Соловей

           Inthemiddleofthelargereception-roomwheretheemperorsatagoldenrodhadbeenfixed,onwhichthenightingalewastoperch.Thewholecourtwasassembled,andthelittlekitchen-maidhadbeenpermittedtostandbehindthedoor,asshenowhadtheactualtitleofcook.Theywerealldressedintheirbest;everybody’seyeswereturnedtowardsthelittlegreybirdatwhichtheemperorwasnodding.Thenightingalesangdelightfully,andthetearscameintotheemperor’seyes,nay,theyrolleddownhischeeks;andthenthenightingalesangmorebeautifullythanever,itsnotestouchedallhearts.Theemperorwascharmed,andsaidthenightingaleshouldhavehisgoldslippertowearrounditsneck.Butthenightingaledeclinedwiththanks;ithadalreadybeensufficientlyrewarded.’Ihaveseentearsintheeyesoftheemperor;thatismyrichestreward.Thetearsofanemperorhaveawonderfulpower!GodknowsIamsufficientlyrecompensed!’andthenitagainburstintoitssweetheavenlysong.’ThatisthemostdelightfulcoquettingIhaveeverseen!’saidtheladies,andtheytooksomewaterintotheirmouthstotryandmakethesamegurglingwhenanyonespoketothem,thinkingsotoequalthenightingale.Eventhelackeysandthechambermaidsannouncedthattheyweresatisfied,andthatissayingagreatdeal;theyarealwaysthemostdifficultpeopletoplease.Yes,indeed,thenightingalehadmadeasensation.Itwastostayatcourtnow,andtohaveitsowncage,aswellaslibertytowalkouttwiceaday,andonceinthenight.