“Up then spake the queen of fairies,
Out of a bush of rye,
‘You’ve taken away the bonniest lad
In all my companie.
‘Had I but had the wit, yestreen,
That I have learned to-day,
I’d pinned the sister to her bed
E’re he’d been won away!’”
However, it was too late now. Wild Robin was safe, and the elves had lost their power over him forever. His forgiving parents and his leal-hearted brothers welcomed him home with more than the old love.
So grateful and happy was the poor laddie, that he nevermore grumbled at his oat-meal parritch, or minded his kye with a scowling brow.
But to the end of his days, when he heard mention of fairies and brownies, his mind wandered off in a mizmaze. He died in peace, and was buried on the banks of the Yarrow.
THE VESPER STAR.
Once upon a time, the new moon was shining like a silver bow in the heavens, and the stars glittered and trembled as if they were afraid.
“What frightens you?” said the placid Moon; “be calm, like me.”