A thousand deceits were
practised upon the simple and unsuspecting, and while he looked round to
discover the object of the general mirth, it was increased into bursts
of merriment, and convulsive gaiety. At length they rose from the
verdant green, and chased each other in mock pursuit. Many flew towards
the adjoining grove; the pursued concealed himself behind the dark and
impervious thicket, or the broad trunk of the oak, while the pursuers ran
this way and that, and cast their wary eyes on every side. Carefully
they explored the bushes, and surveyed each clump of tufted trees. And
now the neighbouring echoes repeated the universal shout, and proclaimed
to the plain below, that the object of their search was found. Fatigue
however, in spite of the gaiety of spirit with which their sports were
pursued, began to assert his empire, and they longed for that
tranquility and repose which were destined to succeed.
At this instant the united sound of the lofty harp, the melodious rebec,
and the chearful pipe, summoned them once again to the plain. From every
side they hastened to the lawn, and surrounded, with ardent eyes, and
panting expectation, the honoured troop of the bards, crowned with
laurel and sacred mistletoe.
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