noon
`` The Queen wishes to speak to you -- stand up , little boy , '' said one of the brightest beings , touching Martin on the cheek . There before him , surrounded by all that beautiful company , stood the horses that drew her -- great milk-white horses impatiently pawing the dusty ground with their hoofs and proudly champing their gold bridles , tossing the white froth from their mouths . But when he lifted his eyes timidly to the majestic being seated in her chariot before him he was dazzled and overcome with the sight . Her face had a brightness that was like that of the Mirage at noon , and the eyes that gazed on him were like two great opals ; she appeared clothed in a white shining mist , and her hair spread wide on her shoulders looked white -- whiter than a lamb 's fleece , and powdered with fine gold that sparkled and quivered and ran through it like sparks of yellow fire : and on her head she wore a crown that was like a diamond seen by candle-light , or like a dewdrop in the sun , and every moment it changed its colour , and by turns was a red flame , then a green , then a yellow , then a violet . -LSB- Illustration : -RSB- `` Child , you have followed me far , '' said the Queen , `` and now you are rewarded , for you have looked on my face and I have refreshed you ; and the Sun , my father , will never more hurt you for my sake . '' `` He is a naughty boy and unworthy of your goodness , '' spoke one of the bright beings standing near . `` He killed the spoonbill . ''