Счастливый принц и другие сказки

           Itwasamagnificentceremony,andthebrideandbridegroomwalkedhandinhandunderacanopyofpurplevelvetembroideredwithlittlepearls.ThentherewasaStateBanquet,whichlastedforfivehours.ThePrinceandPrincesssatatthetopoftheGreatHallanddrankoutofacupofclearcrystal.Onlytrueloverscoulddrinkoutofthiscup,foriffalselipstouchedit,itgrewgreyanddullandcloudy.

           "Itisquiteclearthattheyloveeachother,"saidthelittlePage,"asclearascrystal!"andtheKingdoubledhissalaryasecondtime.

           "Whatanhonour!"criedallthecourtiers.

           AfterthebanquettherewastobeaBall.ThebrideandbridegroomweretodancetheRose-dancetogether,andtheKinghadpromisedtoplaytheflute.Heplayedverybadly,butnoonehadeverdaredtotellhimso,becausehewastheKing.Indeed,heknewonlytwoairs,andwasneverquitecertainwhichonehewasplaying;butitmadenomatter,for,whateverhedid,everybodycriedout,"Charming!charming!"

           Thelastitemontheprogrammewasagranddisplayoffireworks,tobeletoffexactlyatmidnight.ThelittlePrincesshadneverseenafireworkinherlife,sotheKinghadgivenordersthattheRoyalPyrotechnistshouldbeinattendanceonthedayofhermarriage.

           "Whatarefireworkslike?"shehadaskedthePrince,onemorning,asshewaswalkingontheterrace.

           "TheyareliketheAuroraBorealis,"saidtheKing,whoalwaysansweredquestionsthatwereaddressedtootherpeople,"onlymuchmorenatural.