The Little Lame Prince

her of his people," as all kings ought to be? Did his reign last long-long and happy?

ays with play. (Besides, I have a small person belonging to me, who, though she likes extremely to listen to the word-of-mouth story of this book, grumbles much

history of Nomansland I am as yet unacquainted. If anybody knows it, perha

n daily life, for having such a godmother as the little old woman clothed in gray, whose name is-well, I leave you to guess. Nor, I think, is a

people worried and bothered him-as they did sometimes, with state etiquette, state squabbles, and the like, setting up themselves and pulling down their neighbor

e alarm-as sometimes they did-for what people can exist without a little fault-finding?-and began to cry out, "Un-happy is the nation whose king is a chi

d righteously command. He assembled round him all the good and wise of his kingdom-laid all i

h, though many guessed at, nobody quite understood. Nor did they understand why he loved so the little upper room, except that it had be

mes. Only now it was less for his own pleasure and amusement than to see something or investigate something for the good of the country. But he prized his godmother'

A council of eminent surgeons and mechanicians invented for him a wonderful pair of crutches, with the help of which, though he never walked easily or gracefully, he did manage to walk so as to be quite independent

for all the duties and a great many of the pleasures of his rank. When he held his levees, not standing, but seated on a throne ingeniously contrived to hide his infirmity, the people thro

bravely, trying to forget himself, and live out of himself, and in and for other people. Therefore other people grew to love

desired no other. But perhaps the real reason was that he shrank from any change; and that no wife in all the world

d the throne. He was very civil to them all, but adopted none of the names they had given him, keeping to the one by which he ha

s nurse, and ordained that from henceforth there should be no such thing as the punishment of death in Nomansland. All capital criminals were to be sent to perpet

by he chose the eldest son of his eldest cousin (who had been dead a year), and had him educated in the royal palace, as the heir to the throne. This little prince was a quiet, unobtrusive boy,

the best runner, the highest leaper, the keenest and most active sportsman in the country. "One can

autiful Mountains. He sent for her to visit him once a year, and treated her with great honor until she died. He was equally kind, though somewhat less tender, to his other nurse, who, a

nd did it too; also because he was his godmother's godson, and could shut himself up with her whenever he liked, in that quiet little room in view of the Beautiful Mountains, which nobody else ever saw or cared to see. They were too far

e of the most extraordinary acts ever known in a sovereign beloved by his people and prosperous in his reign. He announced that he wished to i

ng, who was not a young king now? And besides, the nation had a great ad

oung fellow; tall and straight as a poplar tree, with a frank, handsome face-a great deal handsomer than the king, some people said, but others thought differently. However, as his Majesty sat on his throne, with his gray

ke, in his own accustomed way, using no grand words, but saying what he had to say in the simplest fashion

t least, as much as I was able to do. Many might have done it better than I-but none

none could well tell; then it died down again,

the King. "You are prosperous and at peace. I leave you in good

o had sometimes found fault with him shouted louder

een him as a child, declared that his face took a sudden change, and grew as young and sweet as that of the little Prince Dolor. "Yes, I must go. It is t

ves in an instant. With a joyful countenance, he muttered over it a few half-intelligible words. Then, so suddenly that even those nearest to his Majesty could not tell how i

not usually build their nests in the pavement of city squares. But there it was, a real lark, singin

ople stood until the whole vision disappeared like a speck in t

had done there lasted for years and years; he was long missed and deeply mourned

er took him on his traveling-cloak to the Beautiful Mountains. What he did there, or where he is now,

n I think o

VISIBL

o fault whatever in her dear Furibon, as he was named. The surest way to win her favor was to praise Furibon for charms he did not possess. When he came of age to have a governor, the king made choice of a prince who had an ancient right to the

their obeisance to him, treating Furibon as a mere dwarf, at which the latter was so offended that he drew his sword, and would have done them a mischief ha

increase, he retired into a shady grove and began to play upon the flute to amuse himself. As he played, he felt something wind about his leg, and looking down saw a great adder: he took his handkerchief, and catching it by the head was going to kill it. But the adder, looking steadfastly in

sand extraordinary colors, perceived the poor creature still looked upon him with an a

, and carrying the snake with him, put it into a large chamber, the key of which he kept himself, and ordered bran, milk, and flowers to be given to it, for its delight and sustenance; so that never was snake so happy. Leander went some

power over the queen made him feared; they told him what the ladies said, which enraged him to such a degree that in his passion he flew to the queen's chamber, and vowed he would kill himself before her face if she did not find means to destroy Leander. The queen, who also hated Leander,

find some way to punish h

but before he had got quite out of sight, a lion of prodigious size, coming out of his den, leaped upon Furibon; all his followers fled, and only Leander remained; who, attacking the animal sword in hand, by his valor and agility saved the life of his most cruel enemy, who had fallen in a swoon from fear. When he recovered, Leander presented him his horse to remount. Now, any other than such a wretch would have been grateful, but Furibon did not even look upon him;

Furibon, "and if ever you come into m

e would travel abroad and see the world. Being ready to depart, he recollected his snake, and, calling for some milk and fruits, carried them to the poor creature for the last time; but on opening the door he perceived an extraordinary luster in one corner of the room, a

and this term being expired, we become snakes for eight days. During that time it is not in our power to prevent any misfortune that may befall us; and if we happen to be killed, we never revive again. But these eight days being expire

long time before he could speak. But at length, making a profound reverence, "Madam," said he,

w on you long life, kingdoms, riches; to give you mines of diamonds and houses full of gold; I can make you an ex

e, madam," said he, "to ask you what be

without wings, to descend into the abyss of the earth without dying, and walk at the bottom of the sea without being drowned; nor doors, nor w

am going to travel, and should prefer it above all tho

bracing him, she gave him a little red cap with a plume of feathers. "When you put on t

uld fall into it, and the power of the fairy not be able to save him. But he arrived in safety at the rose-bushes, plucked the three roses, and returned immediately to his chamber; presented his roses to the fairy, overjoyed that his first experiments had succeeded so well. She bade him keep the roses, for that on

e, putting his hair aside that he might the better hear what was said. At the same time, Leander entered the court-hall of the palace with his red cap upon his head, and perceiving Furibon listening at the door of the king's chamber, he took a nail and a hammer and nailed his ear to the door. Furibon began to roar, so that the queen, hearing her son's voice, ran and opened the door, and, pulling it hastily, tore her son's ear from his head. Half out of her wits, she set him in her lap, took up his ear, kissed it, and clapped it again upon its place; but the invisible Leander, seizing upon a handful of twigs, with which they corrected the king's little dogs, gave the queen several lashes upon her hands, and her son as many on the nose: upon which the queen cried out, "Murd

rget the pain of thy ear but for a moment, and fetch that vile wretch hither; t

h oranges. But when they came running toward him, thinking to have seized him, he was not to be seen; he had slipped behind Furibon, who was in a bad condition already. But

length he arrived in a forest, where he stopped to shelter himself from the heat. He had not been above a minute there before he heard a lamentable noise of sighing and sobbing; and looking about him, beheld a man, who ran, stopped, then ran again, sometimes crying, sometimes silent, then tearing his hair, then thumping his breast like some unfort

rief; this day my dear mistress is to be sacrificed to a

e you, then?"

lf so," answere

he?" contin

e end of this forest

here till I come again, and in a litt

where the friends and kindred of the old man and the young lady were assembled. No one could look more amiable than she; but the paleness of her complexion, t

n the floor. Her husband asked what ailed her: she cried that she was a dead woman if the marriage of her daughter went forward, and therefore she would not consent to it for all the world. Her husband laughed at her and called her a fool. But the invisible Leander accosting the man, threatened him in the same way, which frightened him so terribly that he also insisted on the marriage being broken off. When the lover complained, Lean

ders. Two of her brothers led her by each hand, and her mother followed her with a great crowd of men and women. Leander, being invisible, cried out, "Stop, stop, wicked brethren: stop, rash and inconsiderate mother; if you proceed any further, you shall be squeezed to death like so many frogs." They looked about, but could not conceive from whence these terrible menaces came. The brothers said it was only their sister's lover, who had hid himself in some hole; at which Leander, in wrath, to

ut him every way, at length he spied four men well armed, who were carrying away by force a young lady, thirteen o

e who seemed to be the ringleader o

d Leander, "and go a

t otherwise prudent to attack four who seemed strong enough to fight a dozen. One of them stayed to take care of

princess," said she, "how happy was I in your palace! Did you but know

by two kicks with his hoof, rid himself of the two ruffians who had pursued him: one of them had his head broken and the other three of his ribs. And now Leander only wanted to overtake Abricotina; for he thought her so handsome that he wished to see her again. He found her leaning against a tree. When she saw Gris-de-line coming toward her, "How lucky am I!" cried she; "this pretty little horse will carry me to the palace of pleasure." Leander heard her, though s

sir," said she, "I am infinitely obliged to you; but I wa

er you have been in has disturbed yo

after they had talked for some time of indifferent things, Leander requested her to tel

rself and daughter in the Island of Calm Delights. The princess, who is my mistress, being very fair, has many lovers-among others, one named Furibon, whom she detests; h

Abricotina assured him this was impossible, and therefore he had better forget all about it. While they were t

prince, making a profound reveren

at I may now and then have a sm

river, where he unbridled and unsaddled Gris-de-line; then, putting on his little cap, w

ll the various creatures which it produces; the chases of Diana and her nymphs; the noble exercises of the Amazons; the amusements of a country life; flocks of sheep with their shepherds and dogs; the toils of agriculture, harvesting, gardening.

much ado to take them off again. He viewed a vast number of these apartments, some full of china, no less fine than curious; others lined with porcelain, so delicate that the walls were quite transparent. Coral, jasper, agates, and cornelians adorned the rooms of state, and the presence-chamber was one e

eing very desirous to speak, assumed the tone of a parrot, for there

immediately. She was in great danger of being carried awa

at the parrot, his answer

id the princess; "and Abricotina, when

, she will let you know the great desire that stranger had to be admitted into this palace, that

cess, "it is a pity you are not every day

princess," replied Leander, "I wi

ss, "how shall I be sure my

an any sorcerer can be

lovely mistress' feet, gave her a full account of what had be

he is! His air and all his behavior have something in them so noble; and though whateve

oncerning the prince; whether she knew his name, his country, his birth, from whence he

hing, and continued to

said he; "that poor stranger will

since thou undertakest to reason like a person of wit, and not a litt

d he to himself, "that the masterpiece of nature, that the wonder of our age, should be confined eternally in an island, and no mortal dare to approach her? But," continued he, "wher

with an agreeable coolness. As soon as she entered the music began, a sumptuous supper was served up, and the birds from several a

y-cat, for which she had a great kindness. This cat one of the maids of honor held in her arms, saying, "Madam, Bluet is hungry!" With that a chair was presently brought for the cat; for he was a cat of qu

in his life, and I dare say is not descended from a better family than myself, has the hono

that whatever was set before Master Puss disappeared in a trice. The whole court said no cat ever ate with a better appetite. There were excellent ragouts, and the prince made use of the cat's paw to taste them; but he sometimes

to make such large meals without drinking. By the help of the cat's paw he got a melon, with which he somewhat q

nd make fast the door; but they could not keep out Leander, who was there as s

te in your description of the unknown prince, for methin

have failed in anything, it was in

e; then resuming her speech: "I am glad," sa

to admire the wonders of these beautiful mansions, what harm could he have done us? Will you live eternally unknown in a corner

princess, "and do not disturb that hap

d she thought it was to very little purpose her mistress having sent her picture to the courts of several princes, where it only served to make those wh

ess, "I could wish my picture were

s not his desire to see you violent

e of vanity, which I was never sensible of t

r expressions gave him hope, others absolutely destroyed it. The princess presently

ures that resembled little children: they skip and dance upon the trees l

ess; "but if they are so nimble as you say

where, he had heard, a man might have everything for money, he went and bought a little gold chariot. He taught six green monkeys to draw it; they were harnessed with fine traces of flame-colored morocco leather. He went to another place, where he met with two monkeys of merit, the m

ose of Briscambril and Pierceforest. To say the truth, Leander conducted the whole machine. He drew the chariot where Briscambril sat arrayed as a king, and making him hold a box of diamonds in his hand, he presented it with a becoming grace to the princess. The princess' surprise may be easily imagined. Moreover, Briscambril m

ut on every side, he spied a painter's pallet, with colors ready prepared and pencils. Remembering what the princess had said to Abricotina touching her own portrait, he immediately (for he could paint as well as the most excellent masters) seated himself before a mirror and drew his own picture first; then, in an oval, that of the princess. He had all her features so strong in his imagination that he had no occasion for her sitting; and as his desire to please her had set him to work, never did portrait bear a stronger resemblance. He had painted himself upon one knee, holding the princess' picture in one hand, and in the other a label with this inscription, "She

e of that generous stranger to whom I am indebted for my life. Y

the princess, "but I know it wa

bold as to conceal from your knowledge a thing that so nearly concerns you? And by what miracle could I

t have brought it hithe

"Was it not rather some lover? And therefore, if y

abinet." And saying these words, she cast her eyes upon it. But Abricotina continued obstinate in he

r in my heart,'" said the prin

ything," said Abricotina, "no

ithout being perceived. He had hardly quitted the cabinet, when the princess turned about to look once more upon that enchanting picture, which had so delighted her. But how was she surprised

le with the tabby-cat, who fared never the worse for that; but his satisfaction was far from being complete, seeing he dur

er, which he kept always locked. When he had thus collected together all the rarities he could meet with-for he never wanted money, his rose always supplying him-he went and bought five or six dozen of dolls, which he caused to be dressed at Paris, the place in the world where most regard is paid to fashions. They were all dressed differently, and as magnificent as could be, and Leander placed them all in the princess' closet. When she entered it, she was agreeably surprised to see such company of little mutes, every one decked with watches bracelets, diamond buckles, or necklaces; and the most remarkable of t

ighboring walks. The princess threw herself upon a bank of green turf, sighed, wept, and even talked, but so softly that Leander could not hear what she said. He had put his red cap on, that she might not see him at first; but having taken it off, she beheld him standing on the pedestal. At first she took him for a real statue, for he observed exactly the attitude in which he had placed himself, without moving so much as a finger. She beheld with a kind of pleasure intermixed with fear, but pleasure soon dispelled her fear, and she continued to view the pleasing figure, which so exactly resembled life. The prince having tuned his lyre, began to play; at which the princess, greatly surprised, could not resist the fear that seized her; she grew pale and fell into a swoon. Leander leaped from the pedestal, and putting on his littl

all the wonders of the animated statue; that it had played divinely, and tha

should be so frightful, for nothing can be m

"that he is frightful? If he is the youth wh

am I from such a happiness! I love a mere shadow; and this fatal picture, joined to what thou hast told me, have inspired me w

ve you not troubles enough already? Why should you

hat pleasure Leander to

efended by Amazons, and that unless he sent a very powerful army, it would be impossible to get into it. The king his father was dead, and Furibon was now lord of all: disdaining, therefore, any repulse, he raised an army of four hundred thousand men, and put himself at the head of them, appearing like another Tom Thumb upon a war-

him. All my cares and precepts have not been able to guard her from the tyranny of love, and she is now under its fatal dominion. But it is the decr

might perhaps prevail with him to retire. Thereupon, he dressed himself like an Amazon, and wished himself in the forest, to catch his horse. He had no sooner called him than Gris-de-line came leaping, prancing, and neighing for joy, for he was grown quite weary of being so long absent from his dear master; but when he beheld him dressed as a woman he hardly kne

unting, and therefore, if he would say how many rooms full he desired to have, the princess was generous and rich enough to satisfy him. Furibon was astonished to hear that, instead of entreating, she would rather offer more; and it came into his wicked mind to take all the money he could get, and then seize the Amazon and kill her, that she might never return to her mistress. He told Leander, therefore, that he would have thirty chambers of gold, all full to the ceiling. Leander, being conducted into the chambers, took his rose and shook it, till every room was filled with all sorts o

elights, where he found the princess walking, and with grief considering th

stonished her so that she could not tell what to think of it; but her amazement was i

rincess, ce

whose head

owing Leander'

ble person who speaks is the

med astonished,

e and the stranger are the same person, I confes

ed there in his usual habit, everybody knew him; all the officers and soldiers surrounded him, uttering the loudest acclamations of joy. In short, they acknowledged him for their king, and that the crown of right belonge

fire, without substance, as Abricotina told me?" She softly touched his hair, and heard him breathe, and looked at him as if she could have looked forever. While she was thus occupied, her mother, the fairy entered with such a noise that Leander started out of his sleep. But how deeply was he afflicted to behold his beloved princess in the most deplorable condition! Her mother dragged her by the hair and loaded her with a thousand bitter reproaches. In what grief and consternation were the two young lovers, who saw themselves now upon the point of bein

eacheries of which lovers are capable. They bewitch us only to poison o

" replied Leander, and his cou

bable that she would have never pardoned them, had not the lovely Gentilla appeared

hen I never desired any favor at your hands, but now the time is come. Pardon, then, this lovely princess; consent to her nuptials with this young prince. I will engage he shall b

whatever you desire. Come, my dear children, and r

Leander; she knew him again, and saw he was perfe

ll remove the Island of Calm Delights into your own ki

m her hands. This short compliment pleased the fairy exceedingly, for she belonged to those ancient days when people used to stand a whole day upon one leg compliment

CE C

d been half-killed by his hounds, leaped right into his majesty's arms. Said he, caressing it: "This poor creature has put itself under my protection, and I will allow no one

or brocade; but her flowing robes were white as snow, and she wore a garland of white roses on her head. The Good King was greatly aston

myself into a white rabbit and took refuge in your arms. You saved me and now I know that those who are merciful to dum beasts will be ten times more so to human beings. You merit the name your subjec

my telling you, the wish of my heart. I have one well-beloved son, Prin

handsomest, richest, or most powerful prince in

o be good-the best prince in the whole world. Of what use wo

ernal fortunes; for his personal character, the utmost I can promise is to give him good counsel, reprove him for

t the kindness of a fairy was something gained for hi

ngdoms and treasures to keep him in life a little longer. Two days after the Good King was no more,

mall gold ring upon his finger. "Poor as it looks, it is more precious than diamonds; for whenever you do ill it will prick your

such amazement that he would have believed i

m so much that he showed his ill temper by his looks and ways. He fancied his ring felt very tight and uncomfortable, but as it did not prick him he took no heed of this: until, re-entering his palace, his little pet dog, Bibi, jumped up upon him an

making game of me. Why, what great evil have I done! I,

evil. I-a fairy-am as much above you as you are above your dog. I might punish you, kill you, if I chose; but I prefer lea

im and made him angry. His ring began to prick him so often that his little finger was continually bleeding. He disliked this, as was natural, and soon began to consider whether it would not be easier to throw the ring away altogether than to be constantly annoyed by it. It was such a queer thin

etermined to espouse her. He never doubted that she would be only too glad to be made a queen, for she was ve

ce, into whose mind it had never ent

ery handsome, very charming; but you are not like your father the G

s guards to convey Zelia to a prison near the palace, and then took counsel with hi

nd water till she comes to her senses; and if she still refuses you, let her die in torment, as a warning to your other subject

l I not be disgraced if I harm a

e courtier, bowing; "and it is better to commit an injustice than a

cuse, for he had kept the key in his pocket the whole time. At last, the foster-brother suggested that the escape of Zelia might have been contrived by an old man, Suliman by name, the prince's former tutor, who was the only one who now ventured to blame him for anything that he did.

counsels were forgotten, my punishment despised. Under the figure of a man, you have been no better than the beasts you chase: like a lion in

e with the head of a lion, the horns of a bull, the feet of a wolf, and the tail of a serpent. At the same time he felt himself transported

soul has become a thousand ti

rage would have sprung upon her and devoured her; b

to conquer thy pride by being in

when he tumbled into a pitfall that was laid to catch bears; the bear-hunters, descending from some trees hard by, caught him, chaine

his subjects, had just been struck dead by a thunderbolt-just punishment of all his crimes. Four courtiers, his wicked companions, had wished to divide

he populace by representing to them that it was not certain Prince Cherry was dead; that he might ret

ed, but not corrupt. If alive, he may reform yet, and be all his fathe

arried him about, became gentle as a lamb, and suffered himself to be taken quietly to a menagerie, where were kept all sorts of str

ager to devour him. Cherry at first felt a thrill of pleasure at the thought of being revenged; then, seeing how helpless the man was, he wished himself free, that he might defend him. Immediately the doors of his cage opened. The keeper, waking up, saw the strange beast leap out, and imagined, of course, that he was going to be sla

ave the charming little dog; and Cherry would have been exceedingly happy could he have forgotten that he was originally a man and a king. He was lodged most elegantly, had the richest of collars to adorn his neck, and heard himself praised continually. But

e, glittering with gold and precious stones. Entering the doors was a crowd of men and women, magnificently dressed; and within there was singing and dancing and good cheer of all sorts. Yet, however grandly and gayly the people went in, Cherry noticed that those who came out were p

" said he to himself; "I know what it is to be hungry, and I want my breakfast badly enough; but s

girl dragged by four men to the door of the palace, which they were trying to compel her to enter. Oh, how he wished himself a monster again, as when he slew the tiger!-for the young girl was no other than his beloved Zelia. Alas! what could a po

; and did I not do the same myself? Did I not cast her into prison, and intend to sell her as a slave? Who knows

f it a bit of dainty meat. Cherry, who felt hungry enough by this time, was just abou

him, "every bit of food in that palace i

Cherry found himself changed into a beautiful little white pigeon. He remembered with joy that whi

up to the palace windows, and, finding one of them open, entered and sought everywhere, but he could not f

t, sitting beside an old hermit in his cave and par-taking with him his frugal repast, Cherry saw a poor peasant girl and recognize

essed it in her turn, and promised it that if i

natural form. "Your enchantment ended, prince, when Zelia promised to love you. Indeed, she has loved you always, but your many faults const

o change. His soiled garments became of dazzling whiteness, and his long beard and w

sport you to your palace and restore to Prince Che

of Suliman, who, delighted to find again his beloved pupil and master, wi

r was so blameless and strict in all his duties that though he constantly wore the ring wh

CE WITH

o a good fairy to inquire what he should do. Said the fairy, after receiving him graciously: "Sir, I will tell you a great secret. The princess has a great cat

s it was wont to do. The king lifted up his foot, thinking nothing would be so easy as to tread on the tail, but he found himself mistaken. Minon-that was the creature's name-twisted itself round so sharply that the king only hurt his own foot by stamping on the floor. For eight days did he purs

changed from a cat into a large, fierce-looking

with a nose as long as-that;" he made in the air a curve of half a foot; "yet he shall believe it is just like all other noses, and shall be always unfor

might have a worse misfortune than too long a nose," thought he. "At least it will hinder

and died before his little son was born, so that

ing her that the nose was not nearly so large as it seemed, that it would grow smaller as the prince grew bigger, and that if it did not a large nose was indispensable to a hero. All great soldiers, they said, had great noses, as everybody knew. The queen was so very fond of her son that she listened e

ries carry their fancy, that the noses of all the little babies were ordered to be pulled out as far as possible several times a day, in order to make them grow. But grow as they would, they never could grow as long as that of Prince Wish. When he was old enough his tutor taught him history; and whenever any great king or lovely prince

as! with all her beauty, this princess had one great misfortune, a little turned-up nose, which, every one else said made her only the more bewitching. But here, in the kingdom of Prince Wish, the courtiers were thrown by it into the utmost perpl

ugh it was indispensably necessary for a man to have a great nose, women were very different; and that a learned man had discovered in a very old manuscript that the celebrated Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, the beauty of

she was only three leagues distant from his capital, before he had time even to kiss her hand, the magician who had o

kingdom till he had found Darling. He would suffer none of his courtiers or attendants to follow him; but bidding

ast began almost to faint with hunger; and Prince Wish might have wished himself at home again, had he not discovered, just

iced that her nose was so small that the spectacles would hardly stay on

ny nose!" c

t us leave our noses alone, and be good enough to give me someth

diculously long, you are no less the son of one of my best friends

my nose?" asked Wi

be a very honest man, and yet have too big a nose. As I said, I was a great friend of your father's;

when I have supped; but will you condescend t

e much talking. A long tongue is as insupportable as a long nose; and I remember when I was young how much I used to be admired because I

e," interrupted the prince, wh

"and I will bring you your supper directly, only

and only observed that however the pleasure of her conversation might make him forget

m supply him at once with all he needed. "And," added she, "I must s

old gossip and chatterbox. She to fancy she talks little, indeed! One must be very foolish not to know one's own defects. This comes of bein

herself talk. "Well," thought Wish, "I am delighted that I came hither, if only to learn how wise I have been in never listening to flatterers, who hide from

edly, nor stopped till the o

plate. And, as I was saying, your father admired me and always made me welcome at court. What is the court etiquette there

said the prince, becoming annoyed. "It is wh

ll take the liberty of always--" She would doubtless have gone on talking till midnight; but the prince, unable t

way as soon as they could. So the poor prince became gradually quite forlorn and solitary; he thought all the world was mad, but still he never thought of there being anything queer about his own nose. At last the old fairy, who, though she was a chatterbox, was very good-natured; saw that he was almost breaking his heart. She felt sorry for him and wished to help him in spite of himself,

her. She held out her hand for him to kiss, but he could not get at it for the glass. Transported with eagerness and delight, he dashed his sword through the crystal and succeeded in breaking a small opening, to which she pu

," exclaimed he, "tha

plit asunder, and the old fairy a

ed she, smiling, "I fear I might have talked to you forever on the subject of your nose, and you would not have believed me in its length, till it be

king the Princess Darling by the hand, he kissed her courteously, affectionately, and sati

ROG-P

deep well. When the day was very hot, the king's daughter used to go to the wood and seat herself at the edge of the cool well; and when she became wearied, she would take a golden ball, throw it up in the air, and catch it again. This was her favorite amusement. Once it happened that her golden ball, instead of falling back into the littl

: "What is the matter with you, king's daughter? Yo

oice came, and saw a frog stretching

aid she. "I am crying for my golden b

can give you some good advice; but what will yo

d she, "my clothes, my pearls and j

me be your companion and play-fellow, sit near you at your little table, eat from your little golden plate, drink from your little c

you every-thing, if you will onl

silly frog talks! He sits in the water with the other

n a little while up he came again with the ball in his mouth, and threw it on the grass. The king's d

og; "take me with you. I c

d. She would not listen to him, but hastened home, and soon forgot th

tle gold plate, there came a sound of something creeping up the marble staircase-splish, splash; and

ily to again and sat down at table, feeling very, very uncomfortable. The king saw that her heart was beating v

od near the well, fetched my golden ball out of the water. For this I promised him he should be my com

me there was a knock

t king's

n t

u what

romis

cool

king's

to

you promised you must perf

ollowing and following her till he came up to her chair. T

golden plate nearer to me, that we may eat together." She did as he desired, but one could easily see that she did it unwilli

rry me to your little room, and make your little silken be

eep; for she was afraid of the cold frog, w

said again: "What you have promised you

cked him up with two fingers, hating him bitterly the while, and carried him upstairs: but when she got into bed, instead of lift

came, by her own promise and her father's will, her dear companion and husband. He told her how he had been cursed by a wicked

so grieved when his master was changed into a frog that he had been compelled to have three iron bands fastened round his heart, lest it should break. Now the carriage came to convey the prince to his kingdom, so the faithful Henry lifted

s from my heart, with which I was forced to bind it up, or it would hav

breaking; but it was only the bands breaking off from the heart of the fai

ER A

ho was called "Clever Alice," and when she was grown

whenever a young man shall a

nce to make a proposal of marriage; but he required one

ad full of brains;" and the mother added, "ah, she can se

, I will not take her." Soon afterward they sat down to dinner, and

undesirable bend. Then she placed the can before her and turned the tap, and while the beer was running, as she did not wish her eyes to be idle, she looked about upon the wall above and below. Presently she perceived, after much peeping into this corner and that corner, a hatchet, which the bricklayers had left behind? sticking

ther told the maid to go and see what she was stopping for. The maid went down into the cellar and fo

we have a child, and he grows up, and we send him here to d

have!" And sitting down, she began to weep,

Alice and the maid. The boy went down, and there sat Clever Alice and the maid both crying, so he asked the reason; and Alice told him the same tale, of the hatchet that was to fa

ng." So she went down, and finding all three sitting there crying, asked the reason, and Alice told her about the hatchet which must inevitably fall upon

ellar and see what is keeping our Alice." As soon as he entered the cellar, there he found the four sitting and crying together, and wh

ey must be waiting for him, and so he went down to see what was the matter. When he ent

une has happe

, and we, perhaps, send him down to this cellar to tap the beer, the hatchet which has been left stick

eping; because you are such a clever Alice, I will have you for my wife."

ing, "Wife, I will go out to work and earn some money; do you g

said to herself, "What shall I do? Shall I cut first, or eat first? Aye, I will eat first!" Then she ate up the contents of her pot, and when it was finished, s

and still she did not return; so Hans went out to see how much she had reaped; but, behold, nothing at all, and there lay Alice fast asleep among the corn! So home he ran very fast, and brought a net with little

ite frightened her, and she began to doubt whether she were really Clever Alice, and said to herself, "Am I she, or am I not?" This was a question she could not answer, and

ly terrified, and exclaiming, "Ah, heaven, then I am not Alice!" she ran up to another house, intending to ask the same question. But as soon as the folks within heard the j