THE KING OF ELFLAND’S DAUGHTER
“Mother Witch,” said Narl, “we are met here to pray you that you give us some goodly spell which shall be a charm against magic, so that there be no more of it in the valley, for overmuch has come.”
“Overmuch?” she said. “Overmuch magic! As though magic were not the spice and essence of life, its ornament and its splendour. By my broom,” said she, “I give you no spell against magic.”
And they thought of the wandering lights and the scarce-seen gibbering things, and all the strangeness and evil that was come to their valley of Erl, and they besought her again, speaking suavely to her.
“Oh, Mother Witch,” said Guhic, “there is overmuch magic indeed, and the folk that should tarry in Elfland are all over the border.”
“It is even so,” said Narl. “The border is broken and there will be no end to it. Will-o’-the-wisps should stay in the marshes, and trolls and goblins in Elfland, and we folk should keep to our own folk. This is the thought of us all. For magic, if we desired it somewhat, years ago when we were young, pertains to matters that are not for man.”
She eyed him silently with a cat-like glow increasing in her eyes. And when she neither spoke nor moved, Narl besought her again.
“O Mother Witch,” he said, “will you give us no spell to guard our homes against magic?”
“No spell indeed!” she hissed. “No spell indeed! By broom and stars and night-riding! Would you
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