These holy people had been celebrating a festival by a picnic, and were now hastening home, drenched, bedraggled, and in a sorry plight.

They had scarcely reached the convent yard, however, where Sherasmin fancied all would be quite safe from further enchantment, when Oberon suddenly appeared in their midst like a brilliant meteor.
"At once the storm is fled; serenely mild Heav'n smiles around, bright rays the sky adorn, While beauteous as an angel newly born Beams in the roseate dayspring, glow'd the child.
A lily stalk his graceful limbs sustain'd, Round his smooth neck an ivory horn was chain'd; Yet lovely as he was, on all around Strange horror stole, for stern the fairy frown'd, And o'er each sadden'd charm a sullen anger reign'd." WIELAND, _Oberon_ (Sotheby's tr.).
[Sidenote: Oberon's aid promised.] The displeasure of the king of the fairies had been roused by Huon and Sherasmin's discourteous flight, but he merely vented his anger and showed his power by breathing a soft strain on his magic horn.

At the same moment, monks, nuns, and Sherasmin, forgetting their age and calling, began to dance in the wildest abandon.

Huon alone remained uninfluenced by the music, for he had had no wish to avoid an encounter with Oberon.
The king of the fairies now revealed to Huon that as his life had been pure and his soul true, he would help him in his quest.

Then, at a wave from the lily wand the magic music ceased, and the charm was broken.