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第5章

the little mermaid-第5章

小说: the little mermaid 字数: 每页4000字

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magic draught。

    〃Cleanliness is a good thing;〃 said she; scouring the vessel

with snakes; which she had tied together in a large knot; then she

pricked herself in the breast; and let the black blood drop into it。

The steam that rose formed itself into such horrible shapes that no

one could look at them without fear。 Every moment the witch threw

something else into the vessel; and when it began to boil; the sound

was like the weeping of a crocodile。 When at last the magic draught

was ready; it looked like the clearest water。 〃There it is for you;〃

said the witch。 Then she cut off the mermaid's tongue; so that she

became dumb; and would never again speak or sing。 〃If the polypi

should seize hold of you as you return through the wood;〃 said the

witch; 〃throw over them a few drops of the potion; and their fingers

will be torn into a thousand pieces。〃 But the little mermaid had no

occasion to do this; for the polypi sprang back in terror when they

caught sight of the glittering draught; which shone in her hand like a

twinkling star。

    So she passed quickly through the wood and the marsh; and

between the rushing whirlpools。 She saw that in her father's palace

the torches in the ballroom were extinguished; and all within

asleep; but she did not venture to go in to them; for now she was dumb

and going to leave them forever; she felt as if her heart would break。

She stole into the garden; took a flower from the flower…beds of

each of her sisters; kissed her hand a thousand times towards the

palace; and then rose up through the dark blue waters。 The sun had not

risen when she came in sight of the prince's palace; and approached

the beautiful marble steps; but the moon shone clear and bright。

Then the little mermaid drank the magic draught; and it seemed as if a

two…edged sword went through her delicate body: she fell into a swoon;

and lay like one dead。 When the sun arose and shone over the sea;

she recovered; and felt a sharp pain; but just before her stood the

handsome young prince。 He fixed his coal…black eyes upon her so

earnestly that she cast down her own; and then became aware that her

fish's tail was gone; and that she had as pretty a pair of white

legs and tiny feet as any little maiden could have; but she had no

clothes; so she wrapped herself in her long; thick hair。 The prince

asked her who she was; and where she came from; and she looked at

him mildly and sorrowfully with her deep blue eyes; but she could

not speak。 Every step she took was as the witch had said it would

be; she felt as if treading upon the points of needles or sharp

knives; but she bore it willingly; and stepped as lightly by the

prince's side as a soap…bubble; so that he and all who saw her

wondered at her graceful…swaying movements。 She was very soon

arrayed in costly robes of silk and muslin; and was the most beautiful

creature in the palace; but she was dumb; and could neither speak

nor sing。

    Beautiful female slaves; dressed in silk and gold; stepped forward

and sang before the prince and his royal parents: one sang better than

all the others; and the prince clapped his hands and smiled at her。

This was great sorrow to the little mermaid; she knew how much more

sweetly she herself could sing once; and she thought; 〃Oh if he

could only know that! I have given away my voice forever; to be with

him。〃

    The slaves next performed some pretty fairy…like dances; to the

sound of beautiful music。 Then the little mermaid raised her lovely

white arms; stood on the tips of her toes; and glided over the

floor; and danced as no one yet had been able to dance。 At each moment

her beauty became more revealed; and her expressive eyes appealed more

directly to the heart than the songs of the slaves。 Every one was

enchanted; especially the prince; who called her his little foundling;

and she danced again quite readily; to please him; though each time

her foot touched the floor it seemed as if she trod on sharp knives。〃

    The prince said she should remain with him always; and she

received permission to sleep at his door; on a velvet cushion。 He

had a page's dress made for her; that she might accompany him on

horseback。 They rode together through the sweet…scented woods; where

the green boughs touched their shoulders; and the little birds sang

among the fresh leaves。 She climbed with the prince to the tops of

high mountains; and although her tender feet bled so that even her

steps were marked; she only laughed; and followed him till they

could see the clouds beneath them looking like a flock of birds

travelling to distant lands。 While at the prince's palace; and when

all the household were asleep; she would go and sit on the broad

marble steps; for it eased her burning feet to bathe them in the

cold sea…water; and then she thought of all those below in the deep。

    Once during the night her sisters came up arm…in…arm; singing

sorrowfully; as they floated on the water。 She beckoned to them; and

then they recognized her; and told her how she had grieved them。 After

that; they came to the same place every night; and once she saw in the

distance her old grandmother; who had not been to the surface of the

sea for many years; and the old Sea King; her father; with his crown

on his head。 They stretched out their hands towards her; but they

did not venture so near the land as her sisters did。

    As the days passed; she loved the prince more fondly; and he loved

her as he would love a little child; but it never came into his head

to make her his wife; yet; unless he married her; she could not

receive an immortal soul; and; on the morning after his marriage

with another; she would dissolve into the foam of the sea。

    〃Do you not love me the best of them all?〃 the eyes of the

little mermaid seemed to say; when he took her in his arms; and kissed

her fair forehead。

    〃Yes; you are dear to me;〃 said the prince; 〃for you have the best

heart; and you are the most devoted to me; you are like a young maiden

whom I once saw; but whom I shall never meet again。 I was in a ship

that was wrecked; and the waves cast me ashore near a holy temple;

where several young maidens performed the service。 The youngest of

them found me on the shore; and saved my life。 I saw her but twice;

and she is the only one in the world whom I could love; but you are

like her; and you have almost driven her image out of my mind。 She

belongs to the holy temple; and my good fortune has sent you to me

instead of her; and we will never part。〃

    〃Ah; he knows not that it was I who saved his life;〃 thought the

little mermaid。 〃I carried him over the sea to the wood where the

temple stands: I sat beneath the foam; and watched till the human

beings came to help him。 I saw the pretty maiden that he loves

better than he loves me;〃 and the mermaid sighed deeply; but she could

not shed tears。 〃He says the maiden belongs to the holy temple;

therefore she will never return to the world。 They will meet no

more: while I am by his side; and see him every day。 I will take

care of him; and love him; and give up my life for his sake。〃

    Very soon it was said that the prince must marry; and that the

beautiful daughter of a neighboring king would be his wife; for a fine

ship was being fitted out。 Although the prince gave out that he merely

intended to pay a visit to the king; it was generally supposed that he

really went to see his daughter。 A great company were to go with

him。 The little mermaid smiled; and shook her head。 She knew the

prince's thoughts better than any of the others。

    〃I must travel;〃 he had said to her; 〃I must see this beautiful

princess; my parents desire it; but they will not oblige me to bring

her home as my bride。 I cannot love her; she is not like the beautiful

maiden in the temple; whom you resemble。 If I were forced to choose

a bride; I would rather choose you; my dumb foundling; with those

expressive eyes。〃 And then he kissed her rosy mouth; played with her

long waving hair; and laid his head on her heart; while she dreamed of

human happiness and an imm

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