`` Thistle , dear Thistle , where are you ? '' joyfully cried Lily-Bell , as she flew from rock to rock . But the voice was still , and she would have looked in vain , had she not seen a little vine , whose green leaves fluttering to and fro seemed beckoning her to come ; and as she stood among its flowers she sang , -- `` Through sunlight and summer air I have sought for thee long , Guided by birds and flowers , And now by thy song . `` Thistledown ! Thistledown ! O'er hill and dell Hither to comfort thee Comes Lily-Bell . '' Then from the vine-leaves two little arms were stretched out to her , and Thistledown was found . So Lily-Bell made her home in the shadow of the vine , and brought such joy to Thistle , that his lonely cell seemed pleasanter to him than all the world beside ; and he grew daily more like his gentle friend . But it did not last long , for one day she did not come . He watched and waited long , for the little face that used to peep smiling in through the vine-leaves . He called and beckoned through the narrow opening , but no Lily-Bell answered ; and he wept sadly as he thought of all she had done for him , and that now he could not go to seek and help her , for he had lost his freedom by his own cruel and wicked deeds . At last he besought the silent Brownie earnestly to tell him whither she had gone . `` O let me go to her , '' prayed Thistle ; `` if she is in sorrow , I will comfort her , and show my gratitude for all she has done for me : dear Brownie , set me free , and when she is found I will come and be your prisoner again . I will bear and suffer any danger for her sake . '' `` Lily-Bell is safe , '' replied the Brownie ; `` come , you shall learn the trial that awaits you . '' Then he led the wondering Fairy from his prison , to a group of tall , drooping ferns , beneath whose shade a large white lily had been placed , forming a little tent , within which , on a couch of thick green moss , lay Lily-Bell in a deep sleep ; the sunlight stole softly in , and all was cool and still . `` You can not wake her , '' said the Brownie , as Thistle folded his arms tenderly about her . `` It is a magic slumber , and she will not wake till you shall bring hither gifts from the Earth , Air , and Water Spirits . ' T is a long and weary task , for you have made no friends to help you , and will have to seek for them alone . This is the trial we shall give you ; and if your love for Lily-Bell be strong enough to keep you from all cruelty and selfishness , and make you kind and loving as you should be , she will awake to welcome you , and love you still more fondly than before . ''
Then Thistle , with a last look on the little XXXXX he loved so well , set forth alone to his long task .
arms deeds friend gifts joy kind opening peep sunlight voice