A shadow came, and deepened in her eyes.

"I might have slain thee both, if thou hadst ventured;
For it is part of our ancestral law,
The most immutable, to guard ourselves,
With our severest powers, from envious Man.
Yet, as thou sayest, he might have fed our hearts
With sweet immortal food--aye, given us souls,
If such things be,--worth half my priceless realms.
No more--no more! KOLONA! take thy place!"

As a soft flower shrinks from the coming night,
Amid protecting leaves, KOLONA shrank,
Amid her tresses, from her sovereign's eyes,
So gloomy yet so kind; and mutely stood
Amid the bright and coyly wondering train.

A band of sprites, armed with sharp, silver spears,
With pearl-encrusted garb and gleaming sandals,
Dwelling low down the land, even amid men,
The Queen's advance guard, giving due alarm
Of all attacks, taking short flights by night,
And reconnoitering the southern world,--
Had sent a group to counsel with their Queen.
These, now, had much to say of an adventure
Which took them almost to the Tropic Zone:--
How they had blighted fruit; and mildews cast
Over the fields; and blasted flowering trees;
Nipping the hopes of gaudy butterflies,
Doting on honeyed flowers to fill their mouths;