第4章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Little Lame Prince",免费读到尾

  coloredmoroccoleather。Hewenttoanotherplace,wherehemetwithtwomonkeysofmerit,themostpleasantofwhichwascalledBriscambril,theotherPierceforest——bothveryspruceandwelleducated。HedressedBriscambrillikeakingandplacedhiminthecoach;Pierceforesthemadethecoachman;theothersweredressedlikepages;allwhichheputintohissack,coachandall。

  Theprincessnotbeinggonetobed,heardarumblingofalittlecoachinthelonggallery;atthesametime,herladiescametotellherthatthekingofthedwarfswasarrived,andthechariotimmediatelyenteredherchamberwithallthemonkeytrain。Thecountrymonkeysbegantoshowathousandtricks,whichfarsurpassedthoseofBriscambrilandPierceforest。

  Tosaythetruth,Leanderconductedthewholemachine。HedrewthechariotwhereBriscambrilsatarrayedasaking,andmakinghimholdaboxofdiamondsinhishand,hepresenteditwithabecominggracetotheprincess。

  Theprincess’surprisemaybeeasilyimagined。

  Moreover,BriscambrilmadeasignforPierceforesttocomeanddancewithhim。Themostcelebrateddancerswerenottobecomparedwiththeminactivity。Buttheprincess,troubledthatshecouldnotguessfromwhencethiscuriouspresentcame,dismissedthedancerssoonerthanshewouldotherwisehavedone,thoughshewasextremelypleasedwiththem。

  Leander,satisfiedwithhavingseenthedelighttheprincesshadtakeninbeholdingthemonkeys,thoughtofnothingnowbuttogetalittlerepose,whichhegreatlywanted。Hestayedsometimeinthegreatgallery;afterward,goingdownapairofstairs,andfindingadooropen,heenteredintoanapartmentthemostdelightfulthateverwasseen。Therewasinitabedofcloth-of-gold,enrichedwithpearls,intermixedwithrubiesandemeralds:forbythistimethereappeareddaylightsufficientforhimtoviewandadmirethemagnificenceofthissumptuousfurniture。Havingmadefastthedoor,hecomposedhimselftosleep。Nextdayheroseveryearly,andlookingaboutoneveryside,hespiedapainter’spallet,withcolorsreadypreparedandpencils。RememberingwhattheprincesshadsaidtoAbricotinatouchingherownportrait,heimmediately(forhecouldpaintaswellasthemostexcellentmasters)seatedhimselfbeforeamirroranddrewhisownpicturefirst;then,inanoval,thatoftheprincess。

  Hehadallherfeaturessostronginhisimaginationthathehadnooccasionforhersitting;

  andashisdesiretopleaseherhadsethimtowork,neverdidportraitbearastrongerresemblance。

  Hehadpaintedhimselfupononeknee,holdingtheprincess’pictureinonehand,andintheotheralabelwiththisinscription,\"Sheisbetterinmyheart。\"Whentheprincesswentintohercabinet,shewasamazedtoseetheportraitofaman;andshefixedhereyesuponitwithsomuchthemoresurprise,becauseshealsosawherownwithit,andbecausethewordswhichwerewrittenuponthelabelaffordedherampleroomforcuriosity。ShepersuadedherselfthatitwasAbricotina’sdoing;andallshedesiredtoknowwaswhethertheportraitwasrealorimaginary。Risinginhaste,shecalledAbricotina,whiletheinvisibleLeander,withhislittleredcap,slippedintothecabinet,impatienttoknowwhatpassed。TheprincessbadeAbricotinalookuponthepictureandtellherwhatshethoughtofit。

  Aftershehadviewedit,\"Iprotest!\"saidshe,\"’tisthepictureofthatgenerousstrangertowhomIamindebtedformylife。Yes,yes,Iamsureitishe;hisveryfeatures,shape,andhair。\"

  \"Thoupretendestsurprise,\"saidtheprincess,\"butIknowitwasthouthyselfwhoputitthere。\"

  \"Who!I,madam?\"repliedAbricotina。\"I

  protestIneversawthepicturebeforeinmylife。

  ShouldIbesoboldastoconcealfromyourknowledgeathingthatsonearlyconcernsyou?

  AndbywhatmiraclecouldIcomebyit?I

  nevercouldpaint,nordidanymaneverenterthisplace;yethereheispaintedwithyou?\"

  \"Somespirit,then,musthavebroughtithither,\"criedtheprincess。

  \"HowItrembleforfear,madam!\"saidAbricotina。\"Wasitnotrathersomelover?

  Andtherefore,ifyouwilltakemyadvice,letusburnitimmediately。\"

  \"’Twereapitytoburnit,\"criedtheprincess,sighing;\"afinerpiece,methinks,cannotadornmycabinet。\"Andsayingthesewords,shecasthereyesuponit。ButAbricotinacontinuedobstinateinheropinionthatitoughttobeburned,asathingthatcouldnotcometherebutbythepowerofmagic。

  \"Andthesewords——`Sheisbetterinmyheart,’\"saidtheprincess;\"mustweburnthemtoo?\"

  \"Nofavormustbeshowntoanything,\"saidAbricotina,\"noteventoyourownportrait。\"

  Abricotinaranawayimmediatelyforsomefire,whiletheprincesswenttolookoutatthewindow。Leander,unwillingtolethisperformancebeburned,tookthisopportunitytoconveyitawaywithoutbeingperceived。Hehadhardlyquittedthecabinet,whentheprincessturnedabouttolookoncemoreuponthatenchantingpicture,whichhadsodelightedher。Buthowwasshesurprisedtofinditgone!Shesoughtforitalltheroomover;andAbricotina,returning,wasnolesssurprisedthanhermistress;sothatthislastadventureputthembothinthemostterriblefright。

  Leandertookgreatdelightinhearingandseeinghisincomparablemistress;eventhoughhehadtoeateverydayathertablewiththetabby-cat,whofarednevertheworseforthat;

  buthissatisfactionwasfarfrombeingcomplete,seeinghedurstneitherspeaknorshowhimself;

  andheknewitwasnotacommonthingforladiestofallinlovewithpersonsinvisible。

  Theprincesshadauniversaltasteforamusement。

  Oneday,shewassayingtoherattend-

  antsthatitwouldgivehergreatpleasuretoknowhowtheladiesweredressedinallthecourtsoftheuniverse。ThereneedednomorewordstosendLeanderallovertheworld。HewishedhimselfinChina,whereheboughtthericheststuffshecouldlayhishandson,andgotpatternsofallthecourtfashions。FromthenceheflewtoSiam,wherehedidthesame;inthreedayshetraveledoverallthefourpartsoftheworld,andfromtimetotimebroughtwhatheboughttothePalaceofCalmDelights,andhiditallinachamber,whichhekeptalwayslocked。

  Whenhehadthuscollectedtogetheralltheraritieshecouldmeetwith——forheneverwantedmoney,hisrosealwayssupplyinghim——hewentandboughtfiveorsixdozenofdolls,whichhecausedtobedressedatParis,theplaceintheworldwheremostregardispaidtofashions。

  Theywerealldresseddifferently,andasmagnificentascouldbe,andLeanderplacedthemallintheprincess’closet。Whensheenteredit,shewasagreeablysurprisedtoseesuchcompanyoflittlemutes,everyonedeckedwithwatchesbracelets,diamondbuckles,ornecklaces;andthemostremarkableofthemheldapictureboxinitshand,whichtheprincessopening,founditcontainedLeander’sportrait。Shegavealoudshriek,andlookinguponAbricotina,\"Therehaveappearedoflate,\"saidshe,\"somanywondersinthisplace,thatIknownotwhattothinkofthem:mybirdsareallgrownwitty;I

  cannotsomuchaswish,butpresentlyIhavemydesires;twicehaveInowseentheportraitofhimwhorescuedtheefromtheruffians;andherearesilksofallsorts,diamonds,embroideries,laces,andaninfinitenumberofotherrarities。Whatfairyisitthattakessuchcaretopaymetheseagreeablecivilities?\"

  Leanderwasoverjoyedtohearandseehersomuchinterestedabouthispicture,andcallingtomindthattherewasinagrottowhichsheoftenfrequentedacertainpedestal,onwhichaDiana,notyetfinished,wastobeerected,onthispedestalheresolvedtoplacehimself,crownedwithlaurel,andholdingalyreinhishand,onwhichheplayedlikeanotherApollo。Hemostanxiouslywaitedtheprincess’retiringtothegrotto,whichshedideverydaysinceherthoughtshadtakenupwiththisunknownperson;

  forwhatAbricotinahadsaid,joinedtothesightofthepicture,hadalmostdestroyedherrepose:herlivelyhumorchangedintoapensivemelancholy,andshegrewagreatloverofsolitude。Whensheenteredthegrotto,shemadeasignthatnobodyshouldfollowher,sothatheryoungdamselsdispersedthemselvesintotheneighboringwalks。Theprincessthrewherselfuponabankofgreenturf,sighed,wept,andeventalked,butsosoftlythatLeandercouldnothearwhatshesaid。Hehadputhisredcapon,thatshemightnotseehimatfirst;buthavingtakenitoff,shebeheldhimstandingonthepedestal。Atfirstshetookhimforarealstatue,forheobservedexactlytheattitudeinwhichhehadplacedhimself,withoutmovingsomuchasafinger。Shebeheldwithakindofpleasureintermixedwithfear,butpleasuresoondispelledherfear,andshecontinuedtoviewthepleasingfigure,whichsoexactlyresembledlife。

  Theprincehavingtunedhislyre,begantoplay;atwhichtheprincess,greatlysurprised,couldnotresistthefearthatseizedher;shegrewpaleandfellintoaswoon。Leanderleapedfromthepedestal,andputtingonhislittleredcap,thathemightnotbeperceived,tooktheprincessinhisarmsandgaveheralltheassistancethathiszealandtendernesscouldinspire。Atlengthsheopenedhercharmingeyesandlookedaboutinsearchofhim,butshecouldperceivenobody;yetshefeltsomebodywhoheldherhands,kissedthem,andbedewedthemwithhistears。Itwasalongtimebeforeshedurstspeak,andherspiritswereinaconfusedagitationbetweenfearandhope。Shewasafraidofthespirit,butlovedthefigureoftheunknown。

  Atlengthshesaid:\"Courtlyinvisible,whyareyounotthepersonIdesireyoushouldbe?\"AtthesewordsLeanderwasgoingtodeclarehimself,butdurstnotdoityet。\"For,\"thoughthe,\"ifIagainaffrighttheobjectIadoreandmakeherfearme,shewillnotloveme。\"Thisconsiderationcausedhimtokeepsilence。

  Theprincess,then,believingherselfalone,calledAbricotinaandtoldherallthewondersoftheanimatedstatue;thatithadplayeddivinely,andthattheinvisiblepersonhadgivenhergreatassistancewhenshelayinaswoon。

  \"Whatpity’tis,\"saidshe,\"thatthispersonshouldbesofrightful,fornothingcanbemoreamiableoracceptablethanhisbehavior!\"

  \"Whotoldyou,madam,\"answeredAbricotina,\"thatheisfrightful?Ifheistheyouthwhosavedme,heisbeautifulasCupidhimself。\"

  \"IfCupidandtheunknownarethesame,\"

  repliedtheprincess,blushing,\"IcouldbecontenttoloveCupid;butalas!howfaramIfromsuchahappiness!Iloveamereshadow;andthisfatalpicture,joinedtowhatthouhasttoldme,haveinspiredmewithinclinationssocontrarytothepreceptswhichIreceivedfrommymotherthatIamdailyafraidofbeingpunishedforthem。\"

  \"Oh!madam,\"saidAbricotina,interruptingher,\"haveyounottroublesenoughalready?

  Whyshouldyouanticipateafflictionswhichmaynevercometopass?\"

  ItiseasytoimaginewhatpleasureLeandertookinthisconversation。

  InthemeantimethelittleFuribon,stillenamoredoftheprincesswhomhehadneverseen,expectedwithimpatiencethereturnofthefourservantswhomhehadsenttotheIslandofCalmDelights。Oneofthematlastcameback,andafterhehadgiventheprinceaparticularaccountofwhathadpassed,toldhimthattheislandwasdefendedbyAmazons,andthatunlesshesentaverypowerfularmy,itwouldbeimpossibletogetintoit。Thekinghisfatherwasdead,andFuribonwasnowlordofall:

  disdaining,therefore,anyrepulse,heraisedanarmyoffourhundredthousandmen,andputhimselfattheheadofthem,appearinglikeanotherTomThumbuponawar-horse。Now,whentheAmazonsperceivedhismightyhost,theygavetheprincessnoticeofitswhoimmediatelydispatchedawayhertrustyAbricotinatothekingdomofthefairies,tobeghermother’sinstructionsastowhatsheshoulddotodrivethelittleFuribonfromherterritories。

  ButAbricotinafoundthefairyinanangryhumor。

  \"Nothingthatmydaughterdoes,\"saidshe,\"escapesmyknowledge。ThePrinceLeanderisnowinherpalace;helovesher,andshehasatendernessforhim。Allmycaresandpreceptshavenotbeenabletoguardherfromthetyrannyoflove,andsheisnowunderitsfataldominion。Butitisthedecreeofdestiny,andI

  mustsubmit;therefore,Abricotina,begone!norletmehearawordmoreofadaughterwhosebehaviorhassomuchdispleasedme。\"

  Abricotinareturnedwiththeseilltidings,whereattheprincesswasalmostdistracted;andthiswassoonperceivedbyLeander,whowasnearher,thoughshedidnotseehim。Hebeheldhergriefwiththegreatestpain。However,hedurstnotthenopenhislips;butrecollectingthatFuribonwasexceedinglycovetous,hethoughtthat,bygivinghimasumofmoney,hemightperhapsprevailwithhimtoretire。Thereupon,hedressedhimselflikeanAmazon,andwishedhimselfintheforest,tocatchhishorse。

  HehadnosoonercalledhimthanGris-de-linecameleaping,prancing,andneighingforjoy,forhewasgrownquitewearyofbeingsolongabsentfromhisdearmaster;butwhenhebeheldhimdressedasawomanhehardlyknewhim。

  However,atthesoundofhisvoice,hesufferedtheprincetomount,andtheysoonarrivedinthecampatFuribon,wheretheygavenoticethataladywascometospeakwithhimfromthePrincessofCalmDelights。Immediatelythelittlefellowputonhisroyalrobes,andhavingplacedhimselfuponhisthrone,helookedlikeagreattoadcounterfeitingaking。

  Leanderharanguedhim,andtoldhimthattheprincess,preferringaquietandpeaceablelifetothefatiguesofwar,hadsenttoofferhismajestyasmuchmoneyashepleasedtodemand,providedhewouldsufferhertocontinueinpeace;butifherefusedherproposal,shewouldomitnomeansthatmightserveforherdefense。

  Furibonrepliedthathetookpityonher,andwouldgrantherthehonorofhisprotection;butthathedemandedahundredthousandmillionsofpounds,andwithoutwhichhewouldnotreturntohiskingdom。Leanderansweredthatsuchavastsumwouldbetoolonga-counting,andtherefore,ifhewouldsayhowmanyroomsfullhedesiredtohave,theprincesswasgenerousandrichenoughto{sic}satisfyhim。Furibonwasastonishedtohearthat,insteadofentreating,shewouldratheroffermore;anditcameintohiswickedmindtotakeallthemoneyhecouldget,andthenseizetheAmazonandkillher,thatshemightneverreturntohermistress。HetoldLeander,therefore,thathewouldhavethirtychambersofgold,allfulltotheceiling。

  Leander,beingconductedintothechambers,tookhisroseandshookit,tilleveryroomwasfilledwithallsortsofcoin。Furibonwasinanecstasy,andthemoregoldhesawthegreaterwashisdesiretogetholdoftheAmazon;sothatwhenalltheroomswerefull,hecommandedhisguardstoseizeher,allegingshehadbroughthimcounterfeitmoney。ImmediatelyLeanderputonhislittleredcapanddisappeared。Theguards,believingthattheladyhadescaped,ranoutandleftFuribonalone;whenLeander,availinghimselfoftheopportunity,tookthetyrantbythehair,andtwistedhisheadoffwiththesameeasehewouldapullet’s;nordidthelittlewretchofakingseethathandthatkilledhim。

  Leanderhavinggothisenemy’shead,wishedhimselfinthePalaceofCalmDelights,wherehefoundtheprincesswalking,andwithgriefconsideringthemessagewhichhermotherhadsenther,andonthemeanstorepelFuribon。

  Suddenlyshebeheldaheadhangingintheair,withnobodytoholdit。Thisprodigyastonishedhersothatshecouldnottellwhattothinkofit;butheramazementwasincreasedwhenshesawtheheadlaidatherfeet,andheardavoiceutterthesewords:

  \"CharmingPrincess,ceaseyourfearOfFuribon;whoseheadseehere。\"

  Abricotina,knowingLeander’svoice,cried:

  \"Iprotest,madam,theinvisiblepersonwhospeaksistheverystrangerthatrescuedme。\"

  Theprincessseemedastonished,butyetpleased。

  \"Oh,\"saidshe,\"ifitbetruethattheinvisibleandthestrangerarethesameperson,IconfessIshallbegladtomakehimmyacknowledgments。\"

  Leander,stillinvisible,replied,\"Iwillyetdomoretodeservethem;\"andsosayinghereturnedtoFuribon’sarmy,wherethereportoftheking’sdeathwasalreadyspreadthroughoutthecamp。AssoonasLeanderappearedthereinhisusualhabit,everybodyknewhim;alltheofficersandsoldierssurroundedhim,utteringtheloudestacclamationsofjoy。Inshort,theyacknowledgedhimfortheirking,andthatthecrownofrightbelongedtohim,forwhichhethankedthem,and,asthefirstmarkofhisroyalbounty,dividedthethirtyroomsofgoldamongthesoldiers。Thisdonehereturnedtohisprincess,orderinghisarmytomarchbackintohiskingdom。

  Theprincesswasgonetobed。Leander,therefore,retiredintohisownapartment,forhewasverysleepy——sosleepythatheforgottobolthisdoor;andsoithappenedthattheprincess,risingearlytotastethemorningair,chancedtoenterintothisverychamber,andwasastonishedtofindayoungprinceasleepuponthebed。Shetookafullviewofhim,andwasconvincedthathewasthepersonwhosepictureshehadinherdiamondbox。\"Itisimpossible,\"

  saidshe,\"thatthisshouldbeaspirit;forcanspiritssleep?Isthisabodycomposedofairandfire,withoutsubstance,asAbricotinatoldme?\"Shesoftlytouchedhishair,andheardhimbreathe,andlookedathimasifshecouldhavelookedforever。Whileshewasthusoccupied,hermother,thefairyenteredwithsuchanoisethatLeanderstartedoutofhissleep。Buthowdeeplywasheafflictedtobeholdhisbelovedprincessinthemostdeplorablecondition!Hermotherdraggedherbythehairandloadedherwithathousandbitterreproaches。Inwhatgriefandconsternationwerethetwoyounglovers,whosawthemselvesnowuponthepointofbeingseparatedforever!Theprincessdurstnotopenherlips,butcasthereyesuponLeander,asiftobeghisassistance。Hejudgedrightlythatheoughtnottodealrudelywithapowersuperiortohisown,andthereforehesought,byhiseloquenceandsubmission,tomovetheincensedfairy。Herantoher,threwhimselfatherfeet,andbesoughthertohavepityuponayoungprincewhowouldneverchangeinhisaffectionforherdaughter。

  Theprincess,encouraged,alsoembracedhermother’sknees,anddeclaredthatwithoutLeandersheshouldneverbehappy。

  \"Happy!\"criedthefairy;\"youknownotthemiseriesoflovenorthetreacheriesofwhichloversarecapable。Theybewitchusonlytopoisonourlives;Ihaveknownitbyexperience;

  andwillyousufferthesame?\"

  \"Istherenoexception,madam?\"repliedLeander,andhiscountenanceshowedhimtobeone。

  Butneithertearsnorentreatiescouldmovetheimplacablefairy;anditisveryprobablethatshewouldhaveneverpardonedthem,hadnotthelovelyGentillaappearedatthatinstantinthechamber,morebrilliantthanthesun。

  Embracingtheoldfairy:

  \"Dearsister,\"saidshe,\"IampersuadedyoucannothaveforgottenthegoodofficeIdidyouwhen,afteryourunhappymarriage,youbesoughtareadmittanceintoFairyland;sincethenIneverdesiredanyfavoratyourhands,butnowthetimeiscome。Pardon,then,thislovelyprincess;consenttohernuptialswiththisyoungprince。Iwillengageheshallbeeverconstanttoher;thethreadoftheirdaysshallbespunofgoldandsilk;theyshalllivetocompleteyourhappiness;andIwillneverforgettheobligationyoulayuponme。\"

  \"CharmingGentilla,\"criedthefairy,\"I

  consenttowhateveryoudesire。Come,mydearchildren,andreceivemylove。\"Sosaying,sheembracedthemboth。

  Abricotina,justthenentering,casthereyesuponLeander;sheknewhimagain,andsawhewasperfectlyhappy,atwhichshe,too,wasquitesatisfied。

  \"Prince,\"condescendinglysaidthefairy-

  mother,\"IwillremovetheIslandofCalmDelightsintoyourownkingdom,livewithyoumyself,anddoyougreatservices。\"

  WhetherornotPrinceLeanderappreciatedthisoffer,hebowedlow,andassuredhismother-

  in-lawthatnofavorcouldbeequaltotheonehehadthatdayreceivedfromherhands。Thisshortcomplimentpleasedthefairyexceedingly,forshebelongedtothoseancientdayswhenpeopleusedtostandawholedayupononelegcomplimentingoneanother。Thenuptialswereperformedinamostsplendidmanner,andtheyoungprinceandprincesslivedtogetherhappilymanyyears,belovedbyallaroundthem。

  PRINCECHERRY

  PRINCECHERRY

  LONGagotherelivedamonarch,whowassuchavery,honestmanthathissubjectsentitledhimtheGoodKing。

  Oneday,whenhewasouthunting,alittlewhiterabbit,whichhadbeenhalf-killedbyhishounds,leapedrightintohismajesty’sarms。Saidhe,caressingit:\"Thispoorcreaturehasputitselfundermyprotection,andI

  willallownoonetoinjureit。\"Sohecarriedittohispalace,hadpreparedforitaneatlittlerabbit-hutch,withabundanceofthedaintiestfood,suchasrabbitslove,andthereheleftit。

  Thesamenight,whenhewasaloneinhischamber,thereappearedtohimabeautifullady。

  Shewasdressedneitheringold,norsilver,norbrocade;butherflowingrobeswerewhiteassnow,andsheworeagarlandofwhiterosesonherhead。TheGoodKingwasgreatlyastonishedatthesight;forhisdoorwaslocked,andhewonderedhowsodazzlingaladycouldpossiblyenter;butshesoonremovedhisdoubts。

  \"IamthefairyCandide,\"saidshe,withasmilingandgraciousair。\"Passingthroughthewoodwhereyouwerehunting,ItookadesiretoknowifyouwereasgoodasmensayyouareI

  thereforechangedmyselfintoawhiterabbitandtookrefugeinyourarms。YousavedmeandnowIknowthatthosewhoaremercifultodumbeastswillbetentimesmoresotohumanbeings。Youmeritthenameyoursubjectsgiveyou:youaretheGoodKing。Ithankyouforyourprotection,andshallbealwaysoneofyourbestfriends。Youhavebuttosaywhatyoumostdesire,andIpromiseyouyourwishshallbegranted。\"

  \"Madam,\"repliedtheking,\"ifyouareafairy,youmustknow,withoutmytellingyou,thewishofmyheart。Ihaveonewell-belovedson,PrinceCherry:whateverkindlyfeelingyouhavetowardme,extendittohim。\"

  \"Willingly,\"saidCandide。\"Iwillmakehimthehandsomest,richest,ormostpowerfulprinceintheworld:choosewhicheveryoudesireforhim。\"

  \"Noneofthethree,\"returnedthefather。\"I

  onlywishhimtobegood——thebestprinceinthewholeworld。Ofwhatusewouldriches,power,orbeautybetohimifhewereabadman?\"

  \"Youareright,\"saidthefairy;\"butIcannotmakehimgood:hemustdothathimself。I

  canonlychangehisexternalfortunes;forhispersonalcharacter,theutmostIcanpromiseistogivehimgoodcounsel,reprovehimforhisfaults,andevenpunishhim,ifhewillnotpunishhimself。Youmortalscandothesamewithyourchildren。\"

  \"Ah,yes!\"saidtheking,sighing。Still,hefeltthatthekindnessofafairywassomethinggainedforhisson,anddiednotlongafter,contentandatpeace。

  PrinceCherrymourneddeeply,forhedearlylovedhisfather,andwouldhavegladlygivenallhiskingdomsandtreasurestokeephiminlifealittlelonger。TwodaysaftertheGoodKingwasnomore,PrinceCherrywassleepinginhischamber,whenhesawthesamedazzlingvisionofthefairyCandide。

  \"Ipromisedyourfather,\"saidshe,\"tobeyourbestfriend,andinpledgeofthistakewhatInowgiveyou;\"andsheplacedasmallgoldringuponhisfinger。\"Poorasitlooks,itismorepreciousthandiamonds;forwheneveryoudoillitwillprickyourfinger。If,afterthatwarning,youstillcontinueinevil,youwilllosemyfriendship,andIshallbecomeyourdirestenemy。\"’

  Sosaying,shedisappeared,leavingCherryinsuchamazementthathewouldhavebelieveditalladream,savefortheringonhisfinger。

  Hewasforalongtimesogoodthattheringneverprickedhimatall;andthismadehimsocheerfulandpleasantinhishumorthateverybodycalledhim\"HappyPrinceCherry。\"Butoneunluckydayhewasouthuntingandfoundnosport,whichvexedhimsomuchthatheshowedhisilltemperbyhislooksandways。Hefanciedhisringfeltverytightanduncomfortable,butasitdidnotprickhimhetooknoheedofthis:until,re-enteringhispalace,hislittlepetdog,Bibi,jumpedupuponhimandwassharplytoldtogetaway。Thecreature,accustomedtonothingbutcaresses,triedtoattracthisattentionbypullingathisgarments,whenPrinceCherryturnedandgaveitaseverekick。

  Atthismomenthefeltinhisfingerapricklikeapin。

  \"Whatnonsense!\"saidhetohimself。\"Thefairymustbemakinggameofme。Why,whatgreatevilhaveIdone!I,themasterofagreatempire,cannotIkickmyowndog?\"

  Avoicereplied,orelsePrinceCherryimaginedit,\"No,sire;themasterofagreatempirehasarighttodogood,butnotevil。I——afairy——amasmuchaboveyouasyouareaboveyourdog。Imightpunishyou,killyou,ifIchose;butIpreferleavingyoutoamendyourways。Youhavebeenguiltyofthreefaultstoday——badtemper,passion,cruelty:dobetterto-morrow。\"

  Theprincepromised,andkepthiswordawhile;buthehadbeenbroughtupbyafoolishnurse,whoindulgedhimineverywayandwasalwaystellinghimthathewouldbeakingoneday,whenhemightdoashelikedinallthings。

  Hefoundoutnowthatevenakingcannotalwaysdothat;itvexedhimandmadehimangry。

  Hisringbegantoprickhimsooftenthathislittlefingerwascontinuallybleeding。Hedislikedthis,aswasnatural,andsoonbegantoconsiderwhetheritwouldnotbeeasiertothrowtheringawayaltogetherthantobeconstantlyannoyedbyit。Itwassuchaqueerthingforakingtohaveaspotofbloodonhisfinger!Atlast,unabletoputupwithitanymore,hetookhisringoffandhiditwherehewouldneverseeit;andbelievedhimselfthehappiestofmen,forhecouldnowdoexactlywhatheliked。Hedidit,andbecameeverydaymoreandmoremiserable。

  Onedayhesawayounggirl,sobeautifulthat,beingalwaysaccustomedtohavehisownway,heimmediatelydeterminedtoespouseher。Heneverdoubtedthatshewouldbeonlytoogladtobemadeaqueen,forshewasverypoor。ButZelia——thatwashername——answered,tohisgreatastonishment,thatshewouldrathernotmarryhim。

  \"DoIdispleaseyou?\"askedtheprince,intowhosemindithadneverenteredthathecoulddispleaseanybody。

  \"Notatall,myprince,\"saidthehonestpeasantmaiden。\"Youareveryhandsome,verycharming;butyouarenotlikeyourfathertheGoodKing。Iwillnotbeyourqueen,foryouwouldmakememiserable。\"

  Atthesewordstheprince’sloveseemedalltoturntohatred:hegaveorderstohisguardstoconveyZeliatoaprisonnearthepalace,andthentookcounselwithhisfosterbrother,theoneofallhisillcompanionswhomostincitedhimtodowrong。

  \"Sir,\"saidthisman,\"ifIwereinyourmajesty’splace,Iwouldnevervexmyselfaboutapoorsillygirl。Feedheronbreadandwatertillshecomestohersenses;andifshestillrefusesyou,letherdieintorment,asawarningtoyourothersubjectsshouldtheyventuretodisputeyourwill。Youwillbedisgracedshouldyousufferyourselftobeconqueredbyasimplegirl。\"

  \"But,\"saidPrinceCherry,\"shallInotbedisgracedifIharmacreaturesoperfectlyinnocent?\"

  \"Nooneisinnocentwhodisputesyourmajesty’sauthority,\"saidthecourtier,bowing;

  \"anditisbettertocommitaninjusticethanallowittobesupposedyoucaneverbecontradictedwithimpunity。\"

  ThistouchedCherryonhisweakpoint——hisgoodimpulsesfaded;heresolvedoncemoretoaskZeliaifshewouldmarryhim,andifsheagainrefused,tosellherasaslave。Arrivedatthecellinwhichshewasconfined,whatwashisastonishmenttofindhergone!Heknewnotwhomtoaccuse,forhehadkeptthekeyinhispocketthewholetime。Atlast,thefoster-

  brothersuggestedthattheescapeofZeliamighthavebeencontrivedbyanoldman,Sulimanbyname,theprince’sformertutor,whowastheonlyonewhonowventuredtoblamehimforanythingthathedid。Cherrysentimmediately,andorderedhisoldfriendtobebroughttohim,loadedheavilywithirons。Then,fulloffury,hewentandshuthimselfupinhisownchamber,wherehewentragingtoandfro,tillstartledbyanoiselikeaclapofthunder。ThefairyCandidestoodbeforehim。

  \"Prince,\"saidshe,inaseverevoice,\"I

  promisedyourfathertogiveyougoodcounselsandtopunishyouifyourefusedtofollowthem。

  Mycounselswereforgotten,mypunishmentdespised。Underthefigureofaman,youhavebeennobetterthanthebeastsyouchase:likealioninfury,awolfingluttony,aserpentinrevenge,andabullinbrutality。Take,therefore,inyournewformthelikenessofalltheseanimals。\"

  ScarcelyhadPrinceCherryheardthesewordsthantohishorrorhefoundhimselftransformedintowhattheFairyhadnamed。Hewasacreaturewiththeheadofalion,thehornsofabull,thefeetofawolf,andthetailofaserpent。Atthesametimehefelthimselftransportedtoadistantforest,where,standingonthebankofastream,hesawreflectedinthewaterhisownfrightfulshape,andheardavoicesaying:

  \"Lookatthyself,andknowthysoulhasbecomeathousandtimesugliereventhanthybody。\"

  CherryrecognizedthevoiceofCandide,andinhisragewouldhavesprunguponheranddevouredher;buthesawnothingandthesamevoicesaidbehindhim:

  \"Ceasethyfeeblefury,andlearntoconquerthypridebybeinginsubmissiontothineownsubjects。\"

  Hearingnomore,hesoonquittedthestream,hopingatleasttogetridofthesightofhimself;

  buthehadscarcelygonetwentypaceswhenhetumbledintoapitfallthatwaslaidtocatchbears;thebear-hunters,descendingfromsometreeshardby,caughthim,chainedhim,andonlytoodelightedtogetholdofsuchacurious-

  lookinganimal,ledhimalongwiththemtothecapitalofhisownkingdom。

  Theregreatrejoicingsweretakingplace,andthebear-hunters,askingwhatitwasallabout,weretoldthatitwasbecausePrinceCherry,thetormentofhissubjects,hadjustbeenstruckdeadbyathunderbolt——justpunishmentofallhiscrimes。Fourcourtiers,hiswickedcompanions,hadwishedtodividehisthronebetweenthem;butthepeoplehadrisenupagainstthemandofferedthecrowntoSuliman,theoldtutorwhomCherryhadorderedtobearrested。

  Allthisthepoormonsterheard。HeevensawSulimansittinguponhisownthroneandtryingtocalmthepopulacebyrepresentingtothemthatitwasnotcertainPrinceCherrywasdead;

  thathemightreturnonedaytoreassumewithhonorthecrownwhichSulimanonlyconsentedtowearasasortofviceroy。

  \"Iknowhisheart,\"saidthehonestandfaithfuloldman;\"itistainted,butnotcorrupt。

  Ifalive,hemayreformyet,andbeallhisfatheroveragaintoyou,hispeople,whomhehascausedtosuffersomuch。\"

  Thesewordstouchedthepoorbeastsodeeplythatheceasedtobeathimselfagainsttheironbarsofthecageinwhichthehunterscarriedhimabout,becamegentleasalamb,andsufferedhimselftobetakenquietlytoamenagerie,wherewerekeptallsortsofstrangeandferociousanimalsaplacewhichhehadhimselfoftenvisitedasaboy,butneverthoughtheshouldbeshutuptherehimself。

  However,heownedhehaddeserveditall,andbegantomakeamendsbyshowinghimselfveryobedienttohiskeeper。Thismanwasalmostasgreatabruteastheanimalshehadchargeof,andwhenhewasinillhumorheusedtobeatthemwithoutrhymeorreason。Oneday,whilehewassleeping,atigerbrokelooseandleapeduponhim,eagertodevourhim。Cherryatfirstfeltathrillofpleasureatthethoughtofbeingrevenged;then,seeinghowhelplessthemanwas,hewishedhimselffree,thathemightdefendhim。Immediatelythedoorsofhiscageopened。

  Thekeeper,wakingup,sawthestrangebeastleapout,andimagined,ofcourse,thathewasgoingtobeslainatonce。Instead,hesawthetigerlyingdead,andthestrangebeastcreepingupandlayingitselfathisfeettobecaressed。

  Butashelifteduphishandtostrokeit,avoicewasheardsaying,\"Goodactionsnevergounrewarded;\"andinsteadofthefrightfulmonster,therecrouchedonthegroundnothingbutaprettylittledog。

  Cherry,delightedtofindhimselfthusmetamorphosed,caressedthekeeperineverypossibleway,tillatlastthemantookhimupintohisarmsandcarriedhimtotheking,towhomherelatedthiswonderfulstory,frombeginningtoend。Thequeenwishedtohavethecharminglittledog;andCherrywouldhavebeenexceedinglyhappycouldhehaveforgottenthathewasoriginallyamanandaking。Hewaslodgedmostelegantly,hadtherichestofcollarstoadornhisneck,andheardhimselfpraisedcontinually。

  Buthisbeautyratherbroughthimintotrouble,forthequeen,afraidlesthemightgrowtoolargeforapet,tookadviceofdog-doctors,whoorderedthatheshouldbefedentirelyuponbread,andthatverysparingly;sopoorCherrywassometimesnearlystarved。

  Oneday,whentheygavehimhiscrustforbreakfast,afancyseizedhimtogoandeatitinthepalacegarden;sohetookthebreadinhismouthandtrottedawaytowardastreamwhichheknew,andwherehesometimesstoppedtodrink。Butinsteadofthestreamhesawasplendidpalace,glitteringwithgoldandpreciousstones。Enteringthedoorswasacrowdofmenandwomen,magnificentlydressed;andwithintherewassinginganddancingandgoodcheerofallsorts。Yet,howevergrandlyandgaylythepeoplewentin,Cherrynoticedthatthosewhocameoutwerepale,thin,ragged,half-naked,coveredwithwoundsandsores。

  Someofthemdroppeddeadatonce;othersdraggedthemselvesonalittlewayandthenlaydown,dyingofhunger,andvainlybeggedamorselofbreadfromotherswhowereenteringin——whonevertooktheleastnoticeofthem。

  Cherryperceivedonewoman,whowastryingfeeblytogatherandeatsomegreenherbs。

  \"Poorthing!\"saidhetohimself;\"Iknowwhatitistobehungry,andIwantmybreakfastbadlyenough;butstillitwillkillmetowaittilldinnertime,andmycrustmaysavethelifeofthispoorwoman。\"

  Sothelittledogranuptoheranddroppedhisbreadatherfeet;shepickeditupandateitwithavidity。Soonshelookedquiterecovered,andCherry,delighted,wastrottingbackagaintohiskennel,whenheheardloudcries,andsawayounggirldraggedbyfourmentothedoorofthepalace,whichtheyweretryingtocompelhertoenter。Oh,howhewishedhimselfamonsteragain,aswhenheslewthetiger!——fortheyounggirlwasnootherthanhisbelovedZelia。

  Alas!whatcouldapoorlittledogdotodefendher?Butheranforwardandbarkedatthemen,andbittheirheels,untilatlasttheychasedhimawaywithheavyblows。Andthenhelaydownoutsidethepalacedoor,determinedtowatchandseewhathadbecomeofZelia。

  Conscienceprickedhimnow。\"What!\"

  thoughthe,\"Iamfuriousagainstthesewickedmen,whoarecarryingheraway;anddidInotdothesamemyself?DidInotcastherintoprison,andintendtosellherasaslave?WhoknowshowmuchmorewickednessImightnothavedonetoherandothers,ifHeaven’sjusticehadnotstoppedmeintime?\"

  Whilehelaythinkingandrepenting,heheardawindowopenandsawZeliathrowoutofitabitofdaintymeat。Cherry,whofelthungryenoughbythistime,wasjustabouttoeatit,whenthewomantowhomhehadgivenhiscrustsnatchedhimupinherarms\"Poorlittlebeast!\"criedshe,pattinghim,\"everybitoffoodinthatpalaceispoisoned:

  youshallnottouchamorsel。\"

  Andatthesametimethevoiceintheairrepeatedagain,\"Goodactionsnevergounrewarded;\"andCherryfoundhimselfchangedintoabeautifullittlewhitepigeon。HerememberedwithjoythatwhitewasthecolorofthefairyCandide,andbegantohopethatshewastakinghimintofavoragain。

  Sohestretchedhiswings,delightedthathemightnowhaveachanceofapproachinghisfairZelia。Heflewuptothepalacewindows,and,findingoneofthemopen,enteredandsoughteverywhere,buthecouldnotfindZelia。

  Then,indespair,heflewoutagain,resolvedtogoovertheworlduntilhebeheldheroncemore。

  Hetookflightatonceandtraversedmanycountries,swiftlyasabirdcan,butfoundnotraceofhisbeloved。Atlengthinadesert,sittingbesideanoldhermitinhiscaveandpar-

  takingwithhimhisfrugalrepast,CherrysawapoorpeasantgirlandrecognizedZelia。Transportedwithjoy,heflewin,perchedonhershoulder,andexpressedhisdelightandaffectionbyathousandcaresses。

  She,charmedwiththeprettylittlepigeon,caresseditinherturn,andpromiseditthatifitwouldstaywithhershewouldloveitalways。

  \"Whathaveyoudone,Zelia?\"saidthehermit,smiling;andwhilehespokethewhitepigeonvanished,andtherestoodPrinceCherryinhisownnaturalform。\"Yourenchantmentended,prince,whenZeliapromisedtoloveyou。Indeed,shehaslovedyoualways,butyourmanyfaultsconstrainedhertohideherlove。Thesearenowamended,andyoumaybothlivehappyifyouwill,becauseyourunionisfoundeduponmutualesteem。\"

  CherryandZeliathrewthemselvesatthefeetofthehermit,whoseformalsobegantochange。

  Hissoiledgarmentsbecameofdazzlingwhiteness,andhislongbeardandwitheredfacegrewintotheflowinghairandlovelycountenanceofthefairyCandide。

  \"Riseup,mychildren,\"saidshe;\"ImustnowtransportyoutoyourpalaceandrestoretoPrinceCherryhisfather’scrown,ofwhichheisnowworthy。\"

  ShehadscarcelyceasedspeakingwhentheyfoundthemselvesinthechamberofSuliman,who,delightedtofindagainhisbelovedpupilandmaster,willinglyresignedthethrone,andbecamethemostfaithfulofhissubjects。

  KingCherryandQueenZeliareignedtogetherformanyyears,anditissaidthattheformerwassoblamelessandstrictinallhisdutiesthatthoughheconstantlyworetheringwhichCandidehadrestoredtohim,itneveronceprickedhisfingerenoughtomakeitbleed。

  THEPRINCEWITHTHENOSE

  THEPRINCEWITHTHENOSE

  THEREwasonceakingwhowaspassionatelyinlovewithabeautifulprincess,butshecouldnotbemarriedbecauseamagican{sic}hadenchantedher。

  Thekingwenttoagoodfairytoinquirewhatheshoulddo。Saidthefairy,afterreceivinghimgraciously:\"Sir,Iwilltellyouagreatsecret。

  Theprincesshasagreatcatwhomshelovessowellthatshecaresfornothingandnobodyelse;

  butshewillbeobligedtomarryanypersonwhoisadroitenoughtowalkuponthecat’stail。\"

  \"Thatwillnotbeverydifficult,\"thoughtthekingtohimself,anddeparted,resolvingtotramplethecat’stailtopiecesratherthannotsucceedinwalkinguponit。Hewentimmediatelytothepalaceofhisfairmistressandthecat;theanimalcameinfrontofhim,archingitsbackinangerasitwaswonttodo。Thekinglifteduphisfoot,thinkingnothingwouldbesoeasyastotreadonthetail,buthefoundhimselfmistaken。Minon——thatwasthecreature’sname——twisteditselfroundsosharplythatthekingonlyhurthisownfootbystampingonthefloor。Foreightdaysdidhepursuethecateverywhere:upanddownthepalacehewasafteritfrommorningtillnight,butwithnobettersuccess;thetailseemedmadeofquicksilver,soverylivelywasit。AtlastthekinghadthegoodfortunetocatchMinonsleeping,whentramp!tramp!hetrodonthetailwithallhisforce。

  Minonwokeup,mewedhorribly,andimmediatelychangedfromacatintoalarge,fierce-

  lookingman,whoregardedthekingwithflashingeyes。

  \"Youmustmarrytheprincess,\"criedhe,\"becauseyouhavebrokentheenchantmentinwhichIheldher;butIwillberevengedonyou。

  Youshallhaveasonwithanoseaslongas——

  that;\"hemadeintheairacurveofhalfafoot;

  \"yetheshallbelieveitisjustlikeallothernoses,andshallbealwaysunfortunatetillhehasfoundoutitisnot。Andifyouevertellanybodyofthisthreatofmine,youshalldieonthespot。\"

  Sosayingthemagiciandisappeared。

  Theking,whowasatfirstmuchterrified,soonbegantolaughatthisadventure。\"Mysonmighthaveaworsemisfortunethantoolonganose,\"thoughthe。\"Atleastitwillhinderhimneitherinseeingnorhearing。Iwillgoandfindtheprincessandmarryheratonce。\"

  Hedidso,butheonlylivedafewmonthsafter,anddiedbeforehislittlesonwasborn,sothatnobodyknewanythingaboutthesecretofthenose。

  ThelittleprincewassomuchwishedforthatwhenhecameintotheworldtheyagreedtocallhimPrinceWish。Hehadbeautifulblueeyesandasweetlittlemouth,buthisnosewassobigthatitcoveredhalfhisface。Thequeen,hismother,wasinconsolable;butherladiestriedtosatisfyherbytellingherthatthenosewasnotnearlysolargeasitseemed,thatitwouldgrowsmallerastheprincegrewbigger,andthatifitdidnotalargenosewasindispensabletoahero。Allgreatsoldiers,theysaid,hadgreatnoses,aseverybodyknew。Thequeenwassoveryfondofhersonthatshelistenedeagerlytoallthiscomfort。Shortlyshegrewsousedtotheprinces’snosethatitdidnotseemtoheranylargerthanordinarynosesofthecourt;where,inprocessoftime,everybodywithalongnosewasverymuchadmired,andtheunfortunatepeoplewhohadonlysnubsweretakenverylittlenoticeof。

  Greatcarewasobservedintheeducationoftheprince;andassoonashecouldspeaktheytoldhimallsortsofamusingtales,inwhichallthebadpeoplehadshortnoses,andallthegoodpeoplehadlongones。Nopersonwassufferedtocomenearhimwhohadnotanoseofmorethanordinarylength;nay,tosuchanextentdidthecountriescarrytheirfancy,thatthenosesofallthelittlebabieswereorderedtobepulledoutasfaraspossibleseveraltimesaday,inordertomakethemgrow。Butgrowastheywould,theynevercouldgrowaslongasthatofPrinceWish。

  Whenhewasoldenoughhistutortaughthimhistory;andwheneveranygreatkingorlovelyprincesswasreferredto,thetutoralwaystookcaretomentionthatheorshehadalongnose。

  Alltheroyalapartmentswerefilledwithpicturesandportraitshavingthispeculiarity,sothatatlastPrinceWishbegantoregardthelengthofhisnoseashisgreatestperfection,andwouldnothavehaditaninchlesseventosavehiscrown。

  Whenhewastwentyyearsoldhismotherandhispeoplewishedhimtomarry。Theyprocuredforhimthelikenessesofmanyprincesses,buttheonehepreferredwasPrincessDarling,daughterofapowerfulmonarchandheiresstoseveralkingdoms。Alas!withallherbeauty,thisprincesshadonegreatmisfortune,alittleturned-upnose,which,everyoneelsesaidmadeheronlythemorebewitching。Buthere,inthekingdomofPrinceWish,thecourtierswerethrownbyitintotheutmostperplexity。Theywereinthehabitoflaughingatallsmallnoses;

  buthowdaredtheymakefunofthenoseofPrincessDarling?Twounfortunategentlemen,whomPrinceWishhadoverhearddoingso,wereignominiouslybanishedfromthecourtandcapital。

  Afterthis,thecourtiersbecamealarmed,andtriedtocorrecttheirhabitofspeech;buttheywouldhavefoundthemselvesinconstantdifficulties,hadnotonecleverpersonstruckoutabrightidea。Hesaidthatthoughitwasindispensablynecessaryforamantohaveagreatnose,womenwereverydifferent;andthatalearnedmanhaddiscoveredinaveryoldmanuscriptthatthecelebratedCleopatra,QueenofEgypt,thebeautyoftheancientworld,hadaturned-upnose。AtthisinformationPrinceWishwassodelightedthathemadethecourtieraveryhandsomepresent,andimmediatelysentoffambassadorstodemandPrincessDarlinginmarriage。

  Sheacceptedhisofferatonce,andreturnedwiththeambassadors。Hemadeallhastetomeetandwelcomeher,butwhenshewasonlythreeleaguesdistantfromhiscapital,beforehehadtimeeventokissherhand,themagicianwhohadonceassumedtheshapeofhismother’scat,Minon,appearedintheairandcarriedheroffbeforethelover’sveryeyes。

  PrinceWish,almostbesidehimselfwithgrief,declaredthatnothingshouldinducehimtoreturntohisthroneandkingdomtillhehadfoundDarling。Hewouldsuffernoneofhiscourtiersorattendantstofollowhim;butbiddingthemalladieu,mountedagoodhorse,laidthereinsontheanimal’sneck,andlethimtakehimwhereverhewould。

  Thehorseenteredawide-extendedplain,andtrottedonsteadilythewholedaywithoutfindingasinglehouse。Masterandbeastbeganalmosttofaintwithhunger;andPrinceWishmighthavewishedhimselfathomeagain,hadhenotdiscovered,justatdusk,acavern,wheretheresat,besideabrightlantern,alittlewomanwhomighthavebeenmorethanahundredyearsold。

  Sheputonherspectaclesthebettertolookatthestranger,andhenoticedthathernosewassosmallthatthespectacleswouldhardlystayon;thentheprinceandthefairy——forshewasafairy——burstintolaughter。

  \"Whatafunnynose!\"criedtheone。

  \"Notsofunnyasyours,madam,\"returnedtheother。\"Butprayletusleaveournosesalone,andbegoodenoughtogivemesomethingtoeat,forIamdyingwithhunger,andsoismypoorhorse。\"

  \"Withallmyheart,\"answeredthefairy。

  \"Althoughyournoseisridiculouslylong,youarenolessthesonofoneofmybestfriends。I

  lovedyourfatherlikeabrother;hehadaveryhandsomenose。\"

  \"Whatiswantingtomynose?\"askedWishrathersavagely。

  \"Oh!nothingatall。Onthecontrary,thereisagreatdealtoomuchofit;butnevermind,onemaybeaveryhonestman,andyethavetoobiganose。AsIsaid,Iwasagreatfriendofyourfather’s;hecameoftentoseeme。Iwasveryprettythen,andoftentimesheusedtosaytome,`Mysister————’\"

  \"Iwillheartherest,madam,withpleasure,whenIhavesupped;butwillyoucondescendtorememberthatIhavetastednothingallday?\"

  \"Poorboy,\"saidthefairy,\"Iwillgiveyousomesupperdirectly;andwhileyoueatitIwilltellyoumyhistoryinsixwords,forIhatemuchtalking。Alongtongueisasinsupportableasalongnose;andIrememberwhenIwasyounghowmuchIusedtobeadmiredbecauseI

  wasnotatalker;indeed,someonesaidtothequeenmymother——forpoorasyouseemenow,Iamthedaughterofagreatking,whoalways————\"

  \"Atewhenhewashungry,Ihope,\"

  interruptedtheprince,whosepatiencewasfastdeparting。

  \"Youareright,\"saidtheimperturbableoldfairy;\"andIwillbringyouyoursupperdirectly,onlyIwishfirstjusttosaythatthekingmyfather————\"

  \"Hangthekingyourfather!\"PrinceWishwasabouttoexclaim,buthestoppedhimself,andonlyobservedthathoweverthepleasureofherconversationmightmakehimforgethishunger,itcouldnothavethesameeffectuponhishorse,whowasreallystarving。

  Thefairy,pleasedathiscivility,calledherservantsandbadethemsupplyhimatoncewithallheneeded。\"And,\"addedshe,\"Imustsayyouareverypoliteandverygood-tempered,inspiteofyournose。\"

  \"Whathastheoldwomantodowithmynose?\"thoughttheprince。\"IfIwerenotsoveryhungry,Iwouldsoonshowherwhatsheis——aregularoldgossipandchatterbox。Shetofancyshetalkslittle,indeed!Onemustbeveryfoolishnottoknowone’sowndefects。Thiscomesofbeingbornaprincess。Flatterershavespoiledherandpersuadedherthatshetalkslittle。Little,indeed!Ineverknewanybodychattersomuch。\"

  Whiletheprincethusmeditated,theservantswerelayingthetable,thefairyaskingthemahundredunnecessaryquestions,simplyforthepleasureofhearingherselftalk。\"Well,\"

  thoughtWish,\"IamdelightedthatIcamehither,ifonlytolearnhowwiseIhavebeeninneverlisteningtoflatterers,whohidefromusourfaults,ormakeusbelievetheyareperfections。

  Buttheycouldneverdeceiveme。Iknowallmyownweakpoints,Itrust。\"Astrulyhebelievedhedid。

  Sohewentoneatingcontentedly,norstoppedtilltheoldfairybegantoaddresshim。

  \"Prince,\"saidshe,\"willyoubekindenoughtoturnalittle?YournosecastssuchashadowthatIcannotseewhatisonmyplate。And,asIwassaying,yourfatheradmiredmeandalwaysmademewelcomeatcourt。Whatisthecourtetiquettetherenow?Dotheladiesstillgotoassemblies,promenades,balls?——Ibegyourpardonforlaughing,buthowverylongyournoseis。\"

  \"Iwishyouwouldceasetospeakofmynose,\"

  saidtheprince,becomingannoyed。\"Itiswhatitis,andIdonotdesireitanyshorter。\"

  \"Oh!IseethatIhavevexedyou,\"returnedthefairy。\"Nevertheless,Iamoneofyourbestfriends,andsoIshalltakethelibertyofalways————\"Shewoulddoubtlesshavegoneontalkingtillmidnight;buttheprince,unabletobearitanylonger,hereinterruptedher,thankedherforherhospitality,badeherahastyadieu,androdeaway。

  Hetraveledforalongtime,halfovertheworld,butheheardnonewsofPrincessDarling。

  However,ineachplacehewentto,heheardoneremarkablefact——thegreatlengthofhisownnose。Thelittleboysinthestreetsjeeredathim,thepeasantsstaredathim,andthemorepoliteladiesandgentlemenwhomhemetinsocietyusedtotryinvaintokeepfromlaughing,andtogetoutofhiswayassoonastheycould。Sothepoorprincebecamegraduallyquiteforlornandsolitary;hethoughtalltheworldwasmad,butstillheneverthoughtoftherebeinganythingqueerabouthisownnose。

  Atlasttheoldfairy,who,thoughshewasachatterbox,wasverygood-natured;sawthathewasalmostbreakinghisheart。Shefeltsorryforhimandwishedtohelphiminspiteofhimself,forsheknewtheenchantmentwhichhidfromhimthePrincessDarlingcouldneverbebrokentillhehaddiscoveredhisowndefect。

  Soshewentinsearchoftheprincess,andbeingmorepowerfulthanthemagician,sinceshewasagoodfairyandhewasanevilmagician,shegotherawayfromhimandshutherupinapalaceofcrystal,whichsheplacedontheroadwhichPrinceWishhadtopass。

  Hewasridingalong,verymelancholy,whenhesawthepalace;andatitsentrancewasaroom,madeofthepurestglass,inwhichsathisbelovedprincess,smilingandbeautifulasever。

  Heleapedfromhishorseandrantowardher。

  Sheheldoutherhandforhimtokiss,buthecouldnotgetatitfortheglass。Transportedwitheagernessanddelight,hedashedhisswordthroughthecrystalandsucceededinbreakingasmallopening,towhichsheputupherbeautifulrosymouth。Butitwasinvain;PrinceWishcouldnotapproachit。Hetwistedhisneckabout,andturnedhisheadonallsides,tillatlength,puttinguphishandtohisface,hediscoveredtheimpediment。

  \"Itmustbeconfessed,’texclaimedhe,\"thatmynoseistoolong。\"

  Thatmomenttheglasswallsallsplitasunder,andtheoldfairyappeared,leadingPrincessDarling。

  \"Avow,prince,\"saidshe,\"thatyouareverymuchobligedtome,fornowtheenchantmentisended。Youmaymarrytheobjectofyourchoice。But,\"addedshe,smiling,\"IfearI

  mighthavetalkedtoyouforeveronthesubjectofyournose,andyouwouldnothavebelievedmeinitslength,tillitbecameanobstacletoyourowninclinations。Nowbeholdit!\"andsheheldupacrystalmirror。\"Areyousatisfiedtobenodifferentfromotherpeople?\"

  \"Perfectly,\"saidPrinceWish,whofoundhisnosehadshrunktoanordinarylength。AndtakingthePrincessDarlingbythehand,hekissedhercourteously,affectionately,andsatisfactorily。Thentheydepartedtotheirowncountry,andlivedveryhappilyalltheirdays。

  THEFROG-PRINCE

  INtimesofyore,whenwisheswerebothheardandgranted,livedakingwhosedaughterswereallbeautifulbuttheyoungestwassolovelythatthesunhimself,whohasseensomuch,wonderedatherbeautyeverytimehelookedinherface。Now,neartheking’scastlewasalargedarkforest;andintheforest,underanoldlindentree,wasadeepwell。Whenthedaywasveryhot,theking’sdaughterusedtogotothewoodandseatherselfattheedgeofthecoolwell;andwhenshebecamewearied,shewouldtakeagoldenball,throwitupintheair,andcatchitagain。Thiswasherfavoriteamusement。

  Onceithappenedthathergoldenball,insteadoffallingbackintothelittlehandthatshestretchedoutforit,droppedontheground,andimmediatelyrolledawayintothewater。

  Theking’sdaughterfolloweditwithhereyes,buttheballhadvanished,andthewellwassodeepthatnoonecouldseedowntothebottom。

  Thenshebegantoweep,weptlouderandloudereveryminute,andcouldnotconsoleherselfatall。

  Whileshewasthuslamentingsomeonecalledtoher:\"Whatisthematterwithyou,king’sdaughter?Youweepsothatyouwouldtouchtheheartofastone。\"

  Shelookedaroundtoseewhencethevoicecame,andsawafrogstretchinghisthickuglyheadoutofthewater。

  \"Ah!itisyou,oldwater-paddler!\"saidshe。

  \"Iamcryingformygoldenball,whichhasfallenintothewell。\"

  \"Becontent,\"answeredthefrog;\"IdaresayIcangiveyousomegoodadvice;butwhatwillyougivemeifIbringbackyourplaythingtoyou?\"

  \"Whateveryoulike,dearfrog,\"saidshe,\"myclothes,mypearlsandjewels,eventhegoldencrownIwear。\"

  Thefroganswered,\"Yourclothes,yourpearlsandjewels,evenyourgoldencrown,Idonotcarefor;butifyouwillloveme,andletmebeyourcompanionandplay-fellow,sitnearyouatyourlittletable,eatfromyourlittlegoldenplate,drinkfromyourlittlecup,andsleepinyourlittlebed——ifyouwillpromisemethis,thenIwillbringyoubackyourgoldenballfromthebottomofthewell。\"

  \"Oh,yes!\"saidshe;\"Ipromiseyouevery-

  thing,ifyouwillonlybringmebackmygoldenball。\"

  Shethoughttoherself,meanwhile:\"Whatnonsensethesillyfrogtalks!Hesitsinthewaterwiththeotherfrogs,andcroaks,andcannotbeanybody’splayfellow!\"

  Butthefrog,assoonashehadreceivedthepromisedippedhisheadunderthewaterandsankdown。Inalittlewhileuphecameagainwiththeballinhismouth,andthrewitonthegrass。Theking’sdaughterwasoverjoyedwhenshebeheldherprettyplaythingagain,pickeditup,andranawaywithit。

  \"Wait!wait!\"criedthefrog;\"takemewithyou。Icannotrunasfastasyou。\"

  Alas!ofwhatusewasitthathecroakedafterherasloudashecould。Shewouldnotlistentohim,buthastenedhome,andsoonforgotthepoorfrog,whowasobligedtoplungeagaintothebottomofhiswell。

  Thenextday,whenshewassittingatdinnerwiththekingandallthecourtiers,eatingfromherlittlegoldplate,therecameasoundofsomethingcreepingupthemarblestaircase——splish,splash;andwhenithadreachedthetop,itknockedatthedoorandcried,\"Youngestking’sdaughter,opentome。\"

  Sheran,wishingtoseewhowasoutside;butwhensheopenedthedoorandtheresatthefrog,sheflungithastilytoagainandsatdownattable,feelingvery,veryuncomfortable。Thekingsawthatherheartwasbeatingviolently,andsaid,\"How,mychild,whyareyouafraid?

  Isagiantstandingoutsidethedoortocarryyouoff?\"

  \"Oh,no!\"answeredshe,\"itisnogiant,butanastyfrog,whoyesterday,whenIwasplayinginthewoodnearthewell,fetchedmygoldenballoutofthewater。ForthisIpromisedhimheshouldbemycompanion,butIneverthoughthecouldcomeoutofhiswell。Nowheisatthedoor,andwantstocomein。\"

  Again,thesecondtimetherewasaknock,andavoicecried:

  \"Youngestking’sdaughter,Opentome;

  KnowyouwhatyesterdayYoupromisedme,Bythecoolwater?

  Youngestking’sdaughter,Opentome。\"

  Thensaidtheking,\"Whatyoupromisedyoumustperform。Goandopenthedoor。\"

  Shewentandopenedthedoor;thefroghoppedin,alwaysfollowingandfollowinghertillhecameuptoherchair。Therehesatandcriedout,\"Liftmeuptoyouonthetable。\"

  Sherefused,tilltheking,herfather,commandedhertodoit。Whenthefrogwasonthetable,hesaid,\"Nowpushyourlittlegoldenplatenearertome,thatwemayeattogether。\"Shedidashedesired,butonecouldeasilyseethatshediditunwillingly。Thefrogseemedtoenjoyhisdinnerverymuch,buteverymorselsheatestuckinthethroatofthepoorlittleprincess。

  Thensaidthefrog,\"Ihaveeatenenough,andamtired;carrymetoyourlittleroom,andmakeyourlittlesilkenbedsmooth,andwewilllayourselvesdowntosleeptogether。\"

  Atthisthedaughterofthekingbegantoweep;forshewasafraidofthecoldfrog,whowantedtosleepinherprettycleanbed。

  Butthekinglookedangrilyather,andsaidagain:\"Whatyouhavepromisedyoumustperform。

  Thefrogisyourcompanion。\"

  Itwasnousetocomplain;whethershelikeditornot,shewasobligedtotakethefrogwithheruptoherlittlebed。Soshepickedhimupwithtwofingers,hatinghimbitterlythewhile,andcarriedhimupstairs:butwhenshegotintobed,insteadofliftinghimuptoher,shethrewhimwithallherstrengthagainstthewall,saying,\"Nowyounastyfrog,therewillbeanendofyou。\"

  Butwhatfelldownfromthewallwasnotadeadfrog,butalivingyoungprince,withbeautifulandlovingeyes,whoatoncebecame,byherownpromiseandherfather’swill,herdearcompanionandhusband。Hetoldherhowhehadbeencursedbyawickedsorceress,andthatnoonebuttheking’syoungestdaughtercouldreleasehimfromhisenchantmentandtakehimoutofthewell。

  Thenextdayacarriagedroveuptothepalacegateswitheightwhitehorses,havingwhitefeathersontheirheadsandgoldenreins。Behinditstoodtheservantoftheyoungprince,calledthefaithfulHenry。ThisfaithfulHenryhadbeensogrievedwhenhismasterwaschangedintoafrogthathehadbeencompelledtohavethreeironbandsfastenedroundhisheart,lestitshouldbreak。Nowthecarriagecametoconveytheprincetohiskingdom,sothefaithfulHenryliftedinthebrideandbridegroomandmountedbehind,fullofjoyathislord’srelease。

  Butwhentheyhadgoneashortdistance,theprinceheardbehindhimanoiseasifsomethingwasbreaking。Hecriedout,\"Henry,thecarriageisbreaking!\"

  ButHenryreplied:\"No,sir,itisnotthecarriagebutoneofthebandsfrommyheart,withwhichIwasforcedtobinditup,oritwouldhavebrokenwithgriefwhileyousatasafrogatthebottomofthewell。\"

  Twiceagainthishappened,andtheprincealwaysthoughtthecarriagewasbreaking;butitwasonlythebandsbreakingofffromtheheartofthefaithfulHenry,outofjoythathislord,thefrog-prince,wasafrognomore。

  CLEVERALICE

  ONCEuponatimetherewasamanwhohadadaughterwhowascalled\"CleverAlice,\"andwhenshewasgrownup,herfathersaid,\"Wemustseeabouthermarrying。\"

  \"Yes,\"repliedhermother,\"wheneverayoungmanshallappearwhoisworthyofher。\"

  Atlastacertainyouth,bynameHans,camefromadistancetomakeaproposalofmarriage;

  butherequiredonecondition,thatthecleverAliceshouldbeveryprudent。

  \"Oh,\"saidherfather,\"nofearofthat!shehasgotaheadfullofbrains;\"andthemotheradded,\"ah,shecanseethewindblowupthestreet,andhearthefliescough!\"

  \"Verywell,\"repliedHans;\"butremember,ifsheisnotveryprudent,Iwillnottakeher。\"

  Soonafterwardtheysatdowntodinner,andhermothersaid,\"Alice,godownintothecellaranddrawsomebeer。\"

  SoCleverAlicetookthejugdownfromthewall,andwentintothecellar,jerkingthelidupanddownonherway,topassawaythetime。

  Assoonasshegotdownstairsshedrewastoolandplaceditbeforethecask,inorderthatshemightnothavetostoop,forshethoughtstoopingmightinsomewayinjureherbackandgiveitanundesirablebend。Thensheplacedthecanbeforeherandturnedthetap,andwhilethebeerwasrunning,asshedidnotwishhereyestobeidle,shelookedaboutuponthewallaboveandbelow。Presentlysheperceived,aftermuchpeepingintothiscornerandthatcorner,ahatchet,whichthebricklayershadleftbehind?

  stickingoutoftheceilingrightaboveherhead。

  AtthesightofthisCleverAlicebegantocry,saying,\"Oh!ifImarryHans,andwehaveachild,andhegrowsup,andwesendhimintothecellartodrawbeer,thehatchetwillfalluponhisheadandkillhim,\"andsoshesatthereweepingwithallhermightovertheimpendingmisfortune。

  Meanwhilethegoodfolksupstairswerewaitingforthebeer,butasCleverAlicedidnotcome,hermothertoldthemaidtogoandseewhatshewasstoppingfor。ThemaidwentdownintothecellarandfoundAlicesittingbeforethecaskcryingheartily,andsheasked,\"Alice,whatareyouweepingabout?\"

  \"Ah,\"shereplied,\"haveInotcause?IfI

  marryHans,andwehaveachild,andhegrowsup,andwesendhimheretodrawbeer,thathatchetwillfalluponhisheadandkillhim。\"

  \"Oh,\"saidthemaid,\"whatacleverAlicewehave!\"Andsittingdown,shebegantoweep,too,forthemisfortunethatwastohappen。

  Afterawhile,whentheservantdidnotreturn,thegoodfolksabovebegantofeelverythirsty;sothehusbandtoldtheboytogodownintothecellarandseewhathadbecomeofAliceandthemaid。Theboywentdown,andtheresatCleverAliceandthemaidbothcrying,soheaskedthereason;andAlicetoldhimthesametale,ofthehatchetthatwastofallonherchild,ifshemarriedHans,andiftheyhadachild。

  Whenshehadfinished,theboyexclaimed,\"WhatacleverAlicewehave!\"andfellweepingandhowlingwiththeothers。

  Upstairstheywerestillwaiting,andthehusbandsaid,whentheboydidnotreturn,\"Doyougodown,wife,intothecellarandseewhyAlicestayssolong。\"Soshewentdown,andfindingallthreesittingtherecrying,askedthereason,andAlicetoldheraboutthehatchetwhichmustinevitablyfallupontheheadofherson。Thenthemotherlikewiseexclaimed,\"Oh,whatacleverAlicewehave!\"and,sittingdown,begantoweepasmuchasanyoftherest。

  Meanwhilethehusbandwaitedforhiswife’sreturn;butatlasthefeltsoverythirstythathesaid,\"ImustgomyselfdownintothecellarandseewhatiskeepingourAlice。\"Assoonasheenteredthecellar,therehefoundthefoursittingandcryingtogether,andwhenheheardthereason,healsoexclaimed,\"Oh,whatacleverAlicewehave!\"andsatdowntocrywiththewholestrengthofhislungs。

  Allthistimethebridegroomabovesatwaiting,butwhennobodyreturned,hethoughttheymustbewaitingforhim,andsohewentdowntoseewhatwasthematter。Whenheentered,theresatthefivecryingandgroaning,eachoneinalouderkeythanhisneighbor。

  \"Whatmisfortunehashappened?\"heasked。

  \"Ah,dearHans!\"criedAlice,\"ifyouandI

  shouldmarryoneanother,andhaveachild,andhegrewup,andwe,perhaps,sendhimdowntothiscellartotapthebeer,thehatchetwhichhasbeenleftstickinguptheremayfallonhishead,andsokillhim;anddoyounotthinkthisisenoughtoweepabout?\"

  \"Now,\"saidHans,\"moreprudencethanthisisnotnecessaryformyhousekeeping;becauseyouaresuchacleverAlice,Iwillhaveyouformywife。\"And,takingherhand,heledherhome,andcelebratedtheweddingdirectly。

  Aftertheyhadbeenmarriedalittlewhile,Hans,saidonemorning,\"Wife,Iwillgoouttoworkandearnsomemoney;doyougointothefieldandgathersomecornwherewithtomakebread。\"

  \"Yes,\"sheanswered,\"Iwilldoso,dearHans。\"Andwhenhewasgone,shecookedherselfanicemessofpottagetotakewithher。Asshecametothefield,shesaidtoherself,\"WhatshallIdo?ShallIcutfirst,oreatfirst?Aye,Iwilleatfirst!\"Thensheateupthecontentsofherpot,andwhenitwasfinished,shethoughttoherself,\"Now,shallIreapfirstorsleepfirst?

  Well,IthinkIwillhaveanap!\"andsoshelaidherselfdownamongthecorn,andwenttosleep。

  MeanwhileHansreturnedhome,butAlicedidnotcome,andsohesaid,\"Oh,whataprudentAliceIhave!Sheissoindustriousthatshedoesnotevencomehometoeatanything。\"Byandby,however,eveningcameon,andstillshedidnotreturn;soHanswentouttoseehowmuchshehadreaped;but,behold,nothingatall,andtherelayAlicefastasleepamongthecorn!Sohomeheranveryfast,andbroughtanetwithlittlebellshangingonit,whichhethrewoverherheadwhileshestillslepton。Whenhehaddonethis,hewentbackagainandshuttothehousedoor,and,seatinghimselfonhisstool,beganworkingveryindustriously。

  Atlast,whenitwasnearlydark,thecleverAliceawoke,andassoonasshestoodup,thenetfellalloverherhair,andthebellsjingledateverystepshetook。Thisquitefrightenedher,andshebegantodoubtwhethershewerereallyCleverAlice,andsaidtoherself,\"AmIshe,oramInot?\"Thiswasaquestionshecouldnotanswer,andshestoodstillalongwhileconsideringaboutit。Atlastshethoughtshewouldgohomeandaskwhethershewasreallyherself——

  supposingsomebodywouldbeabletotellher。

  Whenshecameuptothehousedooritwasshut;soshetappedatthewindow,andasked,\"Hans,isAlicewithin?\"\"Yes,\"hereplied,\"sheis。\"Atwhichanswershebecamereallyterrified,andexclaiming,\"Ah,heaven,thenI

  amnotAlice!\"sheranuptoanotherhouse,intendingtoaskthesamequestion。Butassoonasthefolkswithinheardthejinglingofthebellsinhernet,theyrefusedtoopentheirdoors,andnobodywouldreceiveher。Sosheranstraightawayfromthevillage,andnoonehaseverseenhersince。

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