安徒生童话：The Little SeaMaid 海的女儿

安徒生童话：TheLittleSeaMaid海的女儿FARoutintheseathewaterisasblueasthepetalsofthemostbeautifulcorn-flower,andasclearasthepurestglass.Butitisverydeep,deeperthananycablewillsound;manysteeplesmustbeplacedoneabovetheothertoreachfromthegroundtothesurfaceofthewater.Anddowntherelivethesea-people. Now,youmustnotbelievethereisnothingdowntherebutthenakedsand;no,—thestrangesttreesandplantsgrowthere,sopliableintheirstalksandleavesthatattheleastmotionofthewatertheymovejustasiftheyhadlife.Allfishes,greatandsmall,glideamongthetwigs,justasherethebirdsdointhetrees.InthedeepestspotofallliestheSea-king’scastle:thewallsareofcoral,andthetall,Gothicwindowsoftheclearestamber;shellsformtheroof,andtheyopenandshutaccordingasthewaterflows.Itlookslovely,forineachshellliegleamingpearls,asingleoneofwhichwouldhavegreatvalueinaqueen’sdiadem. TheSea-kingbelowtherehadbeenawidowerformanyyears,whilehisoldmotherkepthouseforhim.Shewasacleverwoman,butproudofherrank,sosheworetwelveoystersonhertail,whiletheothergreatpeoplewereonlyallowedtowearsix.Beyondthisshewasdeservingofgreatpraise,especiallybecauseshewasveryfondofhergrand-daughters,thelittleSea-princesses.Theseweresixprettychildren;buttheyoungestwasthemostbeautifulofall.Herskin wasasclearandasfineasaroseleaf;hereyeswereasblueasthedeepestsea;but,likealltherest,shehadnofeet,forherbodyendedinafish-tail. Alldaylongtheycouldplayinthecastle,downinthehalls,wherelivingflowersgrewoutofthewalls.Thegreatamberwindowswereopened,andthenthefishesswamintothem,justastheswallowsflyintouswhenweopenourwindows;butthefishesswamstraightuptothePrincesses,ateoutoftheirhands,andletthemselvesbestroked. Outsidethecastlewasagreatgardenwithbrightredanddarkblueflowers;thefruitglowedlikegold,andtheflowerslikeflamesoffire;andtheycontinuallykeptmovingtheirstalksandleaves.Theearthitselfwasthefinestsand,butblueastheflameofbrimstone.Apeculiarblueradiancelayuponeverythingdownthere:onewouldhavethoughtoneselfhighintheair,withthecanopyofheavenaboveandaround,ratherthanatthebottomofthedeepsea.Duringacalmthesuncouldbeseen;itappearedlikeapurpleflower,fromwhichalllightstreamedout. EachofthelittlePrincesseshadherownlittleplaceinthegarden,whereshemightdigandplantathergoodpleasure.Onegaveherflower-bedtheformofawhale;anotherthoughtitbettertomakeherslikealittlesea-woman:buttheyoungestmadehersquiteround,likethesunandhadflowerswhichgleamedredasthesunitself.Shewasastrangechild,quietandthoughtful,andwhentheothersistersmadeadisplayofthebeautifulthingstheyhadreceivedoutofwreckedships,shewouldhavenothingbeyondtheredflowerswhichresembled thesun,exceptaprettymarblestatue.Thiswasafigureofacharmingboy,hewnoutofwhiteclearstone,whichhadsunkdowntothebottomoftheseafromawreck.Sheplantedapinkweepingwillowbesidethisstatue;thetreegrewfamously,andhungitsfreshbranchesoverthestatuetowardsthebluesandyground,wheretheshadowshowedviolet,andmovedlikethebranchesthemselves;itseemedasiftheendsofthebranchesandtherootswereplayingtogetherandwishedtokisseachother. Therewasnogreaterpleasureforherthantohearoftheworldofmenabovethem.Theoldgrandmotherhadtotellallsheknewofshipsandtowns,ofmenandanimals.Itseemedparticularlybeautifultoherthatupontheearththeflowersshedfragrance,fortheyhadnonedownatthebottomofthesea,andthatthetreesweregreen,andthatthefisheswhichonesawthereamongthetreescouldsingsoloudandclearthatitwasapleasuretohearthem.Whatthegrandmothercalledfisheswerethelittlebirds;thePrincesscouldnotunderstandtheminanyotherway,forshehadneverseenabird. “Whenyouhavereachedyourfifteenthyear,”saidthegrandmother,“youshallhaveleavetoriseupoutofthesea,tositontherocksinthemoonlight,andtoseethegreatshipsastheysailby.Thenyouwillseeforestsandtowns!” Inthenextyearoneofthesisterswasfifteenyearsofage,buteachoftheotherswasoneyearyoungerthanthenext;sothattheyoungesthadfullfiveyearstowaitbeforeshecouldcomeupfromthebottomofthesea,andfindhowour worldlooked.Butonepromisedtotelltheotherswhatshehadseenandwhatshehadthoughtthemostbeautifulonthefirstdayofhervisit;fortheirgrandmothercouldnottellthemenough—therewassomuchaboutwhichtheywantedinformation. Noonewasmoreanxiousaboutthesethingsthantheyoungest—justthatonewhohadthelongesttimetowait,andwhowasalwaysquietandthoughtful.Manyanightshestoodbytheopenwindow,andlookedupthroughthedarkbluewateratthefishessplashingwiththeirfinsandtails.Moonandstarsshecouldsee;theycertainlyshonequitefaintly,butthroughthewatertheylookedmuchlargerthantheyappearinoureyes.Whensomethinglikeablackcloudpassedamongthem,sheknewthatitwaseitherawhaleswimmingoverherhead,orashipwithmanypeople:theycertainlydidnotthinkthataprettylittlesea-maidwasstandingdownbelowstretchingupherwhitehandstowardsthekeeloftheirship. NowtheeldestPrincesswasfifteenyearsold,andmightmountuptothesurfaceofthesea. Whenshecameback,shehadahundredthingstotell,—butthefinestthing,shesaid,wastolieinthemoonshineonasand-bankinthequietsea,andtolookattheneighboringcoast,withthelargetown,wherethelightstwinkledlikeahundredstars,andtohearthemusicandthenoiseandclamorofcarriagesandmen,toseethemanychurchsteeples,andtohearthesoundofthebells.Just becauseshecouldnotgetuptothese,shelongedforthemmorethanforanything. Ohowtheyoungestsisterlistened!andafterwardswhenshestoodattheopenwindowandlookedupthroughthedark-bluewater,shethoughtofthegreatcitywithallitsbustleandnoise;andthenshethoughtshecouldhearthechurchbellsringing,evendowntothedepthwhereshewas. Inthefollowingyear,thesecondsisterreceivedpermissiontomountupwardthroughthewaterandtoswimwhithershepleased.Sheroseupjustasthesunwassetting,andthisspectacle,shesaid,wasthemostbeautiful.Thewholeskylookedgold,andastotheclouds,shecouldnotproperlydescribetheirbeauty.Theysailedawayoverherhead,purpleandviolet-colored,butfarquickerthanthecloudsthereflewaflightofwildswans,likealongwhiteveil,overthewatertowardswherethesunstood.Sheswamtowardsthem;butthesunsank,andtheroseatehuefadedontheseaandintheclouds. Inthefollowingyearthenextsisterwentup.Shewastheboldestofthemall,andthereforesheswamupabroadstreamthatpoureditswatersintothesea.Shesawgloriousgreenhillsclothedwithvines;palacesandcastlesshoneforthfromamidsplendidwoods;sheheardhowallthebirdssang;andthesunshonesowarmthatshewasoftenobligedtodiveunderthewatertocoolherglowingface.Inalittlebayshefoundawholeswarmoflittlemortals.Theywerequitenaked,andsplashedaboutinthewater;shewantedtoplaywiththem,buttheyfledin affrightandalittleblackanimalcame,—itwasadog,butshehadneverseenadog,—anditbarkedathersoterriblythatshebecamefrightened,andtriedtogaintheopensea.Butshecouldneverforgetthegloriouswoods,thegreenhills,andtheprettychildren,whocouldswiminthewater,thoughtheyhadnotfish-tails. Thefourthsisterwasnotsobold:sheremainedoutinthemidstofthewildsea,anddeclaredthatjustthereitwasmostbeautiful.Onecouldseeformanymilesaround,andtheskyabovelookedlikeabellofglass.Shehadseenships,butonlyinthefardistance—theylookedlikesea-gulls;andthefunnydolphinshadthrownsomersaults,andthegreatwhalesspoutedoutwaterfromtheirnostrils,sothatitlookedlikehundredsoffountainsallaround. Nowcametheturnofthefifthsister.Herbirthdaycameinthewinter,andsoshesawwhattheothershadnotseenthefirsttime.Thesealookedquitegreen,andgreaticebergswerefloatingabout;eachoneseparatedlikeapearl,shesaid,andyetwasmuchtallerthanthechurchsteeplesbuiltbymen.Theyshowedthemselvesinthestrangestforms,andshonelikediamonds.Shehadseatedherselfupononeofthegreatestofall,andletthewindplaywithherlonghair;andallthesailingshipstackedaboutinaveryrapidwaybeyondwhereshesat:buttowardeveningtheskybecamecoveredwithclouds,itthunderedandlightened,andtheblackwavesliftedthegreatice-blockshighup,andletthemglowintheredglare.Onalltheshipsthesailswerereefed,andtherewasfearand anguish.Butshesatquietlyuponherfloatingiceberg,andsawtheforkedblueflashesdartintothesea. Eachofthesisters,asshecameupforthefirsttimetothesurfaceofthewater,wasdelightedwiththenewandbeautifulsightsshesaw;butastheynowhadpermission,asgrown-upgirls,togowhenevertheyliked,itbecameindifferenttothem.Theywishedthemselvesbackagain,andafteramonthhadelapsedtheysaiditwasbestofalldownbelow,forthereonefeltsocomfortablyathome. Manyaneveninghourthefivesisterstookoneanotherbythearmandroseupinarowoverthewater.Theyhadsplendidvoices,morecharmingthananymortalcouldhave;andwhenastormwasapproaching,sothattheycouldapprehendthatshipswouldgodown,theyswamonbeforetheshipsandsanglovelysongs,whichtoldhowbeautifulitwasatthebottomofthesea,andexhortedthesailorsnottobeafraidtocomedown.Butthesecouldnotunderstandthewords,andthoughtitwasthestormsighing;andtheydidnotseethesplendorsbelow,foriftheshipssanktheyweredrowned,andcameascorpsestotheSea-king’spalace. Whenthesistersthusroseup,arminarm,intheeveningtime,throughthewater,thelittlesisterstoodallalonelookingafterthem;andshefeltasifshemustweep;butthesea-maidhasnotearsandforthisreasonshesuffersfarmoreacutely. “OifIwereonlyfifteenyearsold!”saidshe.“IknowIshalllovetheworldupthereverymuch,andthepeoplewholiveanddwellthere.”  Atlastshewasreallyfifteenyearsold. “Now,yousee,youaregrownup,”saidthegrandmother,theolddowager.“Come,letmeadornyoulikeyoursisters.” Andsheputawreathofwhiteliliesinthelittlemaid’shair,buteachflowerwashalfapearl;andtheoldladyleteightgreatoystersattachthemselvestothePrincess’tail,intokenofherhighrank. “Butthathurtsso!”saidthelittleSea-maid. “Yes,pridemustsufferpain,”repliedtheoldlady. Ohowgladshewouldhavebeentoshakeoffallthetokensofrankandlayasidetheheavywreath!Herredflowersinthegardensuitedherbetter;butshecouldnothelpit.“Farewell!”shesaid,andthensherose,lightandclearasawater-bubble,upthroughthesea. Thesunhadjustsetwhensheliftedherheadabovethesea,butallthecloudsstillshonelikerosesandgold,andinthepaleredskytheevening-starsgleamedbrightandbeautiful.Theairwasmildandfresh,andtheseaquitecalm.Therelayagreatshipwiththreemasts;onesinglesailonlywasset,fornotabreezestirred,andaroundintheshroudsandontheyardssatthesailors.Therewasmusicandsinging,andastheeveningclosedin,hundredsofcoloredlanternswerelightedup,andlookedasiftheflagsofeverynationwerewavingintheair.ThelittleSea-maidswamstraighttothecabinwindow,andeachtimethesealiftedherup shecouldlookthroughthepanes,whichwereclearascrystal,andseemanypeoplestandingwithindressedintheirbest.ButthehandsomestofallwastheyoungPrincewiththegreatblackeyes:hewascertainlynotmuchmorethansixteenyearsold;itwashisbirthday,andthatwasthecauseofallthisfeasting.Thesailorsweredancingupondeck;andwhentheyoungPrincecameout,morethanahundredrocketsroseintotheair;theyshonelikeday,sothatthelittleSea-maidwasquitestartled,anddivedunderthewater;butsoonsheputoutherheadagain,andthenitseemedjustasifallthestarsofheavenwerefallingdownuponher.Shehadneverseensuchfire-works.Greatsunsspurtedfireallaround,gloriousfieryfishesflewupintotheblueair,andeverythingwasmirroredintheclearbluesea.Theshipitselfwassobrightlylitupthateveryseparateropecouldbeseen,andthepeoplethereforeappearedthemoreplainly.OhowhandsometheyoungPrincewas!Andhepressedthepeople’shandsandsmiled,whilethemusicrangoutinthegloriousnight. Itbecamelate;butthelittleSea-maidcouldnotturnhereyesfromtheshipandfromthebeautifulPrince.Thecoloredlanternswereextinguished,rocketsceasedtoflyintotheair,andnomorecannonswerefired;buttherewasamurmuringandabuzzingdeepdowninthesea;andshesatonthewater,swayingupanddown,sothatshecouldlookintothecabin.Butastheshipgotmoreway,onesailafteranotherwasspread.Andnowthewavesrosehigher,greatcloudscameup,andinthedistancetherewaslightning.O!itwasgoingtobefearfulweather,thereforethesailorsfurledthesails.Thegreatshipflewinswiftcareeroverthe wildsea:thewatersroseuplikegreatblackmountains,whichwantedtorolloverthemasts;butlikeaswantheshipdivedintothevalleysbetweenthesehighwaves,andthenletitselfbeliftedonhighagain.TothelittleSea-maidthisseemedmerrysport,buttothesailorsitappearedverydifferently.Theshipgroanedandcreaked;thethickplankswerebentbytheheavyblows;theseabrokeintotheship;themainmastsnappedintwolikeathinreed,andtheshiplayoveronherside,whilethewaterrushedintothehold.NowthelittleSea-maidsawthatthepeoplewereinperil;sheherselfwasobligedtotakecaretoavoidthebeamsandfragmentsoftheshipwhichwerefloatingaboutonthewaters.Onemomentitwassopitchdarkthatnotasingleobjectcouldbedescribed,butwhenitlighteneditbecamesobrightthatshecoulddistinguisheveryoneonboard.ShelookedparticularlyfortheyoungPrince,andwhentheshippartedshesawhimsinkintothesea.Thenshewasveryglad,fornowhewouldcomedowntoher.Butthensherememberedthatpeoplecouldnotliveinthewater,andthatwhenhegotdowntoherfather’spalacehewouldcertainlybedead.No,hemustnotdie:sosheswamaboutamongthebeamsandplanksthatstrewedthesurface,quiteforgettingthatoneofthemmighthavecrushedher.Divingdowndeepunderthewater,sheagainrosehighupamongthewaves,andinthiswaysheatlastcametothePrince,whocouldscarcelyswimlongerinthatstormysea.Hisarmsandlegsbegantofailhim,hisbeautifuleyesclosed,andhewouldhavediedhadthelittleSea-maidnotcome.Sheheldhisheadupoverthewater,andthenallowedthewavestocarryherandhimwhithertheylisted.  Whenthemorningcamethestormhadpassedby.Oftheshipnotafragmentwastobeseen.Thesuncameupredandshiningoutofthewater;itwasasifitsbeamsbroughtbackthehueoflifetothecheeksofthePrince,buthiseyesremainedclosed.TheSea-maidkissedhishigh,fairforeheadandputbackhiswethair,andheseemedtohertobelikethemarblestatueinherlittlegarden:shekissedhimagainandhopedthathemightlive. Nowshesawinfrontofherthedryland—highbluemountains,onwhosesummitsthewhitesnowgleamedasifswanswerelyingthere.Downonthecoastweregloriousgreenforests,andabuilding—shecouldnottellwhetheritwasachurchoraconvent—stoodthere.Initsgardengreworangeandcitron-trees,andhighpalmswavedinfrontofthegate.Theseaformedalittlebaythere;itwasquitecalm,butverydeep.Straighttowardtherockwherethefinewhitesandhadbeencastup,sheswamwiththehandsomePrince,andlaidhimuponthesand,takingespecialcarethathisheadwasraisedinthewarmsunshine. Nowallthebellsranginthegreatwhitebuilding,andmanyyounggirlscamewalkingthroughthegarden.ThenthelittleSea-maidswamfartheroutbetweensomehighstonesthatstoodupoutofthewater,laidsomesea-foamuponherhairandneck,sothatnoonecouldseeherlittlecountenance,andthenshewatchedtoseewhowouldcometothepoorPrince. Inashorttimeayounggirlwentthatway.Sheseemedtobemuchstartled,butonlyforamoment;thenshebroughtmorepeople,andtheSea-maidperceived thatthePrincecamebacktolife,andthathesmiledatallaroundhim.Buthedidnotcastasmileather:hedidnotknowthatshehadsavedhim.Andshefeltverysorrowful;andwhenhewasledawayintothegreatbuilding,shedivedmournfullyunderthewaterandreturnedtoherfather’spalace. Shehadalwaysbeengentleandmelancholy,butnowshebecamemuchmoreso.Hersistersaskedherwhatshehadseenthefirsttimesheroseuptothesurface,butshewouldtellthemnothing. ManyaneveningandmanyamorningshewentuptotheplacewhereshehadleftthePrince.Shesawhowthefruitsofthegardengrewripeandweregathered;shesawhowthesnowmeltedonthehighmountain;butshedidnotseethePrince,andsoshealwaysreturnedhomemoresorrowfulstill.Thenheronlycomfortwastositinherlittlegarden,andtowindherarmroundthebeautifulmarblestatuethatresembledthePrince;butshedidnottendherflowers;theygrewasifinawildernessoverthepaths,andtrailedtheirlongleavesandstalksupintothebranchesoftrees,sothatitbecamequitedarkthere. Atlastshecouldendureitnolonger,andtoldalltooneofhersisters,andthentheothersheardofittoo;butnobodyknewofitbeyondtheseandafewothersea-maids,whotoldthesecrettotheirintimatefriends.OneoftheseknewwhothePrincewas;shetoohadseenthefestivalonboardtheship;andsheannouncedwhencehecameandwherehiskingdomlay.  “Come,littlesister,”saidtheotherPrincesses;andlinkingtheirarmstogether,theyroseupinalongrowoutofthesea,attheplacewheretheyknewthePrince’spalacelay. Thispalacewasbuiltofakindofbrightyellowstone,withgreatmarblestaircases,oneofwhichleddirectlydownintothesea.Overtheroofrosesplendidgiltcupolas,andbetweenthepillarswhichsurroundedthewholedwelling,stoodmarblestatueswhichlookedasiftheywerealive.Throughtheclearglassinthehighwindowsonelookedintotheglorioushalls,wherecostlysilkhangingsandtapestrieswerehungup,andallthewallsweredeckedwithsplendidpictures,sothatitwasaperfectdelighttoseethem.Inthemidstofthegreatestofthesehallsagreatfountainplashed;itsjetsshothighuptowardtheglassdomeintheceiling,throughwhichthesunshonedownuponthewateranduponthelovelyplantsgrowinginthegreatbasin. Nowsheknewwherehelived,andmanyaneveningandmanyanightshespentthereonthewater.Sheswamfarclosertothelandthananyoftheotherswouldhavedaredtoventure;indeed,shewentquiteupthenarrowchannelunderthesplendidmarblebalcony,whichthrewaboardshadowuponthewater.HereshesatandwatchedtheyoungPrince,whothoughthimselfquitealoneinthebrightmoonlight. Manyaneveningshesawhimsailing,amidthesoundsofmusic,inhiscostlyboatwiththewavingflags;shepeepedupthroughthegreenreeds,andwhenthewind caughthersilver-whiteveilandanyonesawithethoughtitwasawhiteswanspreadingoutitswings. Manyanightwhenthefishermenwereontheseawiththeirtorches,sheheardmuchgoodtoldoftheyoungPrince;andsherejoicedthatshehadsavedhislifewhenhewasdrivenabout,halfdead,onthewildbillows:shethoughthowquietlyhisheadhadreclinedonherbosom,andhowheartilyshehadkissedhim;butheknewnothingofit,andcouldnotevendreamofher. Moreandmoreshebegantolovemankind,andmoreandmoreshewishedtobeabletowanderaboutamongthosewhoseworldseemedfarlargerthanherown.Fortheycouldflyovertheseainships,andmountupthehighhillsfarabovetheclouds,andthelandstheypossessedstretchedoutinwoodsandfieldsfartherthanhereyescouldreach.Therewasmuchshewishedtoknow,buthersisterscouldnotanswerallherquestions;thereforesheappliedtotheoldgrandmother;andtheoldladyknewtheupperworld,whichsherightlycalled“thecountriesabovethesea,”verywell. “Ifpeoplearenotdrowned,”askedthelittleSea-maid,“cantheyliveforever?Dotheynotdieaswediedownhereinthesea?” “Yes,”repliedtheoldlady.“Theytoomustdie,andtheirlifeisevenshorterthanours.Wecanlivetobethreehundredyearsold,butwhenweceasetoexisthere,weareturnedintofoamonthesurfaceofthewater,andhavenotevenagravedownhereamongthosewelove.Wehavenotanimmortalsoul;weneverreceive anotherlife;wearelikethegreensea-weed,which,whenoncecutthrough,canneverbloomagain.Men,onthecontrary,haveasoulwhichlivesforever,whichlivesonafterthebodyhasbecomedust;itmountsupthroughtheclearair,uptoalltheshiningstars!Asweriseupoutofthewatersandbeholdallthelandsoftheearth,sotheyriseuptounknowngloriousplaceswhichwecanneversee.” “Whydidwenotreceiveanimmortalsoul?”askedthelittleSea-maid,sorrowfully.“IwouldgladlygiveallthehundredsofyearsIhavetolivetobeahumanbeingonlyforoneday,andtohaveahopeofpartakingtheheavenlykingdom.” “Youmustnotthinkofthat,”repliedtheoldlady.“Wefeelourselvesfarmorehappyandfarbetterthanmankindyonder.” “ThenIamtodieandbecastasfoamuponthesea,nothearingthemusicofthewaves,norseeingtheprettyflowersandtheredsun?CanInotdoanythingtowinanimmortalsoul? “No!”answeredthegrandmother.“Onlyifamanweretoloveyousothatyoushouldbemoretohimthanfatherormother;ifheshouldclingtoyouwithhiseverythoughtandwithallhislove,andletthepriestlayhisrighthandinyourswithapromiseoffaithfulnesshereandinalleternity,thenhissoulwouldbeimpartedtoyourbody,andyouwouldreceiveashareofthehappinessofmankind.Hewouldgiveasoultoyouandyetretainhisown.Butthatcannevercometopass.Whatisconsideredbeautifulhereinthesea—thefish-tail—they wouldconsideruglyontheearth:theydon’tunderstandit;thereonemusthavetheclumsysupportswhichtheycalllegs,tobecalledbeautiful.” ThenthelittleSea-maidsighedandlookedmournfullyuponherfish—tail. “Letusbeglad!”saidtheoldlady.“Letusdanceandleapinthethreehundredyearswehavetolive.Thatiscertainlylongenough;afterthatwecanrestourselvesallthebetter.Thiseveningweshallhaveacourtball.” Itwasasplendidsight,suchasisneverseenonearth.Thewallsandtheceilingofthegreatdancing-saloonwereofthickbuttransparentglass.Severalhundredsofhugeshells,pinkandgrass-green,stoodoneachsideinrows,filledwithabluefirewhichlitupthewholehallandshonethroughthewalls,sothattheseawithoutwasquitelitup;onecouldseealltheinnumerablefishes,greatandsmall,swimmingtowardtheglasswalls;ofsomethescalesgleamedwithpurple,whileinotherstheyshonelikesilverandgold.Throughthemidstofthehallflowedabroadstream,andonthisthesea-menandsea-womendancedtotheirowncharmingsongs.Suchbeautifulvoicesthepeopleoftheearthhavenot.ThelittleSea-maidsangthemostsweetlyofall,andthewholecourtapplaudedwithhandsandtails,andforamomentshefeltgayinherheart,forsheknewshehadtheloveliestvoiceofallintheseaorontheearth.Butsoonshethoughtagainoftheworldaboveher;shecouldnotforgetthecharmingPrince,orhersorrowatnothavinganimmortalsoullikehis.Thereforeshecreptoutofherfather’spalace,andwhileeverythingwithinwasjoyandgladness,shesatmelancholyinherlittle garden.Thensheheardthebuglehornsoundingthroughthewaters,andthought,“Nowheiscertainlysailingabove,heonwhommywisheshang,andinwhosehandIshouldliketolaymylife’shappiness.Iwilldareeverythingtowinhimandanimmortalsoul.Whilemysistersdanceyonderinmyfather’spalace,Iwillgotothesea-witchofwhomIhavealwaysbeensomuchafraid:perhapsshecancounselandhelpme.” NowthelittleSea-maidwentoutofhergardentothefoamingwhirlpoolsbehindwhichthesorceressdwelt.Shehadnevertravelledthatwaybefore.Noflowersgrewthere,noseagrass;onlythenakedgraysandstretchedouttowardthewhirlpools,wherethewaterrushedroundlikeroaringmill-wheelsandtoredowneverythingitseizedintothedeep.Throughthemidstoftheserushingwhirlpoolsshewasobligedtopasstogetintothedomainofthewitch;andforalongwaytherewasnootherroadbutoneoverwarmgushingmud:thisthewitchcalledherturf-moor.Behinditlayherhouseinthemidstofasingularforest,inwhichallthetreesandbusheswerepolyps—halfanimals,halfplants.Theylookedlikehundred-headedsnakesgrowingupoutoftheearth.Allthebrancheswerelong,slimyarms,withfingerslikesuppleworms,andtheymovedlimbbylimbfromtheroottothefarthestpoint;allthattheycouldseizeoninthewatertheyheldfastanddidnotletitgo.ThelittleSea-maidstoppedinfrontofthemquitefrightened;herheartbeatwithfear,andshewasnearturningback;butthenshethoughtofthePrinceandthehumansoul,andhercouragecamebackagain.Sheboundherlongflyinghaircloselyaroundherhead,sothatthepolypsmightnotseizeit.She putherhandstogetheronherbreastandthenshotforward,asafishshootsthroughthewater,amongtheuglypolyps,whichstretchedouttheirsupplearmsandfingersafterher.Shesawthateachofthemheldsomethingithadseizedwithhundredsoflittlearms,likestrongironbands.Peoplewhohadperishedatsea,andhadsunkdeepdown,lookedforthaswhiteskeletonsfromamongthepolyps’arms;ships’oarsandcheststheyalsoheldfast,andskeletonsoflandanimals,andalittlesea-womanwhomtheyhadcaughtandstrangled;andthisseemedthemostterribleofalltoourlittlePrincess. Nowshecametoagreatmarshyplaceinthewood,wherefatwater-snakesrolledabout,showingtheiruglycream-coloredbodies.Inthemidstofthismarshwasahousebuiltofwhitebonesofship-wreckedmen;theresattheSea-witch,feedingatoadoutofhermouth,justasapersonmightfeedalittlecanary-birdwithsugar.Shecalledtheuglyfatwater-snakesherlittlechickens,andallowedthemtocrawlupwardandallabouther. “Iknowwhatyouwant,”saidtheSea-witch.“Itisstupidofyou,butyoushallhaveyourway,foritwillbringyoutogrief,myprettyPrincess.Youwanttogetridofyourfish-tail,andtohavetwosupportsinsteadofit,likethosethepeopleoftheearthwalkwith,sothattheyoungPrincemayfallinlovewithyou,andyoumaygetanimmortalsoul.”AndwiththistheWitchlaughedloudlyanddisagreeably,sothatthetoadandthewater-snakestumbleddowntotheground,wheretheycrawledabout.“Youcomejustintime,”saidtheWitch:“after tomorrowatsunriseIcouldnothelpyouuntilanotheryearhadgoneby.Iwillprepareadraughtforyou,withwhichyoumustswimtolandtomorrowbeforethesunrises,andseatyourselfthereanddrinkit;thenyourtailwillshrivelupandbecomewhatthepeopleoftheearthcalllegs;butitwillhurtyou—itwillseemasifyouwerecutwithasharpsword.Allwhoseeyouwilldeclareyoutobetheprettiesthumanbeingtheyeverbeheld.Youwillkeepyourgracefulwalk;nodancerwillbeabletomovesolightlyasyou;buteverystepyoutakewillbeasifyoutroduponsharpknives,andasifyourbloodmustflow.Ifyouwillbearallthis,Icanhelpyou.” “Yes!”saidthelittleSea-maid,withatremblingvoice;andshethoughtofthePrinceandtheimmortalsoul. “Butremember,”saidtheWitch,“whenyouhaveoncereceivedahumanform,youcanneverbeasea-maidagain;youcanneverreturnthroughthewatertoyoursisters,ortoyourfather’spalace;andifyoudonotwinthePrince’slove,sothatheforgetsfatherandmotherforyoursake,isattachedtoyouheartandsoul,andtellsthepriesttojoinyourhands,youwillnotreceiveanimmortalsoul.Onthefirstmorningafterhehasmarriedanotheryourheartwillbreak,andyouwillbecomefoamonthewater.” “Iwilldoit,”saidthelittleSea-maid:butshebecameaspaleasdeath. “Butyoumustpayme,too,”saidtheWitch;“anditisnotatriflethatIask.Youhavethefinestvoiceofallhereatthebottomofthewater;withthatyouthinkto enchanthim;butthisvoiceyoumustgivetome.ThebestthingyoupossessIwillhaveformycostlydraught!Imustgiveyoumyownbloodinit,sothatthedraughtmaybeassharpasatwo-edgedsword.” “Butifyoutakeawaymyvoice,”saidthelittleSea-maid,“whatwillremaintome?” “Yourbeautifulform,”repliedtheWitch,“yourgracefulwalk,andyourspeakingeyes:withthoseyoucantakecaptiveahumanheart.Well,haveyoulostyourcourage?Putoutyourlittletongue,andthenIwillcutitoffformypayment,andthenyoushallhavethestrongdraught.” “Itshallbeso,”saidthelittleSea-maid. AndtheWitchputonherpottobrewthedraught. “Cleanlinessisagoodthing,”saidshe;andshecleanedoutthepotwiththesnakes,whichshetiedupinabigknot;thenshescratchedherself,andletherblackblooddropintoit.Thestreamroseupinthestrangestforms,enoughtofrightenthebeholder.EverymomenttheWitchthrewsomethingelseintothepot;andwhenitboiledthoroughly,therewasasoundliketheweepingofacrocodile.Atlastthedraughtwasready.Itlookedlikethepurestwater. “Thereyouhaveit,”saidtheWitch. AndshecutoffthelittleSea-maid’stongue,sothatnowthePrincesswasdumb,andcouldneithersingnorspeak.  Shecouldseeherfather’spalace.Thetorcheswereextinguishedinthegreathall,andtheywerecertainlysleepingwithin,butshedidnotdaretogotothem,nowthatshewasdumbandwasabouttoquitthemforever.Shefeltasifherheartwouldburstwithsorrow.Shecreptintothegarden,tookaflowerfromeachbedofhersisters,blewathousandkissestowardthepalace,androseupthroughthedarkbluesea. ThesunhadnotyetrisenwhenshebeheldthePrince’scastle,andmountedthesplendidmarblestaircase.Themoonshonebeautifullyclear.ThelittleSea-maiddranktheburningsharpdraught,anditseemedasifatwo-edgedswordwentthroughherdelicatebody.Shefelldowninaswoon,andlayasifsheweredead.Whenthesunshoneoutovertheseasheawoke,andfeltasharppain;butjustbeforeherstoodthehandsomeyoungPrince.Hefixedhiscoal-blackeyesuponher,sothatshecastdownherown,andthensheperceivedthatherfish-tailwasgone,andthatshehadtheprettiestpairofwhitefeetalittlegirlcouldhave.Butshehadnoclothes,sosheshroudedherselfinherlonghair.ThePrinceaskedhowshecamethere!andshelookedathimmildly,butverymournfully,withherdark-blueeyes,forshecouldnotspeak.Thenhetookherbythehand,andledherintothecastle.Eachstepshetookwas,astheWitchhadtoldher,asifshehadbeentreadingonpointedneedlesandknives,butsheboreitgladly.AtthePrince’srighthandshemovedon,lightasasoap-bubble,andhe,likealltherest,wasastonishedathergraceful,swayingmovements.  Shenowreceivedsplendidclothesofsilkandmuslin.Inthecastleshewasthemostbeautifulcreaturetobeseen;butshewasdumb,andcouldneithersingnorspeak.Lovelyslaves,dressedinsilkandgold,steppedforward,andsangbeforethePrinceandhisroyalparents;onesangmorecharminglythanalltherest,andthePrincesmiledatherandclappedhishands.ThenthelittleSea-maidbecamesad;sheknewthatsheherselfhadsungfarmoresweetly,andthought,— “O!thatheonlyknewIhadgivenawaymyvoiceforevertobewithhim!” Nowtheslavesdancedprettywavingdancestotheloveliestmusic;thenthelittleSea-maidliftedherbeautifulwhitearms,stoodonthetipsofhertoes,andglideddancingoverthefloorasnoonehadyetdanced.Ateachmovementherbeautybecamemoreapparent,andhereyesspokemoredirectlytotheheartthanthesongoftheslaves. Allweredelighted,andespeciallythePrince,whocalledherhislittlefoundling;andshedancedagainandagain,althougheverytimeshetouchedtheearthitseemedasifsheweretreadinguponsharpknives.ThePrincesaidthatsheshouldalwaysremainwithhim,andshereceivedpermissiontosleeponavelvetcushionbeforehisdoor. Hehadapage’sdressmadeforher,thatshemightaccompanyhimonhorseback.Theyrodethroughthebloomingwoods,wherethegreenboughsswepttheirshoulders,andthelittlebirdssanginthefreshleaves.SheclimbedwiththePrinceupthehighmountains,andalthoughherdelicatefeetbledsothat eventheotherscouldseeit,shelaughedatitherself,andfollowedhimuntiltheysawthecloudssailingbeneaththem,likeaflockofbirdstravellingtodistantlands. AthomeinthePrince’scastle,whentheotherssleptatnight,shewentoutontothebroadmarblesteps.Itcooledherburningfeettostandinthecoldsea-water,andthenshethoughtofthedearonesinthedeep. Once,inthenight-time,hersisterscame,arminarm.Sadlytheysangastheyfloatedabovethewater;andshebeckonedtothem,andtheyrecognizedher,andtoldherhowshehadgrievedthemall.Thenshevisitedthemeverynight;andonceshesawinthedistanceheroldgrandmother,whohadnotbeenabovethesurfaceformanyyears,andtheSea-kingwithhiscrownuponhishead.Theystretchedouttheirhandstowardher,butdidnotventuresonearthelandashersisters. DaybydaythePrincegrewmorefondofher.Helovedherasonelovesadear,goodchild,butitnevercameintohisheadtomakeherhiswife;andyetshemustbecomehiswife,orshewouldnotreceiveanimmortalsoul,andwouldhavetobecomefoamontheseaonhismarriagemorning. “Doyounotlovemebestofthemall?”theeyesofthelittleSea-maidseemedtosay,whenhetookherinhisarmsandkissedherfairforehead.  “Yes,youarethedearesttome!”saidthePrince,“foryouhavethebestheartofthemall.Youarethemostdevotedtome,andarelikeayounggirlwhomIoncesaw,butwhomIcertainlyshallnotfindagain.Iwasonboardashipwhichwaswrecked.Thewavesthrewmeashorenearaholytemplewhereseveralyounggirlsperformedtheservice.Theyoungestofthemfoundmebytheshoreandsavedmylife.Ionlysawhertwice:shewastheonlyoneintheworldIcouldlove,butyouchaseherpictureoutofmymind,youaresolikeher.Shebelongstotheholytemple,andthereforemygoodfortunehassentyoutome.Wewillneverpart!” “Ah!hedoesnotknowthatIsavedhislife,”thoughtthelittleSea-maid.“Icarriedhimovertheseatothewoodwherethetemplestands.Isatthereunderthefoamandlookedtoseeifanyonewouldcome.Isawthebeautifulgirlwhomhelovesbetterthanme.”AndtheSea-maidsigheddeeply—shecouldnotweep.“Themaidenbelongstotheholytemple,”shesaid,“andwillnevercomeoutintotheworld—theywillmeetnomore.Iamwithhimandseehimeveryday;Iwillcherishhim,lovehim,giveupmylifeforhim.” ButnowtheysaidthatthePrincewastomarry,andthatthebeautifuldaughterofaneighboringKingwastobehiswife,andthatwaswhysuchabeautifulshipwasbeingprepared.Thestorywas,thatthePrincetravelledtovisitthelandoftheneighboringKing,butitwasdonethathemightseetheKing’sdaughter.Agreatcompanywastogowithhim.ThelittleSea-maidshookherheadandsmiled;sheknewthePrince’sthoughtsfarbetterthananyoftheothers.  “Imusttravel,”hehadsaidtoher’“ImustseethebeautifulPrincess:myparentsdesireit,buttheydonotwishtocompelmetobringherhomeasmybride.Icannotloveher.Sheisnotlikethebeautifulmaideninthetemplewhomyouresemble.IfIweretochooseabride,Iwouldratherchooseyou,mydeardumbfoundlingwiththespeakingeyes.” Andhekissedherredlipsandplayedwithherlonghair,sothatshedreamedofhappinessandofanimmortalsoul. “Youarenotafraidofthesea,mydumbchild?”saidhe,whentheystoodonthesuperbshipwhichwastocarryhimtothecountryoftheneighboringKing;andhetoldherofstormandcalm,ofstrangefishesinthedeep,andofwhatthedivershadseenthere.Andshesmiledathistales,forsheknewbetterthananyonewhathappenedatthebottomofthesea. Inthemoonlightnight,whenallwereasleep,exceptthesteersmanwhostoodbythehelm,shesatonthesideoftheshipgazingdownthroughtheclearwater.Shefanciedshesawherfather’spalace.Highonthebattlementsstoodheroldgrandmother,withthesilvercrownonherhead,andlookingthroughtherushingtideuptothevessel’skeel.Thenhersisterscameforthoverthewater,andlookedmournfullyatherandwrungtheirwhitehands.Shebeckonedtothemandsmiled,andwishedtotellthemthatshewaswellandhappy;butthecabin-boyapproachedherandhersistersdiveddown,sothathethoughtthewhiteobjectshehadseenwerefoamonthesurfaceofthewater.  ThenextmorningtheshipsailedintotheharboroftheneighboringKing’ssplendidcity.Allthechurchbellssounded,andfromthehightowersthetrumpetswereblown,whilethesoldiersstoodtherewithflyingcolorsandflashingbayonets.Eachdaybroughtsomefestivitywithit;ballsandentertainmentsfollowedoneanother;butthePrincesswasnotyetthere.Peoplesaidshewasbeingeducatedinaholytemplefaraway,whereshewaslearningeveryroyalvirtue.Atlastshearrived. ThelittleSea-maidwasanxioustoseethebeautyofthePrincess,andwasobligedtoacknowledgeit.Amorelovelyapparitionshehadneverbeheld.ThePrincess’skinwaspureandclear,andbehindthelongdarkeyelashestheresmiledapairoffaithful,dark-blueeyes. “YouaretheladywhosavedmewhenIlaylikeacorpseupontheshore!”saidthePrince;andhefoldedhisblushingbridetohisheart.“O,Iamtoo,toohappy!”hecriedtothelittleSea-maid.“ThebesthopeIcouldhaveisfulfilled.Youwillrejoiceatmyhappiness,foryouarethemostdevotedtomeofthemall!” AndthelittleSea-maidkissedhishand;anditseemedalreadytoherasifherheartwasbroken,forhisweddingmorningwastobringdeathtoher,andchangeherintofoamonthesea. Allthechurchbellswereringing,andheraldsrodeaboutthestreetsannouncingthebetrothal.Oneveryaltarfragrantoilwasburningingorgeouslampsofsilver.Thepriestsswungtheircensers,andbrideandbridegroomlaidhandinhand,and receivedthebishop’sblessing.ThelittleSea-maidwasdressedinclothofgold,andheldupthebride’strain;butherearsheardnothingofthefestivemusic,hereyemarkednottheholyceremony;shethoughtofthenightofherdeath,andofallthatshehadlostinthisworld. Onthesameeveningthebrideandbridegroomwentonboardtheship.Thecannonroared,alltheflagswaved;inthemidstoftheshipacostlytentofgoldandpurple,withthemostbeautifulcushions,hadbeensetup,andtherethemarriedpairweretosleepinthecool,stillnight. Thesailsswelledinthewind,andtheshipglidedsmoothlyandlightlyovertheclearsea.Whenitgrewdark,coloredlampswerelightedandthesailorsdancedmerrydancesondeck.ThelittleSea-maidthoughtofthefirsttimewhenshehadrisenupoutofthesea,andbeheldasimilarsceneofsplendorandjoy;andshejoinedinthewhirlingdance,andflittedonastheswallowflitsawaywhenheispursued;andallshoutedandadmiredher,forshehaddancedsoprettily.Herdelicatefeetwerecutasifwithknives,butshedidnotfeelit,forherheartwaswoundedfarmorepainfully.Sheknewthiswasthelasteveningonwhichsheshouldseehimforwhomshehadleftherfriendsandherhome,andhadgivenupherbeautifulvoice,andhadsufferedunheard-ofpainseveryday,whilehewasutterlyunconsciousofall.Itwasthelasteveningsheshouldbreathethesameairwithhim,andbeholdthestarryskyandthedeepsea;andeverlastingnightwithoutthoughtordreamawaitedher,forshehadnosoul,andcouldwinnone. Andeverythingwasmerrimentandgladnessontheshiptillpastmidnight,andshelaughedanddancedwiththoughtsofdeathinherheart.ThePrincekissedhisbeautifulbride,andsheplayedwithhisravenhair,andhandinhandtheywenttorestinthesplendidtent.Itbecamequietontheship;onlythehelmsmanstoodbythehelm,andthelittleSea-maidleanedherwhitearmsuponthebulwarkandgazedouttowardtheeastforthemorningdawn—thefirstray,sheknew,wouldkillher.Thenshesawhersistersrisingoutoftheflood;theywerepale,likeherself;theirlong,beautifulhairnolongerwavedinthewind;ithadbeencutoff. “Wehavegivenittothewitch,thatwemightbringyouhelp,sothatyoumaynotdieto-night.Shehasgivenusaknife;hereitis—look!howsharp!BeforethesunrisesyoumustthrustitintotheheartofthePrince,andwhenthewarmbloodfallsuponyourfeettheywillgrowtogetheragainintoafish-tail,andyouwillbecomeasea-maidagain,andcomebacktous,andliveyourthreehundredyearsbeforeyoubecomedeadsaltsea-foam.Makehaste!Heoryoumustdiebeforethesunrises!Ouroldgrandmothermournssothatherwhitehairhasfallenoff,asoursdidunderthewitch’sscissors.KillthePrinceandcomeback!Makehaste!Doyouseethatredstreakinthesky?Inafewminutesthesunwillrise,andyoumustdie!” Andtheygaveaverymournfulsigh,andvanishedbeneaththewaves.ThelittleSea-maiddrewbackthecurtainfromthetent,andsawthebeautifulbridelyingwithherheadonthePrince’sbreast;andshebentdownandkissedhisbrow,and gazedupattheskywherethemorningredwasgleamingbrighterandbrighter;thenshelookedatthesharpknife,andagainfixedhereyesuponthePrince,whoinhissleepmurmuredhisbride’sname.Sheonlywasinhisthoughts,andtheknifetrembledintheSea-maid’shand.Butthensheflungitfarawayintothewaves—theygleamedredwhereitfell,anditseemedasifdropsofbloodspurtedupoutofthewater.Oncemoreshelookedwithhalf-extinguishedeyesuponthePrince;thenshethrewherselffromtheshipintothesea,andfeltherframedissolvingintofoam. Nowthesunroseupoutofthesea.Theraysfellmildandwarmuponthecoldsea-foam,andthelittleSea-maidfeltnothingofdeath.Shesawthebrightsun,andoverherheadsailedhundredsofgloriousetherealbeings—shecouldseethemthroughthewhitesailsoftheshipandtheredcloudsofthesky;theirspeechwasmelody,butofsuchaspiritualkindthatnohumanearcouldhearit,justasnohumaneyecouldseethem;withoutwingstheyfloatedthroughtheair.ThelittleSea-maidfoundthatshehadaframelikethese,andwasrisingmoreandmoreoutofthefoam. “WhitheramIgoing?”sheasked;andhervoicesoundedlikethatofotherbeings,sospiritual,thatnoearthlymusiccouldbecomparedtoit. “Tothedaughtersoftheair!”repliedtheothers.“Asea-maidhasnoimmortalsoul,andcannevergainone,exceptshewintheloveofamortal.Hereternalexistencedependsuponthepowerofanother.Thedaughtersoftheairhave likewisenoimmortalsoul,buttheycanmakethemselvesonethroughgooddeeds.Weflytothehotcountries,wheretheclose,pestilentairkillsmen,andtherewebringcoolness.Wedispersethefragranceoftheflowersthroughtheair,andspreadrefreshmentandhealth.Afterwehavestrivenforthreehundredyearstoaccomplishallthegoodwecanbringabout,wereceiveanimmortalsoul,andtakepartintheeternalhappinessofmen.You,poorlittleSea-maid,havestrivenwithyourwholeheartafterthegoalwepursue;youhavesufferedandendured;youhavebygoodworksraisedyourselftotheworldofspirits,andcangainanimmortalsoulafterthreehundredyears.” AndthelittleSea-maidliftedherglorifiedeyestowardGod’ssun,andforthefirsttimeshefeltthemfillwithtears.Ontheshiptherewasagainlifeandnoise.ShesawthePrinceandhisbridesearchingforher;thentheylookedmournfullyatthepearlyfoam,asiftheyknewthatshehadthrownherselfintothewaves.Invisible,shekissedtheforeheadofthebride,fannedthePrince,andmountedwiththeotherchildrenoftheairontherosycloudwhichfloatedthroughtheether.AfterthreehundredyearsweshallthusfloatintoParadise! “Andwemayevengettheresooner,”whisperedadaughteroftheair.“Invisiblywefloatintothehousesofmenwherechildrenare,andforeverydayonwhichwefindagoodchildthatbringsjoytoitsparentsanddeservestheirlove,ourtimeofprobationisshortened.Thechilddoesnotknowwhenweflythroughtheroom;andwhenwesmilewithjoyatthechild’sconduct,ayeariscountedoff fromthethreehundred;butwhenweseeanaughtyorawickedchild,weshedtearsofgrief,andforeverytearadayisaddedtoourtimeoftrial.”