From this rainbow our Ouphe succeeds in catching, by means of his
colen bell cup, a "droplet of the sparkling dew." One half of his task
is accordingly done-
His wings are pure, for the gem is won.
On his return to land, the ripples divide before him, while the
water-spirits, so rancorous before, are obsequiously attentive to
his comfort. Having tarried a moment on the beach to breathe a prayer,
he "spreads his wings of gilded blue" and takes his way to the elfin
court- there resting until the cricket, at two in the morning,
rouses him up for the second portion of his penance.
His equipments are now an "acorn-helmet," a "thistle-down plume,"
a corslet of the "wild-bee's" skin, a cloak of the "wings of
butterflies," a shield of the "shell of the lady-bug," for lance
"the sting of a wasp," for sword a "blade of grass," for horse "a
fire-fly," and for spurs a couple of "cockle seed." Thus accoutred,
Away like a glance of thought he flies
To skim the heavens and follow far
The fiery trail of the rocket-star.
In the Heavens he has new dangers to encounter. The "shapes of
air" have begun their work- a "drizzly mist" is cast around him-
"storm, darkness, sleet and shade" assail him- "shadowy hands"
twitch at his bridle-rein- "flame-shot tongues" play around him-
"fiendish eyes" glare upon him- and
Yells of rage and shrieks of fear
Come screaming on his startled ear.
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