The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen
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night; nothing but a little rock rising out_of_the sea, upon_which we_can scarcely stand with safety, even closely crowded together . if_the sea is rough, the foam dashes over us, yet we thank god even for_this rock; we_have passed whole nights upon it, or we_should never have reached our beloved fatherland, for_our flight across the sea occupies two of_the longest days in_the year . we_have permission to visit out home once in every year, and to remain eleven days, during which we fly across the forest to look once more at_the palace where our father dwells, and where we were born, and at_the church, where our mother lies buried . here it seems as if_the very trees and bushes were related to_us . the wild horses leap over the plains as we_have seen them in_our childhood . the charcoal burners sing the old songs, to_which we_have danced as children . this_is our fatherland, to which_we_are drawn by loving ties; and here we_have found you, our dear little sister ., two days longer we_can remain here, and then must we fly away to a beautiful land which_is not our home; and how can we take you with_us ? we_have neither ship nor boat ."

" how can I break this spell ? " said their sister . and then she talked about_it nearly the whole night, only slumbering for a few hours .Eliza was awakened by_the rustling of_the swans' wings as_they soared above . her brothers were again changed to swans, and_they flew in circles wider and wider, till they were far away; but one_of_them, the youngest swan, remained behind, and laid his head in_his sister's lap, while she stroked his wings; and_they remained together the whole day . towards evening, the rest came back, and as_the sun went down they resumed their natural forms ." to- morrow," said one, " we_shall fly away, not to return again till a whole year has passed . but we_cannot leave you here . have_you courage to_go with_us ? my arm is strong enough to carry you through_the wood; and will not all our wings be strong enough to fly with_you over the sea ? "

" yes, take me with_you," said Eliza . then they spent the whole night in weaving a net with_the pliant willow and rushes . it_was very large and strong .Eliza laid herself down on_the net, and when_the sun rose, and her brothers again became wild swans, they took up the net with their beaks, and flew up_to_the clouds with their dear sister, who still slept . the sunbeams fell on her face, therefore one_of_the swans soared over her head, so_that his broad wings might shade her . they were far from_the land when Eliza woke . she thought she_must still be dreaming, it seemed so strange to her to_feel herself being carried so high in_the air over the sea . by her side lay a branch full of beautiful ripe berries, and a bundle of sweet roots; the youngest of her brothers had gathered them for her, and placed them by her side . she smiled her thanks to him; she knew it was_the same who had hovered over her to shade her with_his wings . they were now so high, that a large ship beneath them looked like a white sea- gull skimming the waves .a great cloud floating behind them appeared like a vast mountain, and upon it Eliza saw her own shadow and those of_the eleven swans, looking gigantic in size . altogether it formed a more beautiful picture than she had ever seen; but as_the sun rose higher, and_the clouds were left behind, the shadowy picture vanished away . onward the whole day they flew through_the air like a winged arrow, yet more slowly than usual, for they had their sister to carry . the weather seemed inclined to_be stormy, and Eliza watched the sinking sun with great anxiety, for_the little rock in_the ocean was not yet in sight . it appeared to her as if_the swans were making great efforts with their wings . alas ! she was_the cause of_their not advancing more quickly . when_the sun set, they_would change to men, fall into_the sea and be drowned . then she offered a prayer from her inmost heart, but still no appearance of_the rock . dark clouds came nearer, the gusts of wind told of acoming storm, while from a thick, heavy mass of clouds the lightning burst forth flash after flash . the sun had reached the edge of_the sea, when_the swans darted down so swiftly, that Eliza's head trembled; she believed they were falling, but they again soared onward . presently she caught sight of_the rock just below them, and by_this_time the sun was half hidden by_the waves . the rock did_not appear larger than a seal's head thrust out_of_the water . they sunk so rapidly, that at_the moment their feet touched the rock, it shone only like a star, and at last disappeared like the last spark in a piece of burnt paper . then she saw her brothers standing closely round her with their arms linked together . there_was but just room enough for_them, and not the smallest space to spare . the sea dashed against the rock, and covered them with spray . the heavens were lighted up with continual flashes, and peal after peal of thunder rolled . but the sister and brothers sat holding each_other's hands, and singing hymns, from_which they gained hope and courage . in_the early dawn the air became calm and still, and at sunrise the swans flew away from_the rock with Eliza . the sea was still rough, and from their high position in_the air, the white foam on_the dark green waves looked like millions of swans swimming on_the water . as_the sun rose higher, Eliza saw before her, floating on_the air, a range of mountains, with shining masses of ice on their summits . in_the centre, rose a castle apparently a mile long, with rows of columns, rising one above another, while, around it, palm-trees waved and flowers bloomed as large as mill wheels . she asked if this_was the land to_which they were hastening . the swans shook their heads, for what she beheld were the beautiful ever-changing cloud palaces of_the "Fata Morgana," into which no mortal can enter .Eliza was still gazing at_the scene, when mountains, forests, and castles melted away, and twenty stately churches rose in their stead, with high towers and pointed Gothic windows .Eliza even fancied she_could hear the tones of_the organ, but it was_the music of_the murmuring sea which she heard . as_they drew nearer to_the churches, they also changed into a fleet of ships, which seemed to_be sailing beneath her; but as she looked again, she found it_was only a sea mist gliding over the ocean . so there continued to_pass before her eyes a constant change of scene, till at last she saw the real land to_which they were bound, with its blue mountains, its cedar forests, and its cities and palaces . long before_the sun went down, she sat on a rock, in front of a large cave, on_the floor of_which the over- grown yet delicate green creeping plants looked like an embroidered carpet ." now we_shall expect to hear what you dream of to- night," said the youngest brother, as he showed his sister her bedroom .

" heaven grant that I_may dream how to save you," she replied . and this thought took such hold upon her mind that she prayed earnestly to god for help, and even in her sleep she continued to pray . then it appeared to her as_if she were flying high in_the air, towards the cloudy palace of_the "Fata Morgana," and a fairy came out to meet her, radiant and beautiful in appearance, and yet very_much like the old woman who had given her berries in_the wood, and who had told her of_the swans with golden crowns on their heads ." your brothers can_be released," said she, " if_you_have only courage and perseverance . true, water is softer than your own delicate hands, and yet it polishes stones into shapes; it feels no pain as_your fingers would feel, it has no soul, and cannot suffer such agony and torment as_you_will_have to endure . do you_see the stinging nettle which I hold in my hand ? quantities of_the same sort grow round the cave in_which_you sleep, but none will_be of any use to_you unless they grow upon_the graves in achurchyard . these you_must gather even while they burn blisters on_your hands . break them to pieces with your hands and feet, and they_will become flax, from_which you_must spin and weave eleven coats with long sleeves; if these are then thrown over the eleven swans, the spell will_be broken . but remember, that from_the moment you commence your task until it_is finished, even should it occupy years of your life, you_must not speak . the first word you utter will pierce through_the hearts of your brothers like a deadly dagger . their lives hang upon your tongue . remember all I_have told you ." and as she finished speaking, she touched her hand lightly with_the nettle, and a pain, as of burning fire, awoke Eliza .

it_was broad daylight, and close by where she had_been sleeping lay a nettle like the one she had seen in her dream . she fell on her knees and offered her thanks to god . then she went forth from_the cave to_begin her work with her delicate hands . she groped in amongst the ugly nettles, which burnt great blisters on her hands and arms, but she determined to bear it gladly if she_could only release her dear brothers . so she bruised the nettles with her bare feet and spun the flax . at sunset her brothers returned and were very_much frightened when_they found her dumb . they believed it to_be some new sorcery of_their wicked step- mother . but when_they saw her hands they understood what she was doing on their behalf, and_the youngest brother wept, and where his tears fell the pain ceased, and_the burning blisters vanished . she kept to her work all night, for she_could_not rest till she had released her dear brothers . during the whole of_the following day, while her brothers were absent, she sat in solitude, but never before had the time flown so quickly . one coat was already finished and she had begun the second, when she heard the huntsman's horn, and was struck with fear . the sound came nearer and nearer, she heard the dogs barking, and fled with terror into_the cave . she hastily bound together the nettles she had gathered into a bundle and sat upon them . immediately a great dog came bounding towards her out_of_the ravine, and then another and another; they barked loudly, ran back, and then came again . in a very few_minutes all the huntsmen stood before_the cave, and_the handsomest of_them was_the king of_the country . he advanced towards her, for he had never seen a more beautiful maiden .

" how did you come here, my sweet child ? " he asked . but Eliza shook her head . she dared not speak, at_the cost of her brothers' lives . and she hid her hands under her apron, so that_the king might_not see how she_must be suffering .

" come with me," he_said; " here you_cannot remain . if_you_are as good as_you_are beautiful, i_will dress you in silk and velvet, i_will place a golden crown upon your head, and you shall dwell, and rule, and make your home in my richest castle ." and then he lifted her on_his horse . she wept and wrung her hands, but the king said, " i_wish only for your happiness .a time will come when_you will thank me for_this ." and then he galloped away over the mountains, holding her before him on_this horse, and_the hunters followed behind them . as_the sun went down, they approached a fair royal city, with churches, and cupolas . on arriving at_the castle the king led her into marble halls, where large fountains played, and where the walls and_the ceilings were covered with rich paintings . but she had no eyes for all these glorious sights, she_could only mourn and weep .Patiently she allowed the women to array her in royal robes, to weave pearls in her hair, and draw soft gloves over her blistered fingers . as she stood before them in all her rich dress, she looked so dazzingly beautiful that_the court bowed low in her presence . then the king declared his intention of making her his bride, but the archbishop shook his head, and whispered that_the fair young maiden was only a witch who had blinded the king's eyes and bewitched his heart . but the king would_not listen to_this; he ordered the music to sound, the daintiest dishes to_be served, and_the loveliest maidens to dance . after-wards he led her through fragrant gardens and lofty halls, but not a smile appeared on her lips or sparkled in her eyes . she looked the very picture of grief . then the king opened the door of a little chamber in_which she . was to sleep; it_was adorned with rich green tapestry, and resembled the cave in_which he had found her . on_the floor lay the bundle of flax which she had spun from_the nettles, and under the ceiling hung the coat she had made

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