太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > the elfin hill >

第2节

the elfin hill-第2节

小说: the elfin hill 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



indeed which were legs and which were arms; for they were all flying

about together; like the shavings in a saw…pit! And then they spun

round so quickly that the death…horse and the grave…pig became sick

and giddy; and were obliged to leave the table。

    〃Stop!〃 cried the old goblin;〃 is that the only house…keeping they

can perform? Can they do anything more than dance and throw about

their legs; and make a whirlwind?〃

    〃You shall soon see what they can do;〃 said the elf king。 And then

he called his youngest daughter to him。 She was slender and fair as

moonlight; and the most graceful of all the sisters。 She took a

white chip in her mouth; and vanished instantly; this was her

accomplishment。 But the old goblin said he should not like his wife to

have such an accomplishment; and thought his boys would have the

same objection。 Another daughter could make a figure like herself

follow her; as if she had a shadow; which none of the goblin folk ever

had。 The third was of quite a different sort; she had learnt in the

brew…house of the moor witch how to lard elfin puddings with

glow…worms。

    〃She will make a good housewife;〃 said the old goblin; and then

saluted her with his eyes instead of drinking her health; for he did

not drink much。

    Now came the fourth daughter; with a large harp to play upon;

and when she struck the first chord; every one lifted up the left

leg (for the goblins are left…legged); and at the second chord they

found they must all do just what she wanted。

    〃That is a dangerous woman;〃 said the old goblin; and the two sons

walked out of the hill; they had had enough of it。 〃And what can the

next daughter do?〃 asked the old goblin。

    〃I have learnt everything that is Norwegian;〃 said she; 〃and I

will never marry; unless I can go to Norway。〃

    Then her youngest sister whispered to the old goblin; 〃That is

only because she has heard; in a Norwegian song; that when the world

shall decay; the cliffs of Norway will remain standing like monuments;

and she wants to get there; that she may be safe; for she is so afraid

of sinking。〃

    〃Ho! ho!〃 said the old goblin; 〃is that what she means? Well; what

can the seventh and last do?〃

    〃The sixth comes before the seventh;〃 said the elf king; for he

could reckon; but the sixth would not come forward。

    〃I can only tell people the truth;〃 said she。 〃No one cares for

me; nor troubles himself about me; and I have enough to do to sew my

grave clothes。〃

    So the seventh and last came; and what could she do? Why; she

could tell stories; as many as you liked; on any subject。

    〃Here are my five fingers;〃 said the old goblin; 〃now tell me a

story for each of them。〃

    So she took him by the wrist; and he laughed till he nearly

choked; and when she came to the fourth finger; there was a gold

ring on it; as if it knew there was to be a betrothal。 Then the old

goblin said; 〃Hold fast what you have: this hand is yours; for I

will have you for a wife myself。〃

    Then the elfin girl said that the stories about the ring…finger

and little Peter Playman had not yet been told。

    〃We will hear them in the winter;〃 said the old goblin; 〃and

also about the fir and the birch…trees; and the ghost stories; and

of the tingling frost。 You shall tell your tales; for no one over

there can do it so well; and we will sit in the stone rooms; where the

pine logs are burning; and drink mead out of the golden

drinking…horn of the old Norwegian kings。 The water…god has given me

two; and when we sit there; Nix comes to pay us a visit; and will sing

you all the songs of the mountain shepherdesses。 How merry we shall

be! The salmon will be leaping in the waterfalls; and dashing

against the stone walls; but he will not be able to come in。 It is

indeed very pleasant to live in old Norway。 But where are the lads?〃

    Where indeed were they? Why; running about the fields; and blowing

out the will…o'…the…wisps; who so good…naturedly came and brought

their torches。

    〃What tricks have you been playing?〃 said the old goblin。 〃I

have taken a mother for you; and now you may take one of your aunts。〃

    But the youngsters said they would rather make a speech and

drink to their good fellowship; they had no wish to marry。 Then they

made speeches and drank toasts; and tipped their glasses; to show that

they were empty。 Then they took off their coats; and lay down on the

table to sleep; for they made themselves quite at home。 But the old

goblin danced about the room with his young bride; and exchanged boots

with her; which is more fashionable than exchanging rings。

    〃The cock is crowing;〃 said the old elfin maiden who acted as

housekeeper; now we must close the shutters; that the sun may not

scorch us。〃

    Then the hill closed up。 But the lizards continued to run up and

down the riven tree; and one said to the other; 〃Oh; how much I was

pleased with the old goblin!〃

    〃The boys pleased me better;〃 said the earth…worm。 But then the

poor miserable creature could not see。

                            THE END




返回目录 上一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的