Русалочка

           Thelittlemermaidleanedherwhitearmsontheedgeofthevessel,andlookedtowardstheeastforthefirstblushofmorning,forthatfirstrayofdawnthatwouldbringherdeath. Shesawhersistersrisingoutoftheflood:theywereaspaleasherself;buttheirlongbeautifulhairwavednomoreinthewind,andhadbeencutoff. 

           "Wehavegivenourhairtothewitch,"saidthey,"toobtainhelpforyou,thatyoumaynotdieto-night. Shehasgivenusaknife:hereitis,seeitisverysharp. Beforethesunrisesyoumustplungeitintotheheartoftheprince;whenthewarmbloodfallsuponyourfeettheywillgrowtogetheragain,andformintoafish’stail,andyouwillbeoncemoreamermaid,andreturntoustoliveoutyourthreehundredyearsbeforeyoudieandchangeintothesaltseafoam. Haste,then;heoryoumustdiebeforesunrise. Ouroldgrandmothermoanssoforyou,thatherwhitehairisfallingofffromsorrow,asoursfellunderthewitch’sscissors. Killtheprinceandcomeback;hasten:doyounotseethefirstredstreaksinthesky?Inafewminutesthesunwillrise,andyoumustdie. "Andthentheysigheddeeplyandmournfully,andsankdownbeneaththewaves. 

           Thelittlemermaiddrewbackthecrimsoncurtainofthetent,andbeheldthefairbridewithherheadrestingontheprince’sbreast.