Русалочка

           Theship,withswellingsailsandafavorablewind,glidedawaysmoothlyandlightlyoverthecalmsea. Whenitgrewdarkanumberofcoloredlampswerelit,andthesailorsdancedmerrilyonthedeck. Thelittlemermaidcouldnothelpthinkingofherfirstrisingoutofthesea,whenshehadseensimilarfestivitiesandjoys; andshejoinedinthedance,poisedherselfintheairasaswallowwhenhepursueshisprey,andallpresentcheeredherwithwonder. Shehadneverdancedsoelegantlybefore. Hertenderfeetfeltasifcutwithsharpknives,butshecarednotforit;asharperpanghadpiercedthroughherheart. Sheknewthiswasthelasteveningsheshouldeverseetheprince,forwhomshehadforsakenherkindredandherhome;shehadgivenupherbeautifulvoice,andsufferedunheard-ofpaindailyforhim,whileheknewnothingofit. Thiswasthelasteveningthatshewouldbreathethesameairwithhim,orgazeonthestarryskyandthedeepsea;aneternalnight,withoutathoughtoradream,awaitedher:shehadnosoulandnowshecouldneverwinone. Allwasjoyandgayetyonboardshiptilllongaftermidnight;shelaughedanddancedwiththerest,whilethethoughtsofdeathwereinherheart. Theprincekissedhisbeautifulbride,whilesheplayedwithhisravenhair,tilltheywentarm-in-armtorestinthesplendidtent. Thenallbecamestillonboardtheship;thehelmsman,aloneawake,stoodatthehelm.