I propose, however, that, in consideration for some of our worthy
guests--the gallant captain, to wit, and our comic friend here, who, as
you see, gentlemen, appear somewhat overwhelmed under the all-inspiring
influence of the punch--(laughter)--that the next narrative be of
shorter duration than the two preceding. "According to order, the next tale ought to proceed from Professor
Cyanite." Then, turning towards the professor, he inquired if he had a story ready
that would not take too long in the recital. "Well, chairman," said the professor, "the fact is that I had prepared
somewhat a lengthy one for our meeting. At present I can't think of one
sufficiently short to wind up the evening." "In that case," said the chairman, "perhaps Mr. Blackdeed will be able
to favour now." Mr. Blackdeed begged to be excused. He said he could not think of one at
all. He hoped, however, to have one ready for the next evening. "Dear, dear!" said the chairman; "this is really a very bad state of
affairs. Has no one some short story ready? Mr. Parnassus, cannot you
favour the company?" The young poet, blushing slightly, replied, "I thought of bringing
before the company this evening--or, rather, last evening, I ought to
say--a curious little incident out of my own experience, which occurred
to me when travelling in Switzerland a few years ago. I have put it into
verse in the form of a ballad. It is not long, and if it will not weary
the company, I shall be most happy to sing it." "A song, a song!" cried many voices at once. "Bravo, Parnassus! Hear,
hear!" "The title of the ballad I am about to sing to you, gentlemen, I propose
calling 'The Glacier King.'" "Good," said the chairman. "Silence, gentlemen, if you please. A song
from Mr. Parnassus." A dead silence ensued, and the poet, after clearing his throat once or
twice, began in a clear, rich voice the following ballad:--


THE GLACIER KING. In youth, when I mid mountains roamed, full well I can recall
    That fearful night. The pale moonlight shone on the glaciers tall. I wandered from my châlet's hearth (the world was locked in sleep),
    But something on my bosom made my soul a vigil keep. I wandered on, I recked not where, for I was sad of mood,
    Until upon the basement of a glacier grim I stood. The moon peeped out behind the clouds, the scene was strange and
              weird--
    Like sheeted ghosts those icy rocks above me now appeared. I cared not if I lived or died; my soul was sunk in gloom. I'd little left to live for then; I almost sought my doom. "We die but once," I inly said. "Death's certain, soon or late,
    And I would just as lief it came, as still protract my fate." I crunched the snow beneath my feet, and little recked of fear;
    I trod the giant pinnacles (the night grew dark and drear),
    Yet onward recklessly I strode, nor cared which way I went,
    Until across this sea of ice appeared a mighty rent. A horrid chasm, with below the torrent's deafening sound,
    But with the madness of despair I cleared it with a bound. A little onward still I stood (the scene was weird and grand),
    A wondrous cavern wrought in ice by Nature's playful hand. Its dripping arches overhung the cataract beneath,
    Its pendant massive icicles appeared like dragon's teeth;
    And lost in contemplation of this fearful yawning cave,
    I deemed its chilly arches the recesses of the grave. Anon the cave appeared when moonbeams would its depths illume,
    A fairy hall of diamond, anon, a ghastly tomb. And as I mused in phantasy, forgetting half my woe,
    I wondered whether elves or ghouls their revels held below. My blood ran chilled within my veins, a tremor shook my frame,
    As, mingled with the torrent's roar, unearthly voices came. Awhile I listened breathlessly, as louder still they grew;
    The icy cave's inhabitants for ever nearer drew. But one deep voice above the rest, in stern commanding tone,
    That echoed through the cavern's walls, cried, "Silence, and begone." Then, terrified, I scarce had time upon my feet to spring,
    When, robed in icy majesty, there stood the Glacier King. A mantle of the drifted snow bedecked his regal frame;
    Upon his head a crown of ice, his sceptre of the same,
    His hair and beard were icicles, his visage stern and pale,
    His eyes like glacier caverns sunk, with look that made one quail. With terror rooted to the spot, with fright uprose my hair,
    While on me, as in wonderment, he fixed an icy stare. At length he ope'd his lips and spake, in deep sepulchral tone,
    "What seekest thou, stranger, in our realm, a night like this alone?" I know not what I answer made, with voice below my breath,
    When nearer, with majestic stride, he came, and thus he saith--
    "Thou 'rt welcome to our palace cold; it is full many a day
    Since one of thy mortal race hath wandered past this way." He led me kindly by the hand. But, oh! that hand of ice. I felt benumbed all over, but he held me like a vice. Then with his sceptre tapped a door, which opened with a bang. While through the cavern's icy halls infernal laughter rang. He led me down by steps of ice, hewn in the solid rock,
    And halting at a portal, with his sceptre gave a knock. The door of ice was opened by a figure grim and grey,
    That bowed in deepest reverence, then onward led the way. We entered then the hall of state, where stood the icy throne;
    The courtiers on our entrance bowed as if to gods of stone. Their hair hung dank about their forms, the wildest ever seen;
    Their raiment dripping icicles, their bodies of sea green. Then out and spake the Glacier King, "Make haste and bring a light;
    A mortal from the outer world will sup with us to-night. Let supper be in readiness at once without delay." The menials made obeisance, and hastened to obey. Then soon the hall of banqueting we entered, when, lo! there
    A lofty cavern lighted up with phosphorescent glare;
    A ghastly light from out a lamp suspended from a height,
    That shed upon the icicles its dim funereal light. The table was a slab of ice, the dishes they were cold,
    And when they were uncovered I shuddered to behold,
    For some were human corpses that had perished in the snow,
    Or in the glacier's crevices had met their fate below. My heart then sank within me, and I from the table turned. The guests all looked in wonderment, that I their dishes spurned. The King then turned upon me. "Though our dishes you decline,
    You must not leave this hall to-night before you taste our wine." He bid a menial near to fill a goblet to the brim,
    And as he filled a ghastly smile played o'er his features grim. The King then raised it to his lips, and first a draught drank he;
    The giant goblet carved in ice he handed then to me. I seized the beaker in my hand, and raised it to my lip;
    And cautiously I tasted it, although 'twas but a sip. I laid the crystal down in haste, as horrified I stood.