Щасливий принц та інші казки
The Happy Prince
SoIlived,andsoIdied.AndnowthatIamdeadtheyhavesetmeupheresohighthatIcanseealltheuglinessandallthemiseryofmycity,andthoughmyheartismadeofleadyetIcannotchoosebutweep."
"What!ishenotsolidgold?"saidtheSwallowtohimself.Hewastoopolitetomakeanypersonalremarksoutloud.
"Faraway,"continuedthestatueinalowmusicalvoice,"farawayinalittlestreetthereisapoorhouse.Oneofthewindowsisopen,andthroughitIcanseeawomanseatedatatable.Herfaceisthinandworn,andshehascoarse,redhands,allprickedbytheneedle,forsheisaseamstress.Sheisembroideringpassion-flowersonasatingownfortheloveliestoftheQueen’smaids-of-honourtowearatthenextCourt-ball.Inabedinthecorneroftheroomherlittleboyislyingill.Hehasafever,andisaskingfororanges.Hismotherhasnothingtogivehimbutriverwater,soheiscrying.Swallow,Swallow,littleSwallow,willyounotbringhertherubyoutofmysword-hilt?MyfeetarefastenedtothispedestalandIcannotmove."
"IamwaitedforinEgypt,"saidtheSwallow."MyfriendsareflyingupanddowntheNile,andtalkingtothelargelotus-flowers.SoontheywillgotosleepinthetombofthegreatKing.TheKingistherehimselfinhispaintedcoffin.Heiswrappedinyellowlinen,andembalmedwithspices.Roundhisneckisachainofpalegreenjade,andhishandsarelikewitheredleaves."
