The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen
Section [1 | 2]
the court, and all the other Chinese knew every little turn in_the artificial bird's song; and for_that same reason it pleased them better . they_could sing with_the bird, which they often did . the street-boys sang, "Zi-zi-zi, cluck, cluck, cluck," and_the emperor himself could sing it also . it_was really most amusing .

one evening, when_the artificial bird was singing its best, and_the emperor lay in bed listening to_it, something inside the bird sounded "whizz ." then a spring cracked ." whir-r-r-r" went all the wheels, running round, and then the music stopped . the emperor immediately sprang out of bed, and called for_his physician; but what could he do ? then they sent for a watchmaker; and, after a great deal of talking and examination, the bird was put into something like order; but he_said that_it must_be used very carefully, as_the barrels were worn, and it would_be impossible to_put in new ones without injuring the music . now there_was great sorrow, as_the bird could only be allowed to play once a year; and even that was dangerous for_the works inside it . then the music- master made a little speech, full of hard words, and declared that_the bird was as good as ever; and, of_course no one contradicted him .

Five years passed, and then a real grief came upon_the land . the Chinese really were fond of_their emperor, and he now lay so ill that he_was not expected to live . already a new emperor had_been chosen and_the people who stood in_the street asked the lord- in-waiting how the old emperor was; but he only said, "Pooh ! " and shook his head .

cold and pale lay the emperor in_his royal bed; the whole court thought he_was dead, and every_one ran away to_pay homage to_his successor . the chamberlains went out to_have a talk on_the matter, and_the ladies'-maids invited company to_take coffee . cloth had_been laid down on_the halls and passages, so_that not a footstep should_be heard, and all was silent and still . but the emperor was not yet dead, although he lay white and stiff on_his gorgeous bed, with_the long velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels .a window stood open, and_the moon shone in upon_the emperor and_the artificial bird . the poor emperor, finding he_could scarcely breathe with a strange weight on_his chest, opened his eyes, and saw death sitting there . he had put on_the emperor's golden crown, and held in one hand his sword of state, and in_the other his beautiful banner . all around the bed and peeping through_the long velvet curtains, were a number of strange heads, some very ugly, and others lovely and gentle- looking . these were the emperor's good and bad deeds, which stared him in_the face now death sat at his heart .

" do_you remember this ? " " do_you recollect that ? " they asked one after another, thus bringing to_his remembrance circumstances that made the perspiration stand on_his brow .

" I_know nothing about_it," said the emperor ." music ! music ! " he cried; " the large Chinese drum ! that I_may not hear what they say ." but they still went on, and death nodded like aChinaman to all they said ." music ! music ! " shouted the emperor ." you little precious golden bird, sing, pray sing ! I_have_given you gold and costly presents; I_have even hung my golden slipper round your neck . sing ! sing ! " but the bird remained silent . there_was no one to wind it up, and therefore it could_not sing a note .

death continued to stare at_the emperor with_his cold, hollow eyes, and_the room was fearfully still . suddenly there came through_the open window the sound of sweet music . outside, on_the bough of a tree, sat the living nightingale . she had heard of_the emperor's illness, and was therefore come to sing to him of hope and trust . and as she sung, the shadows grew paler and paler; the blood in_the emperor's veins flowed more rapidly, and gave life to_his weak limbs; and even death himself listened, and said, " go on, little nightingale, go on ."

" then will_you give_me the beautiful golden sword and_that rich banner ? and will_you give_me the emperor's crown ? " said the bird .

so death gave up each of_these treasures for a song; and_the nightingale continued her singing . she sung of_the quiet churchyard, where the white roses grow, where the elder- tree wafts its perfume on_the breeze, and_the fresh, sweet grass is moistened by_the mourners' tears . then death longed to_go and_see his garden, and floated out through_the window in_the form of a cold, white mist .

" thanks, thanks, you heavenly little bird . I_know you well .I banished you from my kingdom once, and yet you_have charmed away the evil faces from my bed, and banished death from my heart, with your sweet song . how can I reward you ? "

" you_have already rewarded me," said the nightingale ." I_shall never forget that I drew tears from your eyes the first time I sang to_you . these are the jewels that rejoice a singer's heart . but now sleep, and grow strong and well again . i_will sing to_you again ."

and as she sung, the emperor fell into a sweet sleep; and how mild and refreshing that slumber was ! when he awoke, strengthened and restored, the sun shone brightly through_the window; but not one of_his servants had returned- they all believed he_was dead; only the nightingale still sat beside him, and sang .

" you_must always remain with me," said the emperor ." you shall sing only when it pleases you; and_I_will break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces ."

" no; do_not do_that," replied the nightingale; " the bird did very_well as long as it could . keep it here still . I_cannot live in_the palace, and build my nest; but let me come when I like . i_will sit on a bough outside your window, in_the evening, and sing to_you, so_that you_may_be happy, and_have thoughts full of joy . i_will sing to_you of_those who_are happy, and those who suffer; of_the good and_the evil, who_are hidden around you . the little singing bird flies far from_you and your court to_the home of_the fisherman and_the peasant's cot .I love your heart better than your crown; and yet something holy lingers round that also . i_will come, i_will sing to_you; but you_must promise me one_thing ."

" everything," said the emperor, who, having dressed himself in_his imperial robes, stood with_the hand that held the heavy golden sword pressed to_his heart .

"I only ask one_thing," she replied; " let no one know that you_have a little bird who tells you everything . it_will_be best to conceal it ." so saying, the nightingale flew away .

the servants now came in to look after_the dead emperor; when, lo ! there he stood, and, to_their astonishment, said, " good morning ."

the end

Section [1 | 2]