the little lame prince(小瘸腿王子)-第19部分
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one could say； since larks do not usually build their nests in the pavement
of city squares。 But there it was； a real lark； singing far over their heads；
louder and clearer and more joyful as it vanished further into the blue sky。
Shading their eyes； and straining their ears； the astonished people
stood until the whole vision disappeared like a speck in the clouds the
rosy clouds that overhung the Beautiful Mountains。
King Dolor was never again beheld or heard of in his own country。 But
the good he had done there lasted for years and years； he was long missed
and deeply mournedat least； so far as anybody could mourn one who was
gone on such a happy journey。
Whither he went； or who went with him； it is impossible to say。 But I
myself believe that his godmother took him on his traveling…cloak to the
Beautiful Mountains。 What he did there； or where he is now； who can tell？
I cannot。 But one thing I am quite sure of； that； wherever he is； he is
perfectly happy。
And so； when I think of him； am I。
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THE INVISIBLE PRINCE
THERE were a king and queen who were dotingly fond of their only
son； notwithstanding that he was equally deformed in mind and person。
The king was quite sensible of the evil disposition of his son； but the
queen in her excessive fondness saw no fault whatever in her dear Furibon；
as he was named。 The surest way to win her favor was to praise Furibon
for charms he did not possess。 When he came of age to have a governor；
the king made choice of a prince who had an ancient right to the crown；
but was not able to support it。 This prince had a son； named Leander；
handsome； accomplished； amiablein every respect the opposite of Prince
Furibon。 The two were frequently together； which only made the deformed
prince more repulsive。
One day； certain ambassadors having arrived from a far country； the
prince stood in a gallery to see them； when； taking Leander for the king's
son； they made their obeisance to him； treating Furibon as a mere dwarf； at
which the latter was so offended that he drew his sword； and would have
done them a mischief had not the king just then appeared。 As it was； the
affair produced a quarrel； which ended in Leander's being sent to a far…
away castle belonging to his father。
There； however； he was quite happy； for he was a great lover of
hunting； fishing； and walking： he understood painting； read much； and
played upon several instruments； so that he was glad to be freed from the
fantastic humors of Furibon。 One day as he was walking in the garden；
finding the heat increase； he retired into a shady grove and began to play
upon the flute to amuse himself。 As he played； he felt something wind
about his leg； and looking down saw a great adder： he took his
handkerchief； and catching it by the head was going to kill it。 But the
adder； looking steadfastly in his face； seemed to beg his pardon。 At this
instant one of the gardeners happened to come to the place where Leander
was； and spying the snake； cried out to his master： 〃Hold him fast； sir； it is
but an hour since we ran after him to kill him： it is the most mischievous
creature in the world。〃
Leander； casting his eyes a second time upon the snake； which was
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The Little Lame Prince
speckled with a thousand extraordinary colors； perceived the poor creature
still looked upon him with an aspect that seemed to implore compassion；
and never tried in the least to defend itself。
〃Though thou hast such a mind to kill it；〃 said he to the gardener； 〃yet；
as it came to me for refuge； I forbid thee to do it any harm； for I will keep
it； and when it has cast its beautiful skin I will let it go。〃 He then returned
home； and carrying the snake with him； put it into a large chamber； the key
of which he kept himself； and ordered bran； milk； and flowers to be given
to it； for its delight and sustenance； so that never was snake so happy。
Leander went sometimes to see it； and when it perceived him it made haste
to meet him； showing him all the little marks of love and gratitude of
which a poor snake was capable； which did not a little surprise him；
though he took no further notice of it。
In the meantime all the court ladies were extremely troubled at his
absence； and he was the subject of all their discourse。 〃Alas！〃 cried they；
〃there is no pleasure at court since Leander is gone； of whose absence the
wicked Furibon is the cause！〃 Furibon also had his parasites； for his power
over the queen made him feared； they told him what the ladies said； which
enraged him to such a degree that in his passion he flew to the queen's
chamber； and vowed he would kill himself before her face if she did not
find means to destroy Leander。 The queen； who also hated Leander；
because he was handsomer than her son； replied that she had long looked
upon him as a traitor； and therefore would willingly consent to his death。
To which purpose she advised Furibon to go a…hunting with some of his
confidants； and contrive it so that Leander should make one of the party。
〃Then；〃 said she； 〃you may find some way to punish him for pleasing
everybody。〃
Furibon understood her； and accordingly went a…hunting； and Leander；
when he heard the horns and the hounds； mounted his horse and rode to
see who it was。 But he was surprised to meet the prince so unexpectedly；
he alighted immediately and saluted him with respect； and Furibon
received him more graciously than usual and bade follow him。 All of a
sudden he turned his horse and rode another way； making a sign to the
ruffians to take the first opportunity to kill him； but before he had got quite
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out of sight； a lion of prodigious size； coming out of his den； leaped upon
Furibon； all his followers fled； and only Leander remained； who； attacking
the animal sword in hand； by his valor and agility saved the life of his
most cruel enemy； who had fallen in a swoon from fear。 When he
recovered； Leander presented him his horse to remount。 Now； any other
than such a wretch would have been grateful； but Furibon did not even
look upon him； nay； mounting the horse； he rode in quest of the ruffians； to
whom he repeated his orders to kill him。 They accordingly surrounded
Leander； who； setting his back to a tree； behaved with so much bravery
that he laid them all dead at his feet。 Furibon； believing him by this time
slain； rode eagerly up to the spot。 When Leander saw him he advanced to
meet him。 〃Sir；〃 said he； 〃if it was by your order that these assassins came
to kill me； I am sorry I made any defense。〃
〃You are an insolent villain！〃 replied Furibon； 〃and if ever you come
into my presence again； you shall surely die。〃
Leander made no answer； but retired sad and pensive to his own home；
where he spent the night in pondering what was best for him to do； for
there was no likelihood he should be able to defend himself against the
power of the king's son； therefore he at length concluded he would travel
abroad and see the world。 Being ready to depart； he recollected his snake；
and； calling for some milk and fruits； carried them to the poor creature for
the last time； but on opening the door he perceived an extraordinary luster
in one corner of the room； and casting his eye on the place he was
surprised to see a lady； whose noble and majestic air made him
immediately conclude she was a princess of royal birth。 Her habit was of
purple satin； embroidered with pearls and diamonds； she advanced toward
him with a gracious smile。
〃Young prince；〃 said she； 〃you find no longer your pet snake； but me；
the fairy Gentilla； ready to requite your generosity。 For know that we
fairies live a hundred years in flourishing youth； without diseases； without
trouble or pain； and this term being expired； we become snakes for eight
days。 During that time it is not in our power to prevent any misfortune that
may befall us； and if we happen to be killed； we never revive again。 But
these eight days being expired； we resume our usual form and recover our
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beauty； our power； and our riches。 Now you know how much I am obliged
to your goodness； and it is but just that I should repay my debt of gratitude；
think how I can serve you and depend on me。〃
The young prince； who had never conversed with a fairy till now； was
so surprised that it was a long time before he could speak。 But at length；
making a profound reverence； 〃Madam；〃 said he； 〃since I have had the
honor to ser
