《安徒生童话英文版》第248章

　　andshook his head.

　　Cold and pale lay the emperor in his royal bed; the whole courtthought he was dead, and every one ran away to pay homage to hissuccessor. The chamberlains went out to have a talk on the matter, andthe ladies'-maids invited company to take coffee. Cloth had beenlaid down on the halls and passages, so that not a footstep shouldbe heard, and all was silent and still. But the emperor was not yetdead, although he lay white and stiff on his gorgeous bed, with thelong velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels. A window stood open,and the moon shone in upon the emperor and the artificial bird. Thepoor emperor, finding he could scarcely breathe with a strangeweight on his chest, opened his eyes, and saw Death sitting there.He had put on the emperor's golden crown, and held in one hand hissword of state, and in the other his beautiful banner. All aroundthe bed and peeping through the long velvet curtains, were a number ofstrange heads, some very ugly, and others lovely and gentle-looking.These were the emperor's good and bad deeds, which stared him in theface now Death sat at his heart.

　　"Do you remember this?" "Do you recollect that?" they asked oneafter another, thus bringing to his remembrance circumstances thatmade the perspiration stand on his brow.

　　"I know nothing about it," said the emperor. "Music! music!" hecried; "the large Chinese drum! that I may not hear what they say."But they still went on, and Death nodded like a Chinaman to all theysaid. "Music! music!" shouted the emperor. "You little precious goldenbird, sing, pray sing! I have given you gold and costly presents; Ihave even hung my golden slipper round your neck. Sing! sing!" But thebird remained silent. There was no one to wind it up, and therefore itcould not sing a note.

　　Death continued to stare at the emperor with his cold, holloweyes, and the room was fearfully still. Suddenly there came throughthe open window the sound of sweet music. Outside, on the bough of atree, sat the living nightingale. She had heard of the emperor'sillness, and was therefore come to sing to him of hope and trust.And as she sung, the shadows grew paler and paler; the blood in theemperor's veins flowed more rapidly, and gave life to his weaklimbs; and even Death himself listened, and said, "Go on, littlenightingale, go on."

　　"Then will you give me the beautiful golden sword and that richbanner? and will you give me the emperor's crown?" said the bird.

　　So Death gave up each of these treasures for a song; and thenightingale continued her singing. She sung of the quiet churchyard,where the white roses grow, where the elder-tree wafts its perfumeon the breeze, and the fresh, sweet grass is moistened by themourners' tears. Then Death longed to go and see his garden, andfloated out through the window in the form of a cold, white mist.

　　"Thanks, thanks, you heavenly little bird. I know you well. Ibanished you from my kingdom once, and yet you have charmed away theevil faces from my bed, and banished Death from my heart, with yoursweet song. How can I reward you?"

　　"You have already rewarded me," said the nightingale. "I shallnever forget that I drew tears from your eyes the first time I sang toyou. These are the jewels that rejoice a singer's heart. But nowsleep, and grow strong and well again. I will sing to you again."

　　And as she sung, the emperor fell into a sweet sleep; and how mildand refreshing that slumber was! When he awoke, strengthened andrestored, the sun shone brightly through the window; but not one ofhis servants had returned- they all believed he was dead; only thenightingale still sat beside him, and sang.

　　"You must always remain with me," said the emperor. "You shallsing only when it pleases you; and I will break the artificial birdinto a thousand pieces."

　　"No; do not do that," replied the nightingale; "the bird didvery well as long as it could. Keep it here still. I cannot live inthe palace, and build my nest; but let me come when I like. I will siton a bough outside your window, in the evening, and sing to you, sothat you may be happy, and have thoughts full of joy. I will sing toyou of those who are happy, and those who suffer; of the good andthe evil, who are hidden around you. The little singing bird flies farfrom you and your court to the home of the fisherman and the peasant'scot. I love your heart better than your crown; and yet somethingholy lingers round that also. I will come, I will sing to you; but youmust promise me one thing."

　　"Everything," said the emperor, who, having dressed himself in hisimperial robes, stood with the hand that held the heavy golden swordpressed to his heart.

　　"I only ask one thing," she replied; "let no one know that youhave a little bird who tells you everything. It will be best toconceal it." So saying, the nightingale flew away.

　　The servants now came in to look after the dead emperor; when, lo!