So Sir Thomas found himself constrained to pipe to the fairies, as they trode their measures lightly over the turf, where greener rings of grass traced their footsteps, though these did not bend even one stalk of quiver-grass. Then Queen Mab called on him to take his share in the dance, and she herself became his partner, bounding and skipping higher than the trees, and footing it most gracefully; while the fairies all together chanted— Monday and Tuesday,

Monday and Tuesday,

Monday and Tuesday,"

till Sir Thomas wondered they went no farther in the days of the week, when suddenly a mortal voice called out—

The fairies all started and stood still at the sound, and behold, beneath the thorn, there had been hidden a man of fair countenance enough, but with a huge hump on his shoulder.52 He had been newly awakened, and stood marvelling at the sports of the fairies, not knowing whether he woke or slept, until, Mab making a sign, Puck led him into the midst.

Mortal, how camest thou here?" asked Mab.

"I came," quoth the hunchback, still as one dreaming, "because there were some who told me that if I slept beneath Merlin's hawthorn, his voice would teach me how to please pretty Sybil, in spite of my hump."

Hobgoblin gave a peal of mocking laughter in his ear; but at that moment Mab touched him with her wand, and the hump rolled off, and fell into the stream, while he dropped again into a sound sleep, and the fairies resumed their ring, singing now"Monday and Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday.”

But when Sir Thomas heard that this was the hawthorn where lay spell-bound the Wizard Merlin, he bethought him of what he had heard concerning his own birth.

Surely," thought he, "this mighty enchanter will help me in my need," and watching his time, he stole apart, and coming near the hawthorn, said, "Great Merlin! is it thou? me to free myself."

Teach

The voice answered from beneath the boughs-"I know thee well, son of Owen. Be not beguiled! Choose the true, not the false. Beware of fairy glitter. Die rather bravely as mortal man, than live vainly as weary elf. Guard thyself and be firm. Eat not, drink not, fairy food. The time of trial will soon be over, and thou shalt be restored to mortal life, and spared the dread doom of elf-land.”

Merlin was silent, and Tom, cheered and resolved, found beneath his tree, a last year's haw, which, hard and bitter though it was, strengthened him, and appeased his hunger. He was not long left to himself, for the fairies were around him again, scoffing at his taste, since none of their viands were dainty enough for his palate, and he must needs devour withered haws.

But here the moon set behind the hill, the sky began to grow brighter, and the fairies mounting their steeds, all were in their own Elfinland again, before one thought could flash through his mind.

The next night, the fairies again resorted to Broceliande, and began their dance as before, with the song now lengthened into— Monday and Tuesday,

Wednesday and Thursday."

But, behold, this time again an outcry broke in-" Ay, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday, into the bargain!" Beneath the thorn, there sat another hunchback, but with a harsh, illtempered face, unlike the first.

me?"

What will you give me ?" he cried. "I have given you three days instead of two!”

"Give you?" cried Puck; "why, twice what the other had." And as the intruder sank to sleep, Puck brought out the hump he had taken off the night before, and clapped it on the top of the other, while every fairy broke into a shout of mirth. The little knight laughed so heartily, that Puck said, “ Ay! I see you care not for the vain triflings of the she-fairies! Come with me, and see what sport a bold elf can show

you."

As better might not be, Tom mounted his steed, and flew after Puck. Presently they beheld a country-fellow staggering home, belated from the ale-house. Puck at once lighted his lantern, and danced over bog and brake, the silly oaf stumbling