火箭说：“但是我喜欢争论啊！”青蛙很得意地说：“我希望你别这样，争论是很没风度的行为，在上流社会里，人人的见解都是一样的，再说一次‘再会了’，我到那边看我女儿去了。”说完青蛙就游走了。“你真是个讨厌的人，”火箭说，“并且教养相当不好，我最恨你这一类人，像我这样，人家明明想讲讲自己，你却喋喋不休地拼命讲你的事，这就是所谓的自私。自私是最叫人讨厌的，尤其是对于像我这样的人，因为我是以富有同情心出名的。事实上你应该以我为榜样，学学我，你再也不能找到一个更好的榜样了。你既然有这个机会，就得好好地利用它，因为我马上就要回到宫里去了。我是宫里非常得宠的人，事实上昨天王子和公主就为了祝贺我而举行婚礼。当然你对这些事一点也不知道，因为你是一个乡下人。”一只蜻蜓坐在棕色芦苇尖上，说：“同他谈话是没用处的，因为他已经早没踪影了。”火箭说：“这是他的不是，不是我不好，我不能因为他不留心就不对他说。我喜欢自言自语，这是我非常高兴的一件事。我常常自己对自己进行很长久地谈话，我太聪明了，有时讲的话自己一句也听不懂。”“那么你应该去教授哲学。”蜻蜓说完，就展开一对薄纱似的翅膀，飞到天空中。“他不留在这儿，真是愚蠢啊！”火箭说，“我敢讲，他从来没有得到这种受教育的机会，但我不在意，像我这样的天才，终有一天会被人了解的。”说完他在污泥中陷深了一些。过了一会儿，一只大白鸭游到他面前。她生着一双黄色的腿，两只有蹼的脚，走起路来摇摇摆摆。因为她走路的姿势风韵十足，人们都称她是一个绝世美人。“嘎！嘎！嘎！”她说，“你的样儿真奇怪，你是怎么生出来的？怎么会是这个样子呢？”“你就是个没见过世面的乡下人，”火箭说，“否则你不会不知道我是什么人，不过我可以饶恕你的愚昧。你听我说，我能飞上天空，洒下许多漂亮的金雨来，使你觉得非常惊讶。”鸭子说：“我倒不看重这些东西，因为我根本不明白这于人有什么用，若你能同牛一样耕田，像马一样拉车，跟狗一样守家，那还有点意思。”火箭用一种极傲慢的声音叫道：“我的朋友，我看你就是个下等人，像我这样地位显赫的人是从来不讲什么用处的，我们有许多特别的艺能，那就足够了。我对实业没有什么兴趣，至少对于你所说的那些实业看不起。我历来的意见就是这样，苦工只是无事可做的人的避难所。”鸭子性情和善，素来不同人争吵，她说：“好的！好的！各人有各人的志向，无论怎样，我想你是准备长住在这儿的吧。”“啊，不是！”火箭叫道，“我只是一个旅客，一个尊贵的旅客罢了。事实上我已觉得这地方讨厌了，这儿既不热闹，又不安静，就像荒郊野外一样。我就要回王宫里去了，因为我的命生来就是要在世间做点惊人事业的。”鸭子说：“我从前也有一次想服务社会，社会需要改革的事物太多了。前不久我做过一次议会主席，我们通过决议反对一切不喜欢的事情，然而那些议决好像并没有多大效果，现在我专心料理家事，照管我的家庭。”“我天生就是做大事的，”火箭说，“我的亲友们，包括那些很低贱的都是这样。只要我们一出来，马上就能引起人的注意。我自己还从来没有出过马，但如果我出马，必定受人拥戴。至于家事，它会使人加快衰老，让人分心，忘掉更高尚的理想。”“啊，远大的理想，多妙啊！”鸭子说，“这使我想起肚子已经饿了。”说完又叫着“嘎！嘎！嘎！”泅到下游去了。“回来！回来呀！”火箭说，“我还有许多话要对你说呢！”但鸭子理也不理他，只有自言自语：“走了也好，他没有远大理想，心思实在太平凡了！”说着又在污泥里陷深了一些。这时候，突然有两个穿白衣的孩子，手里提着一把水壶，还有木柴，跑到沟边来了。火箭说：“这一定是接我的代表来了。”又装出神气活现的样子来。“喂，你看这根脏棍子，是从哪儿来的呀？”有一个孩子叫道，把火箭从沟里拾了起来。“脏棍子？不可能！”火箭说，“他一定是说金棍子，‘金’与‘脏’的发音也很像，说金棍子倒很有礼貌，他一定把我错看成宫里的大官了！”另一个孩子说：“我们把它放在火里，多一把火烧水也好。”因此他们就把木柴架起来，把火箭放在上面，点着了火。火箭说：“这真不错，他们在白天让我走，这样人人才能看见我。”“我们现在去睡吧，醒来水就开了。”两个小孩躺在地下，合上了眼睛。火箭很湿，烧了很久才燃着。“现在我要走了！”他伸直了腰，“我知道我飞得一定比星儿还高，比月亮还高，比太阳还高。真的！我要飞得很高，那么——”嘶！嘶！嘶！他冲上了天空。“有趣啊，我永远都要这样，这是多么的成功啊！”他高兴地说。但没有一个人看见他。这时，他觉得浑身奇痛起来。“现在我要爆炸了，”他叫道，“我要轰动全世界，让人们在一年之内都不再讨论别的事情。”砰！砰！砰！火药燃了，毫无疑问的，他真的爆炸了！但没有一个人听见，就连那两个孩子，也在熟睡中没有醒来。爆炸之后，现在他只剩下一根棍子，落了下来，正巧打在沟边散步的鹅背上。鹅叫起来：“老天爷不下雨，却下起棍子来了。”说完立刻钻进了水里。“我知道，一定会一鸣惊人的！”火箭喘了一口气，完全熄灭了。★、少年王我们的道路上没有太阳，“贫穷”睁着一双饥饿的眼睛爬进我们的家门，“罪恶”便紧随在它的身后。早晨惊醒我们的是“苦难”，夜里陪伴我们的是“羞辱”，但这些于你有什么关系呢？少年王从梦中惊醒……在行加冕礼的前一天晚上，少年王独自坐在华丽的卧室里。朝臣都向他低身鞠躬后退了出去，按照历来行加冕礼的惯例，一齐到王宫大厅听礼仪教授演讲。他们中有许多还不是很懂宫廷礼仪，作为朝臣而不懂礼仪，这自然是不可理喻的事。那孩子（他的确是个孩子，目前才十六岁）看见他们走开，也并不觉得难过，只是长叹一声，把身子往后一靠，倒在一张绣花大椅上。他躺在那儿，眼睛张着，嘴唇微启，活像一位棕树林里半羊半人形的牧神，又像一只才被猎人捉住的森林小野兽。老国王独生女的儿子，是同一个出身卑贱的人偷养的——有人说，是个异乡人，靠魔法的笛音，使公主爱上了他；又有人说，是个里米尼的艺术家，公主待他十分殷勤，或许是太殷勤了，突然在城里失踪，连礼拜堂的壁画都没有完成。他生下来才满七天，就在母亲睡着的时候被人偷偷抱走，送给了一位牧羊人的妻子。那户人家没有孩子，住在很偏远的森林里。至于公主，在生下他之后就死了。据王宫里的医生说，有可能是气急而亡，又据别人猜测，有可能是用一种掺在香酒里的意大利毒药，在醒来的一小时内毒死的。一个忠仆把婴儿载在鞍轿上，当他从倦马上下来，弯腰去敲那户牧羊人家门的时候，公主的尸身已埋葬在荒地掘好的坟地里。那坟在城外，据说里面还葬着一个人，是个极漂亮的青年，双手被反捆在背后，胸部还有许多伤痕。至少，以上所述的是许多人常常谈论着的话。那老国王在临死的时候，或许是良心发现，觉得过去实在罪大恶极，或是为了皇室永传一家，就把那孩子找回来，在朝廷上公布他为自己的继承人。孩子被找回宫里后，立刻就表现出爱美的热情来，这种热情注定要影响他的一生。据那些陪伴他进宫的人说，当他刚看见那些为他预备的衣服珠宝，就欢喜得叫起来，似乎已经忘乎所以，立刻就把穿在身上的皮袄、皮褂脱了下来。不过有时他的确也想念从前那种悠然自在的山林生活，繁重的宫廷礼节经常占据他很多的时间，这常常使他感到厌烦。但这座富丽堂皇的宫殿（人们称它做“欢乐宫”，他现在是它的主人了），似乎对于他来说又是一个新世界，只要他能从会议厅或朝驾殿里逃出来，就会立刻跑下那两边立着铜狮的云母大石梯，从一间屋子走到另一间屋子，从一条走廊走到另一条走廊，好像要从里面寻找一副止痛药，或者一种治病的仙方似的。他把这称之为一种探险——的确，这对于他来说是异地的旅行，陪伴他的是一些瘦小的美发宫仆，穿着飘动的外衣，系着漂亮的缎带，但多数时间是他一个人。他以一种直觉或者先知预卜般的能力，觉得艺术最好秘密地去追求。美犹如智慧一样，喜欢那些孤独的崇拜者。这个时期流传着很多关于他古怪的故事。据说有位邑长代表人民来演讲，昧着良心说了一番歌功颂德的话，他很虔敬地跪在一幅由威尼斯买来的画面前，神情犹如朝拜天神。又一次，他失踪好几个钟头，经过长久搜寻，才发现他在宫内北方小塔的屋子里，犹如丢了魂似的，呆看着一尊由希腊宝石镶成的爱多尼斯雕像。据传闻，当时他把嘴唇紧压在这尊雕像的眉毛上。这尊雕像是在河边修桥的时候发现的，上面还刻着海德利安俾斯尼亚的奴隶的名字。他还花了整夜的工夫，去观察月光照在恩地眠银像上的奇异景象。各种稀有值钱的东西对他都有很大的吸引力，为取得这些东西，他派出不少商人四处搜寻。有的到北海边，同渔夫做琥珀交易；有的到埃及去找青宝石，这种宝石只有皇墓中才有，价值连城；有的到波斯去买丝织地毯以及花陶器；有的到印度去买薄纱、红象牙、透明石、玉珠、檀香木、蓝珐琅和上等羊毛围巾。但最让他劳心的要算加冕那天穿的袍子，金丝织成的袍子，红宝石镶成的王冠，珍珠串联而成的王节。的确，今晚靠在华丽的躺椅上，双眼望着火炉中渐渐燃烧成灰烬的松木柴，想的便是这些。衣服的图样是由最著名的艺术家绘制的，几个月前已经呈给他看过。他当时就下令叫工人日夜加点赶工，还指派专员到全世界找寻配得上它的珠宝。他在幻想中，见自己穿着华丽的王服，站在礼拜堂的高祭坛前，孩子气的嘴角边流露出微笑，深黑的眼睛里，闪动着尊贵的光辉。隔了一会儿，他站起身来，靠在火炉的雕花护栏上，看着四面光线阴暗的屋子。壁上挂着华丽的帷帐，代表美之胜利。一个角落里，放着一架镶着玛瑙和蓝宝石的印字机。对窗口的地方，有一个箱子，装着金粉涂的镜板，上面放着一些维尼丁琉璃以及黑纹碧玉制成的杯子。床毯上绣着罂粟花，好像随手抛在上边似的。丝绒华盖上镶着象牙雕成的芦苇草，上面插着一把驼鸟羽毛，一直触到平整的银天花板。一个青铜的笑菩萨头上，顶着一面光滑的镜子，桌上放着一只紫水晶的碗。窗外，他可以看见教堂那高高的楼顶耸立在阴暗的天空里，像虚幻水泡似的一层层堆积着。疲乏的哨兵，在夜雾笼罩的河边来回踱着散乱的步子。远处的花园里，有夜莺的叫声，一阵阵茉莉花香从窗口吹进来。他把棕色的卷发梳在头后，顺手拿起一支笛子，手指便在笛孔上面起伏着。接着他沉重的眼皮垂下来了，浑身开始疲倦。在以前，他从来没有这样亲切或这样愉快地感觉到，美的东西的魔力与神秘。钟楼敲响午夜钟的时候，他的宫仆进来，很有礼貌地为他脱去外衣，洒些玫瑰香水在他手心，枕边也为他放了一些花儿。几分钟后，他们离开房间，他就睡着了。睡着后他做了一个梦：他觉得自己站在一间矮小的房子里，房子里有许多织布机呼噜呼噜地响着，暗淡的日光从铁窗口射进来，几个弯着腰做事的织工面色清瘦。神色苍白、病态毕现的孩子们弯着腰坐在机车前，当梭子穿过丝线，他们便把沉重的压板拉起来，当梭子停下来，又把压板放下去，将丝编织在一起。这些人脸上都露出饥饿的神情，手也战栗无力，还有许多憔悴的妇人坐在桌边缝衣裳。屋里有一种怪气味，空气混浊，墙上满是污秽潮湿的斑痕。少年王走到一个织工面前，站在他身边看她。织工怒目地瞪了他一眼，说：“你看着我干吗？你又是主人派来监视我们的密探吧？”少年王问：“你们的主人是谁？”“我们的主人？”织工很悲伤地说，“他也是同我们一样的人，不过，也有不一样的地方——他穿着华丽的衣裳，我们穿着破烂的碎布；我们饿得快要死了，他家里却酒肉太多，正嫌臭着呢！”少年王说：“这地方是自由的，你们又不是别人的奴隶，为什么还要待在这里？”织工答道：“战争时，强者就要弱者做奴隶。和平时代，有钱人就要穷人做奴隶。我们非做工不可，因为我们要生活下去。但他们只给那点儿可怜的工资，我们只有死路一条。我们成天为他们辛苦地工作，金子却都堆在他们的柜子里。我们的孩子，不到成年就夭折了。我们所爱的人的面容，也都变得憔悴不堪。我们用双手辛勤地榨出葡萄汁，可最后喝酒的却是别人。我们汗流浃背地播种稻谷，而家里一粒米都没有。我们实在戴着枷锁，虽然肉眼看不见。我们都是奴隶，不管别人说我们有着怎样的自由。”少年王问：“个个都如此吗？”织工答道：“个个都是如此，无论年轻的还是年老的，女的还是男的，未成年的孩子或是饱受生活打击的成人，都是如此。商人压榨我们，我们不得不听从他们的指挥。牧师只会数着念珠面无表情地从我们身边经过，从来不曾理过我们。我们的道路上没有太阳，‘贫穷’睁着一双饥饿的眼睛爬进我们的家门，‘罪恶’就紧随在它的身后。早晨惊醒我们的是‘苦难’，夜里陪伴我们的是‘羞辱’，但这些于你有什么关系呢？你跟我们不是一个世界的人，从你的脸色就能看出，你生活得非常优越。”他怒冲冲地把脸转过去，又在机器上抛着梭子，少年王这才看见上面全绕着金线。他惊恐极了，连忙对织工说：“你们织的这件衣服是给谁的？”织工答道：“是少年王加冕时穿的，于你有什么关系呢？”就在这时，少年王大叫一声醒来。啊！他仍在卧室里，窗外蜜色的月亮正挂在迷雾般的夜空中。他立刻又睡着了，另一个场景进入他的梦乡：他觉得自己坐在一艘大木船的甲板上，由数百个奴隶摇桨行驶。船主坐在他身边的一张地毯上，全身漆黑犹如乌木，头布是鲜红色的丝巾，大银耳环挂在耳垂上，手里拿着一杆象牙秤。奴隶们全裸着身体，只围着一块腰布，全部一对对地被锁链套住。他们不顾风吹日晒，在梯口奔忙着，一些黑人在过道上跑来跑去，皮鞭不时地落在他们身上。他们伸出枯瘦的双手，在水中划着重大的桨，水花从桨上溅起来。后来，他们到了一个港湾，开始测量水深。岸上吹来一阵微风，船上面便铺满一层厚厚的红土灰。三个骑着野鹿的阿拉伯人用长枪投来，船主拿出一支花箭，射中一个的咽喉，他落在浪里，其余的便逃走了。一个戴着黄面纱的妇人，骑在骆驼背上慢慢走过去，不时回过头来看那具尸体。他们抛了锚，停了船，马上就进入船舱，拿出一架绳梯来，绳梯下面挂着极重的铅锤。船主把绳梯放下，系在两根铁柱上面，黑奴们就把最年轻的一个奴隶抓住，解开锁链，用蜡油封住耳鼻，更在他的腰部系一块大石头。他慢慢爬下绳梯，就沉到海底去了。沉下去的水面，浮上几个气泡，奴隶中间有几个很稀奇地瞧着。船头上，又有一个赶鲨鱼的人，在很单调地打着鼓。隔了一会儿，下水的人上来了，他紧紧攀住绳梯，右手拿着一颗珍珠。黑奴们一把将珍珠抢了过来，又把他推下水去，然后就靠在桨上打起瞌睡来。他又上来好几次，每次上来，必定拿着一颗极好的珍珠，船主把它们一一称过之后，才放进一个绿皮小袋里。少年王想说话，但舌头紧贴住上颚，嘴唇怎么动也动不了。黑奴们叽里咕噜地闹着，为一颗珠子争吵起来，两只鹭莺绕着船飞来飞去。下水的人再一次上来了，这回拿上来的珍珠比奥马兹的一切珠子都珍贵，形似满月，比晨星还要光亮，但他的脸苍白极了。上来之后便立刻倒在甲板上，五官流出鲜血，战栗了一阵，便再也不动了。黑奴们只是耸了耸肩头，便把尸身抛下海去。船主放声大笑着走过来，才看见那颗珍珠，便拿起来放在额上，鞠了一躬，说：“这颗珠子可用在少年王的王节上。”说完就吩咐黑奴们起锚。少年王听见这句话，大叫一声，便醒了过来，窗外已是晨光熹微，星光逐渐暗淡了。但他立刻又睡着了，做梦了：他似乎在一片昏暗的森林里漫游，森林里到处都生长着奇怪的果子和美丽的毒花。他从蝮蛇身边经过，蝮蛇嘶嘶地叫着。树枝间，鹦鹉一边飞一边嘶鸣，一只巨大的乌龟在炎热的泥水中沉睡，树上尽是猴子和孔雀。他在森林里穿梭，最终走出森林，看见一群人在干涸的河床上劳作。那些人好像蚂蚁一般地拥上峻岩，他们在地上挖出一个很大的深坑，便爬进去，然后有的用巨斧劈石，有的在泥沙中摸索。他们连根拔起仙人掌，在红花上践踏，忙做一团，推推攘攘，没有一个偷懒的人。“死”和“贪”在一个暗洞中看着他们，“死”说：“我厌倦了，把他们的三分之一交给我，让我走吧！”但是“贪”却摇摇头，回答道：“他们都是我的仆役呢！”“死”又对她说：“你手里拿着什么？”“贪”说：“我有三粒谷子，于你有什么关系呢？”“死”叫了起来：“给我一粒，我拿去种在我的园子里，只要一粒，我就立刻走。”“贪”说：“我什么也不会给你。”便把手藏在衣襟下。“死”笑了起来，拿出一只杯子放进池水里，然后便把“疟疾”取出来。只见“疟疾”在人群中穿梭，三分之一的人就死掉了。她的身后涌出一阵冷雾，无数的水蛇在她身边围绕。“贪”见又死了这么多人，便捶着胸膛哭泣起来，她敲着贫瘠的胸膛大叫：“你又杀死我这么多人，你回去吧！鞑靼的山里正有战事，双方的国王都请你快去。阿富汗人把黑牛杀了，也在出兵开战，他们用矛头刺盾牌，身上穿着铁甲。我这山谷不过是个小地方，你不应该在这儿活动，去吧，以后别再来了！”“死”答说：“可以，只要你给我一粒谷子，我就立刻走。”但“贪”把手更捏紧了一些，咬牙切齿喃喃地说：“我绝不会给你谷子的。”“死”又笑了起来，拿出杯子，然后捡一块石头抛到森林里，于是“寒热”便成为火焰，从一丛毒草那儿出来了。她行经群众之间，碰着一个便死一个，所过的草地立刻枯黄。“贪”战栗起来，拿些灰抹在自己头上，叫着：“你真残酷，你真残酷啊！印度许多城市在闹饥荒，撒马利亚的井大多都干枯了，埃及也有许多城市闹饥荒，蝗虫铺天盖地从荒地中飞来，尼罗河也溃决了，教士诅咒着生殖神和判官。你到那里去，把我的仆役留下给我吧！”“死”答道：“可以，只要你给我一粒谷子，我就立刻走。”“贪”摇头说：“我绝不会给你谷子的。”“死”又笑起来，她用手吹起哨子，只见一个女人就从空中飞来。这女人前额写着“瘟疫”二字，有一群瘦鹰围在她四周。她用翅膀罩住整个山谷，那儿的人瞬间死得一个也不剩了。“贪”一路叫着，往森林中逃去，“死”便跨上红马，也飞驰而走，急驰得比风还快。山下的泥泞中爬出一些生着爪牙的龙与一些可怕的怪物，徘徊在沙地上，高翘着鼻孔在空中吸气。少年王哭了：“这是些什么人？他们在这儿找什么？”一个人来到他身后说：“找王冠上的玉。”少年王转过身子，看见一个穿着预言家衣服的人，手里还拿着一副银色眼镜。他脸色发白，问：“为哪一个国王呀？”预言家答道：“在这面镜子里，你自己去看他吧！”少年王望着镜子，看到的是自己的脸，他惊得大叫一声醒了，只见阳光已经洒满屋子，鸟儿已经在花园的树枝上开始唱歌。这时，御前侍臣和朝中大官都进来参拜他，宫仆把金丝朝服取来，王冠和王节也放在他面前。少年王注视着这些东西。的确，它们都非常漂亮，他从来没有见过如此美丽的东西，但是他想起了他的梦，便对臣仆说：“把这些东西拿开吧，我不穿了！”臣仆都很惊讶，有的觉得他在开玩笑，竟然大笑起来。但他说话的态度很严肃：“把这些东西拿去藏起来，别给我看见，虽然今天是我的加冕日，但我仍然不要穿它，因为这件衣服是在‘悲愁’的机械上，由‘痛苦’的手织出来的。这玉中有‘鲜血’，珍珠里有‘死亡’。”说完他就把三个梦讲给他们听。臣仆听了他的三个梦以后，相视低语，都说：“他一定傻了，梦终究是梦，幻想也终究是幻想，绝非人应该去关心的事，那些为我们劳苦的人的命运，与我们有何关系？一个人，没见过耕种，就不能吃饭吗？一个人，没见过酿酒，就不能喝酒吗？”御前侍臣对少年王说：“陛下，请你抛开这些恶念，穿上这件王袍，戴上这顶王冠吧！否则你不穿戴国王的衣帽，人们怎知道你是国王呢？”“真的吗？”少年王看看他，问道，“不穿国王的衣服，他们就不知道我是国王吗？”御前侍臣叫道：“是呀，如果您不穿王袍，他们是永远不会知道您是国王的！”少年王说：“我以为有人生来就是长着国王的样子，你说的或许不错，但我还是不要穿这件王袍，戴这顶王冠，我进宫的时候是怎样打扮，现在我就怎样打扮着出宫去。”他吩咐他们全部退出，只留下一个仆人陪着他。这仆人比他小一岁，留在身边伺候自己。在清水中沐浴后，他打开一个花橱，把在山上放羊时穿的皮袄、皮褂取了出来。穿好之后，又把赶羊的棍子拿在手中。小仆人睁大一双蓝眼睛，很惊异地微笑着对他说：“陛下，我看见您的王袍和王节，但是您的王冠呢？”少年王就随手折下一枝露台上的野荆棘，弯成一个圆圈，戴在自己头上。他说：“这就是我的王冠。”少年王穿着这身衣服从卧室出来，走到大殿上，那儿早有许多贵族等候在此。贵族们见他这身打扮，立刻讥笑起来，有的竟向他叫道：“陛下，百姓等着他们的国王，你却要他们去见一个乞丐吗？”许多人也恼怒了，说：“他简直是在羞辱我们国家，实在愧为我主。”但他什么也不回答，只往前去，走下云斑石梯，穿过紫铜门，然后就骑上马，向教堂驰去，小仆人在他身后跟着跑。路边的百姓都笑了，并说：“骑马去的一定是国王的弄臣。”少年王勒住马，便说：“不，我就是国王呢！”他又把三个梦讲给他们听。这时人群中走出一个人，很愁苦地对他说：“陛下，您不知道穷人的生活是从富人的奢华中来的吗？我们就是靠您的施舍来活命的啊！固然替暴主效劳是很不幸的事情，但若没有暴主可依，我们就完全没有了生活来源，其苦更甚。您觉得乌鸦会养活我们吗？对此您有什么解救的办法没有？您会对买东西的人说‘你得出这么多钱买下’，又对卖东西的人说‘你得照这样价钱卖出’吗？请速返王宫，衣紫服而来，您根本不能解决我们的痛苦！”少年王说：“富人与穷人不是兄弟吗？”那人答道：“是的，那个富人兄弟的名字叫恶魔！”少年王满眼含着泪，在人群的嘶嚷中急驰而过，那小仆人竟害怕得逃了。他来到教堂大门，士兵便把斧戟伸出来挡住他的去路，喝道：“你是做什么的？除国王外，任何人不许进来。”少年王露出怒容，对他们说：“我就是国王！”他推开斧戟，大步走了进去。教主见他穿着牧羊人的衣服，很惊异地从宝座上站起来，来到他面前，说：“孩子，这是国王的衣服吗？我用什么王冠给你戴，用什么王节给你握呢？当然，今天是你应该高兴的一天，但也不是胡闹的一天。”少年王说道：“‘快乐’能穿‘忧愁’穿过的衣服吗？”又对他讲了那三个梦。主教听了，立刻皱起眉头，对他说：“孩子，我是个老人，在这暮年时期，我知道世间发生着很多恶劣的事情。凶恶的盗匪把小孩子抢去卖给摩尔人；狮子躺在草丛中捕食过路客，猎杀骆驼吃；野熊把山间的稻谷一起连根拔了；狐狸偷吃农田的果树；盗贼横行在海上，焚烧渔船，掠夺渔网；盐地里的麻风病人，住在破茅草屋里，谁也不敢靠近他们；乞丐在城里徘徊，和狗一起抢吃东西。你能使这些事情没有吗？你能和麻风病人同床、和乞丐共坐吗？狮子能听你的命令吗？野熊能服从你吗？难道那位创造悲苦的‘他’不比你聪明？我并不赞成你做这种事，所以你赶紧回宫去，展开笑颜，穿上国王应该穿的衣服，然后我就替你加冕金的王冠，赐你珍珠镶的王节。至于你的梦，别再想了，这世界的重负，一个人是担当不了的，这世界的烦恼，一个人是承受不了的。”“你在教堂里说这种话吗？”少年王怒道。他从教主身边走过，爬上祭坛的阶梯，来到了基督像前。他伫立在基督像前，耶稣的双手里放满了精致的金质器皿以及圣杯。珠宝装饰的神坛上，蜡烛十分明亮，一缕青烟，直升上圆圆的屋顶。他开始叩头祈祷，那些穿着华服的教士走下祭坛，让开了。突然街上传来一阵喧哗，许多贵族，头上插着羽毛，拖着刺刀，有的更拿着钢制的盾牌，一齐走了进来。他们叫着：“做梦的家伙在哪儿？穿得像乞丐的国王在哪儿？羞辱我们国家的人在哪儿？我们要杀了他，他没有资格统治我们。”少年王又叩头祷告，祷告完毕，才站起身来，很忧愁地看着他们。看啦，就在这时，一缕阳光从贴满彩色花边的窗口射进来照在他身上，犹如穿上了一件金丝王袍，比订制的那件还要尊贵得多。水仙的枯木枝也开满了鲜花，朵朵比珍珠还洁白。玫瑰干枯的荆棘也开了花，朵朵比红玉还艳红。比珍珠还白的是那些水仙花朵，花梗犹如光亮的银子；比红玉还红的是那些玫瑰，花叶犹如金叶片片。他穿着王袍站在那儿，神坛的门打开了，供台上的水晶，突然射来一束神秘的亮光。他穿着王袍站在那儿，上帝的荣光照满各处，圣像在雕刻的壁龛里蠕动。他穿着王袍站在他们面前，风琴传出了音乐，号手吹起号来，歌手也唱歌了。人民全部敬畏地跪下，贵族连忙插好刺刀，行了臣服之礼。主教的脸也苍白了，手也战栗着。“一个比我更伟大的人已经给你加冕了！”说完就在他面前跪了下来。少年王这才从高高的祭坛上走下来，穿过人群回到宫里。这时无人敢看他一眼，因为他的脸完全跟天使的容貌一样。★、星孩儿我不配做一国之君，因为我以前虐待过我的生身之母，如果找不着她，得不到她的饶恕，我是绝不罢休的。所以请让我走吧，虽然你们把王冠、王杖都拿来给我，但我必须再到其他地方去寻找！从前，有两个樵夫从一片松林经过。那是冬季很冷的一个晚上，天地间堆着厚厚的白雪，路边的树枝全都弯下身去。他们遇到一个巨大的瀑布，只见她悬挂在空中静止如同帷幕，就像跟冰王亲了嘴似的。天气真是太冷了，连鸟兽都不知该怎样保护自己。狼夹着尾巴，在树林中一颠一跛地潜行着，怒道：“该死的鬼天气，政府怎么不管啊？”“啾！啾！啾！”绿色的梅花雀唧唧地叫着，“衰老的大地死亡了，人们已经用白寿衣把她收殓了。”斑鸠互相低语着：“大地要结婚了，这是她穿的婚礼服。”小脚儿早已冻伤，但面对如此困境，他们觉得应该用一种浪漫的态度对待生活。“胡说！”狼大声叫了起来，“我告诉你们，这全是政府的过错，如果你们不相信，我就吃掉你们。”他的头脑很聪明，辩论总是不会输掉的。“在我看来，”天生就是哲学家的啄木鸟说，“我不喜欢用这种论调解释什么，一件事情要是怎么样的，就是怎么样的，现在真冷得可怕啊！”天气确实冷得可怕，住在高枞树里的小栗鼠互相摩擦着鼻子取暖。兔子蜷缩在洞窝里，头都不敢伸出来。唯一比较高兴的，似乎只有毛茸茸的猫头鹰，手都冻硬了，但他们依旧转着那双黄黄的大眼睛，在森林中叫着：“吐伙！吐伙！天气多好啊！”两个樵夫一边走，一边用嘴呵着手指，铁钉鞋在雪块上一步步地踹着。有次石头太滑，两人跌进大坑里，爬起来犹如全身沾满了面粉；又有一次，在厚厚的冰地上突然滑了一跤，负在身上的木柴全部散落在地，只得一根根拾起来重新捆好；还有一次，他们迷路了，十分害怕，因为他们知道雪对于那些睡在她怀里的人是极残酷的。但他们信任着保护一切出行人的神灵，又重新鼓起勇气迈开脚步，终于走出森林，看见山下那个他们所熟悉的村庄。两人如同死里逃生一般大笑起来，在他们眼里，此时大地仿佛一朵银色的花，月亮犹如一朵金色的花，让人心旷神怡。可是笑完之后，就忧愁起来，他们想到了自己的贫穷。一个樵夫对另一个樵夫说：“我们明明知道生活偏袒着富人，而对我们穷人不屑一顾，为什么还要快乐呢？还不如在森林里冻死，或者被野兽扑过来咬死呢！”“的确，”他的同伴说，“有的人获得太多，有的人获得太少，不公平把世界分成两个样子，可是除了忧愁，世间根本就没有可以平分的东西。”正在他俩诉说穷苦的时候，忽然从天上落下一颗亮晶晶的星儿。那星儿经过夜空，滑落而下，消失在一棵柳树背后，离小羊栏不远的地方。“啊，如果找到它肯定能得到一坛金子！”他们拔步飞跑过去，一心幻想着自己成为富翁后的生活。有一个跑得比较快，超过另外那个樵夫。他穿过树林，来到那棵大柳树旁边，只见雪白的大地上的确有一件闪闪发光的东西。他向前靠近，蹲下身来用手一摸，竟然是一件金丝织成的衣服，上面满绣着星儿，好像包着什么东西似的。他立刻把同伴叫来，说是找着了天上落下来的宝贝。同伴走过来，两人打开包裹，原本想从里面得到几块金子的，但是——啊，根本就没有什么。金子、银子，什么财宝都没有，只有一个熟睡的婴儿。“希望难道就如此破灭？”其中一个说，“原来什么好运也没有，一个孩子于人有什么好处？离开这儿吧，我们是穷人，连自己的生活都成问题，哪还有多余的钱养其他人的小孩。”“不行，”他的同伴却说，“把小孩子丢在这儿冻死，是一件很没有良心的事，虽然我同你一样穷，家里的米也仅剩一点儿，还得食用几个月，但我还是想把他领回去，叫我的妻子把他养大。”他很和善地把孩子抱起来，用衣服包好，不让冷风吹着他，一面朝山下的村子走去。至于他的同伴，看到他这种傻乎乎的样子，觉得非常奇怪。他们刚到村子里，他的同伴就对他说：“你既然要这小孩，那么就得把衣服给我，因为这些东西我也是有份在内的。”“不行，”他说，“这衣服既不是我的，也不是你的，是这孩子的啊！”说完就祝同伴一路平安，然后回到自家屋前。他的妻子开了门，见丈夫平平安安回来，就双手抱住他的脖子，连吻好几次，这才帮他放下背上的木柴，又替他刷靴子上的雪，叫他进来。他却对她说：“我在森林里找着一样东西，带回来要你照管呢！”仍站在门口不动。“是什么呀？”妻子叫道，“给我看看吧，这屋子里一无所有，我们正需要许多其他的东西呢！”他把斗篷拉开，一个熟睡的婴儿呈现在她的面前。“哎哟！”妻子大吃一惊，喃喃地说，“难道我们自己的孩子不够，还要再弄一个坐在火炉边吗？谁又知道他不会给我们招来厄运呢？我们拿什么养活他呀？”她生气了。“不要这样啊，”他回答，“这可是一个星孩儿呢！”说着便把这个小孩的来历讲给她听。但妻子仍旧嘲笑他，怒气冲天：“我们的孩子还没有面包，难道还要给别人的孩子吃吗？谁肯照顾我们？谁肯给我们东西吃呀？”“不要这样啊，”他回答，“上帝连麻雀都是照顾的，肯定不会把他饿死！”妻子反问道：“麻雀没有在冬天饿死的吗？现在不是冬天吗？”他顿时无话可说，愣住了。森林里刮来一阵冷风，伫立在门口的妻子顿时战栗起来，她看了一眼自己忠厚的丈夫，说：“快进来呀，风肆虐无忌地钻进屋子里，我冷！”他反问道：“心硬的人的屋子，不是总有冷风吹进来吗？”妻子没有说什么，坐到火炉边去了。过了一会儿，妻子转过头来，眼里满噙着泪水。他立刻走过去把孩子放在她手里，她便吻了小孩，然后把小孩放在最小那个孩子睡的摇篮里。第二天，樵夫拿出那件金衣，放进了箱子里，那孩子颈上挂着一串琥珀珠，也由他妻子取下来保管。从此星孩儿便同樵夫的孩子一同长大，同食同游。一年年过去，他一年比一年出落得俊俏，住在那村子里的人都觉得惊讶。因为大家又粗又黑，只有他又嫩又白，活像用象牙雕成似的。那卷发儿，犹如水仙花圈儿一样，嘴唇像红色的花瓣，眼睛像清溪边的紫罗兰，身体像草原上未经割除的百合一样圣洁。可是他的美貌却给他带来灾祸，他因此变得非常骄傲、暴虐与自私。樵夫的孩子、村里别人家的孩子，他都认为出身卑贱，骂他们是杂种。他觉得自己出身高贵，是从星儿里蹦出来的，于是就自命主人，叫人家做他的仆役。对于穷人、瞎子、跛子和残疾人，非但毫无怜悯之心，反而还用石头砸人家，把他们赶到大路上，叫他们到别处去要饭，所以除了几个胆子特别大的之外，别人绝不敢再到这村子里来乞食。的确，他非常迷恋自己的美，嘲笑那些软弱的、难看的人，同时还要打骂他们。每到夏天风静的时候，他便躺在教士果园里的水井旁边，向井中看着自己的俏脸儿，顾影自怜，不时发出得意扬扬的大笑。樵夫两口子常责骂他说：“我们对你并不像你对那些可怜无辜的人一样，你为什么要对那些可怜人如此凶狠啊？”老教士也常叫他去，想教给他一些爱人爱物的道理，总对他说：“苍蝇也是你的兄弟，别去伤害他。野雀儿在林里鸣叫，也有他们的自由，你不能因为自己高兴就去捕捉他们。蚯蚓、田鼠也都是上帝创造的，各自有他们的地位。你到底是什么人，要在上帝的世间作恶呢？就是牧场里、田地里的牲口也赞美上帝啊！”但星孩儿不理他们的话，只是蹙眉嘲笑，又领他的同伴去玩耍了。同伴都喜欢跟从他，因为他既漂亮，又走得快，还会跳舞、吹笛子，更会玩音乐。只要星孩儿领他们到哪儿，他们便到哪儿；星孩儿要他们做什么，他们便做什么。他用木棒刺田鼠的眼睛，他们便笑；他用石头打麻风病人，他们也笑。无论什么事都以他马首是瞻，为此他们的心肠也变硬了，甚至同他一样了。有一天，一个可怜的女叫花子从村子路过，她的衣服破烂不堪，一双脚因走了很多的山路而鲜血直流，样子非常落魄。因为疲倦了，她便靠在一棵栗子树下歇息。星孩儿刚看见她，就对同伴说：“看呀，那棵优雅的绿叶树下坐着一个龌龊的叫花婆，我们过去把她赶走，她实在太难看，太讨厌了。”他走到她的面前，用石头砸她，嘲弄她。叫花婆只用恐惧的眼光看着他，视线一点也不动。这时樵夫正在小树林劈木头，看见星孩儿又在使坏，就跑过来骂道：“你真是铁石心肠，毫不知道怜悯之情，这妇人哪里招惹你了，你为何要这样欺负她？”星孩儿气得满脸通红，用脚蹬着地说：“你是什么人，要你来管我，我不是你的儿子，才不会听你的话。”樵夫道：“对，你的确不是我的亲生儿子，但当初我在森林收留你的时候，是因为可怜你呀！”那妇人听见这话就叫了一声，昏死过去。樵夫连忙把她扶到家里，让妻子照管她，过了很久她才醒过来。樵夫在她面前摆些酒肉，劝她安心食用。但她一点也不吃，一点也不喝，只对樵夫说：“你不是说，那孩子是在森林里捡来的吗？从今天算起，是十年前的事吧？”“不错，”樵夫答道，“正是在森林里捡来的，是在十年之前。”她激动起来：“你捡他的时候，身上有什么东西没有？他颈上是不是戴着一串琥珀珠儿？包着他的是不是一件绣着星儿的金缎衣？”樵夫答道：“对，你说的一点也不差。”说完就从箱子里把琥珀串和衣服取出来给她看。她刚看见这些东西，就欢喜得哭了起来：“他是我在树林里丢失的小儿子呀，我求你去把他唤过来，为找他我已经走遍世界的每一寸土地。”樵夫两口子连忙出去叫星孩儿，对他说：“快进屋来看你的母亲，她在等你呢！”星孩儿满心惊喜地跑进来，但刚看见坐在里面的女子，便轻蔑地大笑起来：“怎么，我的母亲在哪儿，我只看见这叫花婆呀？”那女的回答他说：“我就是你的母亲！”“你大概是疯了，”星孩儿怒道，“我绝不是你的儿子，你只是个叫花婆，又丑又脏。所以说，快些走吧，别让我再看见你这张肮脏的脸！”“不，你的确是我儿子，是我在森林里生的呀！”她这样叫着，便跪了下来，双手伸向他，求他过来，“强盗把你偷去了，他们要把你弄死。我一看你就能认出来，这些纪念的东西我也认得，这是琥珀串和金缎衣，所以求你过来吧，为寻找你，我已经走遍整个世界。跟我走吧，我的儿，我的儿，我需要你的爱呀！”但星孩儿关紧他的心门，站在那儿依旧一动也不动，这时候，除了那女人为痛苦而哭的悲啼，就一点声息也没有了。最后他对她说，声音冷酷而无情：“假如你真是我母亲，最好赶紧滚蛋吧，别来羞辱我了。我不是你所说的那样，才不是叫花婆的儿子，所以你走吧，别让我再看见你！”“唉，我的儿！”她哭着，“就是我走之前，你也不能吻我一下吗？我为了找你，真是受了不少的罪呀！”星孩儿却说：“不行，你太脏了，与其吻你，还不如去吻毒蛇和癞蛤蟆。”女人只得站起来，很凄凉地哭着走了，星孩儿看见她离开，就高兴起来，又跑到同伴那儿，想同他们一起去玩。但同伴才看见他走来，便突然惊叫着一起嘲弄他说：“啊，你真同癞蛤蟆一样丑，像毒蛇一样讨厌。走开，我们不要和你一起玩了！”就把他赶出了花园。“他们这样对我说的到底是什么意思？”星孩儿蹙着眉头，暗自道，“让我到井边去，看看我的俊脸儿是如何地标致。”他来到井边，往井里望去——哎哟！这是怎么回事？他的脸竟像癞蛤蟆的脸一样丑陋了，身子也像毒蛇一样长出了鳞片。他立即倒在地上，大哭起来，并且对自己说：“这一定是我犯了罪所导致的后果，不认亲娘，在她面前傲慢无礼，还把她赶走，我一定要走遍天涯去寻她，不然我绝不罢休。”樵夫的小姑娘走到他身边，手扶在他肩上，对他说：“你不好看有什么关系？同我们住在一起好了，我们不会嘲弄你的。”他却对她说：“不行，我对母亲太残忍了，这是因为犯罪得来的惩罚，我非去不可。我要走遍世界找到她，希望她能饶恕我的罪过。”因此他跑到森林里叫喊，请他母亲回来，但是没有回应。他整整喊了一天，到晚上便睡在树叶铺成的大床上。动物四处跑开了，因为他们都记得他的暴虐，除了癞蛤蟆和慢慢爬过的毒蛇，那儿就只有他自己一人。第二天早晨起来，胡乱摘了些苦果儿充饥，他就穿过树林朝前走去，一路上伤心地痛哭着，无论遇见谁，都问可曾碰见他的母亲。他对田鼠说：“你能钻到地下去，告诉我，我的母亲在哪儿？”田鼠却对他说：“你捣瞎了我的眼睛，我怎么知道呢？”他对梅花雀说：“你能在天空中飞行，看见全世界，告诉我，你能看见我的母亲吗？”梅花雀对他说：“你把我的翅膀也剪了，我怎能再飞呢？”又对独住在棕树上的小栗鼠说：“我的母亲在哪儿呀？”栗鼠对他说：“你杀了我的母亲，难道你还要杀你自己的母亲吗？”星孩儿只得哭着低下头，恳求上帝创造的生物宽恕他，然后继续在森林里穿行，寻找那女叫花的身影。第三天，他才走出森林，来到一个平原上。他每经过一个村子，孩子就会嘲弄他，用石头砸他；庄稼人连牛栏都不让他睡，说他会把谷物弄脏；就连雇工都赶他走，谁也不可怜他。虽然三年来他在世界各个地方都漂泊过，甚至常常觉得自己的亲娘就在前面走着。他喊她，追她，直到尖尖的石头把脚底刺出血来，才发现那竟然是一场梦幻。他无论在什么地方都打听不到母亲的行踪。所有路上的人，谁也不说曾经看见过他的母亲，或者看见像他母亲的人，反而作弄他，使他更添忧愁。三年来他走遍全世界，在流浪中得不到爱，得不到关切，也得不到仁慈，然而这正是他从前得意之时为他自己创造的世界啊！一天傍晚，他来到一处靠河的城门口，那城墙异常坚固，虽然已经非常疲倦，双脚也疼痛难忍，但他还是要进城去，只是守门的卫兵把刺刀横下来拦住他，恶狠狠地说：“你进城干什么？”他回答：“我是来找我母亲的，请准我进去吧，她或许就在里面呢！”守门的卫兵嘲笑他，有一个捻着胡须，放下盾牌，向他叫道：“老实说，就是你母亲看见你，也不会高兴的。你比泥沟里的癞蛤蟆还不如，在山上爬的毒蛇还比你俊俏一些，滚吧，你母亲不在这城里。”另一个手执杏黄旗的卫兵对他说：“你的母亲是谁？你为什么找她？”他说：“我母亲是个叫花子，同我差不多的样子，我从前待她不好，请准我进去，若是她在城里，找到她，或许她会饶恕我的。”但他们不答应，还要用矛刺他。星孩儿哭着转身走了，这时突然过来一人，身穿镀金花甲，盔上绣着飞狮，问那些士兵，要进城的是谁。他们便对他说：“是个叫花婆的儿子，也是个讨饭的，我们已经把他赶走了。”“不必，”那个人笑着喊道，“我们可以把这脏东西卖给别人去做奴隶，得来的钱还可以换一杯甜酒喝呢！”旁边正经过一个面目狰狞的老头儿，说道：“这家伙我买了。”说完他付了钱，一把拉住星孩儿，往城里走去。他掏出一条丝巾，把星孩儿眼睛蒙住，当丝巾解开的时候，星孩儿便发觉自己已待在一间土牢里，牢里点着油灯。老头儿用一个木盘盛了些面包皮，放在他面前说：“吃吧！”又用一个杯子装了些污水，也放在他面前说：“喝吧！”他吃完之后，老头儿便走出去，用铁索拴紧了大门。那老头儿是个狡猾的非洲术士，跟一个住在尼罗河畔皇墓里的人学过魔法。第二天，他走进来，蹙眉对他说：“在异教徒城门附近的一片森林里，有三块金子，一块是白金，一块是黄金，还有一块是赤金。今天你去帮我把白金拿来，如果拿不来，就打你一百鞭。快些去，太阳落山的时刻，我在花园门口等你。你是我的奴隶，我花一碗酒的价钱把你买来，不听我的话，小心我打断你的腿。”他用丝巾遮住星孩儿的眼睛，带着他走出房间，穿过罂粟花园，上了那五级铜梯，然后用戒指把门打开，把他放到街上去了。星孩儿走出城门，来到术士告诉他的森林。这林子，从外面看来十分美丽，里面似乎定居着许多鸟儿。星孩儿快快活活地朝里面走去。但是他无论到了哪里，地上总有又尖又粗的荆棘拦住他的路，凶恶的荨麻刺痛他，蓟也拿它的刺戳他，使得他痛苦不堪。术士要他拿的金子，从早晨寻到中午，中午寻到傍晚，怎么都找不着。日落时，他伤心地哭着往回走，命运对他真的太坏了，他不知道接下来将有什么样的事情发生在自己身上。但他刚走出森林边界，就听到树丛里传来一声哀叫，这时他忘记了自己的忧愁，跑到森林，才发现原来是一只小兔子落在猎人的陷阱里了。星孩儿很可怜它，就把它放了，对它说：“我自己也不过是个奴隶，但我竟可以给你自由。”兔儿回答它说：“你给了我自由，要我拿什么报答你呢？”星孩就对它说：“我正要找一块金子，但到处都找不着，若找不着，回去就要挨主人的打。”兔子说：“跟我来吧，我知道那东西藏在哪儿，并且为什么藏在那儿的原因我也知道。”于是星孩儿就跟在兔子后面，刚走到一棵橡树穴口边，就看见要找的金子正放在那儿。啊，他因此高兴极了，拿到金块，便对兔子说：“我不过为你做了一点小事，你却加倍地偿还我；我不过对你施了一点小恩，你却百倍地报答我。”兔子道：“不是这样说，只要你怎样待我，我就怎样待你。”说完它就很快地跑走了，星孩儿才转步回城。这时候，城门口正坐着一个麻风病人，脸上盖着一块灰帕，眼睛好像火炭一般通红。他见星孩儿走来，便敲着木碗，摇着铃子，大声向他叫道：“给我一点钱吧，我要饿死了，他们把我赶出城来，谁也不怜恤我。”“唉！”星孩儿叹气道，“可是我口袋里只有一块金子，不拿回去交给主人，他便会打我，我是他的奴隶呀！”但那麻风病人又央告他、请求他，星孩儿就发了慈悲心，把那块白金给他了。回到术士家里，术士给他开了门，领他进来，问道：“那块白金拿来了吗？”星孩儿回答：“没有拿来。”于是术士抓住他就一顿痛打，随后放一个空木盘在他面前，说：“吃吧！”又给他一个空杯子，说：“喝吧！”最后又把他关到地牢里去了。第二天，术士又来对他说：“假如今天你不把那块黄金拿来，我一定把你当奴隶看待，打你三百鞭。”星孩儿便再次来到森林里，去找那块黄金，找了一天，到处都找不着。日落时他便坐下来哭泣，正在这时，被他从陷阱里救起来的小兔子跑来了。兔子问他：“你为什么哭？你在这林子里找什么？”星孩儿说：“我要找一块藏在这森林里的黄金，假如找不着，我的主人就要打我，拿我当奴隶看待。”兔子叫道：“跟我来！”便往森林里跑去，他们来到一个水池旁边，才停下来，就在池底发现了那块黄金。星孩儿说：“我应该怎样感激你才好呢？啊，你救我，这已经是第二次了！”兔子说：“没关系，你曾可怜过我！”这样说着，便很快跑开了。星孩儿取了黄金，装进口袋里，急忙向城内走去。麻风病人刚见他来，又跪下向他叫着：“给我一点钱吧，我快饿死了！”星孩儿便对他说：“我口袋里只有一块黄金，而且不拿回去交给主人，他便要打我，拿我当奴隶看待。”但那麻风病人仍百般地哀求他，又动了星孩儿的恻隐之心，又把那块黄金也给了他。回到术士家里，术士给他开门，领他进去，便对他说：“那块黄金拿来了吗？”星孩儿说：“没有拿来。”于是术士抓住他，又痛打一顿，并且还套上锁链，把他打进土牢里。第二天，术士又来对他说：“如果今天你把那块赤金替我拿来，我就放你自由，如果不拿来，我一定把你杀死。”于是星孩儿再次来到森林里，找那块赤金，找了一天，怎么也找不着。傍晚他就坐下来哭泣，正在这时，小兔子又来了。小兔子问他：“你要找的那块赤金，就在你背后那个洞里，别哭了。”星孩儿便说：“我应当怎样感激你才好？啊，你救我，这已经是第三次了！”兔子说：“没关系，你曾可怜过我！”这样说着，很快地跑开了。星孩儿走进背后的那个洞里，在洞底找到了那块赤色的金子。他把它放进口袋，急忙向城里走来。那麻风病人看见他来，就站在路中央，向他叫道：“把那块赤金给我吧，我快要饿死了！”星孩儿又可怜他，把赤金也给了他，对他说：“你比我更需要它。”但他心里依然很难过，因为他知道死亡的阴影已笼罩在自己身上。但是，看啊！当他走进城门的时候，卫兵们都躬身行礼，说道：“我们的主多么好看啊，您是我们国王的儿子！”一群老百姓也跟在他后面欢呼：“世间绝没有这样好看的人！”星孩儿听见，反而哭泣起来，暗自说：“他们都瞧不起我，还要嘲弄我，拿我的不幸来寻开心。”这时拥挤的人越来越多，使他迷了路。在人群中一阵穿梭，他来到一个大广场，王宫便矗立在他的眼前。这时宫殿开了门，许多教士和大官都出来迎接他，伏在他身前，高声说道：“陛下便是先王的儿子，我们所期待的王！”星孩儿就回答他们道：“我不是什么先王的儿子，我只是个叫花婆的儿子，我知道我很丑，你们为什么要说我好看呢？”身穿镀金花甲，盔上绣着飞狮的那人便拿起盾牌给星孩儿当镜子，并叫道：“我王为什么说自己不好看呀？”“啊！”星孩儿一照，立刻惊叫起来，他的脸又同当初一样，美丽的面容复原了，并且他还看见自己的眼睛里有一种从来不曾有过的东西。教士和大官们便跪下来，对他说：“从前有位先知曾预言，统治我们的人就要在今天降临，所以请我王戴上这顶王冠，手持这个王杖，以正义与慈悲之心来做我们的国王吧！”但星孩儿对他们说：“我不配做一国之君，因为我以前虐待过我的生身之母，如果我找不着她，得不到饶恕，我是绝不会罢休的，所以请让我走吧。虽然你们把王冠、王杖都拿来给我，但我必须再到其他地方去寻她，不能在这儿耽搁！”说完，就转头往城门的那条街望去。啊，他突然发现，在围着兵士的人群中，他的母亲叫花婆竟然就在那儿，旁边站着那个坐在城门口向他讨要金子的麻风病人。他高兴得大叫起来，立刻跑过去跪下来吻母亲双脚，用自己的眼泪去清洗那些历经风霜的伤痕。他在灰地上磕着头，好像心胆俱碎的人那样痛哭着：“母亲啊，我在得意的时候虐待了您，如今在我失意时，您要了我吧！母亲啊，我给您的是憎恨，可是我却想要您的爱！母亲啊，我曾抛弃了您，现在请您收留不争气的儿子吧！”但那叫花婆却不回答他。他又伸手抱住那麻风病人的双腿，对他说：“我救过你三次，你替我求求她，让她再同我说一次话吧！”那麻风病人也不理他。于是他又哭泣起来：“母亲啊，我痛苦得实在不能忍受了，饶恕我吧，让我再回森林里去好了！”这时叫花婆就把手搁在他头上，对他说声：“起来！”麻风病人也把手搁在他头上，也对他说声：“起来！”。星孩儿站起身来，看着他们。啊，原来他们一个是国王，一个是王后。王后对他说：“这是你救助过的父亲。”国王又说：“这就是你用眼泪去洗她脚的母亲。”他们抱住星孩儿的额头吻他，把他带回王宫，给他穿上华丽的衣服，戴上王冠，又把王杖交给他，治理那座河畔边的王城，做了那个地方的国王。从此以后，他做了很多有利民生的善事，作恶的术士也被赶走了。对于樵夫两口子，送去许多贵重的大礼，以报答他们的养育之恩。他们的儿女，也赐了很大的恩典。并且他还不准人们虐待鸟兽，教人们要有和爱、慈悲、亲切与向善之心，没吃的给他面包，没穿的给他衣服，从此国家就平安富庶起来。然而他当政的时间并不长久，因为他所受的痛苦太深，所受的磨炼也太苦，三年后就死了，他死后继承王位的是一个很坏的国王。★、The Nightingale and the Rose“She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses，” cried the young Student; “but in all my garden there is no red rose.”From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him， and she looked out through the leaves， and wondered.“No red rose in all my garden！” he cried， and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. “Ah， on what little things does happiness depend！ I have read all that the wise men have written， and all the secrets of philosophy are mine， yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched.”“Here at last is a true lover，” said the Nightingale. “Night after night have I sung of him， though I knew him not： night after night have I told his story to the stars， and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-blossom， and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has made his face like pale ivory， and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow.”“The Prince gives a ball tomorrow night，” murmured the young Student， “and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a red rose she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose， I shall hold her in my arms， and she will lean her head upon my shoulder， and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden， so I shall sit lonely， and she will pass me by. She will have no heed of me， and my heart will break.”“Here indeed is the true lover，” said the Nightingale. “What I sing of， he suffers： what is joy to me， to him is pain. Surely Love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds， and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it， nor is it set forth in the market-place. It may not be purchased of the merchants， nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold.”“The musicians will sit in their gallery，” said the young Student， “and play upon their stringed instruments， and my love will dance to the sound of the harp and the violin. She will dance so lightly that her feet will not touch the floor， and the courtiers in their gay dresses will throng round her. But with me she will not dance， for I have no red rose to give her”； and he flung himself down on the grass， and buried his face in his hands， and wept.“Why is he weeping?” asked a little Green Lizard， as he ran past him with his tail in the air.“Why， indeed?” said a Butterfly， who was fluttering about after a sunbeam.“Why， indeed?” whispered a Daisy to his neighbour， in a soft， low voice.“He is weeping for a red rose，” said the Nightingale.“For a red rose?” they cried; “how very ridiculous！” and the little Lizard， who was something of a cynic， laughed outright.But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student’s sorrow， and she sat silent in the oak-tree， and thought about the mystery of Love.Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight， and soared into the air. She passed through the grove like a shadow， and like a shadow she sailed across the garden.In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree， and when she saw it she flew over to it， and lit upon a spray.“Give me a red rose，” she cried， “and I will sing you my sweetest song.”But the Tree shook its head.“My roses are white，” it answered; “as white as the foam of the sea， and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial， and perhaps he will give you what you want.”So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sun-dial.“Give me a red rose，” she cried， “and I will sing you my sweetest song.”But the Tree shook its head.“My roses are yellow，” it answered; “as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne， and yellower than the daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student’s window， and perhaps he will give you what you want.”So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student’s window.“Give me a red rose，” she cried， “and I will sing you my sweetest song.”But the Tree shook its head.“My roses are red，” it answered， “as red as the feet of the dove， and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins， and the frost has nipped my buds， and the storm has broken my branches， and I shall have no roses at all this year.”“One red rose is all I want，” cried the Nightingale， “only one red rose！ Is there no way by which I can get it?”“There is a way，” answered the Tree; “but it is so terrible that I dare not tell it to you.”“Tell it to me，” said the Nightingale， “I am not afraid.”“If you want a red rose，” said the Tree， “you must build it out of music by moonlight， and stain it with your own heart’s-blood. You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me， and the thorn must pierce your heart， and your life-blood must flow into my veins， and become mine.”“Death is a great price to pay for a red rose，” cried the Nightingale， “and Life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green wood， and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold， and the Moon in her chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn， and sweet are the bluebells that hide in the valley， and the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than Life， and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?”So she spread her brown wings for flight， and soared into the air. She swept over the garden like a shadow， and like a shadow she sailed through the grove.The young Student was still lying on the grass， where she had left him， and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.“Be happy，” cried the Nightingale， “be happy; you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight， and stain it with my own heart’s-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true lover， for Love is wiser than Philosophy， though she is wise， and mightier than Power， though he is mighty. Flame-coloured are his wings， and coloured like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as honey， and his breath is like frankincense.”The Student looked up from the grass， and listened， but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him， for he only knew the things that are written down in books.But the Oak-tree understood， and felt sad， for he was very fond of the little Nightingale who had built her nest in his branches.“Sing me one last song，” he whispered; “I shall feel very lonely when you are gone.”So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree， and her voice was like water bubbling from a silver jar.When she had finished her song the Student got up， and pulled a note-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket.“She has form，” he said to himself， as he walked away through the grove— “that cannot be denied to her; but has she got feeling? I am afraid not. In fact， she is like most artists; she is all style， without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music， and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still， it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything， or do any practical good.” And he went into his room， and lay down on his little pallet-bed， and began to think of his love; and， after a time， he fell asleep.And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the Rose-tree， and set her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang with her breast against the thorn， and the cold crystal Moon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang， and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast， and her life-blood ebbed away from her.She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl. And on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous rose， petal following petal， as song followed song. Pale was it， at first， as the mist that hangs over the river—pale as the feet of the morning， and silver as the wings of the dawn. As the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver， as the shadow of a rose in a water-pool， so was the rose that blossomed on the topmost spray of the Tree.But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. “Press closer， little Nightingale，” cried the Tree， “or the Day will come before the rose is finished.”So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn， and louder and louder grew her song， for she sang of the birth of passion in the soul of a man and a maid.And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose， like the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride. But the thorn had not yet reached her heart， so the rose’s heart remained white， for only a Nightingale’s heart’s-blood can crimson the heart of a rose.And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. “Press closer， little Nightingale，” cried the Tree， “or the Day will come before the rose is finished.”So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn， and the thorn touched her heart， and a fierce pang of pain shot through her. Bitter， bitter was the pain， and wilder and wilder grew her song， for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death， of the Love that dies not in the tomb.And the marvellous rose became crimson， like the rose of the eastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals， and crimson as a ruby was the heart.But the Nightingale’s voice grew fainter， and her little wings began to beat， and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her song， and she felt something choking her in her throat.Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it， and she forgot the dawn， and lingered on in the sky. The red rose heard it， and it trembled all over with ecstasy， and opened its petals to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills， and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the river， and they carried its message to the sea.“Look， look！” cried the Tree， “the rose is finished now;” but the Nightingale made no answer， for she was lying dead in the long grass， with the thorn in her heart.And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out.“Why， what a wonderful piece of luck！” he cried; “here is a red rose！ I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name;” and he leaned down and plucked it.Then he put on his hat， and ran up to the Professor’s house with the rose in his hand.The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue silk on a reel， and her little dog was lying at her feet.“You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red rose，” cried the Student. “Here is the reddest rose in all the world. You will wear it tonight next your heart， and as we dance together it will tell you how I love you.”But the girl frowned.“I am afraid it will not go with my dress，” she answered; “and， besides， the Chamberlain’s nephew has sent me some real jewels， and everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers.”“Well， upon my word， you are very ungrateful，” said the Student angrily; and he threw the rose into the street， where it fell into the gutter， and a cart-wheel went over it.“Ungrateful！” said the girl. “I tell you what， you are very rude; and， after all， who are you? Only a Student. Why， I don’t believe you have even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain’s nephew has;” and she got up from her chair and went into the house.“What I a silly thing Love is，” said the Student as he walked away. “It is not half as useful as Logic， for it does not prove anything， and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen， and making one believe things that are not true. In fact， it is quite unpractical， and， as in this age to be practical is everything， I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics.”So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book， and began to read.★、The Happy PrinceHigh above the city， on a tall column， stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold， for eyes he had two bright sapphires， and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt.He was very much admired indeed. “He is as beautiful as a weathercock，” remarked one of the Town Councillors who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes; “only not quite so useful，” he added， fearing lest people should think him unpractical， which he really was not.“Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince?” asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon. “The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything.”“I am glad there is some one in the world who is quite happy，” muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue.“He looks just like an angel，” said the Charity Children as they came out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white pinafores.“How do you know?” said the Mathematical Master， “you have never seen one.”“Ah！ but we have， in our dreams，” answered the children; and the Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe， for he did not approve of children dreaming.One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeks before， but he had stayed behind， for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the spring as he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth， and had been so attracted by her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her.“Shall I love you?” said the Swallow， who liked to come to the point at once， and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew round and round her， touching the water with his wings， and making silver ripples. This was his courtship， and it lasted all through the summer.“It is a ridiculous attachment，” twittered the other Swallows; “she has no money， and far too many relations;” and indeed the river was quite full of Reeds. Then， when the autumn came they all flew away.After they had gone he felt lonely， and began to tire of his lady love. “She has no conversation，” he said， “and I am afraid that she is a coquette， for she is always flirting with the wind.” And certainly， whenever the wind blew， the Reed made the most graceful curtseys. “I admit that she is domestic，” he continued， “but I love travelling， and my wife， consequently， should love travelling also.”“Will you come away with me?” he said finally to her; but the Reed shook her head， she was so attached to her home.“You have been trifling with me，” he cried. “I am off to the Pyramids. Good-bye！” and he flew away.All day long he flew， and at night-time he arrived at the city. “Where shall I put up?” he said; “I hope the town has made preparations.”Then he saw the statue on the tall column.“I will put up there，” he cried; “it is a fine position， with plenty of fresh air.” So he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince.“I have a golden bedroom，” he said softly to himself as he looked round， and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head under his wing a large drop of water fell on him. “What a curious thing！” he cried; “there is not a single cloud in the sky， the stars are quite clear and bright， and yet it is raining. The climate in the north of Europe is really dreadful. The Reed used to like the rain， but that was merely her selfishness.”Then another drop fell.“What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep the rain off ？” he said; “I must look for a good chimney-pot，” and he determined to fly away.But before he had opened his wings， a third drop fell， and he looked up， and saw—Ah！ what did he see?The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears， and tears were running down his golden cheeks. His face was so beautiful in the moonlight that the little Swallow was filled with pity.“Who are you?” he said.“I am the Happy Prince.”“Why are you weeping then?” asked the Swallow; “you have quite drenched me.”“When I was alive and had a human heart，” answered the statue， “I did not know what tears were， for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci， where sorrow is not allowed to enter. In the daytime I played with my companions in the garden， and in the evening I led the dance in the Great Hall. Round the garden ran a very lofty wall， but I never cared to ask what lay beyond it， everything about me was so beautiful. My courtiers called me the Happy Prince， and happy indeed I was， if pleasure be happiness. So I lived， and so I died. And now that I am dead they have set me up here so high that I can see all the ugliness and all the misery of my city， and though my heart is made of lead yet I cannot chose but weep.”“What！ is he not solid gold?” said the Swallow to himself. He was too polite to make any personal remarks out loud.“Far away，” continued the statue in a low musical voice， “far away in a little street there is a poor house. One of the windows is open， and through it I can see a woman seated at a table. Her face is thin and worn， and she has coarse， red hands， all pricked by the needle， for she is a seamstress. She is embroidering passion-flowers on a satin gown for the loveliest of the Queen’s maids-of-honour to wear at the next Court-ball. In a bed in the corner of the room her little boy is lying ill. He has a fever， and is asking for oranges. His mother has nothing to give him but river water， so he is crying. Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow， will you not bring her the ruby out of my sword-hilt? My feet are fastened to this pedestal and I cannot move.”“I am waited for in Egypt，” said the Swallow. “My friends are flying up and down the Nile， and talking to the large lotus-flowers. Soon they will go to sleep in the tomb of the great King. The King is there himself in his painted coffin. He is wrapped in yellow linen， and embalmed with spices. Round his neck is a chain of pale green jade， and his hands are like withered leaves.”“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “will you not stay with me for one night， and be my messenger? The boy is so thirsty， and the mother so sad.”“I don’t think I like boys，” answered the Swallow. “Last summer， when I was staying on the river， there were two rude boys， the miller’s sons， who were always throwing stones at me. They never hit me， of course; we swallows fly far too well for that， and besides， I come of a family famous for its agility; but still， it was a mark of disrespect.”But the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little Swallow was sorry. “It is very cold here，” he said; “but I will stay with you for one night， and be your messenger.”“Thank you， little Swallow，” said the Prince.So the Swallow picked out the great ruby from the Prince’s sword， and flew away with it in his beak over the roofs of the town.He passed by the cathedral tower， where the white marble angels were sculptured. He passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing. A beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover. “How wonderful the stars are，” he said to her， “and how wonderful is the power of love！”“I hope my dress will be ready in time for the State-ball，” she answered; “I have ordered passion-flowers to be embroidered on it; but the seamstresses are so lazy.”He passed over the river， and saw the lanterns hanging to the masts of the ships. He passed over the Ghetto， and saw the old Jews bargaining with each other， and weighing out money in copper scales. At last he came to the poor house and looked in. The boy was tossing feverishly on his bed， and the mother had fallen asleep， she was so tired. In he hopped， and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman’s thimble. Then he flew gently round the bed， fanning the boy’s forehead with his wings. “How cool I feel，” said the boy， “I must be getting better;” and he sank into a delicious slumber.Then the Swallow flew back to the Happy Prince， and told him what he had done. “It is curious，” he remarked， “but I feel quite warm now， although it is so cold.”“That is because you have done a good action，” said the Prince. And the little Swallow began to think， and then he fell asleep. Thinking always made him sleepy.When day broke he flew down to the river and had a bath. “What a remarkable phenomenon，” said the Professor of Ornithology as he was passing over the bridge. “A swallow in winter！” And he wrote a long letter about it to the local newspaper. Every one quoted it， it was full of so many words that they could not understand.“Tonight I go to Egypt，” said the Swallow， and he was in high spirits at the prospect. He visited all the public monuments， and sat a long time on top of the church steeple. Wherever he went the Sparrows chirruped， and said to each other， “What a distinguished stranger！” so he enjoyed himself very much.When the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince. “Have you any commissions for Egypt?” he cried; “I am just starting.”“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “will you not stay with me one night longer?”“I am waited for in Egypt，” answered the Swallow. “Tomorrow my friends will fly up to the Second Cataract. The river-horse couches there among the bulrushes， and on a great granite throne sits the God Memnon. All night long he watches the stars， and when the morning star shines he utters one cry of joy， and then he is silent. At noon the yellow lions come down to the water’s edge to drink. They have eyes like green beryls， and their roar is louder than the roar of the cataract.“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “far away across the city I see a young man in a garret. He is leaning over a desk covered with papers， and in a tumbler by his side there is a bunch of withered violets. His hair is brown and crisp， and his lips are red as a pomegranate， and he has large and dreamy eyes. He is trying to finish a play for the Director of the Theatre， but he is too cold to write any more. There is no fire in the grate， and hunger has made him faint.”“I will wait with you one night longer，” said the Swallow， who really had a good heart. “Shall I take him another ruby?”“Alas！ I have no ruby now，” said the Prince; “my eyes are all that I have left. They are made of rare sapphires， which were brought out of India a thousand years ago. Pluck out one of them and take it to him. He will sell it to the jeweller， and buy food and firewood， and finish his play.”“Dear Prince，” said the Swallow， “I cannot do that”； and he began to weep.“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “do as I command you.”So the Swallow plucked out the Prince’s eye， and flew away to the student’s garret. It was easy enough to get in， as there was a hole in the roof. Through this he darted， and came into the room. The young man had his head buried in his hands， so he did not hear the flutter of the bird’s wings， and when he looked up he found the beautiful sapphire lying on the withered violets.“I am beginning to be appreciated，” he cried; “this is from some great admirer. Now I can finish my play，” and he looked quite happy.The next day the Swallow flew down to the harbour. He sat on the mast of a large vessel and watched the sailors hauling big chests out of the hold with ropes. “Heave a-hoy！” they shouted as each chest came up. “I am going to Egypt！” cried the Swallow， but nobody minded， and when the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince.“I am come to bid you good-bye，” he cried.“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “will you not stay with me one night longer?”“It is winter，” answered the Swallow， “and the chill snow will soon be here. In Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm-trees， and the crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them. My companions are building a nest in the Temple of Baalbec， and the pink and white doves are watching them， and cooing to each other. Dear Prince， I must leave you， but I will never forget you， and next spring I will bring you back two beautiful jewels in place of those you have given away. The ruby shall be redder than a red rose， and the sapphire shall be as blue as the great sea.”“In the square below，” said the Happy Prince， “there stands a little match-girl. She has let her matches fall in the gutter， and they are all spoiled. Her father will beat her if she does not bring home some money， and she is crying. She has no shoes or stockings， and her little head is bare. Pluck out my other eye， and give it to her， and her father will not beat her.”“I will stay with you one night longer，” said the Swallow， “but I cannot pluck out your eye. You would be quite blind then.”“Swallow， Swallow， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “do as I command you.”So he plucked out the Prince’s other eye， and darted down with it. He swooped past the match-girl， and slipped the jewel into the palm of her hand. “What a lovely bit of glass，” cried the little girl; and she ran home， laughing.Then the Swallow came back to the Prince. “You are blind now，” he said， “so I will stay with you always.”“No， little Swallow，” said the poor Prince， “you must go away to Egypt.”“I will stay with you always，” said the Swallow， and he slept at the Prince’s feet.All the next day he sat on the Prince’s shoulder， and told him stories of what he had seen in strange lands. He told him of the red ibises， who stand in long rows on the banks of the Nile， and catch gold-fish in their beaks; of the Sphinx， who is as old as the world itself， and lives in the desert， and knows everything; of the merchants， who walk slowly by the side of their camels， and carry amber beads in their hands; of the King of the Mountains of the Moon， who is as black as ebony， and worships a large crystal; of the great green snake that sleeps in a palm-tree， and has twenty priests to feed it with honey-cakes; and of the pygmies who sail over a big lake on large flat leaves， and are always at war with the butterflies.“Dear little Swallow，” said the Prince， “you tell me of marvellous things， but more marvellous than anything is the suffering of men and of women. There is no Mystery so great as Misery. Fly over my city， little Swallow， and tell me what you see there.”So the Swallow flew over the great city， and saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses， while the beggars were sitting at the gates. He flew into dark lanes， and saw the white faces of starving children looking out listlessly at the black streets. Under the archway of a bridge two little boys were lying in one another’s arms to try and keep themselves warm. “How hungry we are！” they said. “You must not lie here，” shouted the Watchman， and they wandered out into the rain.Then he flew back and told the Prince what he had seen.“I am covered with fine gold，” said the Prince， “you must take it off， leaf by leaf， and give it to my poor; the living always think that gold can make them happy.”Leaf after leaf of the fine gold the Swallow picked off， till the Happy Prince looked quite dull and grey. Leaf after leaf of the fine gold he brought to the poor， and the children’s faces grew rosier， and they laughed and played games in the street. “We have bread now！” they cried.Then the snow came， and after the snow came the frost. The streets looked as if they were made of silver， they were so bright and glistening; long icicles like crystal daggers hung down from the eaves of the houses， everybody went about in furs， and the little boys wore scarlet caps and skated on the ice.The poor little Swallow grew colder and colder， but he would not leave the Prince， he loved him too well. He picked up crumbs outside the baker’s door when the baker was not looking and tried to keep himself warm by flapping his wings.But at last he knew that he was going to die. He had just strength to fly up to the Prince’s shoulder once more. “Good-bye， dear Prince！” he murmured， “will you let me kiss your hand?”“I am glad that you are going to Egypt at last， little Swallow，” said the Prince， “you have stayed too long here; but you must kiss me on the lips， for I love you.”“It is not to Egypt that I am going，” said the Swallow. “I am going to the House of Death. Death is the brother of Sleep， is he not?”