"I tell the tale as 'twas told to me."
I have heard that one night, on a distant shore, a band of
water-nixies were dancing to gentle music, their golden sandals
twinkling like stars.
A lord and lady were walking on the same shore. The lord's eyes were
bent on the ground; but his wife paused, and said,--
"Listen, my lord, to that enchanting music!"
"I hear no music," he replied, laughing. "You must wake up, dear wife.
"With half-shut eyes, ever you seem
Falling asleep in a half-dream."
"But, my lord, those exquisite beings in gossamer robes! surely you
see them!"
"I see the play of the moonbeams, my love, and nothing more."
But the wife stood transfixed. One beautiful fairy, taller and fairer
than her companions, had wings, and floated through the dance,
scarcely touching the earth.
"Was ever such a vision of loveliness?" cried the enraptured lady:
"she must be my own little daughter,--eat of my bread, and sleep upon
my bosom."