the little lame prince-第17节
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〃My people； I am tired： I want to rest。 I have had a long reign； and done much workat least； as much as I was able to do。 Many might have done it better than Ibut none with a better will。 Now I leave it to others； I am tired； very tired。 Let me go home。〃
There arose a murmurof content or discontent none could well tell； then it died down again； and the assembly listened silently once more。
〃I am not anxious about you； my peoplemy children；〃 continued the King。 〃You are prosperous and at peace。 I leave you in good hands。 The Prince Regent will be a fitter king for you than I。〃
〃No； no； no！〃 rose the universal shoutand those who had sometimes found fault with him shouted louder than anybody。 But he seemed as if he heard them not。
〃Yes； yes；〃 said he； as soon as the tumult had a little subsided： and his voice sounded firm and clear； and some very old people； who boasted of having seen 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 time for me to go。 Remember me sometimes； my people； for I have loved you well。 And I am going a long way； and I do not think I shall come back any more。〃
He drew a little bundle out of his breast pocketa bundle that nobody had ever seen before。 It was small and shabby…looking； and tied up with many knots； which untied themselves 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 it came about； the King was awayawayfloating right up in the airupon something； they knew not what； except that it appeared to be as safe and pleasant as the wings of a bird。
And after him sprang a birda dear little lark； rising from whence no one could say； since larks do not usually build their nests in the pavement of city squares。 But there it was； a real lark； singing far over their heads； louder and clearer and more joyful as it vanished further into the blue sky。
Shading their eyes； and straining their ears； the astonished people stood until the whole vision disappeared like a speck in the clouds the rosy clouds that overhung the Beautiful Mountains。
King Dolor was never again beheld or heard of in his own country。 But the good he had done there lasted for years and years； he was long missed and deeply mournedat least； so far as anybody could mourn one who was gone on such a happy journey。
Whither he went； or who went with him； it is impossible to say。 But I myself believe that his godmother took him on his traveling…cloak to the Beautiful Mountains。 What he did there； or where he is now； who can tell？ I cannot。 But one thing I am quite sure of； that； wherever he is； he is perfectly happy。
And so； when I think of him； am I。
THE INVISIBLE PRINCE
THERE were a king and queen who were dotingly fond of their only son； notwithstanding that he was equally deformed in mind and person。 The king was quite sensible of the evil disposition of his son； but the queen in her excessive fondness saw no 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 crown； but was not able to support it。 This prince had a son； named Leander； handsome； accomplished； amiablein every respect the opposite of Prince Furibon。 The two were frequently together； which only made the deformed prince more repulsive。
One day； certain ambassadors having arrived from a far country； the prince stood in a gallery to see them； when； taking Leander for the king's son； they made 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 had not the king just then appeared。 As it was； the affair produced a quarrel； which ended in Leander's being sent to a far…away castle belonging to his father。
There； however； he was quite happy； for he was a great lover of hunting； fishing； and walking： he understood painting； read much； and played upon several instruments； so that he was glad to be freed from the fantastic humors of Furibon。 One day as he was walking in the garden； finding the heat 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 his face； seemed to beg his pardon。 At this instant one of the gardeners happened to come to the place where Leander was； and spying the snake； cried out to his master： 〃Hold him fast； sir； it is but an hour since we ran after him to kill him： it is the most mischievous creature in the world。〃
Leander； casting his eyes a second time upon the snake； which was speckled with a thousand extraordinary colors； perceived the poor creature still looked upon him with an aspect that seemed to implore compassion； and never tried in the least to defend itself。
〃Though thou hast such a mind to kill it；〃 said he to the gardener； 〃yet； as it came to me for refuge； I forbid thee to do it any harm； for I will keep it； and when it has cast its beautiful skin I will let it go。〃 He then returned home； 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 sometimes to see it； and when it perceived him it made haste to meet him； showing him all the little marks of love and gratitude of which a poor snake was capable； which did not a little surprise him； though he took no further notice of it。
In the meantime all the court ladies were extremely troubled at his absence； and he was the subject of all their discourse。 〃Alas！〃 cried they； 〃there is no pleasure at court since Leander is gone； of whose absence the wicked Furibon is the cause！〃 Furibon also had his parasites； for his 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； because he was handsomer than her son； replied that she had long looked upon him as a traitor； and therefore would willingly consent to his death。 To which purpose she advised Furibon to go a…hunting with some of his confidants； and contrive it so that Leander should make one of the party。
〃Then；〃 said she； 〃you may find some way to punish him for pleasing everybody。〃
Furibon understood her； and accordingly went a…hunting； and Leander； when he heard the horns and the hounds； mounted his horse and rode to see who it was。 But he was surprised to meet the prince so unexpectedly； he alighted immediately and saluted him with respect； and Furibon received him more graciously than usual and bade follow him。 All of a sudden he turned his horse and rode another way； making a sign to the ruffians to take the first opportunity to kill him； 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； nay； mounting the horse； he rode in quest of the ruffians； to whom he repeated his orders to kill him。 They accordingly surrounded Leander； who； setting his back to a tree； behaved with so much bravery that he laid them all dead at his feet。 Furibon； believing him by this time slain； rode eagerly up to the spot。 When Leander saw him he advanced to meet him。 〃Sir；〃 said he； 〃if it was by your order that these assassins came to kill me； I am sorry I made any defense。〃
〃You are an insolent villain！〃 replied Furibon； 〃and if ever you come into my presence again； you shall surely die。〃
Leander made no answer； but retired sad and pensive to his own home； where he spent the night in pondering what was best for him to do； for there was no likelihood he should be able to defend himself against the power of the king's son； therefore he at length concluded he 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； and casting his eye on the place he was surprised to see a lady； whose noble and majestic air made him immediately conclude she was a princess of royal birth。 Her habit was of purple satin； embroidered with pearls and diamonds； she advanced toward him with a gracious smile。
〃Young prince；〃 said she； 〃you find no longer your pet snake； but me； the
