hed steel lay fastened to the shore. They stepped
aboard, and cast off the rope. The prow turned to the north, and the
ship cleaved the amorous waves as if on pinions, The sighing sedge
ceased its murmur, as it glides gently to the shore. They hastened up
the broad stairs. Love admired the royal city and its opulence. In the
court the living fountain was sparkling; the grove swayed to and fro in
sweetest tones, and a wondrous life seemed to gush and thrive in its
swelling foliage, its twinkling fruits and blossoms. The old hero
received them at the door of the palace.

"Venerable man," said Fable, "Eros needs thy sword. Gold has given him
a chain, one end of which reaches down to the sea, the other encircles
his breast. Take it in thy hand, and lead us to the hall where the
princess rests." Eros took the sword from the hand of the old man,
pressed the handle to his breast, and pointed the blade before him. The
folding doors of the hall flew open, and enraptured Eros approached the
slumbering Freya. Suddenly a mighty shock was felt. A bright spark sped
from the princess to the sword, the sword and the chain were illumined;
the hero supported the little Fable who was almost sinking. The crest
of Eros waved on high. "Throw away thy sword," exclaimed Fable, "and
awake thy beloved."

Eros dropped the sword, flew to the princess and kissed her sweet lips
vehemently. She opened her full, dark eyes, and recognised the loved
one. A long kiss sealed their eternal alliance.

The king descended from the dome, hand in hand with Sophia. The stars
and the spirits of nature followed in glittering ranks. A day
unspeakably serene filled the hall, the palace, the city, and the sky.
An innumerable multitude poured into the spacious, royal hall, and with
silent devotion saw the lovers kneel before the king and the queen, who
solemnly blessed them. The king took the diadem from his head, and
bound it round the golden locks of Eros, The old hero relieved him of
his armor, and the king threw his mantle around him. Then he gave him
the lily from his left hand, and Sophia fastened a costly bracelet
around the clasped hands of the lovers, and placed her crown upon the
brown locks of Freya.

"Hail to our ancient rulers!" exclaimed the people. "They have always
dwelt among us, and we have not known them! All hail! They will ever
rule over us. Bless us also!"

Sophia said to the new queen, "Throw the bracelet of your alliance into
the air, tha