Счастливый принц и другие сказки
The Happy Prince
"Iamcoveredwithfinegold,"saidthePrince,"youmusttakeitoff,leafbyleaf,andgiveittomypoor;thelivingalwaysthinkthatgoldcanmakethemhappy."
LeafafterleafofthefinegoldtheSwallowpickedoff,tilltheHappyPrincelookedquitedullandgrey.Leafafterleafofthefinegoldhebroughttothepoor,andthechildren’sfacesgrewrosier,andtheylaughedandplayedgamesinthestreet."Wehavebreadnow!"theycried.
Thenthesnowcame,andafterthesnowcamethefrost.Thestreetslookedasiftheyweremadeofsilver,theyweresobrightandglistening;longicicleslikecrystaldaggershungdownfromtheeavesofthehouses,everybodywentaboutinfurs,andthelittleboysworescarletcapsandskatedontheice.
ThepoorlittleSwallowgrewcolderandcolder,buthewouldnotleavethePrince,helovedhimtoowell.Hepickedupcrumbsoutsidethebaker’sdoorwhenthebakerwasnotlooking,andtriedtokeephimselfwarmbyflappinghiswings.
Butatlastheknewthathewasgoingtodie.HehadjuststrengthtoflyuptothePrince’sshoulderoncemore."Good-bye,dearPrince!"hemurmured,"willyouletmekissyourhand?"
"IamgladthatyouaregoingtoEgyptatlast,littleSwallow,"saidthePrince,"youhavestayedtoolonghere;butyoumustkissmeonthelips,forIloveyou."
"ItisnottoEgyptthatIamgoing,"saidtheSwallow."IamgoingtotheHouseofDeath.DeathisthebrotherofSleep,ishenot?"
AndhekissedtheHappyPrinceonthelips,andfelldowndeadathisfeet.
