Счастливый принц и другие сказки
The Nightingale and the Rose
"Tellittome,"saidtheNightingale,"Iamnotafraid."
"Ifyouwantaredrose,"saidtheTree,"youmustbuilditoutofmusicbymoonlight,andstainitwithyourownheart’s-blood.Youmustsingtomewithyourbreastagainstathorn.Allnightlongyoumustsingtome,andthethornmustpierceyourheart,andyourlife-bloodmustflowintomyveins,andbecomemine."
"Deathisagreatpricetopayforaredrose,"criedtheNightingale,"andLifeisverydeartoall.Itispleasanttositinthegreenwood,andtowatchtheSuninhischariotofgold,andtheMooninherchariotofpearl.Sweetisthescentofthehawthorn,andsweetarethebluebellsthathideinthevalley,andtheheatherthatblowsonthehill.YetLoveisbetterthanLife,andwhatistheheartofabirdcomparedtotheheartofaman?"
Soshespreadherbrownwingsforflight,andsoaredintotheair.Shesweptoverthegardenlikeashadow,andlikeashadowshesailedthroughthegrove.
TheyoungStudentwasstilllyingonthegrass,whereshehadlefthim,andthetearswerenotyetdryinhisbeautifuleyes.
"Behappy,"criedtheNightingale,"behappy;youshallhaveyourredrose.Iwillbuilditoutofmusicbymoonlight,andstainitwithmyownheart’s-blood.AllthatIaskofyouinreturnisthatyouwillbeatruelover,forLoveiswiserthanPhilosophy,thoughheiswise,andmightierthanPower,thoughheismighty.Flame-colouredarehiswings,andcolouredlikeflameishisbody.
