LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1708, 11 August 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

ECHOES PBOM FAIRY-LAND. Tub Crown op Silver Lilies. ( Concluded .) Chancellor Negative now spoke, and said, ‘ I object to everything and to everybody. It is not certain that any prince is wanted, that any government is required. Objection will be taken by me to. every thing—whatever you propose to do unless good sound argument prevails.’ It was now the turn of Chancellor Ego to dilate, and he spoke as follows : * I am always desirous of striving. I am— I—in fact, I think something must be done. I consider that we should bargain w.th the princes, and yield the throne to him who would yield ua tho most. X maintain that we ought to bo selfish —nobly selfish —sufficiently to compel the Princes to feel our importance. Wo ought to think of ourselves. Every man for himself, and tho gods and angels for ns all. 1 ‘I think, my dear brethren, yon see nothing in a calm light,’ said Sere Sereno. ‘ Councillor Sereno, yon lack expediency, said Councillor Espedienzo. ‘ I deny everything,’ said Negative. ‘I stand up for myself—l do,’ added Councillor Ego. For a whole hour did these worthies talk upon every subject but the happiness of the people, which appeared to be in no way iheir business.

At last, when they were calling each other such names that the pages in waiting in the passages looked for streams of gore flowing from under tho doors, suddenly the councillors perceived a very searching smeU of burning brimstone in tho room, and looking about, they perceived that a fifth was added to their number. Thereupon they became so silent that the pages In waiting outside supposed they had suddenly annihilated each other, and that there would be nothing but ashes to sweep Vgether. The visitor wore a long nose, a decided squint, a doubtful laugh, and limped*

There was also a peculiar kind of ornament arranged in the small of hia back —and which some ignorant people might have mistaken for a tail. ‘Good day, gentlemen. Wherever there is a collection of bad blood 2 have my entries, and hero I am V

‘ Who are yon V asked Councillor Sere Sereno.

‘ They call me Mephisto, but I am rarely so black as lam painted. Allow me to offer a little wordly advice, lam good at worldly advice, I assure you. The question appears to bo as to whether you shall have a prince or not, and if not, what is to be done ?’

The council quite agreed upon that point, ard thought this strange intruder was not so bad an adviser, after all.

I My dear souls, do' you not see that a prince is the scapegrace of ministers 7 If you have no prince to put blame upon —an anointed prince, who is half a demi-god—-how do you mean to treat the people when they are dissatisfied ? My advice is this—have a prince and rule him.’ The councillors coo’d.

‘ But, my dear souls, if you decide to have a prince, you must seriously think over what kind of one is necessary to you. He must not bo too good, or I fear he would treat your fair-born folk uncavalierly; while, if he is bad, tho people will love you four the more —as the good councillors of an evil prince. What say ye to this 7’ Well, the four charmed councillors thought this advice really wise, tender, learned, and merciful. It is astonishing through what rose-colored spectacles we see arguments when they fit the sight with which we look at society. ‘Now I-have thought of a very handsome little plan. Let the body of the late precious-King be set up as a target, and let it bo understood that the one of' his sons who shoots an arrow nearest his dead heart shall be proclaimed king, I leave the rest to you. Good day !’ At this moment a huge crow, screaming and beating its wings at one of the windows, the attention of the councillors was attracted to that bird of evil omen

When they turned their eyes from the window their guest was gone. Then it was that they proclaimed tho unknown visitor's advice as though it had been their own, and the kingdom of Atro Nubibo learnt that the old King was to bo pulled out of his grave; and set up in the market-place. Great was the murmuring. But the thing was done; and one fine morning there was to be seen the embalmed King set up in the forum, while the four sons stood afar off, each armed with a bow and a single arrow. _ ‘ Yes,’ wh'sptred the -white faced councillors ; *ho who is the wickedest will strike nearest his father’s heart.’

Lo ! a great and terrible silence fell -upon all there, as Prince Orgueuil, the eldest, claiming his right to come first, stood out from amongst his brothers. He raised his bow calmly, and drew the cord.

The arrow flew, and pierced the left hand of the dead King—who had reigned so miserably, and reared his children so foolishly, that this was their mode of testing their filial love.

Orgneuil uttered a cry of proud joy, for he felt that now indeed the Crown of Silver I dies, given hundreds of years before by the Lily Fairy to a good ancestor, would be his.

The people murmured lowly and. sorrowfully, but princes taka little heed 1 of. murmurs until they have passed into cries, and then they have no time to discuss them.

Prince Vaniteux now approached, and as fearlessly as his brother faced the immobile face which hei never been noble until the splendour of death settled upon it. He drew his cord with l nervous strength, and the arrow rose in the air,. to fail'full upon the King’s forehead. In that same moment Orgneuil resolved upon the death of Vaniteux. The murmurs of the people became louder, but no prince, no councillor took heed. Prinoe Stultua now approached the stand-ing-board, and carefully, slowly tested his bow and examined bis arrow.

By this time Orgneuil and Vaniteux had drawn together, as though for mutual defence against a common enemy. Again arrow sped from bow, and struck the body of tbe marksman’s father. This arrow was at once tbe best and worstaimed of the three—for it pierced the dead King’s wicked heart. In that moment Orgneuil and Vaniteux* looked suddenly at each other. There was murder in their eyes. In that look they decided upon killing their brother Stnltus. One word for them. They have been brought up te no sense of honor or concession, this infamous trial of skill was but a farce, which was to bind neither of them. The three knew in their black hearts that; the one to mount the throne wonld be he who was the survivor..

As to Melioro, neither of them thought of the fool as worthy a moment’s consideration. The murmurs amongst the people were rising almost into threats. And now Prince Melioro took the bow, and advancing, stood npon the board whence their brothers had shot their arrows of infamy. Then up spoke Melioro. “Think you that I will desecrate the dead, and shame a good bow and arrow by following the example of my miserable brothers hero ? I take all citizens to witness that never have I; spoken ill of those of my blood. But I protest against the outrage of the teat which the late King’s councillors have devised, and ter which these three most miserable wretches, my brothers, have yielded. I never for a moment dreamed of accepting such a proposition. Kill me if you will;' but I tell you ye are all cowards! What though the King was bad, selfish, cunning, unscrupulous, unjust?:—what though he reared his sons in all hate,, in no love? Yet has he passed through death,, which should have made him holy for all men, leaving his spirit to be dealt with by the gods. I know not what animal' or winged creature his soul may be condemned to inhabit ; but if he knows me, he knows that at least one oi his sons loves him dead.”

Hero a toad, which had crept from under the standing board, was seen to bury its head below its fore paws. The next moment tho elder princes scrambled, to crush tho reptile,, and its body was soon spattered in tho dust. If the King’s soul was there, perchance his momentary repentance afforded him a change for the better, and possibly his soul flew away in the body of that blaok crow which was seen to scurry away from tho plaos of execution..

‘ I will not use this arrow,’ said the Prince Melioro; ‘and I cry ont against yon, vile as wicked —you, my brothers —you. the councillors —and you the people. Now do with me what you will, for I am sick of the wickedness of life.’

The murmurs of the people rose to shout?, aad breaking the lists, they ran upon the youngest prince. Ha thought death had come, and bravely faced the crowd.

But, as they neared, he thought he saw love rather than hate upon their faces. The first that reached him fell upon their faces and kissed his feet. Then he felt himself raised upon their shoulders, and voices, first far away, then nearer, called, 4 The King—the King—the heir of the Crown of Silver Lilies! ’

Now the four councillors had suddenly laid their heads together, and they had taken counsel with each other as follows : ‘Let us make him Sing; ho is a fool.’ ‘ And, being a fool, can be managed.’ ‘ His brothers are dangerous. They must be banished.’

< And wo will reign three months each, and have the year between us.’ 4 So be it,’ said one. ‘So bo it,’ said the three others. And thereupon the 'greyest, Sere Sereno cried, ‘ People, behold the wisdom of your councillors! Know that we devised this plan in the hope that one of the King’s sons would prove a merciful prince, and prove himsolf full worthy to rule over you ! We proclaim Prince Melioro King Melioro the First! The gods and the fates preserve his Majesty ! ’ « The Crown —the Crown of Silver Lilies i cried voioes in the crowd. For some had now entered the adjacent palace, helped by the soldiery, and, reaching the jewel chamber, had seized the fair cro .in and so came running with it to the market place. Once Prince Melioro felt the, crown upon his head, he experienced a sense of power. It is said that touch of all crowns creates this feeling. Lo ! the cries of joj# were like thunder, and the three princes drew near each ,other, especially when they saw a white fig ur 9

wearing a pair of wings (though with a bandage on the eye?) standing at the right hand of the Piinoe.

* Kvil councillors of the late King ! Ye who could conceive of so infamous a plan as that ye have put this day before the people, are not worthy of power. Go back to your homes, and seek for better lives ! As for you. my brothers, what Shall I say ?’ • Let me speak for thee, Prinoe 1 ’ said the fair figure. * You are past praying for, princes,’ Giustizla continued, ‘ and Jwill be nappier as beasts bearing your charaoterstics without pr«wer to harm; therefore. Prince Orcueuil, become that bird which shall be known as a peacock. You, Prinoe Vanitenx, become the bird known as a magpie ; while you, Prince Stultus, shall bo known as the crow. Begone 1 ’ Then spoke the Prince—the peacock is proud of his appearance, and screams when he opens his mouth ; thus you know why the magpie seems never satisfied ; so it is you come to ascertain why the evil-looking crow always appears to be quarrelling with the world.

‘ Good-bye, King Melioro !’ said Giustizia, the light of her eyes shining through the bandage; ‘the Crown of Silver Lilies will not be tarnished by thy wearing. Good-bye ! Thou hast justice always with thyself, and nee.lest not me,’

‘ Madame ' said King Melioro ; and then ho hesitated, and looked at her keenly.

‘ Justice has- always open ears, and let us hope they will never be long ones. What is it you have to say F* ‘ Madame is it good to be a king—l mean for the people Y * 3 trust the people will think of thee. For my part, it seems as easy to rule a kingdom as one’s own life.’ ‘ flow is that, madams Y

‘ Youth, do as .you would be done by, and thou canst not go far wrong.’ ‘ Madame, I will endeavour to prove the truth of the axiom.’

‘ Good-bye, fair King Melioro!’ And thus it came about that the figure of Justice is always sculptured with a sword in one hand; a pair of scales in the other ; while a bandage is worn over the eyes, to prove thart Justice will only see with her ears, and never look favourably while evidence remains ungiven. Now, some people say that the Crown of Silver Lilies means the fair, open, candid forehead, which any rata may gam and wear for himself if ho will only look for the flowers in the right valleys of life.