The mighty Spirit of the Storm bore in his arms the gentle Serena
rapidly across the ocean, till at length they arrived in front of a
palace of crystal, which stood so completely at the very edge of the
sea, that the walls which were reflected on its tranquil surface seemed
to rise directly out of it. No words can describe the beauty and
elegance of its architecture, the gracefulness of its delicate pillars,
and the light tracery-work of its innumerable arches, all of the same
pure, glistening substance, extending on either side, in a succession of
airy colonnades, as far as the eye could reach, and, arch above arch,
rising almost, it seemed, to the skies. No mortal workmen could have
raised that wonderful edifice.
The portals flew wide open as Borasco and the Princess approached, and
placing her on the crystal steps which led down beneath the water, he
conducted her forward through a hall, which surpassed in beauty and
magnificence even the exterior of the building, so light and airy, so
richly adorned at the same time was it with polished coral and delicate
tinted shells, and emeralds, and precious stones of every description.
It far surpassed in beauty anything which Serena ever in her most
romantic imaginings had conceived to exist in the world. Wonderful and
strange as all appeared, no fear or misgivings of any description
entered her bosom; for, although she saw that the shape beside her was
wild and hideous, yet well she knew that the spirit which animated it
was that which dwelt in the form of Alonzo, to which she had given her
heart, her best, her deepest affections. A soft light radiated through
the hall, and gentle music floated in the air, while forms of every
graceful shape and hue appeared before them, and made obeisance as they
passed. They advanced slowly among lines of aerial beings towards a
superb throne at the further end of the hall, the canopy over which
appeared as if formed of a fountain of glittering water thrown upwards,
and petrified before it could again reach the earth. Serena remained
mute with astonishment, till by degrees she found words to express
herself. "Is what I see around me the work of enchantment, and do I
tread on fairy ground?" she exclaimed. "And you, my Alonzo, why have
you led me hither, and why are you so strangely disguised?"
"You tread, my Serena, the halls of my crystal palace, the home I have
prepared for you," answered Borasco. "Those bright gems are the same
for which men toil and deem themselves happy if they gain a few, yet all
you see and many more are yours."
"Oh, I care not for those sparkling gems. It is your love, Alonzo, I
prize above all," said Serena, turning on him a look full of deep
affection. "But why hide from me those features on which I fondly used
to gaze?--Why envelop thus strangely your noble form?"
Borasco did not answer till he had placed her on the throne; then
throwing himself before her on his knees, he told her of his plot to win
her, and of all that had occurred, and implored her forgiveness. As he
knelt, the thousands of Spirits who filled the hall followed his
example. She answered in a gentle voice, that she had nothing to
forgive; as she could scarcely find fault with him for falling in love
with her.
"But who are the bright beings who fill these halls, and pay me so much
respect?" she asked, as the graceful Spirits continued kneeling round
her.
"They are," replied Borasco, "the Spirits of the summer air, the
guardians of the moon-lit waves, the utterers of murmuring sounds, when
the calm sea is hushed to rest. Each light and easy duty is confided to
their care. They are the Spirits which obey my will, and you, my
beloved one, shall from henceforth ride over them. See also the mighty
Monarch of the Ocean comes to kneel before your throne."
As he spoke, a flourish of conch shells was heard, and Neptune, in a
superb car, followed by an innumerable band of Tritons, glided into the
hall. Descending from his car, he knelt before the Princess, and
exclaimed:--
"Welcome, fair Lady! since you come
To these bright realms, my watery home;
When I the happy tidings knew,
I clave the limpid billow through,
And hasten'd here to kneel before
The Lady whom all hearts adore:
For know, we rovers of the Sea,
Are truly famed for gallantry,
And when a beauteous Lady deigns
To visit thus our broad domains,
The sons of Ocean strive to show
The pride with which their bosoms glow.
Then, Lady, deign our Queen to be,
And we will serve thee loyally.
This crown marine in token wear,
That Ocean's realms confess thy care,
And to no other would I yield
The trident sceptre which I wield.
Now then let all with loud acclaim
And joy, our Ocean Queen proclaim!"
Neptune having presented a crown and sceptre to the Princess, the
Tritons and Sea Spirits broke forth with a loud chorus:--
"Oh! welcome to these coral halls,
Fair Lady of the radiant brow,
Thy beauty every heart enthralls,
Thy virtues claim our willing vow.
The trident sceptre of the main,
Oh! long, sweet Lady, may'st thou sway,
And far as spreads yon liquid plain,
Let every realm thy power obey."