We returned to the lawns before the palace porch, and, with his
lantern in his hand, the Prince signed to me to go in. I was not a
little curious to view that enchanted household of which I had read so
often and with so much delight as a child.
In the banqueting-hall only the matted windows were visible in the
lofty walls. Prince Ennui held his lantern on high, and by its flame,
and the faint light that flowed in from above, I could presently see,
distinct in gloom, as many sleepers as even Night could desire.
Here they reclined just as sorcerous sleep had overtaken them. But how
dimmed, how fallen! For Time that could not change the sleeper had
changed with quiet skill all else. Tarnished, dusty, withered,
overtaken, yellowed, and confounded lay banquet and cloth-of-gold,
flagon, cup, fine linen, table, and stool. But in all the ruin, like
buds of springtime in a bare wood, or jewels in ashes, slumbered youth
and beauty and bravery and delight.
I lifted my eyes to the King. The gold of his divinity was fallen, his
splendour quenched; but life's dark scrutiny from his face was gone.
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