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 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
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 LOS ANGELES
 
 
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 One wild spring — and as the 'Baron, 
 Panting, almost gains the shore, 
 
 In the lake the Knight and Bertha 
 Plunge and sink, and rise no more ! 
 
 Only through the heaving water 
 Gleams the maiden's golden hair. 
 
 And comes up that voice so courteous 
 He had heard — he knows it— there : 
 
 " Noble father-ui-law, forgive us ! 
 Bertha with her Fish nuist go ; 
 Pie will strive to make her happy 
 To our coral palace, ho !
 
 THE 
 
 THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 A FREE VERSION FROM THE GERMAN OF MUSAUS 
 
 BY 
 
 Author of "Wonder-Castle." 
 
 WiTH iLLUSTRATJONS. 
 
 THO:\IAS NELSON AND 80NS, LONDON, EDINBUJtGH, AND M-W V(t);K. 
 
 MDCOCI.Xl.
 
 TfT 
 
 THE THREE SOXS-L\-LAW. 
 
 FART I 
 
 BARON of old 
 Kept a sumptuous table, 
 Had deer-hounds in kennels 
 And steeds in the stable : 
 He'd a wife, and three daughters 
 
 For beauty renowned, 
 Who in marriage were sought 
 By the whole country round. 
 
 But with racing, and feasting, 
 
 And saying and doing. 
 This foolish old Baron 
 
 Went quickly to ruin ; 
 All his castles were pawned 
 
 Save an old one, that stood 
 Perched high on a rock 
 
 At the edge of a wood. 
 
 A lake \af below it, 
 
 With dark, sullen waters. 
 Oh ! how the poor Baroness 
 
 Wept with her daughters, 
 
 When the Baron declared 
 
 They no servants could keep, 
 
 But must learn to be drudges, — 
 To cook and to sweep. 
 
 No wonder, poor things ! 
 
 They're in such consternation ; 
 They all had received 
 
 A polite education, — 
 Learnt geography, drawing, 
 
 Tlie harp, and astronomy — 
 But had not a notion 
 
 Of household economy. 
 
 There was no Monsieur Soyer 
 
 To teach soup and stew ; 
 So boiling potatoes 
 
 Was all thev could do. 
 The l^aron grew cross 
 
 With the bad daily dinner, 
 And the whole noble family 
 
 Thinner and thinner. 
 
 718692
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 2. 
 
 (( 
 
 a 
 
 " My dear," the Baron said at last, 
 I cannot stand this daily fast ; 
 Let's have some meat — 'twill do quite well 
 Just hroche^ love, au natureiy 
 Have meat, indeed!" the lady cried; 
 We've sought a butcher far and wide; 
 Perhaps — if it must come to that — 
 You'll try his trade, and kill the cat!" 
 (That animal had not, you'll say, 
 Been slaughtered on the wedding-day.) 
 The Baron mildly took the huff. 
 Sweetened it with a pinch of snuff, 
 His gun across his shoulder slung. 
 And tow'rd the forest strode along. 
 Thinking, to mend his dismal lot, 
 He'd kill provision for the pot. 
 
 It was a strange, uncanny place, 
 
 As you may see by the Baron's face. 
 
 He ne'er before had ventured in it. 
 
 And looked behind him every minute. 
 
 Looking behind is just the way 
 
 To miss ce qui vous sante au nez. 
 
 So chanced it, when a huge Bear met him. 
 
 That ere 'twere shot, it might have ate him, 
 
 But wisely did refrain — to glory 
 
 Of Bears, and progress of my story. 
 
 A savage growl the Baron heard — 
 
 He turned, and at the monster stared.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 While fumUing faintly at tlie trigger, 
 He thought the Bear kept growing bigger. 
 It showed its teeth — oh, hideous grinner ! 
 And said, " To-day you'll make my dinner!" 
 The Baron dared not say he went 
 With just the opposite intent — 
 No time for joking this — so he 
 Went down quite humbly on one knee, 
 And begged with all his might and main 
 Sir Bear would let him go again. 
 " On one condition," growled the foe : 
 " I wed your eldest daughter." — " No!'' — 
 " Oh, well, whichever you prefer : 
 
 To dinner, then." — " One moment, sir!" — 
 " Bears love few words : resign your life, 
 Or give me Isabel to wufe." 
 The Baron hemmed, and half agreed, 
 But for delay still sought to plead. 
 " Her portion, sir, must first be told :" — 
 " Take," Bruin said, " this bar of gold : 
 Go home, the tale to none confide, 
 And soon I'll come to claim my bride." 
 The glittering pledge the Baron took, 
 But on it was ashamed to look ; 
 So dug a hole, and in it buried 
 His guilty prize; then homeward hurried. 
 
 3. 
 
 Brightly gleams the early sunshine 
 On the grass-grown castle wall ;
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Snap-dragons, arrayed in gtrimson, 
 Stand like warders stiflf and tall. 
 
 Gaudy jQowers ! careless guardians ! 
 why gave ye do alarm 
 
 When a maiden passed you, bearing 
 Snow-white linen on her arm ? 
 
 Isabel went forth so lightly, — 
 
 Quickly would her task be done ; 
 'Just beyond the castle shadow 
 
 ' Spread the garments in the sun ; 
 'Home again, to light the fire, 
 
 ' Gathering brushwood by the way : ' 
 So she fancies, little knowing 
 What should else befall to-day. 
 
 Ah ! we know, or think we know it, — 
 
 Maiden ! shun the forest side ! 
 For among the dusky pine-trees 
 
 Doth a monster bridegroom hide. 
 Through the rustling branches springing, 
 
 Forth he comes — but, clearly seen, 
 Tis no Bear of savage aspect. 
 
 But a kniofht of noble mien ! 
 
 "&' 
 
 Quick as thought he swung the lady 
 On his massive saddle-bow ; 
 
 From her powerless arm the linen 
 Backward flew like drifting snow. 
 
 In the forest's deep recesses 
 Vanish soon the fleeting pair ;
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Only fainter, ever fainter, 
 
 Their wild gallop smites the air. 
 
 On the walls still stand the flowers. 
 
 But the maiden comes no more : 
 Mother weeps, and sisters wonder, 
 
 All at length her loss deplore. 
 Very guilty felt the Baron, 
 
 But the tale to none he told ; — ■ 
 Stole alone into the forest 
 
 And dug up the bar of gold. 
 
 The worth of this metal 
 
 I cannot relate, 
 But it soon was apparent 
 
 In jewels and plate, 
 In castles recovered 
 
 And splendour returning, 
 Through this ill-omened wealth 
 
 Of the old Baron's earning. 
 
 Yet with all the fine fortune 
 
 Of son-in-law Bruin, 
 He brought his poor family 
 
 Once more to ruin. 
 
 Again they must seek 
 
 The old castle that stood 
 Perched high on the crag 
 
 At the edge of a wood. 
 
 Alas ! the good ladies. 
 
 With all their gay doing, 
 Had learnt nought of cooking. 
 
 Or baking, or brewing ; 
 And the Baron, returned 
 
 To potatoes and water, 
 Found time to be grieved 
 
 When he thought of his daughter,,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 5. 
 
 The autumn days were dark and sad : 
 " What entertainment could be had?" 
 My lord would sigh. The forest grim 
 Was now detested ground to him ; — 
 If he but looked that way, a qualm 
 Would seize his soul, as if the form 
 Of hapless Isabel he saw 
 Clutched in a Bear's relentless paw ; 
 Nor dared he seek her fate to scan, — 
 *' What's done is done — help it who can ! " 
 Thus would he salve his conscience o'er. 
 But on the forest's side 'twas sore. 
 Well, some diversion he must try : 
 Fine birds were often seen to fly 
 About the crags — and he would climb, 
 And take his gun, with heed this time 
 (Thus dear experience warned his mind) 
 To look before^ and not heJiind. 
 It never struck him, strange to say, 
 That birds might come a different way ; 
 So nothing overhead he saw. 
 Till pinned beneath an Eagle's claw ! 
 He could not move a limb, nor speak, 
 For terror of the creature's beak. 
 That snapped out sharply, bit by bit. 
 Two horrid syllables : " Just fit!''' 
 He felt it vain to ask, j/or what ^ 
 But, faintly struggling with his lot,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Gasped out at length, — " Oh, spare my life!' 
 " Wilt give me Adelaide to wife?" 
 
 The answer made was " No," of course, 
 
 But this time it was very hoarse, 
 
 For he already felt with awe 
 
 This was a second son-in-law ; 
 
 Indeed the bargain soon was made, — 
 
 A golden egg the dower purveyed. 
 
 The talons then release their prey. 
 
 The gasping Baron limps away. 
 
 While winds behind the shrill words carry, 
 " To fetch my bride I sliall not tarry." 
 
 6. 
 
 From the high crag downward sweeping 
 
 Bitter blew the icy North ; 
 Yet in spite of wind and weather 
 
 Must fair Adelaide go forth 
 To the tree with apples laden. 
 
 Lest the sudden tempest shake 
 All the fruit in golden showers 
 
 Rushing headlong to the lake. 
 
 Gathering, catching, and pursuing. 
 She had piled a goodly store, 
 
 When a blast swept from the upland 
 Far more furious than before. 
 
 Round the trunk a soft arm throwing 
 Little used to rough embrace,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Locks and garments wildly streaming, 
 Scarce the maiden held her place. 
 
 Hark ! is all that rising clamour 
 
 But the tempest's gathering force ? 
 Mingles not a clash of armour 
 
 And the tramping of a horse ? 
 Yes ; the maid, her faint arm drooping, 
 
 Feels a stronger round her press' d — 
 Turns, and sees a knight beside her. 
 
 Eagle's feathers on his crest. 
 
 Few the words he spent in wooing. 
 
 Yet they must have pleased her ear, 
 For anon she mounts before him 
 
 More in wonder than in fear. 
 Soon they miss her from the castle, 
 
 Call aloud, " Where has she strayed?" 
 But the echoes only mock them, 
 
 Giving back their " Adelaide!" 
 
 Day by day, her hopes decaying, 
 
 Wept the Baroness and pined : 
 Something like a faint suspicion 
 
 Stole at times across her mind. 
 That her spouse could tell the story, — 
 
 But 'twas vain a word to beg ; 
 And the Baron, too well knowing. 
 
 Went to liatch the golden Qgg.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 7. 
 
 How shall I describe, 
 
 Or to figures reduce, 
 The fine brood of dollars 
 
 This egg did produce ? 
 From the Baron's big pocket 
 
 They flew out apace. 
 As in splendour at Court 
 
 He again took his place. 
 
 But with all the gay doings, 
 
 The feasting and play. 
 This fine brood of dollars 
 
 At length died away ; 
 So back, once again. 
 
 To the castle that stood 
 Perched high on the crag 
 
 At the edge of a wood. 
 
 The Baron, you see, 
 
 Now possessed but one daughter, 
 But she was a gem 
 
 Of the very first water, — 
 
 The sweet Lady Bertha, 
 So lovely and clever. 
 
 So full of perfections, 
 Her equal was never. 
 
 Brought up, like her sisters, 
 
 To dress and to dance, 
 She had heeded the warninsrs 
 
 Of early miscliance, 
 And in arts of tlie kitchen 
 
 So skilful had grown. 
 She could make turtle-soup 
 
 Of an old mutton-bone ! 
 
 Thus greatly she mended 
 
 The castle's bad cheor. 
 And sought to bring comfort 
 
 To all she came near ; 
 Yet sometimes upon her 
 
 A sadness would steal, 
 Whose cause (though a secret) 
 
 To you I'll reveal. 
 
 8. 
 
 In the Baron's days of splendour 
 Had a tournament been held, 
 
 Whither flocked each knight and noble 
 Tliat in deeds of arms excell'd. 
 
 B
 
 10 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Many bore themselves right bravely, 
 Proud of feats by Bertha seen, 
 
 "Who, as Queen of Love and Beauty, 
 Sat embowered in garlands green. 
 
 Quick as light, from foe to foeman. 
 
 Round the lists her eye had flown, 
 When some fancy rapt its vision. 
 
 Fastening it on one alone : 
 He, a knight of noble stature. 
 
 All adorned in shining scales, 
 Challenges each earlier victor. 
 
 And in every course prevails. 
 
 All unhorsed around him lying. 
 
 Still erect he sits his steed. 
 Bends not till he bends before her. 
 
 Led to claim the victor's meed. 
 She, with drooping eyes, and blushes 
 
 That to veil them quickly rise, 
 Binds the scarf across his shoulder. 
 
 By her wrought, — the tourney's prize. 
 
 Througli the circle of beholders 
 
 Whispers ran, " Wlio can he be?" 
 None could tell — and lo ! he vanish'd 
 
 Ere had ceased the revelry. 
 Never more the maiden saw him — 
 
 Now the world is left behind, 
 *' Ah ! " she sighs, " in this lone dwelling: 
 
 How should he poor Bertha find ? " 
 
 07
 
 All unhorsed arDuud him lying, 
 Still erect he sits his steed, 
 Bends not till he bends before her. 
 Led to claim the victor's meed. 
 
 She, with drooping eyes, and blushes 
 That to veil them quickly rise. 
 Binds the scarf across his shoulder, 
 By her wrought, — the toui-ney's i^rize. 
 
 Page 10. 
 
 >^ 
 
 iJ
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. a 
 
 9. 
 
 A CRAG above, a wood beside, 
 
 Where haunting phantoms shriek and glide — 
 
 One, too, from which he's never free, 
 
 The constant phantom of Ennui — 
 
 What could our Baron do, but take 
 
 His way for pastime tow'rd the lake ? 
 
 By guilt as yet unstained, its waters 
 
 Reflect no image of lost daughters ; 
 
 And he his rod and line may bring 
 
 On cloudy days, and try a fling — 
 
 Perhaps catch something : he would like 
 
 To raise a trout, or strike a pike. 
 
 For Bertha's learnt from her great-aunt 
 
 The true receipt for sauce piquante. 
 
 He set to work, and strained his eyes 
 
 To fabricate some curious flies : 
 
 A lock of Bertha's golden hair 
 
 Supplied material fine and rare. 
 
 So on a nice, cool, shady day 
 
 He took the lake's descending way, 
 
 Armed at all points, and never bolder, 
 
 With fishing-rod across his shoulder. 
 
 Likewise with purpose — need you ask it? 
 
 Slung on his arm, a good large basket. 
 
 The flies were bright, the hooks were sharp — 
 He soon had caught some pretty carp, 
 That would on table make a figure ; 
 But hankering still for something bigger,
 
 12 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. , 
 
 I 
 
 He threw again — at once the bait 
 Was seized, and at a furious rate 
 As if propelled by ten-fish-power 
 It dragged him after for an hour 
 Through bush and brier and water-course 
 Still dragging onward in full force ! 
 At last it brought him where a rock 
 Opposed a mighty stumbling-block, 
 Which, rising sheer ftill twenty feet, 
 To scale were Alpenjdger's feat. 
 The Baron's wearied limbs incline 
 To quit the chase and snap the line : 
 Lo ! when he ceases to pursue. 
 The Fish most civilly stops too, 
 Rears his huge head above the wave, 
 And says, " Fair sir, your ear I crave." 
 
 The act good breeding did betoken, 
 
 The words, too, were so blandly spoken, 
 " Ah!" quoth our hero (now clear-sighted), 
 " I must profess myself delighted 
 
 Some polished animals to find, 
 
 Superior to their greedy kind : 
 
 For all that yet have chanced to meet me 
 
 ('Twill shock your feelings) wished to eat me ! 
 
 I'm happy, sir, a Fish to see. 
 
 Governed by purest courtesy!" — 
 " Hem !" said the Fish, " I would not boast — 
 
 You reckon, sir, without your host. 
 
 True, of rash dealings I'm no lover, 
 
 So we'll just talk the matter over." II 
 
 1
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 13 
 
 It waved the Baron to a stone, 
 And then went on in friendliest tone : 
 *' Transparent as our ek-inent, 
 We Fish speak clearly our intent 
 Since the first baby minnow tried 
 Its fins against a streamlet's tide. 
 I vow, by that delicious fly 
 That hooked into my heart doth lie, 
 I love more dearly than my life 
 Your Bertha, whom I seek for wife. 
 Ask you her dowry? be it told, 
 Fishes have nought to do with gold ; 
 But see, of pearls a plenteous store — 
 They'll make you wealthier than before. 
 Yet, should you my proposals slight, 
 Know, I've a fishy appetite. 
 Consent — I hope I've made it clear ; 
 
 Or else — just look — you go down here!' 
 It gaped, and showed a cavern wide 
 
 As the poor Baron's mightiest stride ! 
 
 He felt for pistols at his girdle. 
 
 But only felt his life-blood curdle. 
 
 Exhausted by the headlong chase, 
 
 He could not muster heart of grace 
 
 For aught in meaning, w^ord or deed, 
 
 Than two faint syllables — " Agreed ! " 
 
 The Fish gave one great jump for joy — 
 " Hurrah ! dear father-in-law, good-bye, 
 
 I'll get my coral palace ready 
 
 For my sweet bride; — but, sir, be steady:
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 If you consume my pearls too fast, 
 Beware ! — this fortune is your last ! 
 'Twould grieve me to my very tail 
 To see my Bertha's sire in jail. 
 Success, then, to our new relation 
 And mutual accommodation ! " 
 Then bowing gravely, down it dived — 
 The Baron sank, of sense deprived. 
 
 Rising to consciousness again, 
 
 Our hero rubbed his eyes, and fain 
 
 Would think the whole affair a dream, 
 
 So strange the Fish's part did seem ; 
 
 But, ah ! beside, in bright array, 
 
 The dowered pearls by hundreds lay ! 
 
 He sobbed — " My last, my precious child ! 
 
 No, never be my hands defiled 
 
 With thy base price ! " but as he said it 
 
 With energy much to his credit. 
 
 And moved to thrust the pearls away, 
 
 Somehow his hands did not obey. 
 
 But in the basket packed them up 
 
 All safe and sound, and on the top 
 
 The carp in careful order laid, 
 
 That what's beneath be not betray'd.— 
 
 The whole, with rushes covered o'er, 
 
 Passed, unobserved, the castle door.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 15 
 
 10. 
 
 Unobserved the basket entered, 
 
 But the morning went not by 
 Ere our active Bertha, passing, 
 
 Cast on it a housewife's eye. 
 Through the green the bright carp ghttered — 
 " Ah ! " she thought, " papa's forgot 
 To desire I'd dress for dinner 
 
 These nice fish that he has caught." 
 
 When she lifts them up — wonder ! 
 "Mother! mother!" quick slie cries, 
 " See these pearls ! — a kingly treasure ! 
 
 Whence can come this beauteous prize?" 
 But the Baroness regards them 
 With a spirit prone to fears : 
 " Would, oh, would we ne'er had seen them ! — 
 Pearls, my child, betoken tears ! 
 
 Comes, alas ! another sorrow 
 
 On our doomed, our wretched house?" — 
 "Mother! why this sad foreboding? 
 
 Let me brighter fancies rouse ! 
 What if, 'mid our wealthy kindred, 
 
 Some one sends us this relief? 
 For the pearls would bring a fortune, 
 
 And, I'm sure, papa's no thief! " 
 
 Thus they talk, but still feel curious. 
 And the Baron briskly ply.
 
 16 
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 (( 
 
 Woman-like, with daily questions, 
 Till he's forced to some reply. 
 
 He, poor coward, shrank from telling 
 All the truth — so only said, 
 
 'Tis a noble bridegroom's present, 
 Who our Bertha seeks to wed." 
 
 Somewhat comforted, the lady 
 
 Aids her husband to devise 
 Best disposal of the treasure ; 
 
 While sweet Bertha's fancy flies 
 Straight — I know not why or wherefore- 
 
 AVondering whom the Baron meant : 
 Could the bridegroom be that stranger, 
 
 Victor in the tournament? 
 
 11. 
 
 Now thinks the shrewd Baron, 
 " Why not set about 
 Our escape from this place 
 
 Ere the Fish find it out? 
 Why, weeks have gone by 
 
 And he never has come : 
 Who knows, or who cares for him ? 
 
 /don't — a crumb ! " 
 
 So he sat down and wrote 
 To his agents in town 
 
 To turn the Fish-dower 
 Into hard money down, 
 
 Redeem his lost castles. 
 Refurnish with taste, — 
 
 Prepare his reception. 
 In short, in all haste. 
 
 A trousseau^ besides. 
 
 Was for Bertha ordained ; 
 For the talk of a bridegroom 
 
 Must still be maintained, 
 
 1
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 17 
 
 And he felt very sure 
 
 He'd not have f\ir to seek — • 
 She had suitors in plenty, 
 
 Too modest to speaV 
 
 Three rows for her necklace 
 Of pearls he reserved, 
 
 And her mother surveyed them 
 With courage new-nerved. 
 
 The Baron declared 
 
 He'd give up evil courses — 
 
 So all was in readiness, 
 Coaches and horses. 
 
 Then chuckled my lord 
 
 At so cleverly cheating : 
 " Aha ! Mr. Fish ! 
 
 Talk of wedding or eating ! " 
 A new dawn of hope 
 
 On the family shone — 
 Glad thoughts have the parents, 
 
 And Bertha — her own. 
 
 12. 
 
 On the morning of departure 
 Cheerily the house was stirred, 
 
 When, the packing almost ended, 
 . At the door a knock was heard. 
 
 Prompt the Baron went to open — 
 Such a sound was rare indeed — 
 
 Startled, found a youth most courtly, 
 Bidino: on a milk-white steed. 
 
 Quoth the guest, " My lord, your pardon 
 
 If my visit be ill-timed, 
 But my horse is somewhat weary 
 
 With the mountain path he's climbed, 
 Will it please you let me enter 
 
 And enjoy an hour's rest? 
 Then at leisure I'll discover 
 
 Hopes that fill my ardent breast."
 
 18 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 " Ha! " the Baron tliouglit, " a suitor! 
 
 Well, lie comes most apropos, 
 Only I could wish he'd waited 
 
 Till we were more fit to show." 
 Turning to the guest : " Delighted 
 
 With this visit sans facon : 
 I, dear sir, make no excuses. 
 
 For I hold them mauvais ton. 
 
 Here, you see, we are quite rustic — 
 
 This is but a shooting box, 
 Where the picturesque we study, 
 
 Very snug among the rocks : 
 Just down there we've famous fishing ; 
 
 Had we not been going to-day. 
 To the lake and all our lions 
 
 I'd have gladly shown the way. 
 
 Well ! you take us as you find us ; — 
 
 Here's a chair, sir, pray sit down : 
 All my servants are gone forward 
 
 To prepare my house in town. 
 Hope you will come there and see us, 
 
 And we'll give you better cheer." 
 Courteous bowed the guest, but answered, 
 
 Business would detain him here. 
 
 Then in form he made proposals : 
 Long had he fair Bertha loved : 
 
 Eagerly the Baron listened, 
 Most paternally approved.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 19 
 
 " Might I speak, sir, with the lady?''— 
 " Certainly ! Come, Bertha dear !" 
 Wondering, down the maiden hurries — 
 " What strange novelty is here?" 
 
 Shyly at the gnest she glances — 
 
 Then a sudden crimson glows 
 On her cheeks ; and as a sunbeam 
 
 Down a streamlet wavering goes. 
 Half she lingers, half advances. 
 
 Striving her deh'ght to hide ; 
 For she knows the tourney's victor 
 
 By her scarf about him tied. 
 
 But he springs to her, and whispers. 
 
 Locks her yielding hand in his ; 
 While the anxious mother, enterins". 
 
 Scans her dear child's destinies. 
 Something from the scarf she guesses, 
 
 More from Bertha's glowing fiice. 
 " Yours the pearls?" — " Ay, honoured lady !" — 
 
 And he bends with courtly scrace. 
 
 Much affected stands the Baron, 
 
 And his moistened eyes doth wipe ; 
 'Tis a sweet domestic tableau, 
 
 Fit for a daguerreotype. 
 " Well ! " his lordship says, " I'm happy — 
 
 All is settled, I suppose — 
 Will our son-in-law partake of 
 
 Some refreshment ere he goes?"
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Somewhat nervously he said it, 
 Doubtful of the larder's state, 
 
 But the guest's fine tact relieves hlm^ 
 " Nay, no trouble I entreat ; 
 
 I've detained you long already — 
 All I wish, my thirst to slake, 
 
 Is a draught of cool fresh water 
 Drawn from that romantic lake." 
 
 " Certainly ! Go fetch it. Bertha ! 
 
 Yet — the way is rather steep — 
 If, dear sir, you would go with her "— 
 
 (For a sudden dread doth creep 
 On the Baron's mind:) " Most gladly 1" 
 
 Says the guest with gallant air, 
 To his bride a hand presenting, 
 
 Down the path they disappear. 
 
 Anxious, yet afraid to follow. 
 
 Goes the Baron to a rock 
 That o'erhangs the dark blue waters 
 
 Of that evil-omened loch. 
 Lo ! a sudden stream beside him 
 
 Rushes down in rapid course 
 From the courtyard of the castle 
 
 Where the stranger left his horse. 
 
 Plunging as in wildest gallop. 
 Tossing up a watery mane. 
 
 Still the torrent to his fancy 
 A strange likeness doth retain
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 21 
 
 To that vanished milk-white courser ! 
 " Magic this !" — at furious pace 
 He pursues ; but gouty Baron 
 Ne'er of torrent won a race. 
 
 Far below the Knight is standing 
 
 Pressing Bertha to his breast. 
 As the goblin fiend approaches, 
 
 Lo ! he leaps upon its crest : 
 One wild spring — and as the Baron, 
 
 Panting, almost gains the shore, 
 In the lake the Knight and Bertha 
 
 Plunge and sink, and rise no more ! 
 
 Only through the heaving water 
 
 Gleams the maiden's golden hair, 
 And comes up that voice so courteous 
 
 He had heard — he knows it — there : 
 " Noble father-in-law, forgive us ! 
 
 Bertha with her Fish must go ; 
 He will strive to make her happy — 
 
 To our coral palace, ho !
 
 22 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 P j^RT II. 
 
 1. 
 
 '^OME fifteen years have passed away 
 
 la Since the first period of our lay, 
 
 And tokens grave we find, 
 In grizzled beard and blanched tress 
 Of Baron and of Baroness, — 
 
 Fell age and troubled mind. 
 The mother ne'er had ceased to crave 
 
 For tidings of her daughters' fate ; 
 But hope had ebbed out wave by wave, 
 
 And left her desolate. 
 
 The Baron too is sobered much, 
 
 For threefold loss his heart did touch : 
 
 At last with deep remorse, 
 A sadder and a wiser man. 
 He with the pearly wealth began 
 
 To lead an honest course. 
 To his sad wife he frankly told 
 
 His errors ; and the stricken pair 
 In poverty of childless gold 
 
 Add weary year to year. 
 
 Yet, brightening on them as they sped. 
 Gleamed out a little sunny head ; 
 
 1
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 23 
 
 And pattering infant feet 
 Played with the pavement of those halls, 
 And laughter won from solemn walls 
 
 Responses strange and sweet. 
 'Twas a new blessing come to soothe 
 
 The parents' heart with anguish torn, 
 When, lost the children of their youth, 
 
 A son to them was born. 
 
 Young Roland's infancy was nursed 
 With wondrous legends, oft rehearsed, 
 
 Mixed with mysterious sighs. 
 Fair sisters, whom he never knew, 
 Serene in pictured likeness, grew 
 
 Familiar to his eyes. 
 The stately Isabel was there; 
 
 And pensive, dark-eyed Adelaide ; 
 And Bertha, with the golden hair. 
 
 That down her shoulders strayed. 
 
 Often it chanced, wdien tired of play, 
 Tow^ard the closing of the day. 
 
 When winter lights grew pale. 
 His pretty head would Roland rest 
 Upon his mother's tender breast, 
 
 And beg of her the tale. 
 At first he heard in wonder glad ; 
 
 Then to his opening mind there crept 
 A dreamy sense of something sad ; 
 
 At last with her he wept.
 
 24 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 A passion seized beyond control 
 The vigour of liis boyisli soul, 
 
 And soon in new alarm 
 The lady found her darling's mind 
 Fixed on adventure rash and blind, 
 
 Far from her circling arm. 
 Beyond his years in ardour ripe. 
 
 His youth would Roland dedicate 
 Dishonour from their house to wipe 
 
 And learn his sisters' fate. 
 
 Oh ! how the mother wished unsaid 
 The words that had with longings fed 
 
 That heart too sensitive I 
 She put the fatal pictures by, 
 With aught that could through ear or eye 
 
 Keep his resolve alive. 
 Her hope outworn, she feared to stake 
 
 The one sure prize on doubtful gain ; 
 And every art she tried to shake 
 
 His purpose — but in vain. 
 
 The Baron somewhat held aloof, 
 Though glorying in young Roland's proof 
 
 Of spirit bold and high. 
 He truly felt his own disgrace 
 When looking on that earnest face. 
 
 That bright, unflinching eye. 
 And Roland, though the wife had sought 
 
 To veil her husband's guilty part,
 
 THE THREE SOXS-IN-LAW. 25 
 
 Yet from tlie tale some hint had caught 
 That smote him to the heart. 
 
 He asked no more ; but each caress 
 Reserving for the Baroness, 
 
 Grew more and more lier own. 
 Grievous for him had been the choice 
 To go or stay, but that a voice, 
 
 With solenm, changeless tone, 
 Still urged him forth, by day and night. 
 
 A mute consent at leni'-th he won — 
 Upon the morrow he was gone, 
 
 And with him all delight. 
 
 2. 
 
 With haste our Roland journeyed on to where the castle stood, 
 Well noted in our story, with crag, and lake, and wood : 
 ]\Iore dreary yet its aspect than in those former times ; 
 For since that last adventure no foot the pathway climbs, — 
 No human face has looked upon its likeness in the water 
 Since the great Fish eloped with the Baron's youngest daughter. 
 
 The snap-dragons are watching still upon the castle wall, 
 Though nought of joy or danger doth in their sight befall. 
 " snap-dragons!" cried Roland, " you gape but will not speak ; 
 Can ye not tell me where, I my sister dear should seek?" 
 They could not speak, in truth, but their crimson heads they nodded 
 Towards the forest's depths, whither Roland bravely plodded. 
 

 
 26 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 'Twas through a tangled thicket of brier and prickly pear, 
 Set by the Baron as a screen between him and the Bear ; 
 So Roland, boldly marching that brother-in-law to meet, 
 Must hew and hack around him with sword expert and fleet. 
 
 At length a way was cleared, and he cheerfully pressed on. 
 And sought and sought in vain till the sinking of the sun ; 
 Then mixed with infant growlings he heard a woman's tone, — 
 " 'Tis late, my precious darlings ; come in and gnaw your bone!" 
 
 Advanced a step, the entrance of a dark cave he saw, 
 Where sat a beauteous lady, holding by the paw 
 A tiny baby Bear, while among the trees there played 
 A herd of little Bruins, and savage laughter made. 
 He needed but a look, for the likeness he knew well 
 Of the stately pictured damsel, his sister Isabel. 
 
 Quick through the rustling branches he sprang to her embrace, 
 Ere she perceived his coming or clearly saw his face. 
 " What human form is this?" she in trepidation cries, 
 " That dares approach this spot and the savage Bear defies ? 
 Release me, rash young stranger ! for I am Bruin's wife. 
 And should he find you here, you would pa}'' it with your life." 
 
 " hear me, dearest sister!" — " Sister! what can this be? 
 
 I never had a brother, and the rest are lost to me." — 
 " Indeed I am the Baron's son, but born in later years 
 
 To a bereaved father amid a mother's tears." 
 
 Long, long she gazed upon him, and the likeness now confessing, 
 
 Fell on his neck in rapture, of love, and joy, and blessing.
 
 
 
 
 A tiny baby Bear, while among the trees there played 
 A herd of little Bruins, and savage laughter niaile. 
 He needed but a look, for the likeness he knew well 
 Of the stately pictured damsel, his sister Isabel. 
 
 Quick through tlie rustUng branches he sprang to her emtirace, 
 
 Ere she perceived his coming or clearly saw his face. 
 
 " What human form is this ]" she in trepidation cries, 
 
 " That dares approach this spot and the savage Bear defies I 
 
 Release me, rash young stranger ! fur 1 am Bruiu's wife, 
 
 And siiould he linJ you here, you would pay it witli your life." 
 
 Page 26, 
 
 ^^"^ 
 
 % 
 
 ^;^
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 27 
 
 " happy (lay ! the first I have known tliis many a year ; 
 Though I've a loving husband — when lie Is not a Bear. 
 By birth he is a noble Prince, enchanted in tliis shape ; 
 Whence he one day in seven enjoys a brief escape. 
 Our children, too, are Bearlings for six days in the week ; — 
 All, for no fault, condemned through a wicked Fairy's freak." 
 
 But now, her cares returning, "Fly hence, dear boy!" she cries, 
 " I cannot keep you safe from my Bear's observant eyes ; 
 He'll soon come home — beware ! if he's met bad luck to-day 
 Whatever comes to hand — or mouth — will fall a certain prey!" 
 But Roland wouldn't leave her, so she sought how best to hiile liim 
 Beneath a heap of leaves, with the infxnt Bear beside him. 
 
 " This is my darling baby ; — if you could only see 
 His sweet blue eyes and dimples, when from the spell he's free ! 
 However, he^s quite harmless as yet on common days. 
 The elder boys, I grieve to say, are learning bearish ways ; 
 They idll bite one another — although I make a rule 
 To put them in the corner, as they did us at school. 
 
 Take care of Shag and Roughead ; you must not go too near 
 
 When they are wild with play — you might get an ugly tear : 
 
 They are such fine young fellows ! so full of health and fun ! 
 
 And when I'm by to mind them, they won't Inirt any one. 
 
 My girls are slow at work — stick their thimbles on their thumbs : 
 
 Poor dears ! they learn but once a-week — no wonder — hush! he comes!'' 
 
 Then patting down the leaves, she a lullaby began : 
 " Sleep sound, sleep sound, my baby, thy father is a man ;
 
 28 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 The day after to-morrow my darling boy will wake 
 
 Without this horrid fur all about his pretty neck ; 
 
 I'll dress him out so finely, my babe of royal race — 
 
 Well, love ! you're come back early ; how fared you in the chase ? " 
 
 " Poor sport! " the Bear replied; " only two or three lean sheep." — 
 " Shall I dress them, love, to-morrow ? or will they longer keep ? " — 
 "Ahem! there's only one left — my appetite was strong: 
 Here, take it to your mother, young cubs, and get along 1 " 
 
 The Bearlings hung about it with greedy eye and paw : 
 " Now children, do not touch," cries mamma : " I never saw 
 Such manners in my life ; but I never lived with Bears, 
 Or guessed 'twould be my weary task to manage their affairs, 
 Well, well, it can't be helped — oh ! my love, what are you doing ? 
 Pray don't go near that couch of leaves, — you'll wake poor little Bruin. 
 
 He's caught a nasty cold in his darling little throat, 
 So I only washed his snout and paws and combed his curly ccat, 
 And made a nice soft couch where he quietly can lie, 
 Because those brothers tease him (pet!) whenever they are by." — 
 " Well," said the Bear, " I'll only look — but what is it that shakes 
 Those leaves above so queerly ? " (For even Roland quakes). 
 
 " Dear husband ! you are drowsy, and cannot see quite plain ; 
 I'm sleepy too — so come, love, into the cave again." 
 He yields ; — soon from the bed-room is heard a mighty snore, 
 And Roland breathes again, for to-night the danger's o'er. 
 With dawn the Bear goes hunting ; the day is passed in peace, 
 
 " And on the next," said Isabel, " the cruel charm will cease."
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 29 
 
 3. 
 
 Early on the expected morning, 
 
 By the couch where Roland lies, 
 Stands a man of noble aspect, 
 
 Kindness beaming from his eyes. 
 " Wake, good brother! time is precious — 
 
 I'm rejoiced to see you here, 
 Proud of making your acquaintance, 
 
 Though but for a day, I fear. 
 
 Ha! 'tis thus my wife has hid you!— 
 
 What, a capital device ! 
 How I wish I could forget it 
 
 When possessed with bearish vice ! 
 On my honour I assure you 
 
 Nothing gives me greater pain 
 Than to know my natural temper 
 
 Must be brutalized again. 
 
 'Tis, 1 fear, a grievous trial 
 
 For my poor dear Isabel : 
 How, sir, do you find she bears it? 
 
 Ho you think her pretty well ? 
 Then, our children's education — 
 
 How to make them wise and meek, 
 Overpowers an anxious father 
 
 Who's himself but once a-week. 
 
 Still they're not amiss, the darlings — 
 Won't you come and see them all ? "
 
 30 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Happy Isabel sits smiling 
 
 'Mid her offspring great and small. 
 
 That uncouth young baby Bruin 
 Sweetly In her lap now lies 
 
 Looking in her face, and cooing 
 With a human mouth and eyes. 
 
 All the rest were saying their letters — 
 
 But imperfectly, 'tis true ; 
 Some stuck fast in F's and H's, 
 None could get past W. 
 " Come, my dears ! I'm sure you knew it ! "- 
 " Mother ! 'tis so long ago ! " 
 Then papa begged off the lessons, 
 
 And she laughed, " 'Twas always so." 
 
 " Just to day, to please our brother — 
 
 They'll learn quicker by-and-by. 
 Come ! let's see no troubled faces, 
 
 But to breakfast merrily." 
 In the shade of deep green chestnuts 
 
 Neatly the repast was spread ; 
 Bear and Bearllngs of to-morrow 
 
 Ate with manners courtly-bred. 
 
 Scarcely older than his nephews, 
 SIgismund and Adelbart, 
 
 (Shag and Roughead called on bear-days), 
 Boland quickly won their heart, 
 
 Told the wonders of the city. 
 
 Country sports, and all he knew ;
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 31 
 
 And the little Bear-Princesses 
 
 Brought tlieir work and listened too. 
 
 So tlie day passed gaily over, 
 
 But at night there fell a shade 
 On the newly-found relations, 
 
 And the Prince to Roland said, — 
 " Grieved I am, sir, but the proverb 
 
 Bids us ' speed the parting guest,' 
 And another night securely 
 
 In my care you could not rest. 
 
 Take a general invitation 
 
 For our weekly day of grace, — 
 If you are content to rough it 
 
 In this rugged dwelling-place. 
 We shall hope next week to see you ; 
 
 But meanwhile avoid me, pray ! — 
 Couldn't answer what might happen 
 
 Should you chance to cross my way. 
 
 Roland thanks, but for the present 
 
 Must discharge his other vows, — 
 Seek the consort of the Eagle, 
 
 Bertha and her fishy spouse. 
 So with kisses from the nieces. 
 
 Hugs from Sigey, alias Shag, 
 Tears from Isabel and blessings. 
 
 He departed t'ward the crag.
 
 32 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 All tlirougli the silver moonllglit he climbed the steep ascent, 
 
 And through the morrow's heat, till his strength was well-nigh spent. 
 
 At length, as twilight fell, something shapely he espied 
 
 Perched high in a crevice of the rugged mountain side, 
 
 Like the nest of an Eagle, where sat a dark-eyed dame 
 
 He knew to be his sister, Adelaide by name. 
 
 " Adelaide, my sister!" he loudly then did call, 
 And strove to climb the cliff, — but 'twas s eep as any wa'.l! 
 Ingloriously downward he slid with both his legs, 
 While she cried out, " Don't shake ! I shall crack my precious eggs ! 
 My husband is an Eagle with cruel claws and beak — 
 I warn you, come not hither ! " — " Yet only hear me speak ! " 
 
 " Well, stay below a while, and your errand I will hear." 
 Then Roland told the story, how he was her brother dear. 
 With joy she would have thrown herself down to him from the nest. 
 But care for her Eaglets the impulse wild repress'd ; 
 So she only stretched her arms in the transport of her love, 
 And showered endless kisses on Roland from above. 
 
 " You must not venture nearer — the shades are falling fast — 
 My husband will rush down like a sudden winter blast." — 
 
 " sister! can't you hide me?" — " Alas! there is no place, 
 Unless among the eggs I can make a little space. 
 You'll find it rather warm, but 'twill keep you out of sight. 
 And the darlings' hatching time is scarcely out to-night."
 
 
 /■ 
 
 All through the silver moonlight he climbed the steep ascent, 
 
 AtkI through the morrow's heat, tQl his strength was well-nigh spent. 
 
 At length, as twilight fell, something sliapely he espied 
 
 Perched high in a crevice of the nigged mountain side. 
 
 Like the nest of an Eagle, where sat a dark-eyed damo 
 
 lie knew to be his sister, Adelaide by name. 
 
 Fcge 32. 
 
 tS>^>-
 
 *ik
 
 THE THREE SOXS-IX-LAW. 33 
 
 Up tlien young Roland scrambled, and drawing in his legs, 
 Crept 'mid his future nephews, — uninteresting eggs. 
 O'er all her ample robes Lady Adelaide outspread, — 
 'Twas much like sleeping under a German feather-bed. 
 Then by the smothered voice of the youth she heard related 
 What had of late befallen their family ill-fated. 
 
 " What ! Isabel a Bear's wife, that used to be so fine ? 
 Well ! I declare her lot is a harder one than mine. 
 There's something in an Eagle so noble, — though indeed 
 He's apt to peck my hand in play until he makes it bleed. 
 The worst is, that my children, as soon as they can fly. 
 Begin to roam about the world, and bid mamma good-bye. 
 
 The only consolation is hatching a new brood, — 
 
 They're pets at first, and Isabel's, you say are all so rude ! " — 
 " Oh, by-the-by!" cried Roland, " she sent word with her best love, 
 
 Baby was such a darling, and cooed like any dove." — 
 " Ah, well, I envy thaf^ mine make such a horrid screeching 
 
 AVhen their papa comes home, — there's no help, with all my preaching. 
 
 Bound by a cruel spell, he's Man only one week in seven : 
 
 'Tis but a slender morsel our dreary lot to leaven ; 
 
 But when it comes, we're always as happy as the day, 
 
 Forgetting all our cares, — how I wish that you could stay ! 
 
 It is but three days off, and you'd like each other so ! 
 
 And half the year, at least, you can't reach us for the snow." — 
 
 " Dear sister, how the cold winds your tender limbs must pinch ! " — 
 " Yes ; often in the winter I cannot move an inch ;
 
 34 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Sometimes I can't help crying, because I feel so chilly ; 
 But Eagles don't mind cold, you know, and think it very silly. 
 My husband, I must say, does his best to make it pleasant, 
 Warm fleeces from the sheep's backs oft bringing as a present. 
 
 Now hide yourself! he's coming! " she cried with anxious frown, — 
 
 Whirr ! from the sky above them came the Eagle swooping down. 
 
 He gave his wife a violent kiss, as If from Iron springs. 
 
 The nest shook with the shock, and night fell with the massive wings. 
 
 He hung there talking fearfully In nutmeg-grater tones, — 
 
 Young Roland felt a shudder to the marrow of his bones* 
 
 Yet this good Eagle's talk was on pure domestic topics, — 
 
 He loved his wife and children with the ardour of the tropics ; 
 
 And questions of their welfare jerking out without cessation, 
 
 His beak seemed a perpetual note of interrogation. 
 
 All night he hovered o'er the nest, watching and Inquiring 
 
 As each young Eaglet broke Its shell : at length it grew quite tiring ; 
 
 Especially to Roland, who, hatching all this while, 
 Kept wishing his good brother-in-law up in the sky a mile. 
 " Love, don't stay here," the wife said ; "you'll find it very dull : 
 See ! there the sun Is rising so red and beautiful ; 
 Do take a flight." — " What ! leave one dear Infant in its shell 
 And all the other darlings about the nest pellmell ? " — 
 Oh I how get rid of Eagles so full of tender feeling ? 
 She tries another course, to the father's heart appealing : 
 
 '" Pray, my love, have you lately fallen In with those dear creatures, 
 Jettywing and Strongbeak ? (the most like you in features") ;
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 35 
 
 They've not been home for montlis." — " Ha! vilhiin tliat I am ! " 
 Exclaimed the Eagle, pecking his own breast like a lamb, 
 ' Neglecting my own children! I feel quite in a fuss — 
 The last place where I saw them was the top of Caucasus. 
 
 I'm desperately afraid — for they're but young, you see — 
 
 Lest they should have got drowned in that awkward Caspian Sea, 
 
 Carrying off some booty too heavy for their strength : 
 
 Well, I'll be off, and scour all Russia breadth and length. 
 
 Adieu, my love ! if only they're on some Eaglet freak 
 
 In three days' time I'll bring them home to spend our happy week." 
 
 Then — whirr ! and he flew upw^ard with a tremendous jerk. 
 And soon was sailing over the Russian and the Turk. 
 Gladly sprang up Roland too, though cramped about the leg. 
 And Adelaide ceased sitting on that unhopeful egg. 
 They fondled the small Eaglets, and watched them grow apace, 
 Hoped for the others' safe return, and for the week of grace. 
 
 Gladly rose the wife and brother 
 
 When the welcome morning broke ; 
 Freed from budding claws and feathers. 
 
 Three fair babies smiling woke. 
 " 'Tis," mamma said, " rather awkward 
 
 Havnig one's whole brood in arms ; 
 But my husband helps to nurse them. 
 
 And looks out that nothing harms."
 
 34 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Sometimes I can't help crying, because I feel so chilly ; 
 But Eagles don't mind cold, you know, and think it very silly. 
 My husband, I must say, does his best to make it pleasant, 
 Warm fleeces from the sheep's backs oft bringing as a present. 
 
 Now hide yourself! he's coming! " she cried with anxious frown, — 
 
 Whirr! from the sky above them came the Eagle swooping down. 
 
 He gave his wife a violent kiss, as if from Iron springs, 
 
 The nest shook with the shock, and night fell with the massive wings. 
 
 He hung there talking fearfully in nutmeg-grater tones, — 
 
 Young Roland felt a shudder to the marrow of his bones* 
 
 Yet this good Eagle's talk was on pure domestic topics, — 
 
 He loved his wife and children with the ardour of the tropics ; 
 
 And questions of their welfare jerking out without cessation, 
 
 His beak seemed a perpetual note of interrogation. 
 
 All night he hovered o'er the nest, watching and inquiring 
 
 As each young Eaglet broke its shell : at length it grew quite tiring ; 
 
 Especially to Roland, who, hatching all this while, 
 Kept wishing his good brother-in-law up in the sky a mile. 
 " Love, don't stay here," the wife said ; "you'll find it very dull : 
 See ! there the sun is rising so red and beautiful ; 
 Do take a flight." — " What ! leave one dear infant in its shell 
 And all the other darlings about the nest pellmell ? " — 
 Oh ! how get rid of Eagles so full of tender feeling ? 
 She tries another course, to the father's heart appealing : 
 
 •" Pray, my love, have you lately fallen in with those dear creatures, 
 Jettywing and Strongbeak ? (the most like you in features') ;
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 35 
 
 They've not been home for months." — " Ha! vilhiin tliat I am ! " 
 Exclaimed the Eagle, peckhig his own breast like a lamb, 
 ' Neglecting my own children ! I feel quite in a fuss — 
 The last place where 1 saw them was the top of Caucasus. 
 
 I'm desperately afraid — for they're but young, you see — 
 
 Lest they should have got drowned in that awkward Caspian Sea, 
 
 Carrying off some booty too heavy for their strength : 
 
 Well, I'll be off, and scour all Paissia breadth and length. 
 
 Adieu, my love ! if only they're on some Eaglet freak 
 
 In three days' time I'll bring them home to spend our happy week." 
 
 Then — whirr ! and he flew upward with a tremendous jerk, 
 And soon was sailing over the Eussian and the Turk. 
 Gladly sprang up Roland too, though cramped about tlie leg. 
 And Adelaide ceased sitting on that unhopeful egg. 
 They fondled the small Eaglets, and watched them grow apace, 
 Hoped for the others' safe return, and for the week of grace. 
 
 Gladly rose the wife and brother 
 
 When the welcome morning broke ; 
 Freed from budding claws and feathers, 
 
 Three fair babies smiling woke. 
 " 'Tis," mamma said, " rather awkward 
 
 Havnig one's whole brood in arms ; 
 But my husband helps to nurse them. 
 
 And looks out that nothing liarms."
 
 36 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Still the Eagle-Prince appeared not — 
 
 They were getting in a fright, 
 \\\iQn slow toiling up the mountain 
 
 Came his noble form in sight, 
 With a slender son and daughter 
 
 Fondly led in either hand — 
 Weary, travel-stained, the wanderers 
 
 Gain at length the wished-for strand. 
 
 Pardon, love!" the Prince cries, panting; 
 " We were hindered in our flight : 
 When the transformation took us 
 
 At the dawning of the light. 
 We had still to cross two valleys, 
 
 Charge two barricades of rock ; — 
 Truly, what is play to Eagles 
 
 Proves to Men a stumbling-block. 
 
 'Tis preposterous, I own it, 
 
 Living up on Adlerfels ; 
 But in Eagle-weeks, poor idiot ! 
 
 I'm content with nothing else. 
 Well, I've brought our truant children, 
 
 Now I long our babes to see — 
 Hope that last, that seemed untoward, 
 
 Prospered like the other three." — 
 
 " That poor egg^'' his wife says, laughing, 
 " Has produced a fine young man ! " 
 Roland to her side advances — 
 " Read the riddle if you can."
 
 TUE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 37 
 
 Well, the tale is soon related, 
 Hearty greetings intereliangeJ ; 
 
 Adelaide then chides the young ones 
 Who so wantonly have ranged. 
 
 " Lost to me for months together — " 
 
 " Dear mamma!" they fondly plead, 
 " We carit help it when we're Eagles, 
 But in weeks of grace, indeed, 
 Always long to be beside you. 
 
 Only — we can't find the way ; 
 And it is such hard work climbing. 
 As papa has learnt to-day." 
 
 Strongbeak is a handsome fellow, — 
 
 Nose a thought too aquiline ; 
 But the Eagle eye redeems it — 
 
 Now they call him Jeoline : 
 Jettywing, a lovely maiden, 
 
 (Jetta is her maiden name,) 
 Somewhat wild at first, but growing 
 
 Ere the week's end sweet and tame. 
 
 Still came two or three stray children 
 
 Dropping in, of various broods, — 
 Rather strange to one another. 
 
 Rash and flighty in their moods ; 
 But they all with Uncle Roland 
 
 Made a most harmonious wliole. 
 And each felt, with sad foreboding, 
 
 Eagle-time toward them roll.
 
 38 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Sobbed " farewells " from many voices 
 
 Alternate with " Come again," 
 And tbe Prince says, " My dear fellow, 
 
 Thus to lose you gives me pain : 
 All the good on earth I wish you, 
 
 But I'm sure to do you harm 
 When with beak and claws afflicted 
 
 By the fatal Fairy's charm." 
 
 Well, in showers of tears he left them, 
 
 Kissing all the babies round. 
 On his hat poor Jetta fondly 
 
 One of her black tresses bound : 
 *' 'Twill to-morrow be a feather, 
 
 Waving high with graceful curl, 
 To remind you of the giver, 
 
 Sometimes bird and sometimes girl." 
 
 6. 
 
 Come, let's away to the realm of the Fishes, 
 
 Peep at their life in the water so clear ; 
 Hark ! what a clatter of kettles and dishes ! — 
 
 Some great festivity's going on here. 
 Under light arches of coral and amber 
 
 Mermaidens briskly and busily glide, 
 With their broad tails neatly sweeping the chambers. 
 
 Hands at the cooking-stove artfully plied — 
 Glancing among them, in sovereign beauty, 
 
 Quick as a sunbeam from kitchen to hall,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW, 39 
 
 Bertha keeps every one close to her duty 
 For tlie Fish-banquet tills day to befall. 
 
 *' Finna, my good girl, what are yoii about ? 
 
 Don't take your eyes 
 
 Off that compote of flics — 
 We must have delicate fare for the Trout. 
 Tench, on the contrary, low-bred and coarse, 
 Only want plenty of mud in their sauce. 
 The Salmon, you know, is a sum})tuous liver. 
 And now has returned from his trip up the river. 
 
 Grown terribly thinner. 
 
 So needs a good dinner ; — 
 Mind that his worms are well stewed to a jelly ; 
 They may be called in the carte 'vermicelli.' " — 
 " What, ma'am, for the Pike? "— 
 " Oh ! whatever you like, 
 Only take care he is amply supplied, 
 
 Lest a rude wish 
 
 For the taste of raw fish 
 Endanger the cousins that sit by his side." 
 
 So dainty a savour 
 
 With Fish must find favour 
 As now up the chimney the cooking pots send ; 
 
 When, oh ! fearful wonder. 
 
 And startling as thunder, 
 A pair of men's legs down that chimney descend ! 
 
 In fright ran each IMermaid, 
 
 There was such a stir made
 
 40 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Tliey all quite forgot about stirring tlieir stew, 
 
 And would have run further, 
 
 But prompt Lady Bertha 
 Cried, " Back, girls ! for shame ! " and herself came to view. 
 
 The legs had meanwhile by a body been followed, 
 
 A handsome young head the whole animal crowned ; 
 That just by the caldron escaped being swallowed, 
 Now sits on the fender and gazes around. 
 "0 sister!"— "0 brother! 
 What news of our mother?" 
 Then fly to each other's embrace with a bound. 
 Each Mermaiden stands 
 With uplifted hands. 
 And the Tench's mud hechamelle falls to the ground. 
 
 " Have I now found thee, my beautiful sister ? 
 Fairest of all that my search has revealed ! " 
 Roland exclaimed, as he tenderly kissed her, — 
 " Shame on the monster that holds thee concealed ! 
 Oh ! couldst thou gladden the heart of our mother, 
 
 Sweetness restore to her life's bitter cup, 
 Escape this dishonour — " " Dishonour, good brother ! " 
 Indignant she cried, as she drew herself up ; 
 *' I think you don't know who it is you're addressing, — 
 The consort of Ufo, the mighty Fish King I 
 In time you'll discover — 'tis past all expressing. 
 What honour to you his alliance doth bring. 
 
 'Tis true that a cruel enchantment has blighted 
 Six months in seven of Ufo's fair life ;
 
 Come, let's away to thn realm of the Fishes, 
 Peep at their life in the water so clear ; 
 
 Ilark ! what a clatter of kettles and dishes !- 
 Some great festivity's going on here. 
 
 'Vi/ 
 
 
 Under light arches of coral and amber 
 
 Mermaidens briskly and busily glide, 
 With their broad tails neatly sweeping the chambers, 
 
 Hands at the cooking-stove artfully plied — 
 
 K. 
 
 ^S 
 
 
 Glancing among them, in sovereign beauty. 
 Quick as a sunbeam from kitchen to hall, 
 
 Bertha keeps every one close to her duty 
 For the Fish-banquet this day to befdi. 
 
 Pages 38, 39. 
 
 ', 
 
 ^^ 
 
 M. 
 
 A
 
 D 
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 41 
 
 Some clay, perhaps, he may hope to be righted. 
 And perfect felicity dawn on his wife. 
 Meanwhile, oh ! how few 
 The like bliss ever knew. 
 To wed their first love, whether Dolphin or Man ! 
 If Ufo's content. 
 What have I to lament? 
 Nay — show me a happier home if you can ! 
 
 What a palace Is this for a mere Baron's daughter ! 
 
 See ! of bright coral and amber 'tis made ; 
 Materials brought from the realm of sea-water 
 
 By mercantile Salmon, in lucrative trade. 
 My Dolphin, you know, is a Fish of the sea : 
 He built this lake villa for pure love of me ; 
 It feels nearer home, and he studies my wishes, 
 Associating chiefly with fresh-water Fishes. 
 Yet the Salmon and Sturgeon are often our guests, 
 And call on us yearly to know our behests. 
 
 But the other sea gentry 
 
 That do make their entry, 
 Like great foreign lions^ are rather a gene ; 
 
 They want so much room, 
 
 That they soon fret and fume, 
 Go back to their ocean, and don't come again." 
 
 Thus she ran on. 
 But falling anon 
 Back into the current of household affairs — 
 " Dear brother, excuse me, 
 This joy does confuse me.
 
 4 i THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Cocks there were to turn in water 
 
 For his fishy Majesty, 
 (When a lofty throne of coral 
 
 Kept his consort high and dry). 
 
 " Sister Bertha ! ere I leave you, 
 
 Will it please you to explain," 
 Roland said, " of my existence 
 
 How you could the knowledge gain ? 
 From the Bear and Eagle ladies 
 
 Scarce my tale a hearing won, 
 While with you the fondest greeting 
 
 Proved it needless ere begun. 
 
 Is your mighty Dolphin gifted 
 
 With the wondrous second sight? 
 That my fame had pierced the waters 
 Were to think presumptuous quite." 
 " Nay," returned the sister, laying 
 
 On his lips a playful hand ; 
 " No such marvel, sir, is needed — 
 We have seen you on dry land. 
 
 Ufo's sentence of enchantment 
 
 Is, you know, by Tjwnths express'd ; 
 Longer respite thus permits him 
 
 Greater freedom than the rest. 
 Leaving here a faithful Viceroy, 
 
 He can seek the haunts of men. 
 Join their sports, bear off their honours, 
 
 Vanish like a flash again.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 45 
 
 Thus it was I first beheld him. 
 
 Since onr marriage oft he brings 
 News of home, or takes me with him 
 
 To behold strange lands and things. 
 But to see my native city 
 
 Often as I fondly prayed, 
 Long did he deny me, fearing 
 
 Lest om' secret bo betrayed. 
 
 Well, from time to time there reached me 
 
 Tidings of my Roland's birth, 
 Growth and beauty — (don't be vain, sir, 
 
 Partial praise is little worth) ; 
 And my longing to behold you 
 
 Grew at length beyond control. 
 When amid my life of gladness 
 
 One deep sorrow pierced my soul. 
 
 Yes, we lost our only baby — 
 
 'Twas the sweetest little Fish — 
 Just begun to swim so nicely 
 
 In my largest amber dish. 
 Now with joy the days we counted 
 
 To behold our boy — our pride — 
 When one day his careless Mermaid 
 
 Put no water — and he died ! 
 
 Looking every means to cheer me, 
 
 Ufo gave at length consent 
 To my wish : and safely shrouded 
 
 Li my mourning veil I went.
 
 46 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Oh ! how strange the haunts of childhood 
 Seemed to me in later life, 
 
 Blest with that brief joy of mother, 
 With the lasting joy of wife ! 
 
 In the garden's shadiest alley 
 
 We like vagrants took our stand, 
 Saw my mother come out slowly 
 
 Leading some one by the hand : 
 'Twas my darling unknown brother ! 
 
 Quick by heart I learned his face, 
 Kept it (as was proved this morning) 
 
 Unforgotton in its place. 
 
 Soon he left his guide, and bounding 
 
 'Mid the flowers, plucked a rose. 
 And I watched him bring it to her, 
 
 And her arms about him close. 
 Oh, forgive me ! but a feeling 
 
 Almost jealous seized my heart, 
 That of all this wealth of kisses 
 
 None to me she would impart. 
 
 Long unseen, was I remembered ? 
 
 Yes ; upon her care-worn face 
 Every shock of changing fortune 
 
 Had too plainly left its trace. 
 Dear old memories came thronging 
 
 On me, with resistless sway. 
 Till a longing cry broke from me — 
 
 Ufo hurried me away.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 47 
 
 "Yes ; I was not to be trusted — 
 
 He was riglit — and I no more 
 Souglit tlie dangerous boon, but feeding 
 
 On the tidings Ufo l)ore, 
 Learned your brave resolve to seek me 
 
 And my elder sisters out, 
 Counting on this happy meeting — - 
 
 Which so put us to the rout! " 
 
 April moods of rain and sunslilne 
 
 Chased each other o'er her face 
 As she told the tale, and bending. 
 
 Sought her brother's close embrace. 
 Thus entwined they sat together. 
 
 By no thought of danger cross'd : 
 Time slipped by unmarked, till Bertha, 
 
 Starting up, exclaimed, — " You're lost ! " 
 
 8. 
 
 Spell-bound in breathless silence a moment stood the pair. 
 And heard a distant splashing bretdv tlic stillness of the air. 
 " 'Tis the stroke," the sister whispered, " of Ufo's mighty tin ; 
 And all here is transparent ! — not a place to hide you in ! 
 Alas ! my fatal rashness in letting you delay — 
 Must I, then, see my brother lall a defenceless prey ? " 
 
 With that she tore her liair : Roland knew not wliat to do — 
 The thought of making part of a Fish repast, 'tis true.
 
 48 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Was ghastly in the extreme, when the sole amends would be, 
 (But sorry comfort too,) he was sure to " disagree.'" 
 But just as he was picturing the horrible transaction, 
 Bertha's prompt mind recovered and framed a scheme of action. 
 
 " One chance," she said, " you have — but 'tis desperate to try : 
 A troop of Mermen waiters for this festivity 
 Will soon assemble here — I'll disguise you in the tail 
 Of a favourite old butler who died of too much ale ; 
 We've always kept it for his sake — and livery to fit : 
 On ! quick ! and for the rest I must trust your ready wit. 
 
 Only, don't try to move — 'twill betray you should you fall ; 
 Here, stand against this pillar " — she had led him to the hall : 
 " Our Mermen will surround you ; I trust they won't betraj. 
 Being half Men themselves — one kiss ! I must away. 
 They're turning in the water, and I have no galoches." — 
 She's gone, and with the flowing tide a herd of Mermen rushes. 
 
 " Quick ! quick ! here comes his Majesty," they call to one another; 
 Sweep round, and cast a doubtful look on that suspicious brother. 
 
 " Good Mermen all," said he, " by the human heart you bear 
 In your amphibious bodies, I pray you to give ear, 
 And aid me : I am brother to your great Monarch's wife, 
 Hiding here till to-morrow in peril of my life." 
 
 The worthy fellows listened, and tears stood in their eyes ; 
 They wiped them with their tails, and replied in friendly guise : 
 " You're safe, upon the honour of honest Men and Fish es 
 And if you would not mind, sir, just handing us the dishes,
 
 ^^^ 
 
 #^^ 
 
 ^^ly^M 
 
 ,* 
 
 And now the lioiir arrived ('twas to ancient cnstoni due) 
 When Bertha would present herself to her good subjects' view ; 
 Attired by skilful Mermaid hands, with pearls all glistening o'er, 
 Her train by six fair maidens borne, she came ; 
 * * * 
 
 With loyalty and beauty fired, each fish leaped from his tank, 
 Swam u}), and made obeisance according to his rank : 
 Precedence to the Sea-fish given (as is to strangers meet), 
 The Swordfish laid, with martial grace, his weapon at her feet. 
 
 Pages 51, 52. 
 
 ^"-fe^ 
 
 ^1,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 49 
 
 'Twill be a safe pretext for your presence ; and we'll try, 
 Should any danger threaten, to shield you faithfully." 
 
 Small time was there for words, for the guests were streaming in, 
 
 And sounds of courteous greeting and hearty shake of fin 
 
 Came through the crystal doors, which anon flung open wide 
 
 Admit a train of Fishes advancing on the tide. 
 
 Witli pearly crown and sceptre great Ufo came alone, 
 
 Bowed graciously around, and assumed his coral throne. 
 
 A tank with water-lilies wreathed, for every guest was placed. 
 All shining crystal, and within some dainty to his taste : 
 Obsequiously the Mermen ushered each to his position, 
 Thence to the business of the day was not a slow transition. 
 The first course quickly vanished, the Fish, with greedy eyes. 
 Watch for the nimble waiters to pour in fresh supplies. 
 
 Roland gave out the second course : all jaws were briskly stirred, 
 
 The Chub so loudly smacked his lips, throughout the hall 'twas heard ; 
 
 The Salmon revelled in a feast w^on on such easy terms ; 
 
 While the mild Sturgeon, leaning back, blandly sucked in his worms. 
 
 The Trout pronounced his files " supreme," the Tench his mud " delicious," 
 
 The Pike ate everything with zest : so all was most propitious. 
 
 Fish dinners, we all know, are proverbially long : 
 
 Though here the Fish are eaters, the saying comes not wrong. 
 
 There was no lack of talk, for since last they'd dined together, 
 
 Our guests had passed through many a tide of changeful weal and v^^eather ; 
 
 And many a skirmish could relate, with ever-baffled Men, 
 
 Whereat a chorus of applause made the walls ring again.
 
 50 THE THKEE SOXS-IN-LAW. 
 
 The Salmon's tales were of the sort we might call " cock and bull," 
 
 Made all his hearers gape and cry, " Stupendous ! wonderful ! " 
 
 Such frightful perils, hair-breadth 'scapes, seemed every-day affairs, 
 
 With ups and downs in furious leaps, amid a world of snares : 
 
 He OT\-ned, " to evade them needed art, — some Fish were not too wise ; " 
 
 At which the Sturgeon looked abashed, and sat with downcast eves. 
 
 There was some gentle joking against a fine old Carp, 
 Who ever on the deeds of his younger days would harp, 
 Boasting that he for weeks had once lived upon dry land, 
 Wrapt in green moss, with bread and milk, fed by a lady's hand. 
 He had seen wondrous things there, and to the Char brought news 
 Of several lost relations, potted for human use ! 
 
 The playful little Goldfish heard, with mingled pride and awe, 
 How some of their bright beauties alive on land he saw. 
 Admired of all beholders, but as by magic pent 
 Within a globe of crystal, where circling round they went, 
 While rosy human children, " with locks like our fair Queen," 
 The loyal Carp said, bowing, at play with them were seen. 
 
 But a young gallant Swordfish was the banquet's real lion: 
 He, of the mighty ocean-race an enterprising scion. 
 Having been told King Ufo was a capital good liver. 
 Against all custom of his kind had scampered up the river, 
 And now amazed the company, whose hair (if they'd had any) 
 Had stood on end at exploits so daring and uncanny. 
 
 As to wars with other Fishes, forsooth ! 'twas baby sport — 
 No, he had dealt with enemies of quite another sort I
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 51 
 
 Did any of liis wortliy friends know wliat a ship was like ? 
 " Well," (with a kind familiar sketch,) " I say now could you strike 
 A single blow across her bows and send her all to shivers ? 
 Why, I've done that a score of times — by all our tribute rivers ! " 
 
 A doubtful wondering murmur around the circle flitted ; 
 
 By most the tale was swallowed down, but some few, bolder-witted, 
 
 Appealed to other sea Fish if such things could be done ? 
 
 The Sturgeon never wished to detract from any one, 
 
 So nodded grave assent ; but the Salmon, rather jealous 
 
 Of seeing his own feats eclipsed, to probe the fact was zealous. 
 
 Strict cross-examination of way and time and place 
 
 The hero must submit to, with not too good a grace ; 
 
 He boldly faced his story out, but suddenly grew pale 
 
 When questioned, " Had he ever felt a flip of the Whale's tail? " 
 
 Fierce looks and gestures threaten the banquet's mirth to mar — 
 
 King Ufo calls to order — the thing might go too far. 
 
 At first with some old Council Carp placed near his tank of state 
 He'd sat in grave discourse and let the gay young Fishes prate, 
 But now addressed himself with all to play the courteous host. 
 And soon his perfect breeding subdued all vulgar boast. 
 Loyalty flowed in copious streams, while Ocean and Fresh-water 
 Swore an eternal brotherhood (I grieve to say) of slaughter. 
 
 And now the hour arrived ('twas to ancient custom due) 
 When Bertha would present herself to her good subjects' view ; 
 Attired by skilful Mermaid hands, with pearls all glistening o'er, 
 Her train by six fair maidens borne, she came \ but at the door
 
 52 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Must stop, for though encased ankle-deep in India-rubber, 
 Vast Mermaid power otherwise were needed dry to scrub her. 
 
 With loyalty and beauty fired, each Fish leaped from his tank, 
 Swam up, and made obeisance according to his rank : 
 Precedence to the sea Fish given (as is t'ward strangers meet), 
 The Swordfish laid, with martial grace, his weapon at her feet, 
 But took it away again, because he could not in a trice 
 Run to Sheffield for another, and simply ask the price. 
 
 The Fish in solemn train advance, retreat toward their station, 
 
 The gracious dame keeps curtseying in ceaseless undulation ; 
 
 But while her limbs mechanic move, her restless eye doth range 
 
 About the hall — it fixes — her colour seems to change ; 
 
 A moment more — white as her pearls, the Baron's loveliest daughter 
 
 Sinks down amid her humid silks, splash, splash into the water ! 
 
 The Fishes gape a little, but very coolly view 
 This plunge into their element, as " 'tis their nature too!" 
 King Ufo's human instinct, still clinging to his scales. 
 Impels him briskly forward ; but he to reach her fails. 
 By reason of a creature that squashed in one big lump 
 Between him and his consort falls at this moment plump. 
 
 Poor Roland, when the Mermen had handed the dessert, 
 Mournfully saw them all swim off, so enviably expert, — 
 Save one, who with a lucky thought of landmen's inability 
 To move on tail, remained behind with exquisite civility. 
 Both leaned against the pillar, and beguiled the time with chat 
 On dry or watery topics, that either had quite pat.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 53 
 
 They had got upon tlie coinage, where cockles count as pence, 
 
 When Bertha's form appearing, a still warier defence 
 
 Sir Roland should adopt for preserving his incog. : 
 
 The trusty Merman flung himself before him, Hke a frog — 
 
 'Twas vain ! he saw her sinking, cleared the barrier at one hop. 
 
 But, powerless to proceed, came (as we have seen) down flop. 
 
 What chimour in the hall arose, baffles me to rehite ; 
 The maidens bore their lady off, in very soppy state : 
 " Quick, Finna ! fetch her smelling salts ! " the anxious husband cried. 
 Who, forced to stay where water was, unwilling left her side. 
 The wondering Fishes had meanwhile with all their gathered strength 
 Seized on the prostrate Roland and dragged him out at length. 
 
 He ventured no attempt to rise, knowing that would betray, 
 
 But laid his hand upon his heart and said, " Your pardon, pray. 
 
 My noble lords ! I own Fm deserving of the stick, 
 
 But — might I be permitted the term — Fm very sick. 
 
 My comrade there and I made too free with the heaux restes, 
 
 And worms, we Mermen find — though delicious — don't digest. 
 
 If I might but lie here till the fit's a little past." — 
 Such piteous, qualmish glances he round the circle cast. 
 Some young and guileless Fish were moved ; but one sagacious Carp 
 Swam close and looked him over, with eyes expert and sharp. 
 And cried — (it was the same who'd lived ashore on bread and milk), 
 *' Odds ! hooks and floats ! his tail's sewn on with ladies' netting silk ! ' 
 
 Bertha, you may remember, had dressed him in a hurry, 
 
 And some long stitches here and there bore witness of lier flurry.
 
 54 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Oh ! hapless light green netting silk, designed a purse to make 
 For darling Ufo's birthday, but doomed the wrath to make 
 Of Fishes, who indignant cried, " A man ! " — then came a pause, 
 And all stood round with glaring eyes and horrid open jaws. 
 
 'Twas only to take breath for a vigorous attack ; 
 
 But Ufo interposed with regal gesture — " Vassals, back ! 
 
 What ! have ye all forgotten my right as suzerain 
 
 To every kind of game or vermin found on my domain ? 
 
 Come, clear the course ! make way, d'ye hear ? I'll take it at a run : 
 
 By all the ocean's pearls ! 'tis long since I've enjoyed such fun ! " 
 
 How's this? that awe-inspiring voice, that ne'er-contested word 
 Are drowned in rebel murmurs, from every quarter heard. 
 *' My liege," the old Carp bowing said, " 'tis not that I covet 
 The much-prized human dainty — for we Carp, you know, don't love it ; 
 But, sire, 'twas I that found him out, and I some ransom claim 
 For booty that would far and near add lustre to our name." 
 
 Before the Monarch could reply, some dozens of demands, 
 
 More eager and less rational, were started on all hands : 
 
 This had seized Roland by the hair, that by the finger-wa/Zs ; 
 
 These^ martyrs in the cause, had lost a score of silver scales : 
 
 At last. King Ufo shouts, " I'm grieved to break up such a neat row, 
 
 Mcds si levar Vincomodo izufoillt cuif- — ite reti'o!" 
 
 There's nothing so impresses your Fish as scraps of satin, 
 Garnished with living languages — all which our Dolphin's pat in — 
 Awed all the more, because they didn't understand one jot, 
 The herd obedient scurry off, as if he'd just said, " Cut ! "
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 5S 
 
 And Roland feels abandoned to a ghastly tSfe-h-tSte, 
 Soon to become a monologue, if right he reads his fate. 
 
 Tliis Dolphin, you're aware, is the same that did so scare on 
 The margin of this lake Bertha's sire, the worthy Baron. 
 Perhaps you may remember, too, his mental conformation 
 Invested every act of his with grave deliberation ; 
 Therefore, instead of munching up his prize that very minute, 
 " Waiter ! undo this bundle here," he cries ; " we'll see what's in it." 
 
 (It was not that he wouldn't bite, just as you do your mutton, 
 
 Through scaly tail and livery coat, to every crested button. 
 
 But that his fine intelligent mind, to lose no opportunity, 
 
 AVould note the creature's form, before his teeth destroyed its unity ; 
 
 Specially where that artful seam, his wondering praise commending. 
 
 Joined human capability to fishy understanding.) 
 
 A Merman came, — it was the same that had the youth befriended : 
 Trembling from head to tail, he'd lain, to see the matter ended. 
 Behind a pile of dishes, which, though amber clear and pure. 
 Shrouded him, as he hoped, in a rich yellow demi-jour. 
 However, sternly summoned forth from his skulking-place. 
 He drew his pen-knifcj cut and pulled, with almost tailor grace. 
 
 Roland had only waited until his feet were free 
 To rise and face his cruel fate with greater dignity. 
 Straight at one bound, six feet he stands — {N.B.^ without his shoes) ! 
 A glance of admiration great Ufo can't refuse. 
 " By Neptune ! 'tis a noble youth — appMsayit to view — 
 If Bertha weren't a goose, I wish that she could see him too ! "
 
 56 TEE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 As if responsive to his thought, the lovely lady came, 
 Scarcely recovered from her swoon, with horror-shaken frame. 
 Regardless of the water now, she flung herself before him — 
 Her streaming eyes, her heaving sighs, yet more than words implore him 
 " Ufo, it is my brother ! — spare ! spare, or my heart you'll break 
 And — only think, to-morrow, how much physic you must take ! " 
 
 Nor words, nor sighs, nor streaming eyes, can Ufo's ardour quench : 
 " Your arguments, my love, might sway a miserable Tench ; 
 But to a Fish like me — no more ! " he oped his jaws to bite ; 
 But revels, quarrels, and what not, had stretched into the night : 
 The clock struck Twelve — the spell dissolved — King Ufo, with a start, 
 Became a man^ to Roland ran, and — clasped him to his heart !
 
 THE THREE SONS-IX-LAW. 57 
 
 P ^K T III 
 
 1. 
 
 E 
 
 *|00D Reader ! if you don't expect 
 All you've a riglit to, or object 
 To join in any moderate freaks, 
 We'll just jump over a few weeks. 
 From Ufo's submarine palazzo 
 
 AVe take our spring — but don't be scared 
 We shan't go back again to tliat^ so 
 
 A second wetting you'll be spared. 
 Oil no ; you'll find that Court amphibious 
 
 All tight and dry in boots and shoes, — 
 Their King, of fin and tail oblivious, 
 
 Just such a king as you might choose. 
 So tall and straight, so fresh and fair, 
 
 With sky-blue eyes and yellow hair, — 
 Charlemagne's unmistakable " grand air," 
 
 And grace most dehonnaire. 
 
 The palace was amphibious, too, — 
 Glistening like a rose in dew ; 
 On a fair island it had risen. 
 To contemplate its watery prison, 
 Where lurked behind, in wavering grace, 
 A limpid image of its face.
 
 58 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 (All ! if Czar Alexander knew 
 
 Of this plienomenon the clue, 
 
 He'd long have had out sound and whole 
 
 Those ships before Sebastopol !) 
 
 With song and lute, and festive measure 
 
 Of minuet grave, or joyous waltz. 
 The lords and ladies take their pleasure, 
 
 Glancing about those crystal halls ; 
 Or bright hued gondolas ascending. 
 
 Skim o'er the surface of the lake ; 
 Or on its shores romantic, landing. 
 
 Thread playful through the flowery brake. 
 Young Roland, 'mid this joyous throng. 
 Found the days briskly move along : 
 Mermaids of honour (as they were — 
 Now maids of H. without the mer)^ 
 All of them fascinating creatures. 
 With silky locks and classic features, 
 Laid sieg^ incessant to his heart, — 
 But vain was all their pretty art, 
 Because the path of enterprise 
 
 And labour still lay spread before him ; 
 Besides — a word informs the wise — 
 He had formed somehow a surmise 
 That a young lady with immense dark eyes 
 
 Was somewhere waiting for him. 
 
 Oft pacing thoughtfully the shore 
 When the day's revelry was o'er, 
 Ufo with Roland would debate. 
 In earnest converse long and late,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 59 
 
 The youth's unchanged determination 
 T' achieve the sufferer's liberation ; 
 Forbidden by that cruel spell 
 The means mysterious to tell 
 Whereby it miglit be crushed — on pain 
 Of never being man again. 
 King Ufo shook his sapient head : 
 " Beware, young man! beware !" he said ; 
 " Your noble zeal all praise deserves, 
 
 But contest with dark magic's host 
 Demands a sterner frame and nerves 
 
 Than you, dear lad, can boast ; 
 Besides, if Bertha by my side 
 
 Now feels her days serenely flow, 
 'Tis best contented to abide, 
 Secure from shocks of wind and tide 
 
 Amid the ills we know." 
 Yet Roland doubts if Isabel 
 Or Adelaide would half as well 
 Endure the doom for life to dwell 
 'Mid Bears and Eagles — all pell-mell — 
 
 In cave, or rift of snow : 
 To abandon them to such a lot 
 
 Were most unbrother-like and cruel ; 
 Besides, our hero ne'er forgot 
 
 There yet remained an unfound jewel. 
 Whose likeness, from each scattered hint, 
 Indelibly itself doth print 
 
 Upon his ardent mind. 
 Sister to those ill-fated three, 
 (Whom brothers now he learns to be,)
 
 60 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 The lovely Hilda must lie find, 
 Who somewhere, bound by magic ties. 
 In an Enchanter's power still lies — 
 And is the identical damsel with dark eyes, 
 His dream, his hope, his prize! 
 
 So, when the month of grace drew near 
 Its close, with grief, but void of fear, 
 He bade farewell, 'mid Bertha's sighs 
 And parting gifts of savoury pies 
 
 Which her fair hands had made, — 
 (Superior to the Queen of Hearts, 
 Who, as we know, made only tarts — 
 
 A far more vulgar trade.) 
 King Ufo gave, with counsel grave, 
 
 Three scales from off his recent tail : 
 " These, should you my assistance crave, 
 
 Rub but three times, and I'll not fail." 
 Here Roland notes with wakeful sense 
 Significant coincidence ; 
 For in his little pocket-book. 
 
 All lined with fragrant Russia leathers, 
 He knew already where to look 
 
 For hairs of Bear, and Eagle's feathers,— 
 Each in the mystic number, three, 
 Bestowed by those kind brothers he 
 
 Had parted from before. 
 Thus triple armed, with many a glance 
 From the bright partners of the dance. 
 His face set steadfast in advance, 
 
 He left the island's shore. 
 
 i
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Rl 
 
 Massive block on block, 
 
 Dark red marble piled, 
 Rises on the rock 
 
 Frowning o'er the wild, 
 Girt with silence deep and dread, 
 Like a palace of the dead. 
 
 Columns triple ranged, 
 
 Lifeless sentinels. 
 Guard it all unchanged, 
 As the live grass tells. 
 That by crack and crevice small 
 Creeps from base to capital. 
 
 Lurid through their shade 
 
 Gleam the gates of brass ; 
 Summers bloom and fade — 
 Here no foot doth pass. 
 Valiant champion, find the key,- 
 Open wide the mystery. 
 
 Come with guileless heart, 
 
 Come with stainless hand : 
 No unholy art 
 
 Shall before thee stand — 
 Enter, seek thy valour's prize 
 In the light of those dark eyes. 
 
 3. 
 
 A SHADOW in the valley, — a moving human form ! 
 
 It charges up the rugged rock, as if to take by storm 
 
 That Palace of Enchantment, — when, lo ! with glaring eyes 
 
 And shaking mane, up from his lair a Lion grim doth rise ! 
 
 A sword one moment flashes, — a mighty paw extended 
 
 Snaps it in twain ! — Champion ! shall thus thy days be ended ? 
 
 Fortune is kind : in feeling for the dagger at his side 
 The precious little pocket-book into his hand doth glide : 
 A sudden t'hought, three mystic rubs of the fraternal hairs — 
 A grisly Bear springs on the foe, whom savagely he tears !
 
 G2 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 The victory Is quickly won, — but now, amazing sight ! 
 Emerging from the carcass a Vulture takes its flight, 
 
 And wheels In threatening circles above our hero's head ! 
 He rubs the friendly feathers — Instantly to his aid 
 A proudly sailing Eagle sweeps through a mile of sky, 
 And meets In deadly conflict the carrlon-bird on high ! 
 O'ermatched, the Vulture yields at length, but in a desperate sally, 
 Over the waters of a lake that glimmers in the valley, 
 
 Drops down a ponderous egg, which a Fish with gaping jaws 
 
 Seizes and bears away ! but with scarce a moment's pause 
 
 Roland Invokes his third ally, him of the shining scales. 
 
 And the great Dolphin prompt appears, who ne'er in combat fails ! 
 
 The waters heave and eddy, then the foe is seen no more, 
 
 And the Fish King victorious flings the egg upon the shore. 
 
 Downward springs eager Roland to carry off the prize, 
 But to divine its purpose he long and vainly tries ; 
 He turns It up, he turns Its down, and rolls it over and over, 
 Yet on the polished surface no symbol can discover — 
 And those sagacious brothers (who else, it may be feared. 
 Might have devoured him by mistake) had wisely disappeared. 
 
 So, in despair, the fragment of his good sword he drew. 
 Smote thrice, and broke in pieces the shell, which gave to view 
 A key of choicest fabric, all gold, with gems Inlaid, 
 That to his quick discerning eye these characters displayed, — 
 " Arise ! the spell Is broken ; Ascend ! for thee she waits ; " 
 And Roland sprang, with beating heart, up to the Palace gates.
 
 TEE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. C3 
 
 4. 
 
 The key has virtue, the strong locks yield : 
 Open, ye gates, through long years seal'd ! 
 Open, and let in the dazzling day. 
 Flooding deep avenues, ray by ray 
 Speeding along in eager race 
 To reach their goal and their resting-place. 
 The regal maiden's slumbering grace ! 
 
 Bathed in the splendour of their light 
 Kneels before her the youthful Knight, — 
 
 He, too, his goal has found; 
 And her eyelids stir into tremulous sight, 
 And the large dark eyes dilate in affright 
 
 As she rises and looks around: 
 " Again thou wak'st me ! Enchanter, hence ! 
 Mock me no more with thy vain pretence : 
 Hast thou not set my brothers free, 
 What boon, deceiver, canst hope from me? 
 These eyes thou openest but to weep, 
 Then let them close in a life-long sleep ! " 
 So back she sank in her slumber deep. 
 
 Ah! how that cruel vision dispel? 
 Roland turns his reluctant eyes 
 From the dear couch vt'here his treasure lies ; 
 
 'Twas then that his keen glance fell 
 On a tablet graven with wondrous lines, — 
 Circles and angles, and mystic signs,
 
 64 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 He could not deciplier, but knew full well 
 That therein lingered the mighty spell ; 
 So, gathering up the strength of his arm, 
 He smote it asunder, — ^the fatal charm 
 
 For ever died away ! 
 And the lovely Hilda, waking again, 
 Smiled on him, free from fear and pain, 
 
 Murmuring " joyful day ! 
 The base Enchanter surely is slain ! 
 His fatal talisman is broken — 
 Oh, thanks to thee for the glad token ! 
 
 Destroyed is Magic's reign." 
 
 And, lo ! as the words on her rosebud lips 
 
 Yet tremble like drops of dew, 
 The sunlight suffers a brief eclipse 
 
 From a goodly train that streams into view. 
 Crowding each lofty avenue : 
 With burnished shields, and colours flying. 
 And clarion notes through the vault replying, 
 Come knights, and pages, and beef-eaters bold. 
 Plumed and gorgeous in crimson and gold ; 
 And each pauses and bends his knee, 
 As now, restored to manhood's glory, 
 From the Bear, Eagle, and Fish of our story, 
 
 Advance the Princes three. 
 Glowing with ardour and love undying. 
 
 To the couch where their darling is lying. 
 
 deep the joy of that hour 
 Springing from years of pain ! 
 
 (
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 65 
 
 Tears and kisses, a sunlit shower, 
 Fall like the long-desired rain : 
 And anon, through the open portals 
 Comes a still fairer train, — 
 Hasting from crag, and cave, and waters. 
 With their bright band of sons and daughters, 
 The sisters, happiest of mortals. 
 Embrace their Roland again ! 
 
 Now, if your eye for proportion's neat, 
 Can anything. Reader, be more complete 
 Than these illustrious folks met together. 
 Balanced so nicely to a feather ? 
 Three brothers and one sister here. 
 
 Three sisters and one brother there, — 
 Why, 'tis as very daylight clear. 
 
 Like right and left hand gloves they'll pair. 
 Roland and Hilda lacked not the will, 
 This finely adjusted scheme to fulfil ; 
 His love, on fancy and mystery fed. 
 
 Had been brewing at least a week ; 
 While hers (liow it ever entered her head 
 
 From conjecture alone can we speak,) 
 Was of yet earlier date, for she said 
 That on her lone couch, through long years' space. 
 She had dreamt, and dreamt, and dreamt of his 
 face ! 
 
 I'm afraid lest here a horror should seize you. 
 That this lovely Hilda, lately exhumed. 
 In a somewhat bygone world had bloomed,
 
 6« THE TUREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 And must be (In delicate words be it clothed) 
 Some few years older than her betrothed, — 
 Nay, had (if such hint beseem my page) 
 Reached the misty shores of " a certain age ;" 
 So I feel it is time 
 (Both for sense and for rhyme) 
 
 With a positive statement to appease you, — 
 That those years of sleep in the magic hall 
 Count in her life for nothing at all. 
 And she wakes from the youth-preserving dose 
 Fifteen last birthday, and fresh as a rose. 
 Her brothers number (as also their wives) 
 Only that seventh part of their lives 
 
 That remained untouched by the spell. 
 Thus, since the hateful term begun. 
 They had lived three years out of twenty-one ;— 
 
 You'll find, if you ponder it well, 
 This won't much put out the genealogy. 
 Although it a little spoils the analogy. 
 
 Well, Roland the brave and Hilda the fair 
 
 Were duly Jiances then and there ; 
 
 For they each had on a magnificent ring 
 
 That was for bethrothal the very thing. 
 
 And those brilliant trains with their princely heading 
 
 Gave the whole scene the air of a wedding. 
 
 If, 'mid the praises of Roland's choice. 
 
 You might have heard a dissentient voice, 
 
 'Twas some tender Mermaid's murmuring plaint 
 
 For an image her fancy had loved to paint,
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 57 
 
 Now faded away for ever. 
 Yet much there was to console and cheer 
 In the thought of hidy-likc life up here — 
 " No connection with lake or river:" 
 And their anger quickly melted away 
 When Roland, in his affable way, 
 
 Gave each of his fair allies, 
 To prove their present feet were no mockings, 
 A dozen of satin shoes and silk stockings, 
 
 All perfect In shape and size. 
 So when, toward the close of the day 
 Issuing forth, the stately array 
 From the Palace of Magic took their way. 
 These damsels gay, 
 (As tradition doth say,) 
 Eager their pretty new shoes to display. 
 Danced after it all the way. 
 
 5. 
 
 One autumn day, whose sober light 
 Mingled with shades of coming night 
 In those old halls, whence long had fled 
 The music of their Roland's tread, 
 Ihe Baron and his wife together 
 Sat by a window hand in hand :
 
 68 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 They talked of politics, of weather, ' 
 While each could plainly understand 
 
 That in the other's heart there lay 
 A feeling neither dared to speak ; 
 
 For a whole year had passed away. 
 
 Which month by month, and week by week 
 
 They counted, till their weight of care 
 
 Silently pressed them to despair. 
 
 The clouds are building in the west 
 A palace for the sun's last rest. 
 And with him slowly seems to sink 
 The last faint hope below life's brink. 
 
 Strange, that one cloudlet, from that pile 
 
 » 
 
 Detached, across the land should float 
 Nearer and nearer, mile by mile — 
 
 What could this mean ? A new dread smote 
 Those fearful hearts, that this would prove 
 The fixed death-warrant of their love, — 
 A sable-vested funeral train 
 Bearing their Roland back again. 
 
 No, the lances stand erect, 
 
 In the ruddy splendour gleaming — 
 Warlike foes should we expect? 
 
 See the coloured banners streaming ! 
 Hear the notes of clarion loud ! 
 
 Hear the shouts through wide air ringing ! 
 Presses on the bright-hued crowd — 
 
 Were it happiness beginning ? ,
 
 
 Strange, that one cloudlet from that pile 
 Detached, across the land should float 
 
 Nearer and nearer, mile by mile. 
 
 What could this mean 1 A new dread smote 
 
 Those fearful hearts, that this would prove 
 
 The fixed death-warrant of their love, 
 
 A sable-vested funeral train 
 
 Bearing their Roland back again ! 
 
 No, the lances stand erect 
 
 I n the niddy splendour gleaming — 
 Warlike foes siiould we expect ? 
 
 See the coloured bannei-s streaming ! 
 Hear the notes of clarion loud, 
 
 Hear the shouts through wide air ringing ! 
 Presses on the liright-hued crowd — 
 
 Were it happiness beginning ? 
 
 PageCa.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. gj 
 
 The mother saw no more, 
 For she swooned upon the floor : 
 Gazing round her at her wakins:. 
 Felt her heart for joy nigh breaking, 
 Sought with dazzled eye to trace 
 Every dear long-hidden face ; 
 While the Baron in his arms 
 
 Caught all the rising generation, 
 Rapt amid those budding charms, 
 
 In sweet grandfatherly sensation 
 Of love and pride, and nameless bliss 
 Flooding his heart with kiss on kiss. 
 
 So the old echoes that had Iain 
 
 Long at ease, now woke again ; 
 
 Jest, and laugh, and mirthful song, 
 
 Kept them stirring all day long. 
 
 Soon were brilliant nuptials held, 
 
 When the wondering world beheld 
 
 Joined in one, that spell-bound foir 
 
 With the gallant son and heir, — 
 
 All agreed, a charming pair. 
 
 But when the feasting days were over. 
 
 Leaving place for thoughts more sober, 
 
 To extend their somewhat scanty knowledge 
 
 The young ex-Bears were sent to college, 
 
 Where, vying with their Eagle cousins. 
 
 They carried prizes off by dozens. 
 
 The girls, whose zeal for lore ne'er stanches. 
 
 Soon nm through all the " usual branches;"
 
 70 THE THREE SOXS-IN-LAW. 
 
 No longer tliimble capt, their thumbs 
 Quite learned grow in complex sums, 
 Whence came the system, prized by all, 
 Which " rule of thumb " we fondly call. 
 
 Bertha, meanwhile, whose tender heart 
 Had ne'er quite lost its earlier smart. 
 Became one day the happy mother 
 Of beauteous twins, sister and brother. 
 Her joy and Ufo's to complete. 
 They walked at once upon their feet, 
 Proving to either parent's wish 
 They never would be little Fish. 
 
 Well, as the time, now fairly meted 
 'Twixt work and play, serenely fleeted, 
 A notion struck the princely brothers, 
 (And has perhaps occurred to others,) 
 That such a bevy of relations, 
 With followers of all ranks and stations, 
 Trespassed, beyond all due formality, 
 On the good Baron's hospitality. 
 Their own dominions, sad to say. 
 Had somehow all been made away, — 
 (Perhaps " absorbed " in natural order, 
 Like Cracow, or the Turkish border) ; 
 So each one, after grave debate. 
 Resolved to found a sep'rate State. 
 With maps and guide-books duly spread, 
 See each perplexing his wise head
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 71 
 
 Over the " Bmdsliaw " of those days — 
 An equally delicious maze. 
 To spare you all the calculation, 
 They reached at length their destination : 
 The eldest founded Berne's fair town, 
 Where, still maintaining his renown. 
 Live Bears are to the tourist shown ; 
 The second, not less wise or witty, 
 Built Aarstadt (or the Eagle City) ; 
 While last, not least, the Dolj^hin King 
 Gave to his fame still wider swing. 
 As sprang from him that lineage high, 
 The lords of royal Dauphiny, 
 Who, through long centuries advance, 
 Despite the shocks of change and chance, 
 Passed upward to the Throne of France. 
 
 6. 
 
 Now, what is yet wanting to finish my story ? 
 We've brought back our Baron to honour and glory ; 
 Laid up for the Baroness joys in rich store. 
 For Roland and Hilda will leave her no more ; 
 And a fomily meeting at least once a-year. 
 Still gathers the rest of her children so dear. 
 Fair Hilda, though stripped of her portion in money, 
 Brought a fund of experience that really was funny.
 
 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Her blooming lips dropping out maxims more sage 
 
 Than many could utter who seemed twice her age. 
 
 A little more clever than is woman's duty, 
 
 She yet was forgiven for her sweetness and beauty ; 
 
 And though aiding her lord when with cares overtasked, 
 
 Ne'er gave an opinion unless she was ashed. 
 
 The income derived from the splendid Fish-dower 
 
 Maintained their descendants in wealth and in power ; 
 
 And I've been assured by admiring young girls, 
 
 That they've actually seen the original pearls 
 
 Resplendent in some foreign Court (I can't say which), 
 
 Or else on the dress coat of Count Matusewich. 
 
 Thus scanning the whole with a neat bird's-eye view, 
 
 We've only to utter a friendly adieu ! 
 
 And, Reader, should you ever be in condition 
 
 To receive in your family such an addition, 
 
 Secure from all dangers of tooth and of claw, 
 
 May you too be blest in your — 
 
 THREE SONS-IN-LAW!
 
 K K K A T A . 
 
 froin bottoiu, for ' truly ' read 
 
 Page 22, line 6, for ' Fell ' read ' Tell.' 
 
 — 22, line 12, after ' touch :' delete colon. 
 
 — 22, line 13, after 'remorse,' for comma put 
 
 semicolon. 
 
 — 22, last line, after ' head; ' for semicolon put 
 
 comma. 
 
 — 24, line 6 from bottom, fur period put 
 
 comma. 
 
 — 24, line 
 
 ' keenly 
 
 — 25, line 3 from bottom, for ' tell uie where I 
 
 my sister dear should .seek?' read 'give 
 nie counsel my sister dear to seek '. ' 
 
 — 28, line 7 from bottom, for ' above ' read 
 
 'about.' 
 
 — 29, line 10, for ' What ' read ' 'Faith.' 
 
 — 34, line 4, for ' oft bringing as a present ' 
 
 read ' are oft his birthday present. ' 
 
 — 37, line 16, for ' Jeoline ' read ' Leoline.' 
 
 — 38, line 4 from bottom, delete ' s ' in ' cham- 
 
 bers.' 
 
 — 40, line 6, for semicolon put comma. 
 
 — 43, for line 2 from bottom, read ' Rosy 
 
 blushes, silver flashes. ' 
 
 — 45, line 10 from bottom, for ' begun ' read 
 
 ' began.' 
 
 — 45, line 4 from bottom, for ' Looking ' read 
 
 'Seekin-.' 
 
 — 46, line 12, for ' unforgottou ' read ' unfor- 
 
 BOtteu.' 
 
 Page 49, line S from bottom, for ' supreme ' rcaU 
 ' supreme.' 
 
 — 49, line 2 from bottom, after ' relate,' delete 
 
 comma. 
 
 — 50, line 10, after 'milk,' delete comma. 
 
 — 52, line 16, for ' too ! ' read ' to ! ' 
 
 — 54, line 2, for 'make ' read ' wake.' 
 
 — 54, line 3, for ' man I ' read ' Man.' ' 
 
 — 54, line 4, for ' And ' read ' Where.' 
 
 — 54, line 8 from )>ottom, for ' nuih' read 
 
 ' nails.' 
 
 — 54, line 5 from bottom, fui- " izufoilU cuif 
 
 read ' <jefaUt Euch.' 
 
 — 54, line 4 from bottom, for ' satin ' read 
 
 ' Latin. ' 
 
 — 55, line 9, for ' wouldn't' read ' couldn't.' 
 
 — 55, line 13, for ' commending ' read ' coni- 
 
 manding.' 
 
 — 57, line 5 from botton), after Mew;' for 
 
 semicolon put comma. 
 
 — 57, line 4 from bottom, after 'risen,' delete 
 
 comma. 
 
 — 59, line »3, for period put comma. 
 
 — 62, line 7, after ' sally,' delete comma. 
 
 — 64, line 7 from bottom, after ' glory,' delete 
 
 comma. 
 66. line 10, for 'dose ' n-ad 'dozf.' 
 
 — QQ, line 7 from bottom, for • bttbrotbal ' 
 
 read 'betrothal.'
 
 72 THE THREE SONS-IN-LAW. 
 
 Her blooming lips dropping out maxims more sage 
 
 Than many could utter who seemed twice her age. 
 
 A little more clever than is woman's duty, 
 
 She yet was forgiven for her sweetness and beauty ; 
 
 A ^;i ^^'U^nnrli mVlinrc liar Inrrl -wlipn with cares overtasked.
 
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