Щасливий принц та інші казки

           Hislipsaresweetashoney,andhisbreathislikefrankincense."

           TheStudentlookedupfromthegrass,andlistened,buthecouldnotunderstandwhattheNightingalewassayingtohim,forheonlyknewthethingsthatarewrittendowninbooks.

           ButtheOak-treeunderstood,andfeltsad,forhewasveryfondofthelittleNightingalewhohadbuilthernestinhisbranches.

           "Singmeonelastsong,"hewhispered;"Ishallfeelverylonelywhenyouaregone."

           SotheNightingalesangtotheOak-tree,andhervoicewaslikewaterbubblingfromasilverjar.

           Whenshehadfinishedhersong,theStudentgotup,andpulledanote-bookandalead-penciloutofhispocket.

           "Shehasform,"hesaidtohimself,ashewalkedawaythroughthegrove—"thatcannotbedeniedtoher;buthasshegotfeeling?Iamafraidnot.Infact,sheislikemostartists;sheisallstylewithoutanysincerity.Shewouldnotsacrificeherselfforothers.Shethinksmerelyofmusic,andeverybodyknowsthattheartsareselfish.Still,itmustbeadmittedthatshehassomebeautifulnotesinhervoice.Whatapityitisthattheydonotmeananything,ordoanypracticalgood!"Andhewentintohisroom,andlaydownonhislittlepallet-bed,andbegantothinkofhislove;and,afteratime,hefellasleep.

           AndwhentheMoonshoneintheheavenstheNightingaleflewtotheRose-tree,andsetherbreastagainstthethorn.Allnightlongshesangwithherbreastagainstthethorn,andthecoldcrystalMoonleaneddownandlistened.