," replied the friendly child;"people talk about us in the Earth, as I have heard."
They now perceived a mighty bustle on the green."The fair Bird is come!" cried the children to them: all
ELFINLAND 137
hastened to the hall. Here, as they approached, youngand old were crowding over the threshold, all
shoutingfor joy; and from within resounded a triumphant peal ofmusic. Having entered, they perceived the
vast circuitfilled with the most varied forms, and all were lookingupwards to a large Bird with glancing
plumage, that wassweeping slowly round in the dome, and in its statelyflight describing many a circle. The
music sounded moregaily than before; the colours and lights alternated morerapidly. At last the music
ceased; and the Bird, with arustling noise, floated down upon a glittering crown thathung hovering in air
under the high window, by whichthe hall was lighted from above. His plumage was purpleand green, and
shining golden streaks played through it;on his head there waved a diadem of feathers, so resplen- dent
that they glanced like jewels. His bill was red, andhis legs of a glancing blue. As he moved, the tints
gleamed through each other, and the eye was charmed with their radiance. His size was as that of an
eagle. Butnow he opened his glittering beak; and sweetest melodiescame pouring from his moved breast,
in finer tones thanthe lovesick nightingale gives forth; still stronger rose the song, and streamed like floods
of Light, so that all, thevery children themselves, were moved by it to tears of joy and rapture. When he
ceased, all bowed before him;he again flew round the dome in circles, then dartedthrough the door, and
soared into the light heaven,where he shone far up like a red point, and then soon vanished from their
eyes.
"Why are ye all so glad?" inquired Mary, bending toher fair playmate, who seemed smaller than
yesterday.
"The King is coming!" said the little one; "many of ushave never seen him, and whithersoever he turns his
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