《安徒生童话英文版》第370章

　　asked the princess, of John. Heimmediately untied the handkerchief, and was himself quitefrightened when he saw the head of the ugly magician. Every oneshuddered, for it was terrible to look at; but the princess sat like astatue, and could not utter a single word. At length she rose and gaveJohn her hand, for he had guessed rightly.

　　She looked at no one, but sighed deeply, and said, "You are mymaster now; this evening our marriage must take place."

　　"I am very pleased to hear it," said the old king. "It is justwhat I wish."

　　Then all the people shouted "Hurrah." The band played music in thestreets, the bells rang, and the cake-women took the black crape offthe sugar-sticks. There was universal joy. Three oxen, stuffed withducks and chickens, were roasted whole in the market-place, whereevery one might help himself to a slice. The fountains spouted forththe most delicious wine, and whoever bought a penny loaf at thebaker's received six large buns, full of raisins, as a present. In theevening the whole town was illuminated. The soldiers fired offcannons, and the boys let off crackers. There was eating and drinking,dancing and jumping everywhere. In the palace, the high-born gentlemenand beautiful ladies danced with each other, and they could be heardat a great distance singing the following song:-

　　"Here are maidens, young and fair,

　　Dancing in the summer air;

　　Like two spinning-wheels at play,

　　Pretty maidens dance away-

　　Dance the spring and summer through

　　Till the sole falls from your shoe."

　　But the princess was still a witch, and she could not love John.His fellow-traveller had thought of that, so he gave John threefeathers out of the swan's wings, and a little bottle with a few dropsin it. He told him to place a large bath full of water by theprincess's bed, and put the feathers and the drops into it. Then, atthe moment she was about to get into bed, he must give her a littlepush, so that she might fall into the water, and then dip her threetimes. This would destroy the power of the magician, and she wouldlove him very much. John did all that his companion told him to do.The princess shrieked aloud when he dipped her under the water thefirst time, and struggled under his hands in the form of a great blackswan with fiery eyes. As she rose the second time from the water,the swan had become white, with a black ring round its neck. Johnallowed the water to close once more over the bird, and at the sametime it changed into a most beautiful princess. She was more lovelyeven than before, and thanked him, while her eyes sparkled with tears,for having broken the spell of the magician. The next day, the kingcame with the whole court to offer their congratulations, and stayedtill quite late. Last of all came the travelling companion; he had hisstaff in his hand and his knapsack on his back. John kissed him manytimes and told him he must not go, he must remain with him, for he wasthe cause of all his good fortune. But the traveller shook his head,and said gently and kindly, "No: my time is up now; I have only paidmy debt to you. Do you remember the dead man whom the bad peoplewished to throw out of his coffin? You gave all you possessed thathe might rest in his grave; I am that man." As he said this, hevanished.

　　The wedding festivities lasted a whole month. John and hisprincess loved each other dearly, and the old king lived to see many ahappy day, when he took their little children on his knees and letthem play with his sceptre. And John became king over the wholecountry.

　　THE END.

　　1872

　　FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

　　THE UGLY DUCKLING

　　by Hans Christian Andersen

　　IT was lovely summer weather in the country, and the goldencorn, the green oats, and the haystacks piled up in the meadows lookedbeautiful. The stork walking about on his long red legs chattered inthe Egyptian language, which he had learnt from his mother. Thecorn-fields and meadows were surrounded by large forests, in the midstof which were deep pools. It was, indeed, delightful to walk aboutin the country. In a sunny spot stood a pleasant old farm-houseclose by a deep river, and from the house down to the water sidegrew great burdock leaves, so high, that under the tallest of them alittle child could stand upright. The spot was as wild as the centreof a thick wood. In this snug retreat sat a duck on her nest, watchingfor her young brood to hatch; she was beginning to get tired of hertask, for the little ones were a long time coming out of their shells,and she seldom had any visitors. The other ducks liked much betterto swim about in the river than to climb the slippery banks, and situnder a burdock leaf, to have a gossip with her. At length one shellcracked, and then another, and from each egg came a living creaturethat lifted its head and cried, "Peep, peep." "Quack, quack," said themother, and then they all quacked as well as they could, and lookedabout them on every side at the large green leaves. Their motherallowed them to look as much as they liked, because green is goodfor the eyes. "How large the world is," said the young ducks, whenthey found how much more room they now had than while they were insidethe egg-shell. "Do you imagine this is the whole world?"