THE HAPPY PRINCE——快乐王子英文原著

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
本书籍由《E书吧》 热心网友编辑整理。请在下载后24小时内删除。
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
1 THE HAPPY PRINCE
High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy
Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he
had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt.
He was very much admired indeed.
weathercock,
a reputation for having artistic tastes;
fearing lest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not.

her little boy who was crying for the moon.
dreams of crying for anything.

muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue.

out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white
pinafores.

seen one.

Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not
approve of children dreaming.
One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends had
gone away to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for he
was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the
spring as he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had
been so attracted by her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her.

once, and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew round and round
her, touching the water with his wings, and making silver ripples. This
2 The Happy Prince and Other Tales
was his courtship, and it lasted all through the summer.

no money, and far too many relations
of Reeds. Then, when the autumn came they all flew away.
After they had gone he felt lonely, and began to tire of his lady- love.

for she is always flirting with the wind.
wind blew, the Reed made the most graceful curtseys.
is domestic,
consequently, should love travelling also.

shook her head, she was so attached to her home.
1

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

Good-bye!
All day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city.
shall I put up?
Then he saw the statue on the tall column.

air.

round, and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head
under his wing a large drop of water fell on him.
he cried;
bright, and yet it is raining. The climate in the north of Europe is really
dreadful. The Reed used to like the rain, but that was merely her
selfishness.
Then another drop fell.

must look for a good chimney-pot,
But before he had opened his wings, a third drop fell, and he looked up,
and saw - Ah! what did he see?
The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears, and tears were
3 The Happy Prince and Other Tales
running down his golden cheeks. His face was so beautiful in the
moonlight that the little Swallow was filled with pity.



drenched me.

not know what tears were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans- Souci, where
sorrow is not allowed to enter. In the daytime I played with my
companions in the garden, and in the evening I led the dance in the Great
Hall. Round the garden ran a very lofty wall, but I never cared to ask
what lay beyond it, everything about me was so beautiful. My courtiers
called me the Happy Prince, and happy indeed I was, if pleasure be
happiness. So I lived, and so I died. And now that I am dead they have
set me up here so high that I can see all the ugliness and all the misery of
my city, and though my heart is made of lead yet I cannot chose but
weep.

too polite to make any personal remarks out loud.

little street there is a poor house. One of the windows is open, and
through it I can see a woman seated at a table. Her face is thin and worn,
and she has coarse, red hands, all pricked by the needle, for she is a
2

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
seamstress. She is embroidering passion- flowers on a satin gown for the
loveliest of the Queen's maids-of- honour to wear at the next Court-ball.
In a bed in the corner of the room her little boy is lying ill. He has a
fever, and is asking for oranges. His mother has nothing to give him but
river water, so he is crying. Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow, will you
not bring her the ruby out of my sword-hilt? My feet are fastened to this
pedestal and I cannot move.

up and down the Nile, and talking to the large lotus- flowers. Soon they
4 The Happy Prince and Other Tales
will go to sleep in the tomb of the great King. The King is there himself in
his painted coffin. He is wrapped in yellow linen, and embalmed with
spices. Round his neck is a chain of pale green jade, and his hands are
like withered leaves.

with me for one night, and be my messenger? The boy is so thirsty, and
the mother so sad.

when I was staying on the river, there were two rude boys, the miller's
sons, who were always throwing stones at me. They never hit me, of
course; we swallows fly far too well for that, and besides, I come of a
family famous for its agility; but still, it was a mark of disrespect.
But the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little Swallow was sorry.

be your messenger.

So the Swallow picked out the great ruby from the Prince's sword, and
flew away with it in his beak over the roofs of the town.
He passed by the cathedral tower, where the white marble angels were
sculptured. He passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing. A
beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover.
stars are,

answered;
seamstresses are so lazy.
He passed over the river, and saw the lanterns hanging to the masts of
the ships. He passed over the Ghetto, and saw the old Jews bargaining
with each other, and weighing out money in copper scales. At last he
came to the poor house and looked in. The boy was tossing feverishly on
his bed, and the mother had fallen asleep, she was so tired. In he hopped,
and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman's thimble. Then he
flew gently round the bed, fanning the boy's forehead with his wings.
5 The Happy Prince and Other Tales

3

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
a delicious slumber.
Then the Swallow flew back to the Happy Prince, and told him what
he had done.
although it is so cold.

the little Swallow began to think, and then he fell asleep. Thinking always
made him sleepy.
When day broke he flew down to the river and had a bath.
remarkable phenomenon,
passing over the bridge.
letter about it to the local newspaper. Every one quoted it, it was full of
so many words that they could not understand.

at the prospect. He visited all the public monuments, and sat a long time
on top of the church steeple. Wherever he went the Sparrows chirruped,
and said to each other,
himself very much.
When the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince.
any commissions for Egypt?

with me one night longer?

friends will fly up to the Second Cataract. The river- horse couches there
among the bulrushes, and on a great granite throne sits the God Memnon.
All night long he watches the stars, and when the morning star shines he
utters one cry of joy, and then he is silent. At noon the yellow lions come
down to the water's edge to drink. They have eyes like green beryls, and
their roar is louder than the roar of the cataract.

the city I see a young man in a garret. He is leaning over a desk covered
with papers, and in a tumbler by his side there is a bunch of withered
6
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
violets. His hair is brown and crisp, and his lips are red as a pomegranate,
and he has large and dreamy eyes. He is trying to finish a play for the
Director of the Theatre, but he is too cold to write any more. There is no
fire in the grate, and hunger has made him faint.

had a good heart.

have left. They are made of rare sapphires, which were brought out of
India a thousand years ago. Pluck out one of them and take it to him.
He will sell it to the jeweller, and buy food and firewood, and finish his
play.
4

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

weep.

you.
So the Swallow plucked out the Prince's eye, and flew away to the
student's garret. It was easy enough to get in, as there was a hole in the
roof. Through this he darted, and came into the room. The young man
had his head buried in his hands, so he did not hear the flutter of the bird's
wings, and when he looked up he found the beautiful sapphire lying on the
withered violets.

admirer. Now I can finish my play,
The next day the Swallow flew down to the harbour. He sat on the
mast of a large vessel and watched the sailors hauling big chests out of the
hold with ropes.

the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince.


with me one night longer?

7
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
here. In Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm-trees, and the
crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them. My companions are
building a nest in the Temple of Baalbec, and the pink and white doves are
watching them, and cooing to each other. Dear Prince, I must leave you,
but I will never forget you, and next spring I will bring you back two
beautiful jewels in place of those you have given away. The ruby shall
be redder than a red rose, and the sapphire shall be as blue as the great
sea.

match-girl. She has let her matches fall in the gutter, and they are all
spoiled. Her father will beat her if she does not bring home some money,
and she is crying. She has no shoes or stockings, and her little head is
bare. Pluck out my other eye, and give it to her, and her father will not
beat her.

pluck out your eye. You would be quite blind then.

you.
So he plucked out the Prince's other eye, and darted down with it. He
swooped past the match-girl, and slipped the jewel into the palm of her
hand.
5

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
laughing.
Then the Swallow came back to the Prince.
said,

Egypt.

Prince's feet.
All the next day he sat on the Prince's shoulder, and told him stories of
what he had seen in strange lands. He told him of the red ibises, who
stand in long rows on the banks of the Nile, and catch gold-fish in their
beaks; of the Sphinx, who is as old as the world itself, and lives in the
8
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
desert, and knows everything; of the merchants, who walk slowly by the
side of their camels, and carry amber beads in their hands; of the King of
the Mountains of the Moon, who is as black as ebony, and worships a
large crystal; of the great green snake that sleeps in a palm-tree, and has
twenty priests to feed it with honey-cakes; and of the pygmies who sail
over a big lake on large flat leaves, and are always at war with the
butterflies.

things, but more marvellous than anything is the suffering of men and of
women. There is no Mystery so great as Misery. Fly over my city, little
Swallow, and tell me what you see there.
So the Swallow flew over the great city, and saw the rich making
merry in their beautiful houses, while the beggars were sitting at the gates.
He flew into dark lanes, and saw the white faces of starving children
looking out listlessly at the black streets. Under the archway of a bridge
two little boys were lying in one another's arms to try and keep themselves
warm.
shouted the Watchman, and they wandered out into the rain.
Then he flew back and told the Prince what he had seen.

leaf by leaf, and give it to my poor; the living always think that gold can
make them happy.
Leaf after leaf of the fine gold the Swallow picked off, till the Happy
Prince looked quite dull and grey. Leaf after leaf of the fine gold he
brought to the poor, and the children's faces grew rosier, and they laughed
and played games in the street.
Then the snow came, and after the snow came the frost. The streets
looked as if they were made of silver, they were so bright and glistening;
long icicles like crystal daggers hung down from the eaves of the houses,
everybody went about in furs, and the little boys wore scarlet caps and
skated on the ice.
6

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
The poor little Swallow grew colder and colder, but he would not leave
9
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
the Prince, he loved him too well. He picked up crumbs outside the
baker's door when the baker was not looking and tried to keep himself
warm by flapping his wings.
But at last he knew that he was going to die. He had just strength to
fly up to the Prince's shoulder once more.
murmured,

Prince,
for I love you.

the House of Death. Death is the brother of Sleep, is he not?
And he kissed the Happy Prince on the lips, and fell down dead at his
feet.
At that moment a curious crack sounded inside the statue, as if
something had broken. The fact is that the leaden heart had snapped
right in two. It certainly was a dreadfully hard frost.
Early the next morning the Mayor was walking in the square below in
company with the Town Councillors. As they passed the column he
looked up at the statue:
he said.

with the Mayor; and they went up to look at it.

golden no longer,
beggar!



die here.
So they pulled down the statue of the Happy Prince.
longer beautiful he is no longer useful,
University.
10
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Then they melted the statue in a furnace, and the Mayor held a
meeting of the Corporation to decide what was to be done with the metal.

of myself.

When I last heard of them they were quarrelling still.

7

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
foundry.
throw it away.
was also lying.

His Angels; and the Angel brought Him the leaden heart and the dead bird.

this little bird shall sing for evermore, and in my city of gold the Happy
Prince shall praise me.
11
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE
ROSE

cried the young Student;
From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him, and she
looked out through the leaves, and wondered.

with tears.
read all that the wise men have written, and all the secrets of philosophy
are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched.

have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after night have I told
his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-
blossom, and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has
made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow.

Student,
she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose, I shall hold
her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my shoulder, and her
hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden, so I
shall sit lonely, and she will pass me by. She will have no heed of me,
and my heart will break.

he suffers - what is joy to me, to him is pain. Surely Love is a wonderful
thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals.
Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth in the
12
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
marketplace. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be
weighed out in the balance for gold.

play upon their stringed instruments, and my love will dance to the sound
of the harp and the violin. She will dance so lightly that her feet will not
touch the floor, and the courtiers in their gay dresses will throng round her.
8

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
But with me she will not dance, for I have no red rose to give her
flung himself down on the grass, and buried his face in his hands, and
wept.

with his tail in the air.

sunbeam.

voice.

rose?
something of a cynic, laughed outright.
But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student's sorrow, and
she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about the mystery of Love.
Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air.
She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed
across the garden.
In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree, and
when she saw it she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray.

song.
But the Tree shook its head.

and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my brother who
grows round the old sun-dial, and perhaps he will give you what you
want.
13
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round
the old sun-dial.

song.
But the Tree shook its head.

mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than the daffodil
that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe. But
go to my brother who grows beneath the Student's window, and perhaps he
will give you what you want.
So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing
beneath the Student's window.

song.
But the Tree shook its head.

9

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern.
But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frost has nipped my buds, and
the storm has broken my branches, and I shall have no roses at all this
year.

Is there no way by which I can get it?

tell it to you.


by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must sing to
me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me,
and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-blood must flow into
my veins, and become mine.


14
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, and the Moon in her chariot of pearl.
Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet are the bluebells that hide in
the valley, and the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than
Life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?
So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She
swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed through
the grove.
The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had left him,
and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.

rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own
heart's-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true
lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and mightier
than Power, though he is mighty. Flame- coloured are his wings, and
coloured like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as honey, and his
breath is like frankincense.
The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he could not
understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only knew the
things that are written down in books.
But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of the
little Nightingale who had built her nest in his branches.

you are gone.
So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was like water
bubbling from a silver jar.
When she had finished her song the Student got up, and pulled a note-
10

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket.

grove -
not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any sincerity.
She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music,
and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted
15
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they
do not mean anything, or do any practical good.
room, and lay down on his little pallet-bed, and began to think of his love;
and, after a time, he fell asleep.
And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the
Rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang
with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystal Moon leaned down
and listened. All night long she sang, and the thorn went deeper and
deeper into her breast, and her life-blood ebbed away from her.
She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl. And
on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous rose,
petal following petal, as song followed song. Pale was it, at first, as the
mist that hangs over the river - pale as the feet of the morning, and silver
as the wings of the dawn. As the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver, as
the shadow of a rose in a water-pool, so was the rose that blossomed on
the topmost spray of the Tree.
But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn.

before the rose is finished.
So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and louder and
louder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in the soul of a
man and a maid.
And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose, like the
flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride.
But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose's heart remained
white, for only a Nightingale's heart's-blood can crimson the heart of a
rose.
And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn.

before the rose is finished.
So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorn
touched her heart, and a fierce pang of pain shot through her. Bitter, bitter
16
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang of the
Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that dies not in the tomb.
11

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the eastern
sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as a ruby was the
heart.
But the Nightingale's voice grew fainter, and her little wings began to
beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her song,
and she felt something choking her in her throat.
Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it, and
she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red rose heard it,
and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened its petals to the cold
morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills, and woke the
sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the
river, and they carried its message to the sea.

Nightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the long grass,
with the thorn in her heart.
And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out.

I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I
am sure it has a long Latin name
Then he put on his hat, and ran up to the Professor's house with the
rose in his hand.
The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue
silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet.

cried the Student.
wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dance together it will tell you
how I love you.
But the girl frowned.

the Chamberlain's nephew has sent me some real jewels, and everybody
17
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
knows that jewels cost far more than flowers.

angrily; and he threw the rose into the street, where it fell into the gutter,
and a cart-wheel went over it.

after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don't believe you have
even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain's nephew has
and she got up from her chair and went into the house.

is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is
always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one
believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and, as in
12

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
this age to be practical is everything, I shall go back to Philosophy and
study Metaphysics.
So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and
began to read.
18
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
THE SELFISH GIANT
Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used
to go and play in the Giant's garden.
It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there
over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve
peach-trees that in the spring-time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink
and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees
and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to
listen to them.
One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend the
Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. After the seven
years were over he had said all that he had to say, for his conversation was
limited, and he determined to return to his own castle. When he arrived
he saw the children playing in the garden.

children ran away.

understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself.
built a high wall all round it, and put up a notice-board.
TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED
He was a very selfish Giant.
The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on
the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did
not like it. They used to wander round the high wall when their lessons
were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside.
were there,
Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little
blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was
19
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children,
and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out
from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the
children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep.
The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost.
has forgotten this garden,
round.
the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to
13

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all
day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down.
delightful spot,
came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he
broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as
fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.

Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white
garden;
But the Spring never came, nor the Summer. The Autumn gave
golden fruit to every garden, but to the Giant's garden she gave none.
is too selfish,
Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the
trees.
One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some
lovely music. It sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be
the King's musicians passing by. It was really only a little linnet singing
outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his
garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world.
Then the Hail stopped dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased
roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him through the open casement.

of bed and looked out.
What did he see?
20
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the
children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees.
In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were
so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves
with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children's
heads. The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the
flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing. It was a
lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest
corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small
that he could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was
wandering all round it, crying bitterly. The poor tree was still quite
covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and roaring
above it.
down as low as it could; but the boy was too tiny.
And the Giant's heart melted as he looked out.
been!
put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and then I will knock down
the wall, and my garden shall be the children's playground for ever and
14

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
ever.
So he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly, and
went out into the garden. But when the children saw him they were so
frightened that they all ran away, and the garden became winter again.
Only the little boy did not run, for his eyes were so full of tears that he did
not see the Giant coming. And the Giant stole up behind him and took
him gently in his hand, and put him up into the tree. And the tree broke
at once into blossom, and the birds came and sang on it, and the little boy
stretched out his two arms and flung them round the Giant's neck, and
kissed him. And the other children, when they saw that the Giant was not
wicked any longer, came running back, and with them came the Spring.

axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going to
market at twelve o'clock they found the Giant playing with the children in
21
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
the most beautiful garden they had ever seen.
All day long they played, and in the evening they came to the Giant to
bid him good-bye.

tree.


Giant. But the children said that they did not know where he lived, and
had never seen him before; and the Giant felt very sad.
Every afternoon, when school was over, the children came and played
with the Giant. But the little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen
again. The Giant was very kind to all the children, yet he longed for his
first little friend, and often spoke of him.
he used to say.
Years went over, and the Giant grew very old and feeble. He could
not play about any more, so he sat in a huge armchair, and watched the
children at their games, and admired his garden.
flowers,
One winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing.
He did not hate the Winter now, for he knew that it was merely the Spring
asleep, and that the flowers were resting.
Suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder, and looked and looked. It
certainly was a marvellous sight. In the farthest corner of the garden was
a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were all
golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood the
little boy he had loved.
Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy, and out into the garden. He
hastened across the grass, and came near to the child. And when he came
15

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
quite close his face grew red with anger, and he said,
wound thee?
two nails, and the prints of two nails were on the little feet.

22
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
take my big sword and slay him.


knelt before the little child.
And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him,
once in your garden, to-day you shall come with me to my garden, which
is Paradise.
And when the children ran in that afternoon, they found the Giant
lying dead under the tree, all covered with white blossoms.
23
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
THE DEVOTED FRIEND
One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had
bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers and his tail was like a long bit of
black india-rubber. The little ducks were swimming about in the pond,
looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and their mother, who was pure
white with real red legs, was trying to teach them how to stand on their
heads in the water.

heads,
how it was done. But the little ducks paid no attention to her. They
were so young that they did not know what an advantage it is to be in
society at all.

deserve to be drowned.

beginning, and parents cannot be too patient.


intend to be. Love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much
higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or
rarer than a devoted friendship.

a Green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow- tree hard by, and had
overheard the conversation.

away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her
children a good example.
16

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

24
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course.

a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings.



for I am extremely fond of fiction.

alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend.

named Hans.


except for his kind heart, and his funny round good-humoured face. He
lived in a tiny cottage all by himself, and every day he worked in his
garden. In all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his.
Sweet- william grew there, and Gilly-flowers, and Shepherds'-purses, and
Fair-maids of France. There were damask Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac
Crocuses, and gold, purple Violets and white. Columbine and
Ladysmock, Marjoram and Wild Basil, the Cowslip and the Flower-de-
luce, the Daffodil and the Clove-Pink bloomed or blossomed in their
proper order as the months went by, one flower taking another flower's
place, so that there were always beautiful things to look at, and pleasant
odours to smell.

all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, so devoted was the rich Miller to
little Hans, that be would never go by his garden without leaning over the
wall and plucking a large nosegay, or a handful of sweet herbs, or filling
his pockets with plums and cherries if it was the fruit season.

say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of having a
friend with such noble ideas.
25
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

Miller never gave little Hans anything in return, though he had a hundred
sacks of flour stored away in his mill, and six milch cows, and a large
flock of woolly sheep; but Hans never troubled his head about these things,
and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to listen to all the wonderful
things the Miller used to say about the unselfishness of true friendship.

17

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
summer, and the autumn he was very happy, but when the winter came,
and he had no fruit or flowers to bring to the market, he suffered a good
deal from cold and hunger, and often had to go to bed without any supper
but a few dried pears or some hard nuts. In the winter, also, he was
extremely lonely, as the Miller never came to see him then.

lasts,' the Miller used to say to his wife, 'for when people are in trouble
they should be left alone, and not be bothered by visitors. That at least is
my idea about friendship, and I am sure I am right. So I shall wait till the
spring comes, and then I shall pay him a visit, and he will be able to give
me a large basket of primroses and that will make him so happy.'

as she sat in her comfortable armchair by the big pinewood fire; 'very
thoughtful indeed. It is quite a treat to hear you talk about friendship. I
am sure the clergyman himself could not say such beautiful things as you
do, though he does live in a three-storied house, and wear a gold ring on
his little finger.'

son. 'If poor Hans is in trouble I will give him half my porridge, and
show him my white rabbits.'

is the use of sending you to school. You seem not to learn anything.
Why, if little Hans came up here, and saw our warm fire, and our good
supper, and our great cask of red wine, he might get envious, and envy is a
most terrible thing, and would spoil anybody's nature. I certainly will not
26
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
allow Hans' nature to be spoiled. I am his best friend, and I will always
watch over him, and see that he is not led into any temptations. Besides,
if Hans came here, he might ask me to let him have some flour on credit,
and that I could not do. Flour is one thing, and friendship is another, and
they should not be confused. Why, the words are spelt differently, and
mean quite different things. Everybody can see that.'

glass of warm ale; 'really I feel quite drowsy. It is just like being in
church.'

talk well, which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the
two, and much the finer thing also'; and he looked sternly across the table
at his little son, who felt so ashamed of himself that he hung his head
down, and grew quite scarlet, and began to cry into his tea. However, he
was so young that you must excuse him.


18

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

story-teller nowadays starts with the end, and then goes on to the
beginning, and concludes with the middle. That is the new method. I
heard all about it the other day from a critic who was walking round the
pond with a young man. He spoke of the matter at great length, and I am
sure he must have been right, for he had blue spectacles and a bald head,
and whenever the young man made any remark, he always answered
'Pooh!' But pray go on with your story. I like the Miller immensely. I
have all kinds of beautiful sentiments myself, so there is a great sympathy
between us.


yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see
little Hans.

27
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
thinking of others. And mind you take the big basket with you for the
flowers.'

chain, and went down the hill with the basket on his arm.


ear to ear.


indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it, but now the spring has
come, and I am quite happy, and all my flowers are doing well.'

wondered how you were getting on.'

me.'

That is the wonderful thing about it, but I am afraid you don't understand
the poetry of life. How lovely your primroses are looking, by-the-bye

thing for me that I have so many. I am going to bring them into the
market and sell them to the Burgomaster's daughter, and buy back my
wheelbarrow with the money.'

it? What a very stupid thing to do'!

winter was a very bad time for me, and I really had no money at all to buy
bread with. So I first sold the silver buttons off my Sunday coat, and
19

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
then I sold my silver chain, and then I sold my big pipe, and at last I sold
my wheelbarrow. But I am going to buy them all back again now.'

very good repair; indeed, one side is gone, and there is something wrong
with the wheel-spokes; but in spite of that I will give it to you. I know it
28
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
is very generous of me, and a great many people would think me
extremely foolish for parting with it, but I am not like the rest of the world.
I think that generosity is the essence of friendship, and, besides, I have got
a new wheelbarrow for myself. Yes, you may set your mind at ease, I
will give you my wheelbarrow.'

round face glowed all over with pleasure. 'I can easily put it in repair, as
I have a plank of wood in the house.'

the roof of my barn. There is a very large hole in it, and the corn will all
get damp if I don't stop it up. How lucky you mentioned it! It is quite
remarkable how one good action always breeds another. I have given
you my wheelbarrow, and now you are going to give me your plank. Of
course, the wheelbarrow is worth far more than the plank, but true,
friendship never notices things like that. Pray get it at once, and I will set
to work at my barn this very day.'

plank out.

afraid that after I have mended my barn-roof there won't be any left for
you to mend the wheelbarrow with; but, of course, that is not my fault.
And now, as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I am sure you would like
to give me some flowers in return. Here is the basket, and mind you fill
it quite full.'

very big basket, and he knew that if he filled it he would have no flowers
left for the market and he was very anxious to get his silver buttons back.

wheelbarrow, I don't think that it is much to ask you for a few flowers. I
may be wrong, but I should have thought that friendship, true friendship,
was quite free from selfishness of any kind.'

29
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
all the flowers in my garden. I would much sooner have your good
opinion than my silver buttons, any day'; and he ran and plucked all his
pretty primroses, and filled the Miller's basket.
20

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

plank on his shoulder, and the big basket in his hand.

he was so pleased about the wheelbarrow.

when he heard the Miller's voice calling to him from the road. So he
jumped off the ladder, and ran down the garden, and looked over the wall.


of flour for me to market?'

have got all my creepers to nail up, and all my flowers to water, and all my
grass to roll.'

to give you my wheelbarrow, it is rather unfriendly of you to refuse.'

whole world'; and he ran in for his cap, and trudged off with the big sack
on his shoulders.

Hans had reached the sixth milestone he was so tired that he had to sit
down and rest. However, he went on bravely, and as last he reached the
market. After he had waited there some time, he sold the sack of flour
for a very good price, and then he returned home at once, for he was afraid
that if he stopped too late he might meet some robbers on the way.

going to bed, 'but I am glad I did not refuse the Miller, for he is my best
friend, and, besides, he is going to give me his wheelbarrow.'

his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that he was still in bed.
30
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, I think you
might work harder. Idleness is a great sin, and I certainly don't like any
of my friends to be idle or sluggish. You must not mind my speaking
quite plainly to you. Of course I should not dream of doing so if I were
not your friend. But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say
exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to
please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and
does not mind giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers
it, for he knows that then he is doing good.'

night-cap, 'but I was so tired that I thought I would lie in bed for a little
time, and listen to the birds singing. Do you know that I always work
21

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
better after hearing the birds sing?'

back, 'for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you are dressed,
and mend my barn- roof for me.'

his flowers had not been watered for two days, but he did not like to refuse
the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him.

inquired in a shy and timid voice.

you, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow; but of
course if you refuse I will go and do it myself.'

dressed himself, and went up to the barn.

came to see how he was getting on.

Miller in a cheery voice.

31
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

does for others.'

sitting down, and wiping his forehead, 'a very great privilege. But I am
afraid I shall never have such beautiful ideas as you have.'

pains. At present you have only the practice of friendship; some day you
will have the theory also.'


mended the roof, you had better go home and rest, for I want you to drive
my sheep to the mountain to-morrow.'

morning the Miller brought his sheep round to the cottage, and Hans
started off with them to the mountain. It took him the whole day to get
there and back; and when he returned he was so tired that he went off to
sleep in his chair, and did not wake up till it was broad daylight.

went to work at once.

friend the Miller was always coming round and sending him off on long
errands, or getting him to help at the mill. Little Hans was very much
distressed at times, as he was afraid his flowers would think he had
22

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
forgotten them, but he consoled himself by the reflection that the Miller
was his best friend. 'Besides,' he used to say, 'he is going to give me his
wheelbarrow, and that is an act of pure generosity.'

kinds of beautiful things about friendship, which Hans took down in a
note-book, and used to read over at night, for he was a very good scholar.

fireside when a loud rap came at the door. It was a very wild night, and
the wind was blowing and roaring round the house so terribly that at first
32
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
he thought it was merely the storm. But a second rap came, and then a
third, louder than any of the others.

door.

the other.

boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself, and I am going for the Doctor.
But he lives so far away, and it is such a bad night, that it has just occurred
to me that it would be much better if you went instead of me. You know
I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, and so, it is only fair that you
should do something for me in return.'

coming to me, and I will start off at once. But you must lend me your
lantern, as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch.'

would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it.'

down his great fur coat, and his warm scarlet cap, and tied a muffler round
his throat, and started off.

Hans could hardly see, and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely
stand. However, he was very courageous, and after he had been walking
about three hours, he arrived at the Doctor's house, and knocked at the
door.

window.



the Miller wants you to come at once.'

33
23

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
boots, and his lantern, and came downstairs, and rode off in the direction
of the Miller's house, little Hans trudging behind him.

little Hans could not see where he was going, or keep up with the horse.
At last he lost his way, and wandered off on the moor, which was a very
dangerous place, as it was full of deep holes, and there poor little Hans
was drowned. His body was found the next day by some goatherds,
floating in a great pool of water, and was brought back by them to the
cottage.

Miller was the chief mourner.

have the best place'; so he walked at the head of the procession in a long
black cloak, and every now and then he wiped his eyes with a big pocket-
handkerchief.

when the funeral was over, and they were all seated comfortably in the inn,
drinking spiced wine and eating sweet cakes.

good as given him my wheelbarrow, and now I really don't know what to
do with it. It is very much in my way at home, and it is in such bad
repair that I could not get anything for it if I sold it. I will certainly take
care not to give away anything again. One always suffers for being
generous.'




don't care.

said the Water-rat.

34
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
Linnet.





should have told me that before you began. If you had done so, I
certainly would not have listened to you; in fact, I should have said 'Pooh,'
like the critic. However, I can say it now
24

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
the top of his voice, gave a whisk with his tail, and went back into his
hole.

paddling up some minutes afterwards.
but for my own part I have a mother's feelings, and I can never look at a
confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my eyes.


very dangerous thing to do,
And I quite agree with her.
35
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
THE REMARKABLE ROCKET
The King's son was going to be married, so there were general
rejoicings. He had waited a whole year for his bride, and at last she had
arrived. She was a Russian Princess, and had driven all the way from
Finland in a sledge drawn by six reindeer. The sledge was shaped like a
great golden swan, and between the swan's wings lay the little Princess
herself. Her long ermine-cloak reached right down to her feet, on her
head was a tiny cap of silver tissue, and she was as pale as the Snow
Palace in which she had always lived. So pale was she that as she drove
through the streets all the people wondered.
they cried, and they threw down flowers on her from the balconies.
At the gate of the Castle the Prince was waiting to receive her. He had
dreamy violet eyes, and his hair was like fine gold. When he saw her he
sank upon one knee, and kissed her hand.

beautiful than your picture


For the next three days everybody went about saying,
Red rose, Red rose, White rose
salary was to be doubled. As he received no salary at all this was not of
much use to him, but it was considered a great honour, and was duly
published in the Court Gazette.
When the three days were over the marriage was celebrated. It was a
magnificent ceremony, and the bride and bridegroom walked hand in hand
under a canopy of purple velvet embroidered with little pearls. Then
there was a State Banquet, which lasted for five hours. The Prince and
Princess sat at the top of the Great Hall and drank out of a cup of clear
36
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
crystal. Only true lovers could drink out of this cup, for if false lips
touched it, it grew grey and dull and cloudy.
25

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

as crystal!
honour!
After the banquet there was to be a Ball. The bride and bridegroom
were to dance the Rose-dance together, and the King had promised to play
the flute. He played very badly, but no one had ever dared to tell him so,
because he was the King. Indeed, he knew only two airs, and was never
quite certain which one he was playing; but it made no matter, for,
whatever he did, everybody cried out,
The last item on the programme was a grand display of fireworks, to
be let off exactly at midnight. The little Princess had never seen a
firework in her life, so the King had given orders that the Royal
Pyrotechnist should be in attendance on the day of her marriage.

she was walking on the terrace.

answered questions that were addressed to other people,
natural. I prefer them to stars myself, as you always know when they are
going to appear, and they are as delightful as my own flute-playing. You
must certainly see them.
So at the end of the King's garden a great stand had been set up, and as
soon as the Royal Pyrotechnist had put everything in its proper place, the
fireworks began to talk to each other.

at those yellow tulips. Why! if they were real crackers they could not be
lovelier. I am very glad I have travelled. Travel improves the mind
wonderfully, and does away with all one's prejudices.

Roman Candle;
three days to see it thoroughly.
37
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

Catherine Wheel, who had been attached to an old deal box in early life,
and prided herself on her broken heart;
more, the poets have killed it. They wrote so much about it that nobody
believed them, and I am not surprised. True love suffers, and is silent. I
remember myself once - But it is no matter now. Romance is a thing of
the past.

the moon, and lives for ever. The bride and bridegroom, for instance,
love each other very dearly. I heard all about them this morning from a
brown-paper cartridge, who happened to be staying in the same drawer as
myself, and knew the latest Court news.
26

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
her head.
murmured. She was one of those people who think that, if you say the
same thing over and over a great many times, it becomes true in the end.
Suddenly, a sharp, dry cough was heard, and they all looked round.
It came from a tall, supercilious-looking Rocket, who was tied to the
end of a long stick. He always coughed before he made any observation,
so as to attract attention.

Catherine Wheel, who was still shaking her head, and murmuring,


and had always taken a prominent part in the local elections, so he knew
the proper Parliamentary expressions to use.

sleep.
As soon as there was perfect silence, the Rocket coughed a third time
and began. He spoke with a very slow, distinct voice, as if he was
dictating his memoirs, and always looked over the shoulder of the person
to whom he was talking. In fact, he had a most distinguished manner.

38
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
married on the very day on which I am to be let off. Really, if it had been
arranged beforehand, it could not have turned out better for him; but,
Princes are always lucky.

and that we were to be let off in the Prince's honour.

is, but with me it is different. I am a very remarkable Rocket, and come
of remarkable parents. My mother was the most celebrated Catherine
Wheel of her day, and was renowned for her graceful dancing. When she
made her great public appearance she spun round nineteen times before
she went out, and each time that she did so she threw into the air seven
pink stars. She was three feet and a half in diameter, and made of the
very best gunpowder. My father was a Rocket like myself, and of French
extraction. He flew so high that the people were afraid that he would
never come down again. He did, though, for he was of a kindly
disposition, and he made a most brilliant descent in a shower of golden
rain. The newspapers wrote about his performance in very flattering
terms. Indeed, the Court Gazette called him a triumph of Pylotechnic art.

is Pyrotechnic, for I saw it written on my own canister.

voice, and the Bengal Light felt so crushed that he began at once to bully
27

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
the little squibs, in order to show that he was still a person of some
importance.

saying?


was so rudely interrupted. I hate rudeness and bad manners of every kind,
for I am extremely sensitive. No one in the whole world is so sensitive
as I am, I am quite sure of that.

39
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

people's toes,
Cracker nearly exploded with laughter.

laughing.


have you to be happy? You should be thinking about others. In fact, you
should be thinking about me. I am always thinking about myself, and I
expect everybody else to do the same. That is what is called sympathy.
It is a beautiful virtue, and I possess it in a high degree. Suppose, for
instance, anything happened to me to-night, what a misfortune that would
be for every one! The Prince and Princess would never be happy again,
their whole married life would be spoiled; and as for the King, I know he
would not get over it. Really, when I begin to reflect on the importance
of my position, I am almost moved to tears.

had better keep yourself dry.



I am very uncommon, and very remarkable. Why, anybody can have
common sense, provided that they have no imagination. But I have
imagination, for I never think of things as they really are; I always think of
them as being quite different. As for keeping myself dry, there is
evidently no one here who can at all appreciate an emotional nature.
Fortunately for myself, I don't care. The only thing that sustains one
through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody
else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated. But none of you
have any hearts. Here you are laughing and making merry just as if the
Prince and Princess had not just been married.

28

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
40
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
joyful occasion, and when I soar up into the air I intend to tell the stars all
about it. You will see them twinkle when I talk to them about the pretty
bride.

expected. There is nothing in you; you are hollow and empty. Why,
perhaps the Prince and Princess may go to live in a country where there is
a deep river, and perhaps they may have one only son, a little fair- haired
boy with violet eyes like the Prince himself; and perhaps some day he may
go out to walk with his nurse; and perhaps the nurse may go to sleep under
a great elder-tree; and perhaps the little boy may fall into the deep river
and be drowned. What a terrible misfortune! Poor people, to lose their
only son! It is really too dreadful! I shall never get over it.

misfortune has happened to them at all.

If they had lost their only son there would be no use in saying anything
more about the matter. I hate people who cry over spilt milk. But when
I think that they might lose their only son, I certainly am very much
affected.

most affected person I ever met.

cannot understand my friendship for the Prince.


knew him I should not be his friend at all. It is a very dangerous thing to
know one's friends.
Fire-balloon.

shall weep if I choose
down his stick like rain-drops, and nearly drowned two little beetles, who
were just thinking of setting up house together, and were looking for a
41
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
nice dry spot to live in.

he weeps when there is nothing at all to weep about
deep sigh, and thought about the deal box.
But the Roman Candle and the Bengal Light were quite indignant, and
kept saying,
extremely practical, and whenever they objected to anything they called it
humbug.
29

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
Then the moon rose like a wonderful silver shield; and the stars began
to shine, and a sound of music came from the palace.
The Prince and Princess were leading the dance. They danced so
beautifully that the tall white lilies peeped in at the window and watched
them, and the great red poppies nodded their heads and beat time.
Then ten o'clock struck, and then eleven, and then twelve, and at the
last stroke of midnight every one came out on the terrace, and the King
sent for the Royal Pyrotechnist.

made a low bow, and marched down to the end of the garden. He had six
attendants with him, each of whom carried a lighted torch at the end of a
long pole.
It was certainly a magnificent display.
Whizz! Whizz! went the Catherine Wheel, as she spun round and
round. Boom! Boom! went the Roman Candle. Then the Squibs
danced all over the place, and the Bengal Lights made everything look
scarlet.
tiny blue sparks. Bang! Bang! answered the Crackers, who were
enjoying themselves immensely. Every one was a great success except
the Remarkable Rocket. He was so damp with crying that he could not
go off at all. The best thing in him was the gunpowder, and that was so
wet with tears that it was of no use. All his poor relations, to whom he
would never speak, except with a sneer, shot up into the sky like
wonderful golden flowers with blossoms of fire. Huzza! Huzza! cried
42
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
the Court; and the little Princess laughed with pleasure.

Rocket;
than ever.
The next day the workmen came to put everything tidy.
evidently a deputation,
becoming dignity
severely as if he were thinking about some very important subject. But
they took no notice of him at all till they were just going away. Then one
of them caught sight of him.
he threw him over the wall into the ditch.


GRAND sound very much the same, indeed they often are the same
he fell into the mud.

fashionable watering-place, and they have sent me away to recruit my
health. My nerves are certainly very much shattered, and I require rest.
30

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
Then a little Frog, with bright jewelled eyes, and a green mottled coat,
swam up to him.

like mud. Give me rainy weather and a ditch, and I am quite happy. Do
you think it will be a wet afternoon? I am sure I hope so, but the sky is
quite blue and cloudless. What a pity!


quite like a croak, and croaking is of course the most musical sound in the
world. You will hear our glee-club this evening. We sit in the old duck
pond close by the farmer's house, and as soon as the moon rises we begin.
It is so entrancing that everybody lies awake to listen to us. In fact, it
was only yesterday that I heard the farmer's wife say to her mother that
she could not get a wink of sleep at night on account of us. It is most
43
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
gratifying to find oneself so popular.

that he could not get a word in.

come over to the duck- pond. I am off to look for my daughters. I have
six beautiful daughters, and I am so afraid the Pike may meet them. He
is a perfect monster, and would have no hesitation in breakfasting off them.
Well, good-bye: I have enjoyed our conversation very much, I assure
you.

time yourself. That is not conversation.

talking myself. It saves time, and prevents arguments.


vulgar, for everybody in good society holds exactly the same opinions.
Good-bye a second time; I see my daughters in the distance and the little
Frog swam away.

I hate people who talk about themselves, as you do, when one wants to
talk about oneself, as I do. It is what I call selfishness, and selfishness is
a most detestable thing, especially to any one of my temperament, for I am
well known for my sympathetic nature. In fact, you should take example
by me; you could not possibly have a better model. Now that you have
the chance you had better avail yourself of it, for I am going back to Court
almost immediately. I am a great favourite at Court; in fact, the Prince
and Princess were married yesterday in my honour. Of course you know
nothing of these matters, for you are a provincial.
31

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.

on the top of a large brown bulrush;
away.

44
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
going to stop talking to him merely because he pays no attention. I like
hearing myself talk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I often have
long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that sometimes I don't
understand a single word of what I am saying.

fly; and he spread a pair of lovely gauze wings and soared away into the
sky.

that he has not often got such a chance of improving his mind. However, I
don't care a bit. Genius like mine is sure to be appreciated some day
and he sank down a little deeper into the mud.
After some time a large White Duck swam up to him. She had
yellow legs, and webbed feet, and was considered a great beauty on
account of her waddle.

May I ask were you born like that, or is it the result of an accident?

answered the Rocket,
excuse your ignorance. It would be unfair to expect other people to be as
remarkable as oneself. You will no doubt be surprised to hear that I can
fly up into the sky, and come down in a shower of golden rain.

is to any one. Now, if you could plough the fields like the ox, or draw a
cart like the horse, or look after the sheep like the collie-dog, that would
be something.


never useful. We have certain accomplishments, and that is more than
sufficient. I have no sympathy myself with industry of any kind, least of
all with such industries as you seem to recommend. Indeed, I have
always been of opinion that hard work is simply the refuge of people who
have nothing whatever to do.
45
The Happy Prince and Other Tales

and never quarrelled with any one,
hope, at any rate, that you are going to take up your residence here.

32

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
distinguished visitor. The fact is that I find this place rather tedious.
There is neither society here, nor solitude. In fact, it is essentially
suburban. I shall probably go back to Court, for I know that I am
destined to make a sensation in the world.

Duck;
chair at a meeting some time ago, and we passed resolutions condemning
everything that we did not like. However, they did not seem to have
much effect. Now I go in for domesticity, and look after my family.

relations, even the humblest of them. Whenever we appear we excite
great attention. I have not actually appeared myself, but when I do so it
will be a magnificent sight. As for domesticity, it ages one rapidly, and
distracts one's mind from higher things.

that reminds me how hungry I feel
stream, saying,

say to you
has gone,
and he sank a little deeper still into the mud, and began to think about the
loneliness of genius, when suddenly two little boys in white smocks came
running down the bank, with a kettle and some faggots.

very dignified.

it came here

The Happy Prince and Other Tales
what he said. Gold Stick is very complimentary. In fact, he mistakes
me for one of the Court dignitaries!

kettle.
So they piled the faggots together, and put the Rocket on top, and lit
the fire.

broad day-light, so that every one can see me.

will be boiled
The Rocket was very damp, so he took a long time to burn. At last,
however, the fire caught him.

straight.
the moon, much higher than the sun. In fact, I shall go so high that -
33

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.
Fizz! Fizz! Fizz! and he went straight up into the air.

success I am!
But nobody saw him.
Then he began to feel a curious tingling sensation all over him.

on fire, and make such a noise that nobody will talk about anything else
for a whole year.
went the gunpowder. There was no doubt about it.
But nobody heard him, not even the two little boys, for they were
sound asleep.
Then all that was left of him was the stick, and this fell down on the
back of a Goose who was taking a walk by the side of the ditch.

rushed into the water.

went out.
The Happy Prince and Other Tales
书籍是人类的朋友，更多好书尽在《E书吧》
34