Запретный лес
V. The Black Wood by Day
Theancientpinesgrewmoresparselythanhehadimagined,andbeneaththemweremassesofsproutingferns--primrosestoo,andviolets,whichhehadnotfoundamongthehazels.Ascentofrootydampnesswasabout,offresh-turnedearth,andwellingfountains.Ineverytree-rootwood-sorrelclustered.Buttherewerenosmallbirds,onlylargethingslikecushatsandhawks,whichmadeamovementinthehighbranches.Alittlefartherandhewasinaglade,farmoreofagladethantheclearingsinthehazels,foritwassharplydefinedbythewallsofshade.
Hestoodandgazed,stucksilentbyitsbeauty.Hereintruthwasadancing-floorforwoodnymphs,aplaygroundfortheGoodFolk.Itseemedstrangethattheplaceshouldbeuntenanted....Therewasarustlinginthecovert,andhisheartbeat.Hewasnolongertheadventurousboy,butayoungmanwithafancyfedbyknowledge.Hefeltthatthegladewasawareandnotempty.Lightfeethadlatelybrusheditssward....Therewasarustlingagain,andagleamofcolour.Hestoodpoisedlikearunner,hisbloodthrobbinginasuddenrapture.
Therewasthegleamagainandtherustle.Hethoughtthatatthefarendofthegladebehindtheredbrackenhesawafigure.Intwostepshewascertain.Agreengownfluttered,andathisthirdstepbrokecover.Hesawtheformofagirl--nymph,fairy,ormortal,heknewnotwhich.HewasnomoretheministerofWoodilee,buteternalwanderingyouth,andhegavechase.
Thegreengownwaveredforamomentbetweentwognarledpinesandthenwaslostinthedeadfern.
