I 'll gladly bear you home again , if you will come . '' But Ripple said , `` I can not turn back now , when I am nearly there . The Spirits surely will not harm me , when I tell them why I am come ; and if I win the flame , I shall be the happiest Spirit in the sea , for my promise will be kept , and the poor mother happy once again . So farewell , Winter ! Speak to her gently , and tell her to hope still , for I shall surely come . '' `` Adieu , little Ripple ! 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 , '' XXXXX Ripple .
bear bring circled hope lie looked said seeking seen went