Счастливый принц и другие сказки
The Happy Prince
"Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,"saidthePrince,"willyounotstaywithmeonenightlonger?"
"IamwaitedforinEgypt,"answeredtheSwallow."To-morrowmyfriendswillflyuptotheSecondCataract.Theriver-horsecouchesthereamongthebulrushes,andonagreatgranitethronesitstheGodMemnon.Allnightlonghewatchesthestars,andwhenthemorningstarshinesheuttersonecryofjoy,andthenheissilent.Atnoontheyellowlionscomedowntothewater’sedgetodrink.Theyhaveeyeslikegreenberyls,andtheirroarislouderthantheroarofthecataract."
"Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,"saidthePrince,"farawayacrossthecityIseeayoungmaninagarret.Heisleaningoveradeskcoveredwithpapers,andinatumblerbyhissidethereisabunchofwitheredviolets.Hishairisbrownandcrisp,andhislipsareredasapomegranate,andhehaslargeanddreamyeyes.HeistryingtofinishaplayfortheDirectoroftheTheatre,butheistoocoldtowriteanymore.Thereisnofireinthegrate,andhungerhasmadehimfaint."
"Iwillwaitwithyouonenightlonger,"saidtheSwallow,whoreallyhadagoodheart."ShallItakehimanotherruby?"
"Alas!Ihavenorubynow,"saidthePrince;"myeyesareallthatIhaveleft.Theyaremadeofraresapphires,whichwerebroughtoutofIndiaathousandyearsago.Pluckoutoneofthemandtakeittohim.Hewillsellittothejeweller,andbuyfoodandfirewood,andfinishhisplay."
