Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Nightingale and the Rose
Allnightlongshesangandthethornwentdeeperanddeeperintoherbreast,andherlife-bloodebbedawayfromher.
Shesangfirstofthebirthofloveintheheartofaboyandagirl.Andonthetop-mostsprayoftheRose-treethereblossomedamarvellousrose,petalfollowingpetal,assongfollowedsong.Palewasit,atfirst,asthemistthathangsovertheriver—paleasthefeetofthemorning,andsilverasthewingsofthedawn.Astheshadowofaroseinamirrorofsilver,astheshadowofaroseinawater-pool,sowastherosethatblossomedonthetopmostsprayoftheTree.
ButtheTreecriedtotheNightingaletopresscloseragainstthethorn."Presscloser,littleNightingale,"criedtheTree,"ortheDaywillcomebeforetheroseisfinished."
SotheNightingalepressedcloseragainstthethorn,andlouderandloudergrewhersong,forshesangofthebirthofpassioninthesoulofamanandamaid.
Andadelicateflushofpinkcameintotheleavesoftherose,liketheflushinthefaceofthebridegroomwhenhekissesthelipsofthebride.Butthethornhadnotyetreachedherheart,sotherose’sheartremainedwhite,foronlyaNightingale’sheart’s-bloodcancrimsontheheartofarose.
AndtheTreecriedtotheNightingaletopresscloseragainstthethorn."Presscloser,littleNightingale,"criedtheTree,"ortheDaywillcomebeforetheroseisfinished."
SotheNightingalepressedcloseragainstthethorn,andthethorntouchedherheart,andafiercepangofpainshotthroughher.
