Come , we will take what we have made , and think no more of what the Queen has said . '' So while the industrious bees were out among the flowers , he led the drones to the hive , and took possession of the honey , destroying and laying waste the home of the kind bees ; then , fearing that in their grief and anger they might harm him , Thistle flew away to seek new friends . After many wanderings , he came at length to a great forest , and here beside a still lake he stayed to rest . Delicate wood-flowers grew near him in the deep green moss , with drooping heads , as if they listened to the soft wind singing among the pines . Bright-eyed birds peeped at him from their nests , and many-colored insects danced above the cool , still lake . `` This is a pleasant place , '' said Thistle ; `` it shall be my home for a while . Come hither , blue dragon-fly , I would gladly make a friend of you , for I am all alone . '' The dragon-fly folded his shining wings beside the Elf , listened to the tale he told , promised to befriend the lonely one , and strove to make the forest a happy home to him . So here dwelt Thistle , and many kind friends gathered round him , for he spoke gently to them , and they knew nothing of the cruel deeds he had done ; and for a while he was happy and content . But at length he grew weary of the gentle birds , and wild-flowers , and sought new pleasure in destroying the beauty he was tired of ; and soon the friends who had so kindly welcomed him looked upon him as an evil spirit , and shrunk away as he approached . At length his friend the dragon-fly besought him to leave the quiet home he had disturbed . Then Thistle was very angry , and while the dragon-fly was sleeping among the flowers that hung over the lake , he led an ugly spider to the spot , and bade him weave his nets about the sleeping insect , and bind him fast . The cruel spider gladly obeyed the ungrateful Fairy ; and soon the poor fly could move neither leg nor wing . Then Thistle flew away through the wood , leaving sorrow and trouble behind him . He had not journeyed far before he grew weary , and lay down to rest . Long he slept , and when he awoke , and tried to rise , his hands and wings were bound ; while beside him stood two strange little figures , with dark faces and garments , that rustled like withered leaves ; who cried to him , as he struggled to get free , -- `` Lie still , you naughty Fairy , you are in the Brownies ' power , and shall be well punished for your cruelty ere we let you go . '' So poor Thistle lay sorrowfully , wondering what would come of it , and wishing Lily-Bell would come to help and comfort him ; but he had left her , and she could not help him now . Soon a troop of Brownies came rustling through the air , and gathered round him , while one who wore an acorn-cup on his head , and was their King , said , as he stood beside the trembling Fairy , -- `` You have done many cruel things , and caused much sorrow to happy hearts ; now you are in my power , and I shall keep you prisoner till you have repented . You can not dwell on the earth without harming the fair things given you to enjoy , so you shall live alone in solitude and darkness , till you have learned to find happiness in gentle deeds , and forget yourself in giving joy to others . When you have learned this , I will set you free . ''
Then the Brownies bore him to a high , dark rock , and , entering a little door , led him to a small cell , dimly lighted by a crevice through which XXXXX a single gleam of sunlight ; and there , through long , long days , poor Thistle sat alone , and gazed with wistful eyes at the little opening , longing to be out on the green earth .
bind came folded lay led live repented shrunk told trembling