rs shedding,
Child, on you.

Then other sweet speakers from beneath the earth, and from the distant
waters and air, followed in benediction, and a last voice like a murmur
from universal nature:

Now the buried stars beneath the mountains
And the vales their life renew,
Jetting rainbow blooms from tiny fountains,
Child, for you.

As within our quiet waters passing
Sun and moon and stars we view,
So the loveliness of life is glassing,
Child, in you.

In the diamond air the sun-star glowing
Up its feathered radiance threw;
All the jewel glory there was flowing,
Child, for you.

And the fire divine in all things burning
Yearns for home and rest anew,
From its wanderings far again returning,
Child, to you.

"Oh, voices, voices," cried the child, "what you say I know not, but I
give back love for love. Father, what is it they tell me? They enfold me
in light, and I am far away even though I hold your hand."

"The gods are about us. Heaven mingles with the earth," said Admetus,
trembling. "Let us go to Diotima. She has grown wise brooding for many
a year where the great caves lead to the underworld. She sees the bright
ones as they pass by, though she sits with shut eyes, her drowsy lips
murmuring as nature's self."

That night the island seemed no more earth set in sea, but a music
encircled by the silence. The trees, long rooted in antique slumber,
were throbbing with rich life; through glimmering bark and drooping leaf
a light fell on the old man and boy as they passed, and vague figures
nodded at them. These were the hamadryad souls of the wood. They were
bathed in tender colors and shimmering lights draping them from root
to leaf. A murmur came from the heart of every one, a low enchantment
breathing joy and peace. It grew and swelled until at last it seemed as
if through a myriad pipes Pan the earth spirit was fluting his magical
creative song.

They found the cave of Diotima covered by vines and tangled trailers
at the end of the island where the dark-green woodland rose up from the
waters. Admetus paused, for he dreaded this mystic prophetess; but a
voice from within called them:

"Come, child of light: come in, old shepherd, I know why you seek me!"

They entered, Admetus trembling with more fear than before. A fire was
blazing in a recess of the cavern, and by it sat a