May good angels watch above you ! Journey bravely on , and take this snow-flake that will never melt , as MY gift , '' Winter cried , as the North-Wind bore him on , leaving a cloud of falling snow behind . `` Now , dear Breeze , '' said Ripple , `` fly straight upward through the air , until we reach the place we have so long been seeking ; Sunbeam shall go before to light the way , Yellow-leaf shall shelter me from heat and rain , while Snow-flake shall lie here beside me till it comes of use . So farewell to the pleasant earth , until we come again . And now away , up to the sun ! '' When Ripple first began her airy journey , all was dark and dreary ; heavy clouds lay piled like hills around her , and a cold mist filled the air but the Sunbeam , like a star , lit up the way , the leaf lay warmly round her , and the tireless wind went swiftly on . Higher and higher they floated up , still darker and darker grew the air , closer the damp mist gathered , while the black clouds rolled and tossed , like great waves , to and fro . `` Ah ! '' sighed the weary little Spirit , `` shall I never see the light again , or feel the warm winds on my cheek ? It is a dreary way indeed , and but for the Seasons ' gifts I should have perished long ago ; but the heavy clouds MUST pass away at last , and all be fair again . So hasten on , good Breeze , and bring me quickly to my journey 's end . '' Soon the cold vapors vanished from her path , and sunshine shone upon her pleasantly ; so she went gayly on , till she came up among the stars , where many new , strange sights were to be seen . With wondering eyes she looked upon the bright worlds that once seemed dim and distant , when she gazed upon them from the sea ; but now they moved around her , some shining with a softly radiant light , some circled with bright , many-colored rings , while others burned with a red , angry glare . Ripple would have gladly stayed to watch them longer , for she fancied low , sweet voices called her , and lovely faces seemed to look upon her as she passed ; but higher up still , nearer to the sun , she saw a far-off light , that glittered like a brilliant crimson star , and seemed to cast a rosy glow along the sky . `` The Fire-Spirits surely must be there , and I must stay no longer here , '' said Ripple . So steadily she floated on , till straight before her lay a broad , bright path , that led up to a golden arch , beyond which she could see shapes flitting to and fro . As she drew near , brighter glowed the sky , hotter and hotter grew the air , till Ripple 's leaf-cloak shrivelled up , and could no longer shield her from the heat ; then she unfolded the white snow-flake , and , gladly wrapping the soft , cool mantle round her , entered through the shining arch . Through the red mist that floated all around her , she could see high walls of changing light , where orange , blue , and violet flames went flickering to and fro , making graceful figures as they danced and glowed ; and underneath these rainbow arches , little Spirits glided , far and near , wearing crowns of fire , beneath which flashed their wild , bright eyes ; and as they spoke , sparks dropped quickly from their lips , and Ripple saw with wonder , through their garments of transparent light , that in each Fairy 's breast there burned a steady flame , that never wavered or went out . As thus she stood , the Spirits gathered round her , and their hot breath would have scorched her , but she drew the snow-cloak closer round her , saying , -- `` Take me to your Queen , that I may tell her why I am here , and ask for what I seek . '' So , through long halls of many-colored fire , they led her to a Spirit fairer than the rest , whose crown of flames waved to and fro like golden plumes , while , underneath her violet robe , the light within her breast glowed bright and strong .
`` This is our XXXXX , '' the Spirits said , bending low before her , as she turned her gleaming eyes upon the stranger they had brought .
Fire-Spirits Queen Spirits Sunbeam fire first fro leaf-cloak snow-flake vapors