“Oh, I care not for those sparkling gems. It is your love, Alonzo, I prize above all,” said Serena, turning on him a look full of deep affection. “But why hide from me those features on which I fondly used to gaze?—Why envelop thus strangely your noble form?”
Borasco did not answer till he had placed her on the throne; then throwing himself before her on his knees, he told her of his plot to win her, and of all that had occurred, and implored her forgiveness. As he knelt, the thousands of Spirits who filled the hall followed his example. She answered in a gentle voice, that she had nothing to forgive; as she could scarcely find fault with him for falling in love with her.
“But who are the bright beings who fill these halls, and pay me so much respect?” she asked, as the graceful Spirits continued kneeling round her.
“They are,” replied Borasco, “the Spirits of the summer air, the guardians of the moon-lit waves, the utterers of murmuring sounds, when the calm sea is hushed to rest. Each light and easy duty is confided to their care. They are the Spirits which obey my will, and you, my beloved one, shall from henceforth ride over them. See also the mighty Monarch of the Ocean comes to kneel before your throne.”
As he spoke, a flourish of conch shells was heard, and Neptune, in a superb car, followed by an innumerable band of Tritons, glided into the hall. Descending from his car, he knelt before the Princess, and exclaimed:—
“Welcome, fair Lady! since you come
To these bright realms, my watery home;
When I the happy tidings knew,
I clave the limpid billow through,
And hasten’d here to kneel before
The Lady whom all hearts adore:
For know, we rovers of the Sea,
Are truly famed for gallantry,
And when a beauteous Lady deigns
To visit thus our broad domains,
The sons of Ocean strive to show
The pride with which their bosoms glow.
Then, Lady, deign our Queen to be,
And we will serve thee loyally.
This crown marine in token wear,
That Ocean’s realms confess thy care,
And to no other would I yield
The trident sceptre which I wield.
Now then let all with loud acclaim
And joy, our Ocean Queen proclaim!”
Neptune having presented a crown and sceptre to the Princess, the Tritons and Sea Spirits broke forth with a loud chorus:—
“Oh! welcome to these coral halls,
Fair Lady of the radiant brow,
Thy beauty every heart enthralls,
Thy virtues claim our willing vow.
The trident sceptre of the main,
Oh! long, sweet Lady, may’st thou sway,
And far as spreads yon liquid plain,
Let every realm thy power obey.”
Serena then answered in a sweet thrilling voice:—
“Thanks, thanks, Great Neptune, we will strive to prove,
How much we prize our loyal subjects’ love;
And long as o’er these noble realms we reign,
Will ever be the Guardian of the main.”