"It shall be," said the little mermaid

Then the witch placed her cauldron fire, the magic draught

"Cleanliness is good thing," said she, scouring the vessel with snakes, which she had tied together in large knot; then she pricked herself breast, and let the black blood drop The steam that rose formed itself into such horrible shapes that no one could look at them without fear Every moment the witch threw something else vessel, and when it began to boil, the sound was like the weeping of crocodile When at last the magic draught was ready, it looked like the clearest water "There ," said the witch Then she cut off the mermaid's tongue, she became dumb, and would never again speak or sing " polypi should seize hold of you return wood," said the witch, "throw over them few drops potion, and their fingers torn into thousand pieces " But the little mermaid had no occasion to , polypi sprang back in terror caught sight glittering draught, which shone in her hand like twinkling star

So she passed quickly wood marsh, and rushing whirlpools She saw that in her father's palace the torches ballroom were extinguished, and all within asleep; but she venture in , for now she was dumb and going to leave them forever, she felt her heart would break She stole garden, took flower flower-beds of each of her sisters, kissed her hand thousand times towards the palace, and then rose up dark blue waters The sun risen when she came in sight prince's palace, and approached the beautiful marble steps, but the moon shone clear and bright Then the little mermaid drank the magic draught, and it seemed two-edged sword went through her delicate body: she fell into swoon, and lay like one dead sun arose and shone over the sea, she recovered, and felt sharp pain; but just before her stood the handsome young prince He fixed his coal-black eyes upon her so earnestly that she cast down her own, and then became aware that her fish's tail was gone, she had as pretty pair of white legs and tiny feet as any little maiden ; but she had no clothes, so she wrapped herself in her long, thick hair The prince asked her who she was, and where she came from, and she looked at him mildly and sorrowfully with her deep blue eyes; but speak Every step she took was witch had said it , she felt treading points of needles or sharp knives; but she bore it willingly, and stepped as lightly prince's side as soap-bubble, he and all who saw her wondered at her graceful-swaying movements She was arrayed in costly robes of silk and muslin, and most beautiful creature palace; but she was dumb, and could neither speak nor sing

Beautiful female slaves, dressed in silk and gold, stepped forward and sang prince royal parents: one sang better than all the others, prince clapped his hands and smiled at her great sorrow little mermaid; she knew more sweetly she herself could sing once, and she thought, "Oh if only know that ! away my voice forever, "

The slaves next performed some pretty fairy-like dances, sound of beautiful music Then the little mermaid raised her lovely white arms, stood tips of her toes, and glided over the floor, and danced as no one yet able to dance At each moment her beauty became more revealed, and her expressive eyes appealed more directly heart songs slaves was enchanted, especially the prince, who called her his little foundling; and she danced again quite readily, him, though her foot touched the floor it seemed she trod on sharp knives "

The prince said she should remain always, and she received permission to sleep at his door, on velvet cushion He had page's dress made for her, that she might accompany him on horseback They rode together sweet-scented woods, where the green boughs touched their shoulders, little birds sang fresh leaves She climbed prince tops of high mountains; and although her tender feet bled even her steps were marked, she only laughed, and followed him till see the clouds beneath them looking like flock of birds travelling to distant lands While prince's palace, and when all the household were asleep, go and sit broad marble steps; eased her burning feet to bathe them cold sea-water; and then she thought of all those below deep

Once during the night her sisters came up arm-in-arm, singing sorrowfully, floated water She beckoned , and then they recognized her, and told her how she had grieved them , they came same place every night; and once she saw distance her old grandmother, who surface sea for many years, old Sea King, her father, crown head They stretched out their hands towards her, but venture so near the land as her sisters did

days passed, she loved the prince more fondly, and he loved her as love little child, but it never came into his head her his wife; yet, unless he married her, receive an immortal soul; and, morning after his marriage with another, dissolve foam sea

" not love me the best all ? " the eyes little mermaid seemed , when her arms, and kissed her fair forehead

"Yes, dear ," said the prince; "for the best heart, and the most devoted ; like young maiden whom I once saw, but whom never meet again in ship that was wrecked, waves cast me ashore near holy temple, where several young maidens performed the service The youngest found me shore, and saved my life her but twice, and the whom love; but like her, and almost driven her image out mind She belongs holy temple, and my good fortune has sent you instead of her; and never part "

"Ah, not I who saved his life," thought the little mermaid "I carried him over the sea wood where the temple stands: I sat beneath the foam, and watched till the human beings came to help him the pretty maiden that he loves better than he loves me;" mermaid sighed deeply, but shed tears " the maiden belongs holy temple, therefore she will never return world meet no more: while by his side, him every day take care of him, and love him, and give up my life sake "

said prince must marry, and beautiful daughter of neighboring king his wife, for fine ship was being fitted out Although the prince gave out that he merely intended visit king, generally supposed that he really went his daughter great company were The little mermaid smiled, and shook her head She knew the prince's thoughts better than any others

" travel," he had said to her; " see this beautiful princess; my parents desire it; but oblige me to bring her home as my bride love her; like the beautiful maiden temple, whom you resemble If I were forced bride, rather choose you, my dumb foundling, with those expressive eyes " And then he kissed her rosy mouth, played with her long waving hair, and laid his head on her heart, while she dreamed of human happiness and an immortal soul " afraid sea, my dumb child," said he, stood deck noble ship to carry them country neighboring king And then her of storm and of calm, of strange fishes deep beneath them, and of what the divers had seen there; and she smiled at his descriptions, for she knew better than what wonders were bottom sea

moonlight, when all on board were asleep, excepting the man helm, who was steering, she sat deck, gazing down clear water She thought distinguish her father's castle, and upon it her aged grandmother, silver crown on her head, looking rushing tide keel vessel Then her sisters came up waves, and gazed at her mournfully, wringing their white hands She beckoned , and smiled, and wanted them how happy and well off she was; but the cabin-boy approached, and when her sisters dived down he thought only the foam sea which

The next morning the ship sailed harbor of beautiful town belonging king whom the prince was going to visit The church bells were ringing, and high towers sounded flourish of trumpets; and soldiers, with flying colors and glittering bayonets, lined the rocks through which they passed Every day was festival; balls and entertainments followed one another