upon the cryſtal plain, then reſted and chatted for a time, pouring between whiles a ſoft ſtream of melody from their tuneful tongues. The lurcher, in an extacy of rapture, ſtood motionleſs as a marble ſtatue, and had well nigh loſt the golden opportunity of ſeizing his prize. Luckily he recovered his recollection and awoke juſt in ſeaſon from his trance. He left his ſtation on tip-toe, and crept unperceived through the buſhes to the place where the company of ſwans had quitted their ethereal robes. He found three virgin’s veils ſpread out on the graſs, of an unknown texture, finer than the ſpider’s web, and whiter than new-fallen ſnow: the top was drawn through a golden crown, and puffed ſo as to have the appearance of a tuft. Round about lay under-garments of coarſer materials, of ſea-green lined with pink, apparently of Perſian ſilk. The audacious robber darted at the firſt veil that came within his graſp with an eager hand. He then haſtened home with his
