Русалочка

           "Hesaysthemaidenbelongstotheholytemple,thereforeshewillneverreturntotheworld. Theywillmeetnomore:whileIambyhisside,andseehimeveryday. Iwilltakecareofhim,andlovehim,andgiveupmylifeforhissake." 

           Verysoonitwassaidthattheprincemustmarry,andthatthebeautifuldaughterofaneighboringkingwouldbehiswife,forafineshipwasbeingfittedout. Althoughtheprincegaveoutthathemerelyintendedtopayavisittotheking,itwasgenerallysupposedthathereallywenttoseehisdaughter. Agreatcompanyweretogowithhim. Thelittlemermaidsmiled,andshookherhead.Sheknewtheprince’sthoughtsbetterthananyoftheothers. 

           "Imusttravel,"hehadsaidtoher; "Imustseethisbeautifulprincess;myparentsdesireit;buttheywillnotobligemetobringherhomeasmybride. Icannotloveher; sheisnotlikethebeautifulmaideninthetemple,whomyouresemble. IfIwereforcedtochooseabride,Iwouldratherchooseyou,mydumbfoundling,withthoseexpressiveeyes." Andthenhekissedherrosymouth,playedwithherlongwavinghair,andlaidhisheadonherheart,whileshedreamedofhumanhappinessandanimmortalsoul. "Youarenotafraidofthesea,mydumbchild,"saidhe,astheystoodonthedeckofthenobleshipwhichwastocarrythemtothecountryoftheneighboringking.