" very beautiful," exclaimed all who saw it, and he who had brought the artificial bird received the title of "Imperial nightingale-bringer-in-chief "

"Now sing together," said the court, "and what duet " But get on well, real nightingale sang in its own natural way, but the artificial bird sang only waltzes

" fault," said the music-master, " quite perfect to my taste," so then it had to sing alone, and was as successful real bird; besides, prettier to look at, sparkled like bracelets and breast-pins Three and thirty times did it sing the same tunes without being tired; the people would gladly have heard it again, but the emperor said the living nightingale ought to sing something But where was she ? No one had noticed her when she flew out open window, back to her own green woods

"What strange conduct," said the emperor, when her flight discovered; and all the courtiers blamed her, and said she was very ungrateful creature

"But the best bird after all," said one, and then the bird sing again, although it thirty-fourth time they had listened same piece, and even then they learnt it, for rather difficult But the music-master praised the bird highest degree, and even asserted better than real nightingale, in its dress beautiful diamonds, but also in its musical power "For perceive, my chief lord and emperor, that with real nightingale never tell going sung, but bird everything is settled It opened and explained, people may understand how the waltzes are formed, and why one note follows upon another "

" exactly what ," they all replied, and then the music-master received permission to exhibit the bird people following Sunday, emperor commanded present to hear it sing heard it they were like people intoxicated; however it must with drinking tea, quite Chinese custom They all said "Oh ! " and held up their forefingers and nodded, but poor fisherman, who had heard the real nightingale, said, "it sounds prettily enough, melodies are all alike; yet there seems something wanting, exactly tell what "

And the real nightingale was banished empire, artificial bird placed on silk cushion close emperor's bed The presents of gold and precious stones which received with it were round the bird, and now advanced title of "Little Imperial Toilet Singer," and rank of No 1 ; emperor considered the left side, the heart lies, most noble, heart of an emperor is same place of other people

The music-master wrote work, in twenty-five volumes, artificial bird, very learned and very long, and full most difficult Chinese words; yet all the people said they had read it, and understood it, for fear of being thought stupid and having their bodies trampled upon

So year passed, emperor, the court, and all the other Chinese knew every little turn artificial bird's song; and same reason it pleased them better sing bird, which they often did The street-boys sang, "Zi-zi-zi, cluck, cluck, cluck," emperor himself could sing it also really most amusing

One evening, artificial bird was singing its best, emperor lay in bed listening , something inside the bird sounded "whizz " Then 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 physician; but what could he do ? Then they sent for watchmaker; and, after great deal of talking and examination, the bird was put into something like order; but used very carefully, barrels were worn, and it impossible in new ones without injuring the music Now great sorrow, bird could only be allowed to play once year; and even that was dangerous works inside it Then the music-master made little speech, full of hard words, and declared bird was as good as ever; and, no one contradicted him

Five years passed, and then real grief came land The Chinese really were fond emperor, and he now lay so ill that not expected to live Already new emperor chosen people who stood 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 royal bed; the whole court thought dead, and ran away homage successor The chamberlains went out talk matter, ladies'-maids invited company coffee Cloth laid down halls and passages, not footstep heard, and all was silent and still But the emperor was not yet dead, although he lay white and stiff gorgeous bed, long velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels window stood open, moon shone in emperor artificial bird The poor emperor, finding scarcely breathe with strange weight chest, opened his eyes, and saw Death sitting there He had put emperor's golden crown, and held in one hand his sword of state, and other his beautiful banner All around the bed and peeping long velvet curtains, were 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 face now Death sat at his heart

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

" nothing ," said the emperor "Music ! music ! " he cried; "the large Chinese drum ! that not hear what they say " But they still went on, and Death nodded like Chinaman to all they said "Music ! music ! " shouted the emperor "You little precious golden bird, sing, pray sing ! you gold and costly presents; even hung my golden slipper round your neck Sing ! sing ! " But the bird remained silent no one to wind it up, and therefore it sing note

Death continued to stare emperor cold, hollow eyes, room was fearfully still Suddenly there came open window the sound of sweet music Outside, bough of tree, sat the living nightingale She had heard 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 emperor's veins flowed more rapidly, and gave life weak limbs; and even Death himself listened, and said, "Go on, little nightingale, go on "

"Then the beautiful golden sword rich banner ? and the emperor's crown ? " said the bird

So Death gave up each treasures for song; nightingale continued her singing She sung quiet churchyard, where the white roses grow, where the elder-tree wafts its perfume breeze, fresh, sweet grass is moistened mourners' tears Then Death longed his garden, and floated out window form of cold, white mist

"Thanks, thanks, you heavenly little bird you well I banished you from my kingdom once, and yet charmed away the evil faces from my bed, and banished Death from my heart, with your sweet song How can I reward you ? "

" already rewarded me," said the nightingale " never forget that I drew tears from your eyes the first time I sang These are the jewels that rejoice singer's heart But now sleep, and grow strong and well again sing again "

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

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

"No; ," replied the nightingale; "the bird did as long as it could Keep it here still live palace, and build my nest; but let me come when I like sit on bough outside your window, evening, and sing , happy, thoughts full of joy sing happy, and those who suffer; good evil, hidden around you The little singing bird flies far and your court home fisherman peasant's cot I love your heart better than your crown; and yet something holy lingers round that also come, sing ; but promise me "

"Everything," said the emperor, who, having dressed himself imperial robes, stood hand that held the heavy golden sword pressed heart

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

The servants now came in to look dead emperor; when, lo ! there he stood, and, astonishment, said, "Good morning "

THE END