But the scene did not end here: the two parts of the wand found their way into other hands, who as they capered and jumped beat their companions. King Charles, struck by the lower part of the wand, found his transformation complete--he was now a lovely woman;--Rochester was turned by a blow, into a perfect satyr--while the mayoress, struck by the same portion, sank down into a little fairy not two feet high. As the sticks were passed round there was no end to the transformations: the fat alderman who had fallen down with a fish's tail, now became a perfect naiad, with long hair, and a comb in his hand. Such was the noise and confusion, that the two little maids of honour came out on the terrace to witness this strange revelling. Rochester seized them and kissed them as they screamed with fright at his shaggy beard--the wand was applied to them, and they too were transformed. The Duchess of Portsmouth opened her chamber-window, and perceiving the wild revelling resolved to indulge his Majesty with a good curtain-lecture; but he heard her not.
"To the oak of Herne the hunter," cried the king; "away to the oak!"
"To the oak! to the oak!" shouted the whole bacchanalian crew; and away they flew across the park, starting the quiescent deer with their shouts, their laughter, and their revelry. Rochester took the naiad under his arm, that she might not be left behind, and dancing, capering, tumbling, and getting up again, led by the merry king, who now was a beautiful fairy, they arrived there out of breath.
But before they had reached the oak, their noise had disturbed the slumber of one happy pair who had nestled in each other's arms among the fern.
It was Maya and Elda--who had met, and had been reconciled, proving that with fairies, the quarrels of lovers are but the renewal of love; not the case, although supposed to be so, with us mortals. Maya had missed his wand, but he would not leave Elda to return for it--he intended to have searched for it the next morning.
"What is all that noise, dearest?" cried Elda, waking up and resting on her elbow, as she listened.
"What can it be, but the mad king at his pranks as usual?" replied Maya, who had risen on his feet. "But what is here? I see--I see how it is--they have found my wand and must have broken it; for it does not otherwise do things by halves."