by the cathedral

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【英文读物】TheHappyPrinceandOtherTales快乐王子和其他故事

TheHappyPrince.

Womanopeningwindowandeingbird

Highabovethecity,onatallcolumn,ildedall

overwiththinleavesoffinegold,foreyeshehadtwobrightsapphires,andalargeredruby

glowedonhissword-hilt.

Hewasverymuchadmiredindeed.“Heisasbeautifulasaweathercock,”remarkedoneofthe

TownCouncillorswhowishedtogainareputationforhavingartistictastes;“onlynotquiteso

uful,”headded,fearinglestpeopleshouldthinkhimunpractical,whichhereallywasnot.

“Whycan’tyoubeliketheHappyPrince?”askedansiblemotherofherlittleboywhowas

cryingforthemoon.“TheHappyPrinceneverdreamsofcryingforanything.”

“Iamgladthereissomeoneintheworldwhoisquitehappy,”mutteredadisappointedmanas

hegazedatthewonderfulstatue.

“Helooksjustlikeanangel,”saidtheCharityChildrenastheycameoutofthecathedralin

theirbrightscarletcloaksandtheircleanwhitepinafores.

“Howdoyouknow?”saidtheMathematicalMaster,“youhaveneverenone.”

“Ah!butwehave,inourdreams,”answeredthechildren;andtheMathematicalMaster

frownedandlookedveryvere,forhedidnotapproveofchildrendreaming.

endshadgoneawaytoEgyptsixweeks

before,buthehadstayedbehind,et

herearlyinthespringashewasflyingdowntheriverafterabigyellowmoth,andhadbeenso

attractedbyherslenderwaistthathehadstoppedtotalktoher.

“ShallIloveyou?”saidtheSwallow,wholikedtocometothepointatonce,andtheReed

ewroundandroundher,touchingthewaterwithhiswings,and

shiscourtship,anditlastedallthroughthesummer.

“Itisaridiculousattachment,”twitteredtheotherSwallows;“shehasnomoney,andfartoo

manyrelations”;,whentheautumncame

theyallflewaway.

Aftertheyhadgonehefeltlonely,andbegantotireofhislady-love.“Shehasnoconversation,”

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hesaid,“andIamafraidthatsheisacoquette,forsheisalwaysflirtingwiththewind.”And

certainly,wheneverthewindblew,theReedmadethemostgracefulcurtys.“Iadmitthatshe

isdomestic,”hecontinued,“butIlovetravelling,andmywife,conquently,shouldlove

travellingalso.”

“Willyoucomeawaywithme?”hesaidfinallytoher;buttheReedshookherhead,shewasso

attachedtoherhome.

“Youhavebeentriflingwithme,”hecried.“-bye!”andhe

flewaway.

Alldaylongheflew,andatnight-timehearrivedatthecity.“WhereshallIputup?”hesaid;

“Ihopethetownhasmadepreparations.”

Thenhesawthestatueonthetallcolumn.

“Iwillputupthere,”hecried;“itisafineposition,withplentyoffreshair.”Sohealighted

justbetweenthefeetoftheHappyPrince.

“Ihaveagoldenbedroom,”hesaidsoftlytohimlfashelookedround,andhepreparedtogo

tosleep;butjustashewasputtinghisheadunderhiswingalargedropofwaterfellonhim.

“Whatacuriousthing!”hecried;“thereisnotasinglecloudinthesky,thestarsarequite

clearandbright,

Reedudtoliketherain,butthatwasmerelyherlfishness.”

Thenanotherdropfell.

“Whatistheuofastatueifitcannotkeeptherainoff?”hesaid;“Imustlookforagood

chimney-pot,”andhedeterminedtoflyaway.

Butbeforehehadopenedhiswings,athirddropfell,andhelookedup,andsaw—Ah!whatdid

hee?

TheeyesoftheHappyPrincewerefilledwithtears,andtearswererunningdownhisgolden

ewassobeautifulinthemoonlightthatthelittleSwallowwasfilledwithpity.

“Whoareyou?”hesaid.

“IamtheHappyPrince.”

“Whyareyouweepingthen?”askedtheSwallow;“youhavequitedrenchedme.”

“WhenIwasaliveandhadahumanheart,”answeredthestatue,“Ididnotknowwhattears

were,forIlivedinthePalaceofSans-Souci,

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daytimeIplayedwithmycompanionsinthegarden,andintheeveningIledthedanceinthe

hegardenranaveryloftywall,butInevercaredtoaskwhatlaybeyondit,

tierscalledmetheHappyPrince,andhappy

indeedIwas,ed,thatIamdeadthey

havetmeupheresohighthatIcanealltheuglinessandallthemiryofmycity,and

thoughmyheartismadeofleadyetIcannotchobutweep.”

“What!ishenotsolidgold?”oopolitetomakeany

personalremarksoutloud.

“Faraway,”continuedthestatueinalowmusicalvoice,“farawayinalittlestreetthereisa

hewindowsisopen,andthroughitIcaneawomanatedatatable.

Herfaceisthinandworn,andshehascoar,redhands,allprickedbytheneedle,forsheisa

mbroideringpassion-flowersonasatingownfortheloveliestoftheQueen’

inthecorneroftheroomherlittle

fever,herhasnothingtogivehim

butriverwater,w,Swallow,littleSwallow,willyounotbringhertheruby

outofmysword-hilt?MyfeetarefastenedtothispedestalandIcannotmove.”

“IamwaitedforinEgypt,”saidtheSwallow.“MyfriendsareflyingupanddowntheNile,

eywillgotosleepinthetombofthegreatKing.

appedinyellowlinen,andembalmed

isneckisachainofpalegreenjade,andhishandsarelikewitheredleaves.”

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“willyounotstaywithmeforonenight,

andbemymesnger?Theboyissothirsty,andthemothersosad.”

“Idon’tthinkIlikeboys,”answeredtheSwallow.“Lastsummer,whenIwasstayingonthe

river,thereweretworudeboys,themiller’ssons,whowerealwaysthrowingstonesatme.

Theyneverhitme,ofcour;weswallowsflyfartoowellforthat,andbesides,Icomeofafamily

famousforitsagility;butstill,itwasamarkofdisrespect.”

ButtheHappyPrincelookedsosadthatthelittleSwallowwassorry.“Itisverycoldhere,”he

said;“butIwillstaywithyouforonenight,andbeyourmesnger.”

“Thankyou,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince.

SotheSwallowpickedoutthegreatrubyfromthePrince’ssword,andflewawaywithitinhis

beakovertheroofsofthetown.

Hepasdbythecathedraltower,ed

ifulgirlcameoutonthebalconywith

herlover.“Howwonderfulthestarsare,”hesaidtoher,“andhowwonderfulisthepowerof

love!”

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“IhopemydresswillbereadyintimefortheState-ball,”sheanswered;“Ihaveordered

passion-flowerstobeembroideredonit;buttheamstressaresolazy.”

Hepasdovertheriver,ed

overtheGhetto,andsawtheoldJewsbargainingwitheachother,andweighingoutmoneyin

wastossing

feverishlyonhisbed,andthemotherhadfallenasleep,pped,andlaid

thegreatrubyonthetablebesidethewoman’flewgentlyroundthebed,

fanningtheboy’sforeheadwithhiswings.“HowcoolIfeel,”saidtheboy,“Imustbegetting

better”;andhesankintoadeliciousslumber.

ThentheSwallowflewbacktotheHappyPrince,andtoldhimwhathehaddone.“Itiscurious,”

heremarked,“butIfeelquitewarmnow,althoughitissocold.”

“Thatisbecauyouhavedoneagoodaction,”littleSwallowbegan

tothink,ngalwaysmadehimsleepy.

Whendaybrokeheflewdowntotheriverandhadabath.“Whataremarkablephenomenon,”

saidtheProfessorofOrnithologyashewaspassingoverthebridge.“Aswallowinwinter!”

nequotedit,itwasfullofso

manywordsthattheycouldnotunderstand.

“To-nightIgotoEgypt,”saidtheSwallow,

visitedallthepublicmonuments,er

hewenttheSparrowschirruped,andsaidtoeachother,“Whatadistinguishedstranger!”sohe

enjoyedhimlfverymuch.

WhenthemoonroheflewbacktotheHappyPrince.“HaveyouanycommissionsforEgypt?”

hecried;“Iamjuststarting.”

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“willyounotstaywithmeonenight

longer?”

“IamwaitedforinEgypt,”answeredtheSwallow.“To-morrowmyfriendswillflyuptothe

er-horcouchesthereamongthebulrushes,andonagreatgranite

htlonghewatchesthestars,andwhenthemorningstar

shinesheuttersonecryofjoy,theyellowlionscomedowntothe

water’veeyeslikegreenberyls,andtheirroarislouderthantheroarof

thecataract.”

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“farawayacrossthecityIeayoungman

aningoveradeskcoveredwithpapers,andinatumblerbyhissidethereisa

risbrownandcrisp,andhislipsareredasapomegranate,

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yingtofinishaplayfortheDirectoroftheTheatre,

snofireinthegrate,andhungerhasmadehim

faint.”

“Iwillwaitwithyouonenightlonger,”saidtheSwallow,whoreallyhadagoodheart.“Shall

Itakehimanotherruby?”

“Alas!Ihavenorubynow,”saidthePrince;“emade

ofraresapphires,utoneofthem

llittothejeweller,andbuyfoodandfirewood,andfinishhisplay.”

“DearPrince,”saidtheSwallow,“Icannotdothat”;andhebegantoweep.

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“doasIcommandyou.”

SotheSwallowpluckedoutthePrince’ye,andflewawaytothestudent’asy

enoughtogetin,hthishedarted,andcameintothe

ngmanhadhisheadburiedinhishands,sohedidnotheartheflutterofthe

bird’swings,andwhenhelookeduphefoundthebeautifulsapphirelyingonthewithered

violets.

“Iambeginningtobeappreciated,”hecried;“n

finishmyplay,”andhelookedquitehappy.

nthemastofalargevesland

watchedthesailorshaulingbigchestsoutoftheholdwithropes.“Heavea-hoy!”they

shoutedaachchestcameup.“IamgoingtoEgypt”!criedtheSwallow,butnobodyminded,

andwhenthemoonroheflewbacktotheHappyPrince.

“Iamcometobidyougood-bye,”hecried.

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“willyounotstaywithmeonenight

longer?”

“Itiswinter,”answeredtheSwallow,“tthesun

iswarmonthegreenpalm-trees,andthecrocodileslieinthemudandlooklazilyaboutthem.

MycompanionsarebuildinganestintheTempleofBaalbec,andthepinkandwhitedovesare

watchingthem,ince,Imustleaveyou,butIwillneverforget

you,andnextspringIwillbringyoubacktwobeautifuljewelsinplaceofthoyouhavegiven

yshallberedderthanaredro,andthesapphireshallbeasblueasthegreat

a.”

“Inthesquarebelow,”saidtheHappyPrince,“let

hermatchesfallinthegutter,herwillbeatherifshedoesnot

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bringhomesomemoney,noshoesorstockings,andherlittleheadis

utmyothereye,andgiveittoher,andherfatherwillnotbeather.”

“Iwillstaywithyouonenightlonger,”saidtheSwallow,“butIcannotpluckoutyoureye.

Youwouldbequiteblindthen.”

“Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“doasIcommandyou.”

SohepluckedoutthePrince’sothereye,pedpastthe

match-girl,andslippedthejewelintothepalmofherhand.“Whatalovelybitofglass,”cried

thelittlegirl;andsheranhome,laughing.

ThentheSwallowcamebacktothePrince.“Youareblindnow,”hesaid,“soIwillstaywith

youalways.”

“No,littleSwallow,”saidthepoorPrince,“youmustgoawaytoEgypt.”

“Iwillstaywithyoualways,”saidtheSwallow,andhesleptatthePrince’sfeet.

AllthenextdayhesatonthePrince’sshoulder,andtoldhimstoriesofwhathehadenin

himoftheredibis,whostandinlongrowsonthebanksoftheNile,

andcatchgold-fishintheirbeaks;oftheSphinx,whoisasoldastheworlditlf,andlivesinthe

dert,andknowverything;ofthemerchants,whowalkslowlybythesideoftheircamels,and

carryamberbeadsintheirhands;oftheKingoftheMountainsoftheMoon,whoisasblackas

ebony,andworshipsalargecrystal;ofthegreatgreensnakethatsleepsinapalm-tree,andhas

twentyprieststofeeditwithhoney-cakes;andofthepygmieswhosailoverabiglakeonlarge

flatleaves,andarealwaysatwarwiththebutterflies.

“DearlittleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“youtellmeofmarvellousthings,butmoremarvellous

snoMysterysogreatasMiry.

Flyovermycity,littleSwallow,andtellmewhatyouethere.”

SotheSwallowflewoverthegreatcity,andsawtherichmakingmerryintheirbeautifulhous,

intodarklanes,andsawthewhitefacesof

hearchwayofabridgetwo

littleboyswerelyinginoneanother’sarmstotryandkeepthemlveswarm.“Howhungry

weare!”theysaid.“Youmustnotliehere,”shoutedtheWatchman,andtheywanderedout

intotherain.

ThenheflewbackandtoldthePrincewhathehaden.

“Iamcoveredwithfinegold,”saidthePrince,“youmusttakeitoff,leafbyleaf,andgiveitto

mypoor;thelivingalwaysthinkthatgoldcanmakethemhappy.”

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LeafafterleafofthefinegoldtheSwallowpickedoff,tilltheHappyPrincelookedquitedulland

terleafofthefinegoldhebroughttothepoor,andthechildren’sfacesgrewrosier,

andtheylaughedandplayedgamesinthestreet.“Wehavebreadnow!”theycried.

Thenthesnowcame,eetslookedasiftheywere

madeofsilver,theyweresobrightandglistening;longicicleslikecrystaldaggershungdown

fromtheeavesofthehous,everybodywentaboutinfurs,andthelittleboysworescarletcaps

andskatedontheice.

ThepoorlittleSwallowgrewcolderandcolder,buthewouldnotleavethePrince,helovedhim

edupcrumbsoutsidethebaker’sdoorwhenthebakerwasnotlookingand

triedtokeephimlfwarmbyflappinghiswings.

uststrengthtoflyuptothePrince’s

shoulderoncemore.“Good-bye,dearPrince!”hemurmured,“willyouletmekissyour

hand?”

“IamgladthatyouaregoingtoEgyptatlast,littleSwallow,”saidthePrince,“youhavestayed

toolonghere;butyoumustkissmeonthelips,forIloveyou.”

“ItisnottoEgyptthatIamgoing,”saidtheSwallow.“IamgoingtotheHouofDeath.

DeathisthebrotherofSleep,ishenot?”

AndhekisdtheHappyPrinceonthelips,andfelldowndeadathisfeet.

Atthatmomentacuriouscracksoundedinsidethestatue,t

ainlywasadreadfullyhardfrost.

EarlythenextmorningtheMayorwaswalkinginthesquarebelowincompanywiththeTown

pasdthecolumnhelookedupatthestatue:“Dearme!howshabbythe

HappyPrincelooks!”hesaid.

“Howshabbyindeed!”criedtheTownCouncillors,whoalwaysagreedwiththeMayor;and

theywentuptolookatit.

“Therubyhasfallenoutofhissword,hiyesaregone,andheisgoldennolonger,”saidthe

Mayorinfact,“heislitttlebetterthanabeggar!”

“Littlebetterthanabeggar,”saidtheTownCouncillors.

“Andhereisactuallyadeadbirdathisfeet!”continuedtheMayor.“Wemustreallyissuea

proclamationthatbirdsarenottobeallowedtodiehere.”AndtheTownClerkmadeanoteof

thesuggestion.

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SotheypulleddownthestatueoftheHappyPrince.“Asheisnolongerbeautifulheisno

longeruful,”saidtheArtProfessorattheUniversity.

Thentheymeltedthestatueinafurnace,andtheMayorheldameetingoftheCorporationto

decidewhatwastobedonewiththemetal.“Wemusthaveanotherstatue,ofcour,”he

said,“anditshallbeastatueofmylf.”

“Ofmylf,”saideachoftheTownCouncillors,astheardof

themtheywerequarrellingstill.

“Whatastrangething!”saidtheovereroftheworkmenatthefoundry.“Thisbrokenlead

throwitaway.”Sotheythrewitonadust-heap

wherethedeadSwallowwasalsolying.

“Bringmethetwomostpreciousthingsinthecity,”saidGodtooneofHisAngels;andthe

AngelbroughtHimtheleadenheartandthedeadbird.

“Youhaverightlychon,”saidGod,“forinmygardenofParadithislittlebirdshallsingfor

evermore,andinmycityofgoldtheHappyPrinceshallpraime.”

TheNightingaleandtheRo.

Decorativegraphicofyoungmanlyingongrass

“ShesaidthatshewoulddancewithmeifIbroughtherredros,”criedtheyoungStudent;

“butinallmygardenthereisnoredro.”

Fromhernestintheholm-oaktreetheNightingaleheardhim,andshelookedoutthroughthe

leaves,andwondered.

“Noredroinallmygarden!”hecried,andhisbeautifuleyesfilledwithtears.“Ah,onwhat

littlethingsdoeshappinessdepend!Ihavereadallthatthewimenhavewritten,andallthe

cretsofphilosophyaremine,yetforwantofaredroismylifemadewretched.”

“Hereatlastisatruelover,”saidtheNightingale.“NightafternighthaveIsungofhim,

thoughIknewhimnot:nightafternighthaveItoldhisstorytothestars,

hairisdarkasthehyacinth-blossom,andhislipsareredastheroofhisdesire;butpassionhas

madehisfacelikepaleivory,andsorrowhastheraluponhisbrow.”

“ThePrincegivesaballto-morrownight,”murmuredtheyoungStudent,“andmylovewillbe

ngherared

ro,Ishallholdherinmyarms,andshewillleanherheaduponmyshoulder,andherhandwill

reisnoredroinmygarden,soIshallsitlonely,andshewillpass

lhavenoheedofme,andmyheartwillbreak.”

“Hereindeedisthetruelover,”saidtheNightingale.“WhatIsingof,hesuffers—whatisjoy

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tome,repreciousthanemeralds,and

andpomegranatescannotbuyit,norisittforthinthe

otbepurchadofthemerchants,norcanitbeweighedoutinthe

balanceforgold.”

“Themusicianswillsitintheirgallery,”saidtheyoungStudent,“andplayupontheirstringed

instruments,ldanceso

lightlythatherfeetwillnottouchthefloor,andthecourtiersintheirgaydresswillthrong

hmeshewillnotdance,forIhavenoredrotogiveher”;andheflung

himlfdownonthegrass,andburiedhisfaceinhishands,andwept.

“Whyisheweeping?”askedalittleGreenLizard,asheranpasthimwithhistailintheair.

“Why,indeed?”saidaButterfly,whowasflutteringaboutafterasunbeam.

“Why,indeed?”whisperedaDaisytohisneighbour,inasoft,lowvoice.

“Heisweepingforaredro,”saidtheNightingale.

“Foraredro?”theycried;“howveryridiculous!”andthelittleLizard,whowassomething

ofacynic,laughedoutright.

ButtheNightingaleunderstoodthecretoftheStudent’ssorrow,andshesatsilentinthe

oak-tree,andthoughtaboutthemysteryofLove.

Suddenlyshespreadherbrownwingsforflight,dthroughthe

grovelikeashadow,andlikeashadowshesailedacrossthegarden.

Inthecentreofthegrass-plotwasstandingabeautifulRo-tree,andwhenshesawitsheflew

overtoit,andlituponaspray.

“Givemearedro,”shecried,“andIwillsingyoumysweetestsong.”

ButtheTreeshookitshead.

“Myrosarewhite,”itanswered;“aswhiteasthefoamofthea,andwhiterthanthesnow

omybrotherwhogrowsroundtheoldsun-dial,andperhapshe

willgiveyouwhatyouwant.”

SotheNightingaleflewovertotheRo-treethatwasgrowingroundtheoldsun-dial.

“Givemearedro,”shecried,“andIwillsingyoumysweetestsong.”

ButtheTreeshookitshead.

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“Myrosareyellow,”itanswered;“asyellowasthehairofthemermaidenwhositsuponan

amberthrone,andyellowerthanthedaffodilthatbloomsinthemeadowbeforethemower

omybrotherwhogrowsbeneaththeStudent’swindow,and

perhapshewillgiveyouwhatyouwant.”

SotheNightingaleflewovertotheRo-treethatwasgrowingbeneaththeStudent’swindow.

“Givemearedro,”shecried,“andIwillsingyoumysweetestsong.”

ButtheTreeshookitshead.

“Myrosarered,”itanswered,“asredasthefeetofthedove,andredderthanthegreat

winterhaschilledmyveins,and

thefrosthasnippedmybuds,andthestormhasbrokenmybranches,andIshallhavenorosat

allthisyear.”

“OneredroisallIwant,”criedtheNightingale,“onlyoneredro!Istherenowayby

whichIcangetit?”

“Thereisaway,”answeredtheTree;“butitissoterriblethatIdarenottellittoyou.”

“Tellittome,”saidtheNightingale,“Iamnotafraid.”

“Ifyouwantaredro,”saidtheTree,“youmustbuilditoutofmusicbymoonlight,andstain

itwithyourownheart’

nightlongyoumustsingtome,andthethornmustpierceyourheart,andyourlife-bloodmust

flowintomyveins,andbecomemine.”

“Deathisagreatpricetopayforaredro,”criedtheNightingale,“andLifeisverydeartoall.

Itispleasanttositinthegreenwood,andtowatchtheSuninhischariotofgold,andtheMoon

sthescentofthehawthorn,andsweetarethebluebellsthat

hideinthevalley,eisbetterthanLife,andwhat

istheheartofabirdcomparedtotheheartofaman?”

Soshespreadherbrownwingsforflight,ptoverthegarden

likeashadow,andlikeashadowshesailedthroughthegrove.

TheyoungStudentwasstilllyingonthegrass,whereshehadlefthim,andthetearswerenotyet

dryinhisbeautifuleyes.

“Behappy,”criedtheNightingale,“behappy;uilditout

ofmusicbymoonlight,andstainitwithmyownheart’tIaskofyouinreturnis

thatyouwillbeatruelover,forLoveiswirthanPhilosophy,thoughsheiswi,andmightier

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thanPower,-colouredarehiswings,andcolouredlikeflameishis

saresweetashoney,andhisbreathislikefrankincen.”

TheStudentlookedupfromthegrass,andlistened,buthecouldnotunderstandwhatthe

Nightingalewassayingtohim,forheonlyknewthethingsthatarewrittendowninbooks.

ButtheOak-treeunderstood,andfeltsad,forhewasveryfondofthelittleNightingalewhohad

builthernestinhisbranches.

“Singmeonelastsong,”hewhispered;“Ishallfeelverylonelywhenyouaregone.”

SotheNightingalesangtotheOak-tree,andhervoicewaslikewaterbubblingfromasilverjar.

WhenshehadfinishedhersongtheStudentgotup,andpulledanote-bookandalead-pencilout

ofhispocket.

“Shehasform,”hesaidtohimlf,ashewalkedawaythroughthegrove—“thatcannotbe

deniedtoher;buthasshegotfeeling?,sheislikemostartists;sheis

allstyle,nksmerelyof

music,,itmustbeadmittedthatshehas

ityitisthattheydonotmeananything,ordoany

practicalgood.”Andhewentintohisroom,andlaydownonhislittlepallet-bed,andbeganto

thinkofhislove;and,afteratime,hefellasleep.

AndwhentheMoonshoneintheheavenstheNightingaleflewtotheRo-tree,andther

htlongshesangwithherbreastagainstthethorn,andthecold

htlongshesang,andthethornwentdeeperand

deeperintoherbreast,andherlife-bloodebbedawayfromher.

hetop-mostsprayof

theRo-treethereblossomedamarvellousro,petalfollowingpetal,assongfollowedsong.

Palewasit,atfirst,asthemistthathangsovertheriver—paleasthefeetofthemorning,and

hadowofaroinamirrorofsilver,astheshadowofa

roinawater-pool,sowastherothatblossomedonthetopmostsprayoftheTree.

ButtheTreecriedtotheNightingaletopresscloragainstthethorn.“Pressclor,little

Nightingale,”criedtheTree,“ortheDaywillcomebeforetheroisfinished.”

SotheNightingalepresdcloragainstthethorn,andlouderandloudergrewhersong,forshe

sangofthebirthofpassioninthesoulofamanandamaid.

Andadelicateflushofpinkcameintotheleavesofthero,liketheflushinthefaceofthe

thornhadnotyetreachedherheart,

sothero’sheartremainedwhite,foronlyaNightingale’sheart’s-bloodcancrimsontheheart

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ofaro.

AndtheTreecriedtotheNightingaletopresscloragainstthethorn.“Pressclor,little

Nightingale,”criedtheTree,“ortheDaywillcomebeforetheroisfinished.”

SotheNightingalepresdcloragainstthethorn,andthethorntouchedherheart,andafierce

,bitterwasthepain,andwilderandwildergrewhersong,

forshesangoftheLovethatisperfectedbyDeath,oftheLovethatdiesnotinthetomb.

Andthemarvellousrobecamecrimson,nwasthe

girdleofpetals,andcrimsonasarubywastheheart.

ButtheNightingale’svoicegrewfainter,andherlittlewingsbegantobeat,andafilmcameover

randfaintergrewhersong,andshefeltsomethingchokingherinherthroat.

teMoonheardit,andsheforgotthedawn,and

roheardit,andittrembledalloverwithecstasy,andopened

reittoherpurplecaverninthehills,andwokethe

tedthroughthereedsoftheriver,andthey

carrieditsmessagetothea.

“Look,look!”criedtheTree,“theroisfinishednow”;buttheNightingalemadenoanswer,

forshewaslyingdeadinthelonggrass,withthethorninherheart.

AndatnoontheStudentopenedhiswindowandlookedout.

“Why,whatawonderfulpieceofluck!”hecried;“hereisaredro!Ihaveneverenany

beautifulthatIamsureithasalongLatinname”;andheleaned

downandpluckedit.

Thenheputonhishat,andranuptotheProfessor’shouwiththeroinhishand.

ThedaughteroftheProfessorwassittinginthedoorwaywindingbluesilkonareel,andherlittle

dogwaslyingatherfeet.

“YousaidthatyouwoulddancewithmeifIbroughtyouaredro,”criedtheStudent.

“lwearitto-nightnextyourheart,andaswe

dancetogetheritwilltellyouhowIloveyou.”

Butthegirlfrowned.

“Iamafraiditwillnotgowithmydress,”sheanswered;“and,besides,theChamberlain’s

nephewhasntmesomerealjewels,andeverybodyknowsthatjewelscostfarmorethan

flowers.”

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“Well,uponmyword,youareveryungrateful,”saidtheStudentangrily;andhethrewthero

intothestreet,whereitfellintothegutter,andacart-wheelwentoverit.

“Ungrateful!”saidthegirl.“Itellyouwhat,youareveryrude;and,afterall,whoareyou?

,Idon’tbelieveyouhaveevengotsilverbucklestoyourshoesasthe

Chamberlain’snephewhas”;andshegotupfromherchairandwentintothehou.

“WhatasillythingLoveis,”saidtheStudentashewalkedaway.“Itisnothalfasufulas

Logic,foritdoesnotproveanything,anditisalwaystellingoneofthingsthatarenotgoingto

happen,,itisquiteunpractical,and,as

inthisagetobepracticaliverything,IshallgobacktoPhilosophyandstudyMetaphysics.”

Sohereturnedtohisroomandpulledoutagreatdustybook,andbegantoread.

TheSelfishGiant.

Everyafternoon,astheywerecomingfromschool,thechildrenudtogoandplayintheGiant’

sgarden.

Itwasalargelovelygarden,dthereoverthegrassstoodbeautiful

flowerslikestars,andthereweretwelvepeach-treesthatinthespring-timebrokeoutinto

delicateblossomsofpinkandpearl,dssatonthe

treesandsangsosweetlythatthechildrenudtostoptheirgamesinordertolistentothem.

“Howhappywearehere!”theycriedtoeachother.

Decorativegraphicofchildreningarden

eentovisithisfriendtheCornishogre,andhadstayed

hevenyearswereoverhehadsaidallthathehadtosay,for

hisconversationwaslimited,arrived

hesawthechildrenplayinginthegarden.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hecriedinaverygruffvoice,andthechildrenranaway.

“Myowngardenismyowngarden,”saidtheGiant;“anyonecanunderstandthat,andIwill

allownobodytoplayinitbutmylf.”Sohebuiltahighwallallroundit,andputupa

notice-board.

TRESPASSERS

WILLBE

PROSECUTED

HewasaverylfishGiant.

14

iedtoplayontheroad,buttheroadwas

verydustyandfullofhardstones,edtowanderroundthehigh

wallwhentheirlessonswereover,andtalkaboutthebeautifulgardeninside.“Howhappywe

werethere,”theysaidtoeachother.

ThentheSpringcame,

dsdidnotcaretosinginitasthere

werenochildren,eautifulflowerputitsheadout

fromthegrass,butwhenitsawthenotice-boarditwassosorryforthechildrenthatitslipped

backintothegroundagain,ypeoplewhowerepleadwerethe

SnowandtheFrost.“Springhasforgottenthisgarden,”theycried,“sowewilllivehereallthe

yearround.”TheSnowcoveredupthegrasswithhergreatwhitecloak,andtheFrostpainted

eyinvitedtheNorthWindtostaywiththem,

wrappedinfurs,andheroaredalldayaboutthegarden,andblewthechimney-potsdown.

“Thisisadelightfulspot,”hesaid,“wemustasktheHailonavisit.”SotheHailcame.

Everydayforthreehoursherattledontheroofofthecastletillhebrokemostoftheslates,and

resdingrey,andhis

breathwaslikeice.

“IcannotunderstandwhytheSpringissolateincoming,”saidtheSelfishGiant,ashesatat

thewindowandlookedoutathiscoldwhitegarden;“Ihopetherewillbeachangeinthe

weather.”

ButtheSpringnevercame,umngavegoldenfruittoeverygarden,but

totheGiant’sgardenshegavenone.“Heistoolfish,”salwaysWinter

there,andtheNorthWind,andtheHail,andtheFrost,andtheSnowdancedaboutthroughthe

trees.

dedso

sweettohiarsthathethoughtitmustbetheKing’eallyonlya

littlelinnetsingingoutsidehiswindow,butitwassolongsincehehadheardabirdsinginhis

eHail

stoppeddancingoverhishead,andtheNorthWindceadroaring,andadeliciousperfume

cametohimthroughtheopencament.“IbelievetheSpringhascomeatlast,”saidthe

Giant;andhejumpedoutofbedandlookedout.

Whatdidhee?

halittleholeinthewallthechildrenhadcreptin,and

ytreethathecouldetherewasalittle

treesweresogladtohavethechildrenbackagainthattheyhadcovered

themlveswithblossoms,andwerewavingtheirarmsgentlyabovethechildren’

birdswereflyingaboutandtwitteringwithdelight,andtheflowerswerelookingupthroughthe

15

lovelyscene,

thefarthestcornerofthegarden,osmallthathe

couldnotreachuptothebranchesofthetree,andhewaswanderingallroundit,cryingbitterly.

Thepoortreewasstillquitecoveredwithfrostandsnow,andtheNorthWindwasblowingand

roaringaboveit.“Climbup!littleboy,”saidtheTree,anditbentitsbranchesdownaslowas

itcould;buttheboywastootiny.

AndtheGiant’sheartmeltedashelookedout.“HowlfishIhavebeen!”hesaid;“nowI

utthatpoorlittleboyonthetopofthetree,

andthenIwillknockdownthewall,andmygardenshallbethechildren’splaygroundforever

andever.”Hewasreallyverysorryforwhathehaddone.

Sohecreptdownstairsandopenedthefrontdoorquitesoftly,andwentoutintothegarden.

Butwhenthechildrensawhimtheyweresofrightenedthattheyallranaway,andthegarden

elittleboydidnotrun,forhiyesweresofulloftearsthathe

Giantstoleupbehindhimandtookhimgentlyinhis

hand,treebrokeatonceintoblossom,andthebirds

cameandsangonit,andthelittleboystretchedouthistwoarmsandflungthemroundthe

Giant’sneck,otherchildren,whentheysawthattheGiantwasnot

wickedanylonger,camerunningback,andwiththemcametheSpring.“Itisyourgardennow,

littlechildren,”saidtheGiant,n

thepeopleweregoingtomarketattwelveo’clocktheyfoundtheGiantplayingwiththechildren

inthemostbeautifulgardentheyhadeveren.

Alldaylongtheyplayed,andintheeveningtheycametotheGianttobidhimgood-bye.

“Butwhereisyourlittlecompanion?”hesaid:“theboyIputintothetree.”TheGiantloved

himthebestbecauhehadkisdhim.

“Wedon’tknow,”answeredthechildren;“hehasgoneaway.”

“Youmusttellhimtobesureandcomehereto-morrow,”children

saidthattheydidnotknowwherehelived,andhadneverenhimbefore;andtheGiantfelt

verysad.

Everyafternoon,whenschoolwasover,

ntwasverykindtoallthe

children,yethelongedforhisfirstlittlefriend,andoftenspokeofhim.“HowIwouldliketoe

him!”heudtosay.

Yearswentover,dnotplayaboutanymore,so

hesatinahugearmchair,andwatchedthechildrenattheirgames,andadmiredhisgarden.“I

havemanybeautifulflowers,”hesaid;“butthechildrenarethemostbeautifulflowersofall.”

16

othatethe

Winternow,forheknewthatitwasmerelytheSpringasleep,andthattheflowerswereresting.

Suddenlyherubbedhiyesinwonder,ainlywasamarvellous

arthestcornerofthegardenwasatreequitecoveredwithlovelywhiteblossoms.

Itsbrancheswereallgolden,andsilverfruithungdownfromthem,andunderneathitstoodthe

littleboyhehadloved.

DownstairsrantheGiantingreatjoy,enedacrossthegrass,

nhecamequiteclohisfacegrewredwithanger,andhe

said,“Whohathdaredtowoundthee?”Foronthepalmsofthechild’shandsweretheprints

oftwonails,andtheprintsoftwonailswereonthelittlefeet.

“Whohathdaredtowoundthee?”criedtheGiant;“tellme,thatImaytakemybigswordand

slayhim.”

“Nay!”answeredthechild;“butthearethewoundsofLove.”

“Whoartthou?”saidtheGiant,andastrangeawefellonhim,andhekneltbeforethelittle

child.

AndthechildsmiledontheGiant,andsaidtohim,“Youletmeplayonceinyourgarden,to-day

youshallcomewithmetomygarden,whichisParadi.”

Andwhenthechildrenraninthatafternoon,theyfoundtheGiantlyingdeadunderthetree,all

coveredwithwhiteblossoms.

TheDevotedFriend.

HansandtheMiller

rightbeadyeyesandstiff

tleduckswere

swimmingaboutinthepond,lookingjustlikealotofyellowcanaries,andtheirmother,whowas

purewhitewithrealredlegs,wastryingtoteachthemhowtostandontheirheadsinthewater.

“Youwillneverbeinthebestsocietyunlessyoucanstandonyourheads,”shekeptsayingto

them;littleduckspaidno

resoyoungthattheydidnotknowwhatanadvantageitistobein

societyatall.

“Whatdisobedientchildren!”criedtheoldWater-rat;“theyreallydervetobedrowned.”

“Nothingofthekind,”answeredtheDuck,“everyonemustmakeabeginning,andparents

cannotbetoopatient.”

17

“Ah!Iknownothingaboutthefeelingsofparents,”saidtheWater-rat;“Iamnotafamilyman.

Infact,Ihaveneverbeenmarried,allverywellinitsway,but

,Iknowofnothingintheworldthatiithernoblerorrarer

thanadevotedfriendship.”

“Andwhat,pray,isyourideaofthedutiesofadevotedfriend?”askedaGreenLinnet,whowas

sittinginawillow-treehardby,andhadoverheardtheconversation.

“Yes,thatisjustwhatIwanttoknow,”saidtheDuck;andsheswamawaytotheendofthe

pond,andstooduponherhead,inordertogiveherchildrenagoodexample.

“Whatasillyquestion!”criedtheWater-rat.“Ishouldexpectmydevotedfriendtobe

devotedtome,ofcour.”

“Andwhatwouldyoudoinreturn?”saidthelittlebird,swinginguponasilverspray,and

flappinghistinywings.

“Idon’tunderstandyou,”answeredtheWater-rat.

“Letmetellyouastoryonthesubject,”saidtheLinnet.

“Isthestoryaboutme?”askedtheWater-rat.“Ifso,Iwilllistentoit,forIamextremelyfond

offiction.”

“Itisapplicabletoyou,”answeredtheLinnet;andheflewdown,andalightinguponthebank,

hetoldthestoryofTheDevotedFriend.

“Onceuponatime,”saidtheLinnet,“therewasanhonestlittlefellownamedHans.”

“Washeverydistinguished?”askedtheWater-rat.

“No,”answeredtheLinnet,“Idon’tthinkhewasdistinguishedatall,exceptforhiskindheart,

dinatinycottageallbyhimlf,andevery

hecountry-sidetherewasnogardensolovelyashis.

Sweet-williamgrewthere,andGilly-flowers,andShepherds’-purs,andFair-maidsofFrance.

ThereweredamaskRos,andyellowRos,lilacCrocus,andgold,purpleVioletsandwhite.

ColumbineandLadysmock,MarjoramandWildBasil,theCowslipandtheFlower-de-luce,the

DaffodilandtheClove-Pinkbloomedorblossomedintheirproperorderasthemonthswentby,

oneflowertakinganotherflower’splace,sothattherewerealwaysbeautifulthingstolookat,

andpleasantodourstosmell.

“LittleHanshadagreatmanyfriends,butthemostdevotedfriendofallwasbigHughtheMiller.

Indeed,sodevotedwastherichMillertolittleHans,thathewouldnevergobyhisgarden

18

withoutleaningoverthewallandpluckingalargenogay,orahandfulofsweetherbs,orfilling

hispocketswithplumsandcherriesifitwasthefruitason.

“‘Realfriendsshouldhaveeverythingincommon,’theMillerudtosay,andlittleHans

noddedandsmiled,andfeltveryproudofhavingafriendwithsuchnobleideas.

“Sometimes,indeed,theneighboursthoughtitstrangethattherichMillernevergavelittle

Hansanythinginreturn,thoughhehadahundredsacksofflourstoredawayinhismill,andsix

milchcows,andalargeflockofwoollysheep;butHansnevertroubledhisheadaboutthe

things,andnothinggavehimgreaterpleasurethantolistentoallthewonderfulthingstheMiller

udtosayabouttheunlfishnessoftruefriendship.

“thespring,thesummer,andtheautumnhe

wasveryhappy,butwhenthewintercame,andhehadnofruitorflowerstobringtothemarket,

hesufferedagooddealfromcoldandhunger,andoftenhadtogotobedwithoutanysupperbut

inter,also,hewaxtremelylonely,astheMiller

nevercametoehimthen.

“‘ThereisnogoodinmygoingtoelittleHansaslongasthesnowlasts,’theMillerudto

saytohiswife,‘forwhenpeopleareintroubletheyshouldbeleftalone,andnotbebothered

leastismyideaaboutfriendship,llwait

tillthespringcomes,andthenIshallpayhimavisit,andhewillbeabletogivemealargebasket

ofprimrosandthatwillmakehimsohappy.’

“‘Youarecertainlyverythoughtfulaboutothers,’answeredtheWife,asshesatinher

comfortablearmchairbythebigpinewoodfire;‘iteatreatto

etheclergymanhimlfcouldnotsaysuchbeautiful

thingsasyoudo,thoughhedoesliveinathree-storiedhou,andwearagoldringonhislittle

finger.’

“‘ButcouldwenotasklittleHansuphere?’saidtheMiller’syoungestson.‘IfpoorHans

isintroubleIwillgivehimhalfmyporridge,andshowhimmywhiterabbits.’

“‘Whatasillyboyyouare!’criedtheMiller;‘Ireallydon’tknowwhatistheuofnding

,iflittleHanscameuphere,andsawour

warmfire,andourgoodsupper,andourgreatcaskofredwine,hemightgetenvious,andenvyis

amostterriblething,andwouldspoilanybody’inlywillnotallowHans’nature

bestfriend,andIwillalwayswatchoverhim,andethatheisnotled

s,ifHanscamehere,hemightaskmetolethimhavesomeflour

oncredit,sonething,andfriendshipisanother,andtheyshould

,thewordsarespeltdifferently,andmeanquitedifferentthings.

Everybodycanethat.’

“‘Howwellyoutalk!’saidtheMiller’sWife,pouringherlfoutalargeglassofwarmale;

19

‘stlikebeinginchurch.’

“‘Lotsofpeopleactwell,’answeredtheMiller;‘butveryfewpeopletalkwell,whichshows

thattalkingismuchthemoredifficultthingofthetwo,andmuchthefinerthingalso’;andhe

lookedsternlyacrossthetableathislittleson,whofeltsoashamedofhimlfthathehunghis

headdown,andgrewquitescarlet,r,hewassoyoung

thatyoumustexcuhim.”

“Isthattheendofthestory?”askedtheWater-rat.

“Certainlynot,”answeredtheLinnet,“thatisthebeginning.”

“Thenyouarequitebehindtheage,”saidtheWater-rat.“Everygoodstory-tellernowadays

startswiththeend,andthengoesontothebeginning,

allaboutittheotherdayfromacriticwhowaswalkingroundthe

eofthematteratgreatlength,andIamsurehemusthave

beenright,forhehadbluespectaclesandabaldhead,andwhenevertheyoungmanmadeany

remark,healwaysanswered‘Pooh!’heMiller

llkindsofbeautifulntimentsmylf,sothereisagreatsympathy

betweenus.”

“Well,”saidtheLinnet,hoppingnowononelegandnowontheother,“assoonasthewinter

wasover,andtheprimrosbegantoopentheirpaleyellowstars,theMillersaidtohiswifethat

hewouldgodownandelittleHans.

“‘Why,whatagoodheartyouhave!’criedhisWife;‘

mindyoutakethebigbasketwithyoufortheflowers.’

“SotheMillertiedthesailsofthewindmilltogetherwithastrongironchain,andwentdown

thehillwiththebasketonhisarm.

“‘Goodmorning,littleHans,’saidtheMiller.

“‘Goodmorning,’saidHans,leaningonhisspade,andsmilingfromeartoear.

“‘Andhowhaveyoubeenallthewinter?’saidtheMiller.

“‘Well,really,’criedHans,‘itisverygoodofyoutoask,aidIhad

ratherahardtimeofit,butnowthespringhascome,andIamquitehappy,andallmyflowers

aredoingwell.’

“‘Weoftentalkedofyouduringthewinter,Hans,’saidtheMiller,‘andwonderedhowyou

weregettingon.’

20

“‘Thatwaskindofyou,’saidHans;‘Iwashalfafraidyouhadforgottenme.’

“‘Hans,Iamsurpridatyou,’saidtheMiller;‘the

wonderfulthingaboutit,butIamafraidyoudon’ely

yourprimrosarelooking,by-the-bye!”

“‘Theyarecertainlyverylovely,’saidHans,‘anditisamostluckythingformethatIhaveso

ngtobringthemintothemarketandllthemtotheBurgomaster’sdaughter,

andbuybackmywheelbarrowwiththemoney.’

“‘Buybackyourwheelbarrow?Youdon’tmeantosayyouhavesoldit?Whataverystupid

thingtodo!’

“‘Well,thefactis,’saidHans,‘thewinterwasaverybadtime

forme,stsoldthesilverbuttonsoff

mySundaycoat,andthenIsoldmysilverchain,andthenIsoldmybigpipe,andatlastIsoldmy

goingtobuythemallbackagainnow.’

“‘Hans,’saidtheMiller,‘tinverygoodrepair;

indeed,onesideisgone,andthereissomethingwrongwiththewheel-spokes;butinspiteof

tisverygenerousofme,andagreatmanypeoplewouldthink

meextremelyfoolishforpartingwithit,that

generosityistheesnceoffriendship,and,besides,Ihavegotanewwheelbarrowformylf.

Yes,youmaytyourmindatea,Iwillgiveyoumywheelbarrow.’

“‘Well,really,thatisgenerousofyou,’saidlittleHans,andhisfunnyroundfaceglowedall

overwithpleasure.‘Icaneasilyputitinrepair,asIhaveaplankofwoodinthehou.’

“‘Aplankofwood!’saidtheMiller;‘why,thatisjustwhatIwantfortheroofofmybarn.

Thereisaverylargeholeinit,andthecornwillallgetdampifIdon’kyyou

mentionedit!iven

youmywheelbarrow,,the

wheelbarrowisworthfarmorethantheplank,buttrue,friendshipnevernoticesthingslikethat.

Praygetitatonce,andIwillttoworkatmybarnthisveryday.’

“‘Certainly,’criedlittleHans,andheranintotheshedanddraggedtheplankout.

“‘Itisnotaverybigplank,’saidtheMiller,lookingatit,‘andIamafraidthatafterIhave

mendedmybarn-rooftherewon’tbeanyleftforyoutomendthewheelbarrowwith;but,of

cour,,asIhavegivenyoumywheelbarrow,Iamsureyouwould

thebasket,andmindyoufillitquitefull.’

“‘Quitefull?’saidlittleHans,rathersorrowfully,foritwasreallyaverybigbasket,andhe

knewthatifhefilledithewouldhavenoflowersleftforthemarketandhewasveryanxiousto

21

gethissilverbuttonsback.

“‘Well,really,’answeredtheMiller,‘asIhavegivenyoumywheelbarrow,Idon’tthinkthat

wrong,butIshouldhavethoughtthat

friendship,truefriendship,wasquitefreefromlfishnessofanykind.’

“‘Mydearfriend,mybestfriend,’criedlittleHans,‘youarewelcometoalltheflowersinmy

muchsoonerhaveyourgoodopinionthanmysilverbuttons,anyday’;andhe

ranandpluckedallhisprettyprimros,andfilledtheMiller’sbasket.

“‘Good-bye,littleHans,’saidtheMiller,ashewentupthehillwiththeplankonhisshoulder,

andthebigbasketinhishand.

“‘Good-bye,’saidlittleHans,andhebegantodigawayquitemerrily,hewassopleadabout

thewheelbarrow.

“Thenextdayhewasnailingupsomehoneysuckleagainsttheporch,whenheheardtheMiller’

mpedofftheladder,andrandownthegarden,and

lookedoverthewall.

“TherewastheMillerwithalargesackofflouronhisback.

“‘DearlittleHans,’saidtheMiller,‘wouldyoumindcarryingthissackofflourformeto

market?’

“‘Oh,Iamsosorry,’saidHans,‘otallmycreepers

tonailup,andallmyflowerstowater,andallmygrasstoroll.’

“‘Well,really,’saidtheMiller,‘Ithinkthat,consideringthatIamgoingtogiveyoumy

wheelbarrow,itisratherunfriendlyofyoutorefu.’

“‘Oh,don’tsaythat,’criedlittleHans,‘Iwouldn’tbeunfriendlyforthewholeworld’;and

heraninforhiscap,andtrudgedoffwiththebigsackonhisshoulders.

“Itwasaveryhotday,andtheroadwasterriblydusty,andbeforeHanshadreachedthesixth

r,hewentonbravely,and

ehadwaitedtheresometime,hesoldthesackofflour

foraverygoodprice,andthenhereturnedhomeatonce,forhewasafraidthatifhestopped

toolatehemightmeetsomerobbersontheway.

“‘Ithascertainlybeenahardday,’saidlittleHanstohimlfashewasgoingtobed,‘butI

amgladIdidnotrefutheMiller,forheismybestfriend,and,besides,heisgoingtogiveme

hiswheelbarrow.’

22

“EarlythenextmorningtheMillercamedowntogetthemoneyforhissackofflour,butlittle

Hanswassotiredthathewasstillinbed.

“‘Uponmyword,’saidtheMiller,‘,consideringthatIamgoingto

giveyoumywheelbarrow,ssisagreatsin,andIcertainly

don’tnotmindmyspeakingquiteplainly

tisthe

goodoffriendshipifonecannotsayexactlywhatonemeans?Anybodycansaycharmingthings

andtrytopleaandtoflatter,butatruefriendalwayssaysunpleasantthings,anddoesnot

,ifheisareallytruefriendheprefersit,forheknowsthatthenheis

doinggood.’

“‘Iamverysorry,’saidlittleHans,rubbinghiyesandpullingoffhisnight-cap,‘butIwasso

tiredthatIthoughtIwouldlieinbedforalittletime,

knowthatIalwaysworkbetterafterhearingthebirdssing?’

“‘Well,Iamgladofthat,’saidtheMiller,clappinglittleHansontheback,‘forIwantyouto

comeuptothemillassoonasyouaredresd,andmendmybarn-roofforme.’

“PoorlittleHanswasveryanxioustogoandworkinhisgarden,forhisflowershadnotbeen

wateredfortwodays,buthedidnotliketorefutheMiller,ashewassuchagoodfriendto

him.

“‘DoyouthinkitwouldbeunfriendlyofmeifIsaidIwasbusy?’heinquiredinashyandtimid

voice.

“‘Well,really,’answeredtheMiller,‘Idonotthinkitismuchtoaskofyou,consideringthatI

amgoingtogiveyoumywheelbarrow;butofcourifyourefuIwillgoanddoitmylf.’

“‘Oh!onnoaccount,’criedlittleHansandhejumpedoutofbed,anddresdhimlf,and

wentuptothebarn.

“Heworkedtherealldaylong,tillsunt,andatsunttheMillercametoehowhewas

gettingon.

“‘Haveyoumendedtheholeintheroofyet,littleHans?’criedtheMillerinacheeryvoice.

“‘Itisquitemended,’answeredlittleHans,comingdowntheladder.

“‘Ah!’saidtheMiller,‘thereisnoworksodelightfulastheworkonedoesforothers.’

“‘Itiscertainlyagreatprivilegetohearyoutalk,’answeredlittleHans,sittingdown,and

wipinghisforehead,‘afraidIshallneverhavesuchbeautiful

ideasasyouhave.’

23

“‘Oh!theywillcometoyou,’saidtheMiller,‘entyou

haveonlythepracticeoffriendship;somedayyouwillhavethetheoryalso.’

“‘DoyoureallythinkIshall?’askedlittleHans.

“‘Ihavenodoubtofit,’answeredtheMiller,‘butnowthatyouhavemendedtheroof,you

hadbettergohomeandrest,forIwantyoutodrivemysheeptothemountainto-morrow.’

“PoorlittleHanswasafraidtosayanythingtothis,andearlythenextmorningtheMiller

broughthissheeproundtothecottage,

tookhimthewholedaytogetthereandback;andwhenhereturnedhewassotiredthathe

wentofftosleepinhischair,anddidnotwakeuptillitwasbroaddaylight.

“‘WhatadelightfultimeIshallhaveinmygarden,’hesaid,andhewenttoworkatonce.

“Butsomehowhewasneverabletolookafterhisflowersatall,forhisfriendtheMillerwas

alwayscomingroundandndinghimoffonlongerrands,orgettinghimtohelpatthemill.

LittleHanswasverymuchdistresdattimes,ashewasafraidhisflowerswouldthinkhehad

forgottenthem,butheconsoledhimlfbythereflectionthattheMillerwashisbestfriend.

‘Besides,’heudtosay,‘heisgoingtogivemehiswheelbarrow,andthatisanactofpure

generosity.’

“SolittleHansworkedawayfortheMiller,andtheMillersaidallkindsofbeautifulthingsabout

friendship,whichHanstookdowninanote-book,andudtoreadoveratnight,forhewasa

verygoodscholar.

“NowithappenedthatoneeveninglittleHanswassittingbyhisfiresidewhenaloudrapcame

verywildnight,andthewindwasblowingandroaringroundthehouso

condrapcame,andthena

third,louderthananyoftheothers.

“‘Itissomepoortraveller,’saidlittleHanstohimlf,andherantothedoor.

“TherestoodtheMillerwithalanterninonehandandabigstickintheother.

“‘DearlittleHans,’criedtheMiller,‘leboyhasfallenoffa

ladderandhurthimlf,ivessofaraway,anditissucha

badnight,thatithasjustoccurredtomethatitwouldbemuchbetterifyouwentinsteadofme.

YouknowIamgoingtogiveyoumywheelbarrow,andso,itisonlyfairthatyoushoulddo

somethingformeinreturn.’

“‘Certainly,’criedlittleHans,‘Itakeitquiteasacomplimentyourcomingtome,andIwill

mustlendmeyourlantern,asthenightissodarkthatIamafraidI

24

mightfallintotheditch.’

“‘Iamverysorry,’answeredtheMiller,‘butitismynewlantern,anditwouldbeagreatloss

tomeifanythinghappenedtoit.’

“‘Well,nevermind,Iwilldowithoutit,’criedlittleHans,andhetookdownhisgreatfurcoat,

andhiswarmscarletcap,andtiedamufflerroundhisthroat,andstartedoff.

“Whatadreadfulstormitwas!ThenightwassoblackthatlittleHanscouldhardlye,and

r,hewasverycourageous,and

afterhehadbeenwalkingaboutthreehours,hearrivedattheDoctor’shou,andknockedat

thedoor.

“‘Whoisthere?’criedtheDoctor,puttinghisheadoutofhisbedroomwindow.

“‘LittleHans,Doctor.’

“’Whatdoyouwant,littleHans?’

“‘TheMiller’ssonhasfallenfromaladder,andhashurthimlf,andtheMillerwantsyouto

comeatonce.’

“‘Allright!’saidtheDoctor;andheorderedhishor,andhisbigboots,andhislantern,and

camedownstairs,androdeoffinthedirectionoftheMiller’shou,littleHanstrudgingbehind

him.

“Butthestormgrewworandwor,andtherainfellintorrents,andlittleHanscouldnote

wherehewasgoing,helosthisway,andwanderedoffonthe

moor,whichwasaverydangerousplace,asitwasfullofdeepholes,andtherepoorlittleHans

ywasfoundthenextdaybysomegoatherds,floatinginagreatpoolof

water,andwasbroughtbackbythemtothecottage.

“EverybodywenttolittleHans’funeral,ashewassopopular,andtheMillerwasthechief

mourner.

“‘AsIwashisbestfriend,’saidtheMiller,‘itisonlyfairthatIshouldhavethebestplace’;

sohewalkedattheheadoftheprocessioninalongblackcloak,andeverynowandthenhe

wipedhiyeswithabigpocket-handkerchief.

“‘LittleHansiscertainlyagreatlosstoeveryone,’saidtheBlacksmith,whenthefuneralwas

over,andtheywereallatedcomfortablyintheinn,drinkingspicedwineandeatingsweet

cakes.

“‘Agreatlosstomeatanyrate,’answeredtheMiller;‘why,Ihadasgoodasgivenhimmy

25

wheelbarrow,andnowIreallydon’rymuchinmywayat

home,ertainly

ayssuffersforbeinggenerous.’”

“Well?”saidtheWater-rat,afteralongpau.

“Well,thatistheend,”saidtheLinnet.

“ButwhatbecameoftheMiller?”askedtheWater-rat.

“Oh!Ireallydon’tknow,”repliedtheLinnet;“andIamsurethatIdon’tcare.”

“Itisquiteevidentthenthatyouhavenosympathyinyournature,”saidtheWater-rat.

“Iamafraidyoudon’tquiteethemoralofthestory,”remarkedtheLinnet.

“Thewhat?”screamedtheWater-rat.

“Themoral.”

“Doyoumeantosaythatthestoryhasamoral?”

“Certainly,”saidtheLinnet.

“Well,really,”saidtheWater-rat,inaveryangrymanner,“Ithinkyoushouldhavetoldme

addoneso,Icertainlywouldnothavelistenedtoyou;infact,I

shouldhavesaid‘Pooh,’r,Icansayitnow”;soheshoutedout“Pooh”

atthetopofhisvoice,gaveawhiskwithhistail,andwentbackintohishole.

“AndhowdoyouliketheWater-rat?”askedtheDuck,whocamepaddlingupsomeminutes

afterwards.“Hehasagreatmanygoodpoints,butformyownpartIhaveamother’sfeelings,

andIcanneverlookataconfirmedbachelorwithoutthetearscomingintomyeyes.”

“IamratherafraidthatIhaveannoyedhim,”answeredtheLinnet.“Thefactis,thatItold

himastorywithamoral.”

“Ah!thatisalwaysaverydangerousthingtodo,”saidtheDuck.

AndIquiteagreewithher.

TheRemarkableRocket.

TheRemarkableRocket

TheKing’ssonwasgoingtobemarried,aiteda

26

wholeyearforhisbride,aRussianPrincess,andhaddriven

dgewasshapedlikeagreat

goldenswan,andbetweentheswan’g

ermine-cloakreachedrightdowntoherfeet,onherheadwasatinycapofsilvertissue,andshe

wasshethatasshedrove

throughthestreetsallthepeoplewondered.“Sheislikeawhitero!”theycried,andthey

threwdownflowersonherfromthebalconies.

Decorativegraphicofyoungmankissingtheprincess’hand

reamyvioleteyes,and

sawherhesankupononeknee,andkisdherhand.

“Yourpicturewasbeautiful,”hemurmured,“butyouaremorebeautifulthanyourpicture”;

andthelittlePrincessblushed.

“Shewaslikeawhiterobefore,”saidayoungPagetohisneighbour,“butsheislikeared

ronow”;andthewholeCourtwasdelighted.

Forthenextthreedayverybodywentaboutsaying,“Whitero,Redro,Redro,White

ro”;andtheKinggaveordersthatthePage’ceivedno

salaryatallthiswasnotofmuchutohim,butitwasconsideredagreathonour,andwasduly

publishedintheCourtGazette.

magnificentceremony,

andthebrideandbridegroomwalkedhandinhandunderacanopyofpurplevelvetembroidered

erewasaStateBanquet,nceand

Puelovers

coulddrinkoutofthiscup,foriffallipstouchedit,itgrewgreyanddullandcloudy.

“It’squiteclearthattheyloveeachother,”saidthelittlePage,“asclearascrystal!”andthe

Kingdoubledhissalaryacondtime.“Whatanhonour!”criedallthecourtiers.

deandbridegroomweretodancethe

Ro-dancetogether,edverybadly,butno

onehadeverdaredtotellhimso,,heknewonlytwoairs,and

wasneverquitecertainwhichonehewasplaying;butitmadenomatter,for,whateverhedid,

everybodycriedout,“Charming!charming!”

Thelastitemontheprogrammewasagranddisplayoffireworks,tobeletoffexactlyatmidnight.

ThelittlePrincesshadneverenafireworkinherlife,sotheKinghadgivenordersthatthe

RoyalPyrotechnistshouldbeinattendanceonthedayofhermarriage.

“Whatarefireworkslike?”shehadaskedthePrince,onemorning,asshewaswalkingonthe

27

terrace.

“TheyareliketheAuroraBorealis,”saidtheKing,whoalwaysansweredquestionsthatwere

addresdtootherpeople,“rthemtostarsmylf,asyou

alwaysknowwhentheyaregoingtoappear,andtheyareasdelightfulasmyownflute-playing.

Youmustcertainlyethem.”

SoattheendoftheKing’sgardenagreatstandhadbeentup,andassoonastheRoyal

Pyrotechnisthadputeverythinginitsproperplace,thefireworksbegantotalktoeachother.

“Theworldiscertainlyverybeautiful,”criedalittleSquib.“Justlookatthoyellowtulips.

Why!ygladIhavetravelled.

Travelimprovesthemindwonderfully,anddoesawaywithallone’sprejudices.”

“TheKing’sgardenisnottheworld,youfoolishsquib,”saidabigRomanCandle;“theworld

isanenormousplace,anditwouldtakeyouthreedaystoeitthoroughly.”

“Anyplaceyouloveistheworldtoyou,”exclaimedapensiveCatherineWheel,whohadbeen

attachedtoanolddealboxinearlylife,andpridedherlfonherbrokenheart;“butloveisnot

fashionableanymore,otesomuchaboutitthatnobody

believedthem,vesuffers,bermylf

once—eisathingofthepast.”

“Nonn!”saidtheRomanCandle,“kethemoon,andlivesfor

deandbridegroom,forinstance,allabout

themthismorningfromabrown-papercartridge,whohappenedtobestayinginthesame

drawerasmylf,andknewthelatestCourtnews.”

ButtheCatherineWheelshookherhead.“Romanceisdead,Romanceisdead,Romanceis

dead,”oneofthopeoplewhothinkthat,ifyousaythesamething

overandoveragreatmanytimes,itbecomestrueintheend.

Suddenly,asharp,drycoughwasheard,andtheyalllookedround.

Itcamefromatall,supercilious-lookingRocket,

alwayscoughedbeforehemadeanyobrvation,soastoattractattention.

“Ahem!ahem!”hesaid,andeverybodylistenedexceptthepoorCatherineWheel,whowas

stillshakingherhead,andmurmuring,“Romanceisdead.”

“Order!order!”omethingofapolitician,andhadalwaystakena

prominentpartinthelocalelections,soheknewtheproperParliamentaryexpressionstou.

“Quitedead,”whisperedtheCatherineWheel,andshewentofftosleep.

28

Assoonastherewasperfectsilence,ewith

averyslow,distinctvoice,asifhewasdictatinghismemoirs,andalwayslookedoverthe

,hehadamostdistinguishedmanner.

“HowfortunateitisfortheKing’sson,”heremarked,“thatheistobemarriedonthevery

,ifithadbeenarrangedbeforehand,itcouldnothave

turnedoutbetterforhim;but,Princesarealwayslucky.”

“Dearme!”saidthelittleSquib,“Ithoughtitwasquitetheotherway,andthatweweretobe

letoffinthePrince’shonour.”

“Itmaybesowithyou,”heanswered;“indeed,Ihavenodoubtthatitis,butwithmeitis

ryremarkableRocket,erwas

themostcelebratedCatherineWheelofherday,andwasrenownedforhergracefuldancing.

Whenshemadehergreatpublicappearanceshespunroundnineteentimesbeforeshewentout,

threefeetanda

halfindiameter,erwasaRocketlikemylf,and

sohighthatthepeoplewereafraidthathewouldnevercome

,though,forhewasofakindlydisposition,andhemadeamostbrilliant

spaperswroteabouthisperformanceinvery

,theCourtGazettecalledhimatriumphofPylotechnicart.”

“Pyrotechnic,Pyrotechnic,youmean,”saidaBengalLight;“IknowitisPyrotechnic,forIsaw

itwrittenonmyowncanister.”

“Well,IsaidPylotechnic,”answeredtheRocket,inaveretoneofvoice,andtheBengalLight

feltsocrushedthathebeganatoncetobullythelittlesquibs,inordertoshowthathewasstilla

personofsomeimportance.

“Iwassaying,”continuedtheRocket,“Iwassaying—WhatwasIsaying?”

“Youweretalkingaboutyourlf,”repliedtheRomanCandle.

“Ofcour;IknewIwasdiscussingsomeinterestingsubjectwhenIwassorudelyinterrupted.

Ihaterudenessandbadmannersofeverykind,nthe

wholeworldissonsitiveasIam,Iamquitesureofthat.”

“Whatisansitiveperson?”saidtheCrackertotheRomanCandle.

“Apersonwho,becauhehascornshimlf,alwaystreadsonotherpeople’stoes,”

answeredtheRomanCandleinalowwhisper;andtheCrackernearlyexplodedwithlaughter.

“Pray,whatareyoulaughingat?”inquiredtheRocket;“Iamnotlaughing.”

29

“IamlaughingbecauIamhappy,”repliedtheCracker.

“Thatisaverylfishreason,”saidtheRocketangrily.“Whatrighthaveyoutobehappy?

,ays

thinkingaboutmylf,whatiscalled

eautifulvirtue,e,forinstance,

anythinghappenedtometo-night,whatamisfortunethatwouldbeforeveryone!ThePrince

andPrincesswouldneverbehappyagain,theirwholemarriedlifewouldbespoiled;andasfor

theKing,,whenIbegintoreflectontheimportanceof

myposition,Iamalmostmovedtotears.”

“Ifyouwanttogivepleasuretoothers,”criedtheRomanCandle,“youhadbetterkeep

yourlfdry.”

“Certainly,”exclaimedtheBengalLight,whowasnowinbetterspirits;“thatisonlycommon

n.”

“Commonn,indeed!”saidtheRocketindignantly;“youforgetthatIamveryuncommon,

,anybodycanhavecommonn,providedthattheyhaveno

veimagination,forIneverthinkofthingsastheyreallyare;Ialwaysthink

eepingmylfdry,thereividentlynooneherewho

atelyformylf,Idon’ything

thatsustainsonethroughlifeistheconsciousnessoftheimmeninferiorityofeverybodyel,

u

arelaughingandmakingmerryjustasifthePrinceandPrincesshadnotjustbeenmarried.”

“Well,really,”exclaimedasmallFire-balloon,“whynot?Itisamostjoyfuloccasion,and

lethemtwinklewhenI

talktothemabouttheprettybride.”

“Ah!whatatrivialviewoflife!”saidtheRocket;“s

nothinginyou;,perhapsthePrinceandPrincessmaygotolive

inacountrywherethereisadeepriver,andperhapstheymayhaveoneonlyson,alittle

fair-hairedboywithvioleteyeslikethePrincehimlf;andperhapssomedayhemaygooutto

walkwithhisnur;andperhapsthenurmaygotosleepunderagreatelder-tree;andperhaps

erriblemisfortune!Poor

people,tolotheironlyson!Itisreallytoodreadful!Ishallnevergetoverit.”

“Buttheyhavenotlosttheironlyson,”saidtheRomanCandle;“nomisfortunehashappened

tothematall.”

“Ineversaidthattheyhad,”repliedtheRocket;“hadlosttheir

eoplewho

30

nIthinkthattheymightlotheironlyson,Icertainlyamvery

muchaffected.”

“Youcertainlyare!”criedtheBengalLight.“Infact,youarethemostaffectedpersonIever

met.”

“YouaretherudestpersonIevermet,”saidtheRocket,“andyoucannotunderstandmy

friendshipforthePrince.”

“Why,youdon’tevenknowhim,”growledtheRomanCandle.

“IneversaidIknewhim,”answeredtheRocket.“IdaresaythatifIknewhimIshouldnotbe

erydangerousthingtoknowone’sfriends.”

“Youhadreallybetterkeepyourlfdry,”saidtheFire-balloon.“Thatistheimportantthing.”

“Veryimportantforyou,Ihavenodoubt,”answeredtheRocket,“butIshallweepifIchoo”;

andheactuallyburstintorealtears,whichfloweddownhissticklikerain-drops,andnearly

drownedtwolittlebeetles,whowerejustthinkingofttinguphoutogether,andwere

lookingforanicedryspottolivein.

“Hemusthaveatrulyromanticnature,”saidtheCatherineWheel,“forheweepswhenthere

isnothingatalltoweepabout”;andsheheavedadeepsigh,andthoughtaboutthedealbox.

ButtheRomanCandleandtheBengalLightwerequiteindignant,andkeptsaying,“Humbug!

humbug!”reextremelypractical,andwheneverthey

objectedtoanythingtheycalledithumbug.

Thenthemoonrolikeawonderfulsilvershield;andthestarsbegantoshine,andasoundof

musiccamefromthepalace.

ncedsobeautifullythatthetallwhite

liliespeepedinatthewindowandwatchedthem,andthegreatredpoppiesnoddedtheirheads

andbeattime.

Thenteno’clockstruck,andtheneleven,andthentwelve,andatthelaststrokeofmidnight

everyonecameoutontheterrace,andtheKingntfortheRoyalPyrotechnist.

“Letthefireworksbegin,”saidtheKing;andtheRoyalPyrotechnistmadealowbow,and

ixattendantswithhim,eachofwhomcarried

alightedtorchattheendofalongpole.

Itwascertainlyamagnificentdisplay.

31

Whizz!Whizz!wenttheCatherineWheel,!Boom!went

eSquibsdancedallovertheplace,andtheBengalLightsmade

everythinglookscarlet.“Good-bye,”criedtheFire-balloon,ashesoaredaway,droppingtiny

!Bang!answeredtheCrackers,whowereenjoyingthemlvesimmenly.

odampwithcryingthat

tthinginhimwasthegunpowder,andthatwassowetwith

poorrelations,towhomhewouldneverspeak,exceptwitha

sneer,!Huzza!

criedtheCourt;andthelittlePrincesslaughedwithpleasure.

“Isuppotheyarerervingmeforsomegrandoccasion,”saidtheRocket;“nodoubtthatis

whatitmeans,”andhelookedmoresuperciliousthanever.

Thenextdaytheworkmencametoputeverythingtidy.“Thisividentlyadeputation,”said

theRocket;“Iwillreceivethemwithbecomingdignity”soheputhisnointheair,andbegan

ytookno

eofthemcaughtsightofhim.

“Hallo!”hecried,“whatabadrocket!”andhethrewhimoverthewallintotheditch.

“BadRocket?BadRocket?”hesaid,ashewhirledthroughtheair;“impossible!Grand

Rocket,Grandsoundverymuchthesame,indeedthey

oftenarethesame”;andhefellintothemud.

“Itisnotcomfortablehere,”heremarked,“butnodoubtitissomefashionablewatering-place,

esarecertainlyverymuchshattered,

andIrequirerest.”

ThenalittleFrog,withbrightjewelledeyes,andagreenmottledcoat,swamuptohim.

“Anewarrival,Ie!”saidtheFrog.“Well,rainy

weatherandaditch,hinkitwillbeawetafternoon?Iamsure

Ihopeso,ity!”

“Ahem!ahem!”saidtheRocket,andhebegantocough.

“Whatadelightfulvoiceyouhave!”criedtheFrog.“Reallyitisquitelikeacroak,and

lhearourglee-clubthis

ntheoldduckpondclobythefarmer’shou,andassoonasthemoon

,itwasonly

yesterdaythatIheardthefarmer’swifesaytohermotherthatshecouldnotgetawinkofsleep

stgratifyingtofindonelfsopopular.”

“Ahem!ahem!”erymuchannoyedthathecouldnotgeta

wordin.

32

“Adelightfulvoice,certainly,”continuedtheFrog;“Ihopeyouwillcomeovertothe

ixbeautifuldaughters,andIamso

erfectmonster,andwouldhavenohesitationin

,good-bye:Ihaveenjoyedourconversationverymuch,Iassureyou.”

“Conversation,indeed!”saidtheRocket.“

notconversation.”

“Somebodymustlisten,”answeredtheFrog,“s

time,andpreventsarguments.”

“ButIlikearguments,”saidtheRocket.

“Ihopenot,”saidtheFrogcomplacently.“Argumentsareextremelyvulgar,foreverybodyin

-byeacondtime;Iemydaughtersin

thedistanceandthelittleFrogswamaway.

“Youareaveryirritatingperson,”saidtheRocket,“eoplewhotalk

aboutthemlves,asyoudo,whenonewantstotalkaboutonelf,atIcall

lfishness,andlfishnessisamostdetestablething,especiallytoanyoneofmytemperament,

,youshouldtakeexamplebyme;you

tyouhavethechanceyouhadbetteravail

yourlfofit,eatfavouriteatCourt;

infact,youknow

nothingofthematters,foryouareaprovincial.”

“Thereisnogoodtalkingtohim,”saidaDragon-fly,whowassittingonthetopofalarge

brownbulrush;“nogoodatall,forhehasgoneaway.”

“Well,thatishisloss,notmine,”answeredtheRocket.“Iamnotgoingtostoptalkingtohim

eofmygreatest

havelongconversationsallbymylf,andIamsocleverthatsometimesI

don’tunderstandasinglewordofwhatIamsaying.”

“ThenyoushouldcertainlylectureonPhilosophy,”saidtheDragon-fly;andhespreadapairof

lovelygauzewingsandsoaredawayintothesky.

“Howverysillyofhimnottostayhere!”saidtheRocket.“Iamsurethathehasnotoftengot

r,Idon’likemineissureto

beappreciatedsomeday”;andhesankdownalittledeeperintothemud.

yellowlegs,andwebbedfeet,

andwasconsideredagreatbeautyonaccountofherwaddle.

33

“Quack,quack,quack,”shesaid.“Whatacuriousshapeyouare!MayIaskwereyouborn

likethat,orisittheresultofanaccident?”

“Itisquiteevidentthatyouhavealwayslivedinthecountry,”answeredtheRocket,

“r,dbeunfair

lnodoubtbesurpridtohear

thatIcanflyupintothesky,andcomedowninashowerofgoldenrain.”

“Idon’tthinkmuchofthat,”saidtheDuck,“,

ifyoucouldploughthefieldsliketheox,ordrawacartlikethehor,orlookafterthesheeplike

thecollie-dog,thatwouldbesomething.”

“Mygoodcreature,”criedtheRocketinaveryhaughtytoneofvoice,“Iethatyoubelongto

certainaccomplishments,

osympathymylfwithindustryofanykind,leastof

,Ihavealwaysbeenofopinionthat

hardworkissimplytherefugeofpeoplewhohavenothingwhatevertodo.”

“Well,well,”saidtheDuck,whowasofaverypeaceabledisposition,andneverquarrelledwith

anyone,“,atanyrate,thatyouaregoingtotakeupyour

residencehere.”

“Oh!dearno,”criedtheRocket.“Iammerelyavisitor,tis

sneithersocietyhere,,itis

probablygobacktoCourt,forIknowthatIamdestinedtomakea

nsationintheworld.”

“Ihadthoughtsofenteringpubliclifeoncemylf,”remarkedtheDuck;“therearesomany

,Itookthechairatameetingsometimeago,andwepasd

r,theydidnotemtohave

infordomesticity,andlookaftermyfamily.”

“Iammadeforpubliclife,”saidtheRocket,“andsoareallmyrelations,eventhehumblestof

otactuallyappearedmylf,

omesticity,itagesonerapidly,and

distractsone’smindfromhigherthings.”

“Ah!thehigherthingsoflife,howfinetheyare!”saidtheDuck;“andthatremindsmehow

hungryIfeel”:andsheswamawaydownthestream,saying,“Quack,quack,quack.”

“Comeback!comeback!”screamedtheRocket,“Ihaveagreatdealtosaytoyou”;butthe

Duckpaidnoattentiontohim.“Iamgladthatshehasgone,”hesaidtohimlf,“shehasa

decidedlymiddle-classmind”;andhesankalittledeeperstillintothemud,andbegantothink

34

aboutthelonelinessofgenius,whensuddenlytwolittleboysinwhitesmockscamerunning

downthebank,withakettleandsomefaggots.

“Thismustbethedeputation,”saidtheRocket,andhetriedtolookverydignified.

“Hallo!”criedoneoftheboys,“lookatthisoldstick!Iwonderhowitcamehere”;andhe

pickedtherocketoutoftheditch.

“OldStick!”saidtheRocket,“impossible!GoldStick,ickisvery

,hemistakesmeforoneoftheCourtdignitaries!”

“Letusputitintothefire!”saidtheotherboy,“itwillhelptoboilthekettle.”

Sotheypiledthefaggotstogether,andputtheRocketontop,andlitthefire.

“Thisismagnificent,”criedtheRocket,“theyaregoingtoletmeoffinbroadday-light,sothat

everyonecaneme.”

“Wewillgotosleepnow,”theysaid,“andwhenwewakeupthekettlewillbeboiled”;and

theylaydownonthegrass,andshuttheireyes.

TheRocketwasverydamp,,however,thefirecaught

him.

“NowIamgoingoff!”hecried,andhemadehimlfverystiffandstraight.“IknowIshallgo

muchhigherthanthestars,muchhigherthanthemoon,,I

shallgosohighthat—”

Fizz!Fizz!Fizz!andhewentstraightupintotheair.

“Delightful!”hecried,“uccessIam!”

Butnobodysawhim.

Thenhebegantofeelacurioustinglingnsationalloverhim.

“NowIamgoingtoexplode,”hecried.“Ishalltthewholeworldonfire,andmakesucha

noithatnobodywilltalkaboutanythingelforawholeyear.”Andhecertainlydidexplode.

Bang!Bang!Bang!asnodoubtaboutit.

Butnobodyheardhim,noteventhetwolittleboys,fortheyweresoundasleep.

Thenallthatwasleftofhimwasthestick,andthisfelldownonthebackofaGoowhowas

takingawalkbythesideoftheditch.

35

“Goodheavens!”criedtheGoo.“Itisgoingtorainsticks”;andsherushedintothewater.

“IknewIshouldcreateagreatnsation,”gaspedtheRocket,andhewentout.