Page 560 - Child's own book

still farther, till the landscape became more and more beautiful,
and they reached a palace of dazzling white marble, built in
undent times, on the borders of a blue lake, and overshadcd
by the most splendid green trees. Vines were climbing up its
till pillars, and quite on the top might be seen a number of
swallow's nests, in which lived the swallow that was carrying
Maja, 4i This is my house," said the swallow, ** but it would
not do for you to live with m e; I have not such accommodation
as could suit you ; so now look out for one of the prettiest
flowers amongst those blooming below there ; and I will set
you upon it, and you shall be as happy as you can wish."
“ This is delightful/' cried she, clnpping her little hands* A
large white marble pillar lay broken into three pieces upon the
ground, and between each of these clefts grew the most beauti­
ful white flowers. The swallow flew down with Maja and
placed her on one of the broad leaves of these flowers. But
how astonished was she on perceiving a manikin, as white and as
transparent as glass, sitting in the middle of the flower. Me
wore the prettiest gold crown on his head, and the most delicate
wings on his shoulders ; and be was not larger than little
Maja herself. This was the spirit of the flower; for a tiny
man or a liny woman dwells in every floweT, but this manikin
was the king of them all. u O h ! how beautiful he is!” whis*
percd Maja to the swallow. The little prince was frightened
at the swallow, who was quite a giant bird to him who was so
small and so delicate • but when lie saw Maja he was quite
charmed, for she was the prettiest girl lie had ever beheld*
Therefore he took his gold crown off his bead, and placed it
on hers, and asked her name, and whether she would become
hia wife, and be queen over all the flowers. This, indeed, was
another sort of suitor to the toad’s son, or the mole in hia fur
pelisse. She therefore said u YC9 ” to the handsome prince’a