CONTENTS
THELITTLELAMEPRINCE
THEINVISIBLEPRINCE
PRINCECHERRY
THEPRINCEWITHTHENOSE
THEFROG-PRINCE
CLEVERALICE
THE
LITTLELAMEPRINCE
CHAPTERI
Yes，hewasthemostbeautifulPrincethateverwasborn。
Ofcourse，beingaprince，peoplesaidthis;butitwastruebesides。
Whenhelookedatthecandle，hiseyeshadanexpressionofearnestinquiryquitestartlinginanewbornbaby。Hisnose——therewasnotmuchofitcertainly，butwhattherewasseemedanaquilineshape;hiscomplexionwasacharming，healthypurple;hewasroundandfat，straight-
limbedandlong——infact，asplendidbaby，andeverybodywasexceedinglyproudofhim，especiallyhisfatherandmother，theKingandQueenofNomansland，whohadwaitedforhimduringtheirhappyreignoftenyears——nowmadehappierthanever，tothemselvesandtheirsubjects，bytheappearanceofasonandheir。
TheonlypersonwhowasnotquitehappywastheKing’sbrother，theheirpresumptive，whowouldhavebeenkingonedayhadthebabynotbeenborn。Butashismajestywasverykindtohim，andevenrathersorryforhim——insomuchthatattheQueen’srequesthegavehimadukedomalmostasbigasacounty——theCrown-
Prince，ashewascalled，triedtoseempleasedalso;andletushopehesucceeded。
ThePrince’schristeningwastobeagrandaffair。Accordingtothecustomofthecountry，therewerechosenforhimfour-and-twentygod-
fathersandgodmothers，whoeachhadtogivehimaname，andpromisetodotheirutmostforhim。Whenhecameofage，hehimselfhadtochoosethename——andthegodfatherorgod-
mother——thathelikedthebest，fortherestofhisdays。
Meantimeallwasrejoicing。Subscriptionsweremadeamongtherichtogivepleasuretothepoor;dinnersintown-hallsfortheworkingmen;
tea-partiesinthestreetsfortheirwives;andmilk-and-bunfeastsforthechildrenintheschoolrooms。ForNomansland，thoughIcannotpointitoutinanymap，orreadofitinanyhistory，was，Ibelieve，muchlikeourownormanyanothercountry。
Asforthepalace——whichwasnodifferentfromotherpalaces——itwasclean"turnedoutofthewindows，"aspeoplesay，withthepreparationsgoingon。Theonlyquietplaceinitwastheroomwhich，thoughthePrincewassixweeksold，hismothertheQueenhadneverquitted。
Nobodysaidshewasill，however——itwouldhavebeensoinconvenient;andasshesaidnothingaboutitherself，butlaypaleandplacid，givingnotroubletoanybody，nobodythoughtmuchabouther。Alltheworldwasabsorbedinadmiringthebaby。
Thechristening-daycameatlast，anditwasaslovelyasthePrincehimself。Allthepeopleinthepalacewerelovelytoo——orthoughtthemselvesso——intheelegantnewclotheswhichtheQueen，whothoughtofeverybody，hadtakencaretogivethem，fromtheladies-in-waitingdowntothepoorlittlekitchen-maid，wholookedatherselfinherpinkcottongown，andthought，doubtless，thatthereneverwassuchaprettygirlasshe。
Bysixinthemorningalltheroyalhouseholdhaddresseditselfinitsverybest;andthenthelittlePrincewasdressedinhisbest——hismagnificentchristeningrobe;whichproceedinghisRoyalHighnessdidnotlikeatall，butkickedandscreamedlikeanycommonbaby。Whenhehadalittlecalmeddown，theycarriedhimtobelookedatbytheQueenhismother，who，thoughherroyalrobeshadbeenbroughtandlaiduponthebed，was，aseverybodywellknew，quiteunabletoriseandputthemon。
Sheadmiredherbabyverymuch;kissedandblessedhim，andlaylookingathim，asshedidforhourssometimes，whenhewasplacedbesideherfastasleep;thenshegavehimupwithagentlesmile，and，sayingshehopedhewouldbeverygood，thatitwouldbeaverynicechristening，andalltheguestswouldenjoythemselves，turnedpeacefullyoveronherbed，sayingnothingmoretoanybody。Shewasaveryuncomplainingperson，theQueen——andhernamewasDolorez。
Everythingwentonexactlyasifshehadbeenpresent。All，eventhekinghimself，hadgrownusedtoherabsence;forshewasnotstrong，andforyearshadnotjoinedinanygayeties。Shealwaysdidherroyalduties，butastopleasures，theycouldgoonquitewellwithouther，oritseemedso。Thecompanyarrived：greatandnotablepersonsinthisandneighboringcountries;
alsothefour-and-twentygodfathersandgodmothers，whohadbeenchosenwithcare，asthepeoplewhowouldbemostusefultohisroyalhighnessshouldheeverwantfriends，whichdidnotseemlikely。WhatsuchwantcouldpossiblyhappentotheheirofthepowerfulmonarchofNomansland？
Theycame，walkingtwoandtwo，withtheircoronetsontheirheads——beingdukesandduchesses，princesandprincesses，orthelike;theyallkissedthechildandpronouncedthenameeachhadgivenhim。Thenthefour-and-twentynameswereshoutedoutwithgreatenergybysixheralds，oneaftertheother，andafterwardwrittendown，tobepreservedinthestaterecords，inreadinessforthenexttimetheywerewanted，whichwouldbeeitheronhisRoyalHighness’
coronationorhisfuneral。
Soontheceremonywasover，andeverybodysatisfied;except，perhaps，thelittlePrincehimself，whomoanedfaintlyunderhischristeningrobes，whichnearlysmotheredhim。
Intruth，thoughveryfewknew，thePrinceincomingtothechapelhadmetwithaslightdisaster。Hisnurse，——nothisordinaryone，butthestatenurse-maid，——anelegantandfashionableyoungladyofrank，whosedutyitwastocarryhimtoandfromthechapel，hadbeensooccupiedinarranginghertrainwithonehand，whilesheheldthebabywiththeother，thatshestumbledandlethimfall，justatthefootofthemarblestaircase。
Tobesure，shecontrivedtopickhimupagainthenextminute;andtheaccidentwassoslightitseemedhardlyworthspeakingof。Consequentlynobodydidspeakofit。Thebabyhadturneddeadlypale，butdidnotcry，sonopersonasteportwobehindcoulddiscoveranythingwrong;afterward，evenifhehadmoaned，thesilvertrumpetswereloudenoughtodrownhisvoice。Itwouldhavebeenapitytoletanythingtroublesuchadayoffelicity。
So，afteraminute’spause，theprocessionhadmovedon。SuchaprocessiontHeraldsinblueandsilver;pagesincrimsonandgold;andatroopoflittlegirlsindazzlingwhite，carryingbasketsofflowers，whichtheystrewedallthewaybeforethenurseandchild——finallythefour-
and-twentygodfathersandgodmothers，asproudaspossible，andsosplendidtolookatthattheywouldhavequiteextinguishedtheirsmallgodson——merelyaheapoflaceandmuslinwithababyfaceinside——haditnotbeenforacanopyofwhitesatinandostrichfeatherswhichwasheldoverhimwhereverhewascarried。
Thus，withthesunshiningonthemthroughthepaintedwindows，theystood;thekingandhistrainononeside，thePrinceandhisattendantsontheother，asprettyasightaseverwasseenoutoffairyland。
"It’sjustlikefairyland，"whisperedtheeldestlittlegirltothenexteldest，assheshookthelastroseoutofherbasket;"andIthinktheonlythingthePrincewantsnowisafairygod-
mother。"
"Doeshe？"saidashrillbutsoftandnotunpleasantvoicebehind;andtherewasseenamongthegroupofchildrensomebody，——notachild，yetnobiggerthanachild，——somebodywhomnobodyhadseenbefore，andwhocertainlyhadnotbeeninvited，forshehadnochristeningclotheson。
Shewasalittleoldwomandressedallingray：
graygown;grayhoodedcloak，ofamaterialexcessivelyfine，andatintthatseemedperpetuallychanging，likethegrayofaneveningsky。Herhairwasgray，andhereyesalso——evenhercomplexionhadasoftgrayshadowoverit。Buttherewasnothingunpleasantlyoldabouther，andhersmilewasassweetandchildlikeasthePrince’sown，whichstoleoverhispalelittlefacetheinstantshecamenearenoughtotouchhim。
"Takecare！Don’tletthebabyfallagain。"
Thegrandyoungladynursestarted，flushingangrily。
"Whospoketome？Howdidanybodyknow？
——Imean，whatbusinesshasanybody————"
Thenfrightened，butstillspeakinginamuchsharpertonethanIhopeyoungladiesofrankareinthehabitofspeaking——"Oldwoman，youwillbekindenoughnottosay`thebaby，’but`thePrince。’Keepaway;hisRoyalHighnessisjustgoingtosleep。"
"NeverthelessImustkisshim。Iamhisgod-
mother。"
"You！"criedtheelegantladynurse。
"You！"repeatedallthegentlemenandladies-in-waiting。
"You！"echoedtheheraldsandpages——andtheybegantoblowthesilvertrumpetsinordertostopallfurtherconversation。
ThePrince’sprocessionformeditselfforreturning，——theKingandhistrainhavingalreadymovedofftowardthepalace，——butonthetop-
moststepofthemarblestairsstood，rightinfrontofall，thelittleoldwomanclothedingray。
Shestretchedherselfontiptoebythehelpofherstick，andgavethelittlePrincethreekisses。
"Thisisintolerable！"criedtheyoungladynurse，wipingthekissesoffrapidlywithherlacehandkerchief。"SuchaninsulttohisRoyalHighness！Takeyourselfoutoftheway，oldwoman，ortheKingshallbeinformedimmediately。"
"TheKingknowsnothingofme，more’sthepity，"repliedtheoldwoman，withanindifferentair，asifshethoughtthelosswasmoreonhisMajesty’ssidethanhers。"MyfriendinthepalaceistheKing’swife。"
"King’shavenotwives，butqueens，"saidtheladynurse，withacontemptuousair。
"Youareright，"repliedtheoldwoman。
"NeverthelessIknowherMajestywell，andI
loveherandherchild。And——sinceyoudroppedhimonthemarblestairs（thisshesaidinamysteriouswhisper，whichmadetheyoungladytrembleinspiteofheranger）——Ichoosetotakehimformyown，andbehisgodmother，readytohelphimwheneverhewantsme。"
"Youhelphim！"criedallthegroupbreakingintoshoutsoflaughter，towhichthelittleoldwomanpaidnottheslightestattention。HersoftgrayeyeswerefixedonthePrince，whoseemedtoanswertothelook，smilingagainandagaininthecauseless，aimlessfashionthatbabiesdosmile。
"HisMajestymusthearofthis，"saidagentleman-in-waiting。
"HisMajestywillhearquiteenoughnewsinaminuteortwo，"saidtheoldwomansadly。
AndagainstretchinguptothelittlePrince，shekissedhimontheforeheadsolemnly。
"Becalledbyanewnamewhichnobodyhaseverthoughtof。BePrinceDolor，inmemoryofyourmotherDolorez。"
"Inmemoryof！"Everybodystartedattheominousphrase，andalsoatamostterriblebreachofetiquettewhichtheoldwomanhadcommitted。InNomansland，neitherthekingnorthequeenwassupposedtohaveanyChristiannameatall。Theydroppeditontheircoronationday，anditneverwasmentionedagaintillitwasengravedontheircoffinswhentheydied。
"Oldwoman，youareexceedinglyill-bred，"
criedtheeldestlady-in-waiting，muchhorrified。
"Howyoucouldknowthefactpassesmycomprehension。Butevenifyoudidknowit，howdaredyoupresumetohintthathermostgraciousMajestyiscalledDolorez？"
"WAScalledDolorez，"saidtheoldwoman，withatendersolemnity。
Thefirstgentleman，calledtheGold-stick-in-
waiting，raisedittostrikeher，andallthereststretchedouttheirhandstoseizeher;butthegraymantlemeltedfrombetweentheirfingerslikeair;and，beforeanybodyhadtimetodoanythingmore，therecameaheavy，muffled，startlingsound。
Thegreatbellofthepalacethebellwhichwasonlyheardonthedeathofsomeoneoftheroyalfamily，andforasmanytimesasheorshewasyearsold——begantotoll。Theylistened，muteandhorror-stricken。Someonecounted：
one——two——three——four——uptonine-and-twenty——justtheQueen’sage。
Itwas，indeed，theQueen。HerMajestywasdead！Inthemidstofthefestivitiesshehadslippedawayoutofhernewhappinessandheroldsufferings，notfewnorsmall。Sendingawayallherwomentoseethegrandsight，——atleasttheysaidafterward，inexcuse，thatshehaddoneso，anditwasverylikehertodoit，——shehadturnedwithherfacetothewindow，whenceonecouldjustseethetopsofthedistantmountains——theBeautifulMountains，astheywerecalled——whereshewasborn。Sogazing，shehadquietlydied。
WhenthelittlePrincewascarriedbacktohismother’sroom，therewasnomothertokisshim。And，thoughhedidnotknowit，therewouldbeforhimnomother’skissanymore。
Asforhisgodmother，——thelittleoldwomaningraywhocalledherselfso，——whethershemeltedintoair，likehergownwhentheytouchedit，orwhethersheflewoutofthechapelwindow，orslippedthroughthedoorwayamongthebewilderedcrowd，nobodyknew——nobodyeverthoughtabouther。
Onlythenurse，theordinaryhomelyone，comingoutofthePrince’snurseryinthemiddleofthenightinsearchofacordialtoquiethiscontinualmoans，saw，sittinginthedoorway，somethingwhichshewouldhavethoughtamereshadow，hadshenotseenshiningoutofittwoeyes，grayandsoftandsweet。Sheputherhandbeforeherown，screamingloudly。Whenshetookthemawaytheoldwomanwasgone。
CHAPTERII
Everybodywasverykindtothepoorlittleprince。Ithinkpeoplegenerallyarekindtomotherlesschildren，whetherprincesorpeasants。Hehadamagnificentnurseryandaregularsuiteofattendants，andwastreatedwiththegreatestrespectandstate。Nobodywasallowedtotalktohiminsillybabylanguage，ordandlehim，or，abovealltokisshim，thoughperhapssomepeoplediditsurreptitiously，forhewassuchasweetbabythatitwasdifficulttohelpit。
ItcouldnotbesaidthatthePrincemissedhismother——childrenofhisagecannotdothat;
butsomehowaftershediedeverythingseemedtogowrongwithhim。Fromabeautifulbabyhebecamesicklyandpale，seemingtohavealmostceasedgrowing，especiallyinhislegs，whichhadbeensofatandstrong。
Butafterthedayofhischristeningtheywitheredandshrank;henolongerkickedthemouteitherinpassionorplay，andwhen，ashegottobenearlyayearold，hisnursetriedtomakehimstanduponthem，heonlytumbleddown。
Thishappenedsomanytimesthatatlastpeoplebegantotalkaboutit。Aprince，andnotabletostandonhisownlegs！Whatadreadfulthing！Whatamisfortuneforthecountry！
Ratheramisfortunetohimalso，poorlittleboy！butnobodyseemedtothinkofthat。Andwhen，afterawhile，hishealthrevived，andtheoldbrightlookcamebacktohissweetlittleface，andhisbodygrewlargerandstronger，thoughstillhislegsremainedthesame，peoplecontinuedtospeakofhiminwhispers，andwithgraveshakesofthehead。Everybodyknew，thoughnobodysaidit，thatsomething，itwasimpossibletoguesswhat，wasnotquiterightwiththepoorlittlePrince。
Ofcourse，nobodyhintedthistotheKinghisfather：itdoesnotdototellgreatpeopleanythingunpleasant。Andbesides，hisMajestytookverylittlenoticeofhisson，orofhisotheraffairs，beyondthenecessarydutiesofhiskingdom。
PeoplehadsaidhewouldnotmisstheQueenatall，shehavingbeensolonganinvalid，buthedid。Afterherdeathheneverwasquitethesame。Heestablishedhimselfinheremptyrooms，theonlyroomsinthepalacewhenceonecouldseetheBeautifulMountains，andwasoftenobservedlookingatthemasifhethoughtshehadflownawaythither，andthathislongingcouldbringherbackagain。Andbyacuriouscoincidence，whichnobodydaredinquireinto，hedesiredthatthePrincemightbecalled，notbyanyofthefour-and-twentygrandnamesgivenhimbyhisgodfathersandgodmothers，butbytheidenticalnamementionedbythelittleoldwomaningray——Dolor，afterhismotherDolorez。
Onceaweek，accordingtoestablishedstatecustom，thePrince，dressedinhisverybest，wasbroughttotheKinghisfatherforhalfanhour，buthisMajestywasgenerallytooillandtoomelancholytopaymuchheedtothechild。
Onlyonce，whenheandtheCrown-Prince，whowasexceedinglyattentivetohisroyalbrother，weresittingtogether，withPrinceDolorplayinginacorneroftheroom，dragginghimselfaboutwithhisarmsratherthanhislegs，andsometimestryingfeeblytocrawlfromonechairtoanother，itseemedtostrikethefatherthatallwasnotrightwithhisson。
"HowoldishisRoyalHighness？"saidhesuddenlytothenurse。
"Twoyears，threemonths，andfivedays，pleaseyourMajesty。"
"Itdoesnotpleaseme，"saidtheKing，withasigh。"Heoughttobefarmoreforwardthanheisnowoughthenot，brother？You，whohavesomanychildren，mustknow。Istherenotsomethingwrongabouthim？"
"Oh，no，"saidtheCrown-Prince，exchangingmeaninglookswiththenurse，whodidnotunderstandatall，butstoodfrightenedandtremblingwiththetearsinhereyes。"NothingtomakeyourMajestyatalluneasy。NodoubthisRoyalHighnesswilloutgrowitintime。"
"Outgrow——what？"
"Aslightdelicacy——ahem！——inthespine;
somethinginherited，perhaps，fromhisdearmother。"
"Ah，shewasalwaysdelicate;butshewasthesweetestwomanthateverlived。Comehere，mylittleson。"
AndasthePrinceturnedrounduponhisfatherasmall，sweet，graveface，——solikehismother’s，——hisMajestytheKingsmiledandheldouthisarms。Butwhentheboycametohim，notrunninglikeaboy，butwrigglingawkwardlyalongthefloor，theroyalcountenancecloudedover。
"Ioughttohavebeentoldofthis。Itisterrible——terrible！Andforaprincetoo。Sendforallthedoctorsinmykingdomimmediately。"
Theycame，andeachgaveadifferentopinionandorderedadifferentmodeoftreatment。Theonlythingtheyagreedinwaswhathadbeenprettywellknownbefore，thatthePrincemusthavebeenhurtwhenhewasaninfant——letfall，perhaps，soastoinjurehisspineandlowerlimbs。Didnobodyremember？
No，nobody。Indignantly，allthenursesdeniedthatanysuchaccidenthadhappened，waspossibletohavehappened，untilthefaithfulcountrynurserecollectedthatitreallyhadhappenedonthedayofthechristening。Forwhichunluckilygoodmemoryalltheothersscoldedhersoseverelythatshehadnopeaceofherlife，andsoonafter，bytheinfluenceoftheyoungladynursewhohadcarriedthebabythatfatalday，andwhowasasortofconnectionoftheCrown-
Prince——beinghiswife’ssecondcousinonceremoved——thepoorwomanwaspensionedoffandsenttotheBeautifulMountainsfromwhenceshecame，withorderstoremaintherefortherestofherdays。
ButofallthistheKingknewnothing，for，indeed，afterthefirstshockoffindingoutthathissoncouldnotwalk，andseemedneverlikelytoheinterferedverylittleconcerninghim。
Thewholethingwastoopainful，andhisMajestyneverlikedpainfulthings。SometimesheinquiredafterPrinceDolor，andtheytoldhimhisRoyalHighnesswasgoingonaswellascouldbeexpected，whichreallywasthecase。For，afterworryingthepoorchildandperplexingthemselveswithoneremedyafteranother，theCrown-
Prince，notwishingtooffendanyofthedifferingdoctors，hadproposedleavinghimtoNature;andNature，thesafestdoctorofall，hadcometohishelpanddoneherbest。
Hecouldnotwalk，itistrue;hislimbsweremereuselessappendagestohisbody;butthebodyitselfwasstrongandsound。Andhisfacewasthesameasever——justhismother’sface，oneofthesweetestintheworld。
EventheKing，indifferentashewas，sometimeslookedatthelittlefellowwithsadtenderness，noticinghowcleverlyhelearnedtocrawlandswinghimselfaboutbyhisarms，sothatinhisownawkwardwayhewasasactiveinmotionasmostchildrenofhisage。
"Poorlittleman！hedoeshisbest，andheisnotunhappy——nothalfsounhappyasI，brother，"addressingtheCrown-Prince，whowasmoreconstantthaneverinhisattendanceuponthesickmonarch。"Ifanythingshouldbefallme，IhaveappointedyouRegent。Incaseofmydeath，youwilltakecareofmypoorlittleboy？"
"Certainly，certainly;butdonotletusimagineanysuchmisfortune。IassureyourMajesty——everybodywillassureyou——thatitisnotintheleastlikely。"
Heknew，however，andeverybodyknew，thatitwaslikely，andsoonafteritactuallydidhappen。TheKingdiedassuddenlyandquietlyastheQueenhaddone——indeed，inherveryroomandbed;andPrinceDolorwasleftwithouteitherfatherormother——assadathingascouldhappen，eventoaprince。
Hewasmorethanthatnow，though。Hewasaking。InNomansland，asinothercountries，thepeoplewerestruckwithgriefonedayandrevivedthenext。"Thekingisdead——longlivetheking！"wasthecrythatrangthroughthenation，andalmostbeforehislateMajestyhadbeenlaidbesidetheQueenintheirsplendidmausoleum，crowdscamethrongingfromallpartstotheroyalpalace，eagertoseethenewmonarch。
Theydidseehim，——thePrinceRegenttookcaretheyshould，——sittingonthefloorofthecouncilchamber，suckinghisthumb！Andwhenoneofthegentlemen-in-waitingliftedhimupandcarriedhim——fancycarryingaking！——tothechairofstate，andputthecrownonhishead，heshookitoffagain，itwassoheavyanduncomfortable。Slidingdowntothefootofthethronehebeganplayingwiththegoldenlionsthatsupportedit，strokingtheirpawsandputtinghistinyfingersintotheireyes，andlaughing——
laughingasifhehadatlastfoundsomethingtoamusehim。
"There’safinekingforyou！"saidthefirstlord-in-waiting，afriendofthePrinceRegent’s（theCrown-Princethatusedtobe，who，inthedeepestmourning，stoodsilentlybesidethethroneofhisyoungnephew。Hewasahandsomeman，verygrandandclever-looking）。
"Whataking！whocanneverstandtoreceivehissubjects，neverwalkinprocessions，whotothelastdayofhislifewillhavetobecarriedaboutlikeababy。Veryunfortunate！"
"Exceedinglyunfortunate，"repeatedthesecondlord。"Itisalwaysbadforanationwhenitskingisachild;butsuchachild——apermanentcripple，ifnotworse。"
"Letushopenotworse，"saidthefirstlordinaveryhopelesstone，andlookingtowardtheRegent，whostooderectandpretendedtohearnothing。"Ihaveheardthatthesesortofchildrenwithverylargeheads，andgreatbroadfore-
headsandstaringeyes，are——well，well，letushopeforthebestandbepreparedfortheworst。
Inthemeantime————"
"Iswear，"saidtheCrown-Prince，comingforwardandkissingthehiltofhissword——"I
sweartoperformmydutiesasRegent，totakeallcareofhisRoyalHighness——hisMajesty，I
mean，"withagrandbowtothelittlechild，wholaughedinnocentlybackagain。"AndIwilldomyhumblebesttogovernthecountry。Still，ifthecountryhastheslightestobjection————"
ButtheCrown-Princebeinggeneralissimo，havingthewholearmyathisbeckandcall，sothathecouldhavebegunacivilwarinnotime，thecountryhad，ofcourse，nottheslightestobjection。
SotheKingandQueenslepttogetherinpeace，andPrinceDolorreignedovertheland——thatis，hisuncledid;andeverybodysaidwhatafortunatethingitwasforthepoorlittlePrincetohavesuchacleveruncletotakecareofhim。
Allthingswentonasusual;indeed，aftertheRegenthadbroughthiswifeandhersevensons，andestablishedtheminthepalace，ratherbetterthanusual。Fortheygavesuchsplendidentertainmentsandmadethecapitalsolivelythattraderevived，andthecountrywassaidtobemoreflourishingthanithadbeenforacentury。
WhenevertheRegentandhissonsappeared，theywerereceivedwithshouts："LonglivetheCrown-Prince！""Longlivetheroyalfamily！"
And，intruth，theywereveryfinechildren，thewholesevenofthem，andmadeagreatshowwhentheyrodeouttogetheronsevenbeautifulhorses，oneheightaboveanother，downtotheyoungest，onhistinyblackpony，nobiggerthanalargedog。
Asfortheotherchild，hisRoyalHighnessPrinceDolor，——forsomehowpeoplesoonceasedtocallhimhisMajesty，whichseemedsucharidiculoustitleforapoorlittlefellow，ahelplesscripple，——withonlyheadandtrunk，andnolegstospeakof，——hewasseenveryseldombyanybody。
Sometimespeopledaringenoughtopeeroverthehighwallofthepalacegardennoticedthere，carriedinafootman’sarms，ordrawninachair，orlefttoplayonthegrass，oftenwithnobodytomindhim，aprettylittleboy，withabright，intelligentfaceandlarge，melancholyeyes——no，notexactlymelancholy，fortheywerehismother’s，andshewasbynomeanssad-minded，butthoughtfulanddreamy。Theyratherperplexedpeople，thosechildisheyes;theyweresoexceedinglyinnocentandyetsopenetrating。
Ifanybodydidawrongthing——toldalie，forinstancetheywouldturnroundwithsuchagrave，silentsurprisethechildnevertalkedmuch——thateverynaughtypersoninthepalacewasratherafraidofPrinceDolor。
Hecouldnothelpit，andperhapshedidnotevenknowit，beingnobetterachildthanmanyotherchildren，buttherewassomethingabouthimwhichmadebadpeoplesorry，andgrumblingpeopleashamedofthemselves，andill-
naturedpeoplegentleandkind。
Isupposebecausetheyweretouchedtoseeapoorlittlefellowwhodidnotintheleastknowwhathadbefallenhimorwhatlaybeforehim，livinghisbabylifeashappyasthedayislong。
Thus，whetherornothewasgoodhimself，thesightofhimandhisafflictionmadeotherpeoplegood，and，aboveall，madeeverybodylovehim——somuchso，thathisuncletheRegentbegantofeelalittleuncomfortable。
Now，Ihavenothingtosayagainstunclesingeneral。Theyareusuallyveryexcellentpeople，andveryconvenienttolittleboysandgirls。Eventhe"crueluncle"ofthe"BabesintheWood"Ibelievetobequiteanexceptionalcharacter。Andthis"crueluncle"ofwhomI
amtellingwas，Ihope，anexception，too。
Hedidnotmeantobecruel。Ifanybodyhadcalledhimso，hewouldhaveresenteditextremely：hewouldhavesaidthatwhathedidwasdoneentirelyforthegoodofthecountry。
Buthewasamanwhohadalwaysbeenaccustomedtoconsiderhimselffirstandforemost，believingthatwhateverhewantedwassuretoberight，andthereforeheoughttohaveit。Sohetriedtogetit，andgotittoo，aspeoplelikehimveryoftendo。Whethertheyenjoyitwhentheyhaveitisanotherquestion。
Thereforehewentonedaytothecouncilchamber，determinedonmakingaspeech，andinformingtheministersandthecountryatlargethattheyoungKingwasinfailinghealth，andthatitwouldbeadvisabletosendhimforatimetotheBeautifulMountains。Whetherhereallymeanttodothis，orwhetheritoccurredtohimafterwardthattherewouldbeaneasierwayofattaininghisgreatdesire，thecrownofNomansland，isapointwhichIcannotdecide。
Butsoonafter，whenhehadobtainedanorderincounciltosendtheKingaway，whichwasdoneingreatstate，withaguardofhonorcomposedoftwowholeregimentsofsoldiers，——
thenationlearned，withoutmuchsurprise，thatthepoorlittlePrince——nobodyevercalledhimkingnow——hadgoneamuchlongerjourneythantotheBeautifulMountains。
Hehadfallenillontheroadanddiedwithinafewhours;atleastsodeclaredthephysicianinattendanceandthenursewhohadbeensenttotakecareofhim。Theybroughthiscoffinbackingreatstate，andburieditinthemausoleumwithhisparents。
SoPrinceDolorwasseennomore。Thecountrywentintodeepmourningforhim，andthenforgothim，andhisunclereignedinhisstead。Thatillustriouspersonageacceptedhiscrownwithgreatdecorum，andworeitwithgreatdignitytothelast。Butwhetherheenjoyeditornotthereisnoevidencetoshow。
CHAPTERIII
AndwhatofthelittlelamePrince，whomeverybodyseemedsoeasilytohaveforgotten？
Noteverybody。Therewereafewkindsouls，mothersoffamilies，whohadheardhissadstory，andsomeservantsaboutthepalace，whohadbeenfamiliarwithhissweetways——
thesemanyatimesighedandsaid，"PoorPrinceDolor！"Or，lookingattheBeautifulMountains，whichwerevisiblealloverNomansland，thoughfewpeopleevervisitedthem，"Well，perhapshisRoyalHighnessisbetterwhereheisthaneventhere。"
Theydidnotknow——indeed，hardlyanybodydidknow——thatbeyondthemountains，betweenthemandthesea，layatractofcountry，barren，level，bare，exceptforshort，stuntedgrass，andhereandthereapatchoftinyflowers。Notabush——notatreenotarestingplaceforbirdorbeastwasinthatdrearyplain。Insummerthesunshinefelluponithourafterhourwithablindingglare;inwinterthewindsandrainssweptoveritunhindered，andthesnowcamedownsteadily，noiselessly，coveringitfromendtoendinonegreatwhitesheet，whichlayfordaysandweeksunmarkedbyasinglefootprint。
Notapleasantplacetolivein——andnobodydidlivethere，apparently。Theonlysignthathumancreatureshadeverbeennearthespotwasonelargeroundtowerwhichroseupinthecenteroftheplain，andmightbeseenalloverit——iftherehadbeenanybodytosee，whichthereneverwas。Roserightupoutoftheground，asifithadgrownofitself，likeamushroom。Butitwasnotatallmushroom-like;onthecontrary，itwasverysolidlybuilt。InformitresembledtheIrishroundtowers，whichhavepuzzledpeopleforsolong，nobodybeingabletofindoutwhen，orbywhom，orforwhatpurposetheyweremade;seeminglyfornouseatall，likethistower。Itwascircular，ofveryfirmbrickwork，withneitherdoorsnorwindows，untilnearthetop，whenyoucouldperceivesomeslitsinthewallthroughwhichonemightpossiblycreepinorlookout。Itsheightwasnearlyahundredfeet，andithadabattlementedparapetshowingsharpagainstthesky。
Astheplainwasquitedesolate——almostlikeadesert，onlywithoutsand，andledtonowhereexceptthestillmoredesolateseacoast——nobodyevercrossedit。Whatevermysterytherewasaboutthetower，itandtheskyandtheplainkepttheirsecrettothemselves。
Itwasaverygreatsecretindeed，——astatesecret，——whichnonebutsocleveramanasthepresentKingofNomanslandwouldeverhavethoughtof。Howhecarrieditout，undiscovered，Icannottell。Peoplesaid，longafterward，thatitwasbymeansofagangofcondemnedcriminals，whoweresettowork，andexecutedimmediatelyaftertheyhaddone，sothatnobodyknewanything，orintheleastsuspectedtherealfact。
Andwhatwasthefact？Why，thatthistower，whichseemedameremassofmasonry，utterlyforsakenanduninhabited，wasnotsoatall。Withintwentyfeetofthetopsomeingeniousarchitecthadplannedaperfectlittlehouse，dividedintofourrooms——asbydrawingacrosswithinacircleyouwillseemighteasilybedone。Bymakingskylights，andafewslitsinthewallsforwindows，andraisingapeakedroofwhichwashiddenbytheparapet，herewasadwellingcomplete，eightyfeetfromtheground，andasinaccessibleasarook’snestonthetopofatree。
Acharmingplacetolivein！ifyouoncegotupthere，——andneverwantedtocomedownagain。
Inside——thoughnobodycouldhavelookedinsideexceptabird，andhardlyevenabirdflewpastthatlonelytower——insideitwasfurnishedwithallthecomfortandeleganceimaginable;
withlotsofbooksandtoys，andeverythingthattheheartofachildcoulddesire。Foritsonlyinhabitant，exceptanurseofcourse，wasapoorsolitarychild。
Onewinternight，whenalltheplainwaswhitewithmoonlight，therewasseencrossingitagreattallblackhorse，riddenbyamanalsobigandequallyblack，carryingbeforehimonthesaddleawomanandachild。Thewoman——
shehadasad，fiercelook，andnowonder，forshewasacriminalundersentenceofdeath，buthersentencehadbeenchangedtoalmostassevereapunishment。Shewastoinhabitthelonelytowerwiththechild，andwasallowedtoliveaslongasthechildlived——nolonger。Thisinorderthatshemighttaketheutmostcareofhim;forthosewhoputhimtherewereequallyafraidofhisdyingandofhisliving。
Yethewasonlyalittlegentleboy，withasweet，sleepysmile——hehadbeenverytiredwithhislongjourney——andclingingarms，whichheldtighttotheman’sneck，forhewasratherfrightened，andtheface，blackasitwas，lookedkindlyathim。Andhewasveryhelpless，withhispoor，smallshriveledlegs，whichcouldneitherstandnorrunaway——forthelittleforlornboywasPrinceDolor。
Hehadnotbeendeadatall——orburiedeither。
Hisgrandfuneralhadbeenamerepretense：awaxfigurehavingbeenputinhisplace，whilehehimselfwasspiritedawayunderchargeofthesetwo，thecondemnedwomanandtheblackman。Thelatterwasdeafanddumb，socouldneithertellnorrepeatanything。
Whentheyreachedthefootofthetower，therewaslightenoughtoseeahugechaindanglingfromtheparapet，butdanglingonlyhalfway。Thedeaf-mutetookfromhissaddle-
walletasortofladder，arrangedinpieceslikeapuzzle，fittedittogether，andliftedituptomeetthechain。Thenhemountedtothetopofthetower，andslungfromitasortofchair，inwhichthewomanandthechildplacedthemselvesandweredrawnup，nevertocomedownagainaslongastheylived。Leavingthemthere，themandescendedtheladder，tookittopiecesagainandpackeditinhispack，mountedthehorseanddisappearedacrosstheplain。
Everymonththeyusedtowatchforhim，appearinglikeaspeckinthedistance。Hefastenedhishorsetothefootofthetower，andclimbedit，asbefore，ladenwithprovisionsandmanyotherthings。HealwayssawthePrince，soastomakesurethatthechildwasaliveandwell，andthenwentawayuntilthefollowingmonth。
WhilehisfirstchildhoodlastedPrinceDolorwashappyenough。Hehadeveryluxurythatevenaprincecouldneed，andtheonethingwanting，——love，——neverhavingknown，hedidnotmiss。Hisnursewasverykindtohimthoughshewasawickedwoman。Buteithershehadnotbeenquitesowickedaspeoplesaid，orshegrewbetterthroughbeingshutupcontinuallywithalittleinnocentchildwhowasdependentuponherforeverycomfortandpleasureofhislife。
Itwasnotanunhappylife。Therewasnobodytoteaseorill-usehim，andhewasneverill。
Heplayedaboutfromroomtoroom——therewerefourrooms，parlor，kitchen，hisnurse’sbedroom，andhisown;learnedtocrawllikeafly，andtojumplikeafrog，andtorunaboutonall-foursalmostasfastasapuppy。Infact，hewasverymuchlikeapuppyorakitten，asthoughtlessandasmerry——scarcelyevercross，thoughsometimesalittleweary。
Ashegrewolder，heoccasionallylikedtobequietforawhile，andthenhewouldsitattheslitsofwindows——whichwere，however，muchbiggerthantheylookedfromthebottomofthetower——andwatchtheskyaboveandthegroundbelow，withthestormssweepingoverandthesunshinecomingandgoing，andtheshadowsofthecloudsrunningracesacrosstheblankplain。
Byandbyhebegantolearnlessons——notthathisnursehadbeenorderedtoteachhim，butshediditpartlytoamuseherself。Shewasnotastupidwoman，andPrinceDolorwasbynomeansastupidboy;sotheygotonverywell，andhiscontinualentreaty，"WhatcanIdo？
whatcanyoufindmetodo？"wasstopped，atleastforanhourortwointheday。
Itwasadulllife，buthehadneverknownanyother;anyhow，herememberednoother，andhedidnotpityhimselfatall。Notforalongtime，tillhegrewquiteabiglittleboy，andcouldreadquiteeasily。Thenhesuddenlytooktobooks，whichthedeaf-mutebroughthimfromtimetotime——bookswhich，notbeingacquaintedwiththeliteratureofNomansland，Icannotdescribe，butnodoubttheywereveryinteresting;andtheyinformedhimofeverythingintheoutsideworld，andfilledhimwithanintenselongingtoseeit。
Fromthistimeachangecameovertheboy。
Hebegantolooksadandthin，andtoshuthimselfupforhourswithoutspeaking。Forhisnursehardlyspoke，andwhateverquestionsheaskedbeyondtheirordinarydailylifesheneveranswered。Shehad，indeed，beenforbidden，onpainofdeath，totellhimanythingabouthimself，whohewas，orwhathemighthavebeen。
HeknewhewasPrinceDolor，becauseshealwaysaddressedhimas"MyPrince"and"YourRoyalHighness，"butwhataprincewashehadnottheleastidea。Hehadnoideaofanythingintheworld，exceptwhathefoundinhisbooks。
Hesatonedaysurroundedbythem，havingbuiltthemuproundhimlikealittlecastlewall。
Hehadbeenreadingthemhalftheday，butfeelingallthewhilethattoreadaboutthingswhichyounevercanseeislikehearingaboutabeautifuldinnerwhileyouarestarving。Foralmostthefirsttimeinhislifehegrewmelancholy;hishandsfellonhislap;hesatgazingoutofthewindow-slitupontheviewoutside——
theviewhehadlookedateverydayofhislife，andmightlookatforendlessdaysmore。
Notaverycheerfulview，——justtheplainandthesky，——buthelikedit。Heusedtothink，ifhecouldonlyflyoutofthatwindow，uptotheskyordowntotheplain，howniceitwouldbe！
Perhapswhenhedied——hisnursehadtoldhimonceinangerthathewouldneverleavethetowertillhedied——hemightbeabletodothis。
Notthatheunderstoodmuchwhatdyingmeant，butitmustbeachange，andanychangeseemedtohimablessing。
"AndIwishIhadsomebodytotellmeallaboutit——aboutthatandmanyotherthings;
somebodythatwouldbefondofme，likemypoorwhitekitten。"
Herethetearscameintohiseyes，fortheboy’sonefriend，theoneinterestofhislife，hadbeenalittlewhitekitten，whichthedeaf-mute，kindlysmiling，oncetookoutofhispocketandgavehim——theonlylivingcreaturePrinceDolorhadeverseen。
Forfourweeksitwashisconstantplaythingandcompanion，tillonemoonlightnightittookafancyforwandering，climbedontotheparapetofthetower，droppedoveranddisap-
peared。Itwasnotkilled，hehoped，forcatshaveninelives;indeed，healmostfanciedhesawitpickitselfupandscamperaway;buthenevercaughtsightofitmore。
"Yes，IwishIhadsomethingbetterthanakitten——aperson，arealliveperson，whowouldbefondofmeandkindtome。Oh，Iwantsomebody——
dreadfully，dreadfully！"
Ashespoke，theresoundedbehindhimaslighttap-tap-tap，asofastickoracane，andtwistinghimselfround，hesaw——whatdoyouthinkhesaw？
Nothingeitherfrighteningorugly，butstillexceedinglycurious。Alittlewoman，nobiggerthanhemighthimselfhavebeenhadhislegsgrownlikethoseofotherchildren;butshewasnotachild——shewasanoldwoman。Herhairwasgray，andherdresswasgray，andtherewasagrayshadowoverherwherevershemoved。Butshehadthesweetestsmile，theprettiesthands，andwhenshespokeitwasinthesoftestvoiceimaginable。
"Mydearlittleboy，"——anddroppinghercane，theonlybrightandrichthingabouther，shelaidthosetwotinyhandsonhisshoulders，——"myownlittleboy，Icouldnotcometoyouuntilyouhadsaidyouwantedme;butnowyoudowantme，hereIam。"
"Andyouareverywelcome，madam，"repliedthePrince，tryingtospeakpolitely，asprincesalwaysdidinbooks;"andIamexceedinglyobligedtoyou。MayIaskwhoyouare？Perhapsmymother？"Forheknewthatlittleboysusuallyhadamother，andhadoccasionallywonderedwhathadbecomeofhisown。
"No，"saidthevisitor，withatender，half-
sadsmile，puttingbackthehairfromhisforehead，andlookingrightintohiseyes——"no，Iamnotyourmother，thoughshewasadearfriendofmine;andyouareaslikeheraseveryoucanbe。"
"Willyoutellhertocomeandseeme，then？"
"Shecannot;butIdaresaysheknowsallaboutyou。Andshelovesyouverymuch——andsodoI;andIwanttohelpyouallIcan，mypoorlittleboy。"
"Whydoyoucallmepoor？"askedPrinceDolor，insurprise。
Thelittleoldwomanglanceddownonhislegsandfeet，whichhedidnotknowweredifferentfromthoseofotherchildren，andthenathissweet，brightface，which，thoughheknewnotthateither，wasexceedinglydifferentfrommanychildren’sfaces，whichareoftensofretful，cross，sullen。Lookingathim，insteadofsighing，shesmiled。"Ibegyourpardon，myPrince，"saidshe。
"Yes，Iamaprince，andmynameisDolor;
willyoutellmeyours，madam？"
Thelittleoldwomanlaughedlikeachimeofsilverbells。
"Ihavenotgotaname——or，rather，IhavesomanynamesthatIdon’tknowwhichtochoose。
However，itwasIwhogaveyouyours，andyouwillbelongtomeallyourdays。Iamyourgodmother。"
"Hurrah！"criedthelittlePrince;"IamgladIbelongtoyou，forIlikeyouverymuch。
Willyoucomeandplaywithme？"
Sotheysatdowntogetherandplayed。Byandbytheybegantotalk。
"Areyouverydullhere？"askedthelittleoldwoman。
"Notparticularly，thankyou，godmother。I
haveplentytoeatanddrink，andmylessonstodo，andmybookstoread——lotsofbooks。"
"Andyouwantnothing？"
"Nothing。Yes——perhaps————Ifyouplease，godmother，couldyoubringmejustonemorething？"
"Whatsortofthing！"
"Alittleboytoplaywith。"
Theoldwomanlookedverysad。"Justthething，alasIwhichIcannotgiveyou。Mychild，Icannotalteryourlotinanyway，butIcanhelpyoutobearit。"
"Thankyou。Butwhydoyoutalkofbearingit？Ihavenothingtobear。"
"Mypoorlittleman！"saidtheoldwomanintheverytenderesttoneofhertendervoice。
"Kissme！"
"Whatiskissing？"askedthewonderingchild。
Hisgodmothertookhiminherarmsandembracedhimmanytimes。Byandbyhekissedherbackagain——atfirstawkwardlyandshyly，thenwithallthestrengthofhiswarmlittleheart。
"Youarebettertocuddlethanevenmywhitekitten，Ithink。Promisemethatyouwillnevergoaway，"
"Imust;butIwillleaveapresentbehindme，——somethingasgoodasmyselftoamuseyou，——somethingthatwilltakeyouwhereveryouwanttogo，andshowyouallthatyouwishtosee。"
"Whatisit？"
"Atraveling-cloak。"
ThePrince’scountenancefell。"Idon’twantacloak，forInevergoout。Sometimesnursehoistsmeontotheroof，andcarriesmeroundbytheparapet;butthatisall。Ican’twalk，youknow，asshedoes。"
"Themorereasonwhyyoushouldride;andbesides，thistraveling-cloak————"
"Hush！——she’scoming。"
Theresoundedoutsidetheroomdooraheavystepandagrumpyvoice，andarattleofplatesanddishes。
"It’smynurse，andsheisbringingmydinner;butIdon’twantdinneratall——Ionlywantyou。Willhercomingdriveyouaway，godmother？"
"Perhaps;butonlyforalittlewhile。Nevermind;alltheboltsandbarsintheworldcouldn’tkeepmeout。I’dflyinatthewindow，ordownthroughthechimney。Onlywishforme，andI
come。"
"Thankyou，"saidPrinceDolor，butalmostinawhisper，forhewasveryuneasyatwhatmighthappennext。Hisnurseandhisgodmother——
whatwouldtheysaytooneanother？
howwouldtheylookatoneanother？——twosuchdifferentfaces：oneharsh-lined，sullen，cross，andsad;theothersweetandbrightandcalmasasummereveningbeforethedarkbegins。
Whenthedoorwasflungopen，PrinceDolorshuthiseyes，tremblingallover;openingthemagain，hesawheneedfearnothing——hislovelyoldgodmotherhadmeltedawayjustliketherainbowoutofthesky，ashehadwatcheditmanyatime。Nobodybuthisnursewasintheroom。
"WhatamuddleyourRoyalHighnessissittingin，"saidshesharply。"Suchaheapofuntidybooks;andwhat’sthisrubbish？"knockingalittlebundlethatlaybesidethem。
"Oh，nothing，nothing——giveitme！"criedthePrince，and，dartingafterit，hehiditunderhispinafore，andthenpusheditquicklyintohispocket。Rubbishasitwas，itwasleftintheplacewhereshesat，andmightbesomethingbelongingtoher——hisdear，kindgodmother，whomalreadyhelovedwithallhislonely，tender，passionateheart。
Itwas，thoughhedidnotknowthis，hiswonderfultraveling-cloak。
CHAPTERIV
Andwhatofthetraveling-cloak？
Whatsortofcloakwasit，andwhatAgooddiditdothePrince？
Stay，andI’lltellyouallaboutit。
Outsideitwasthecommonest-lookingbundleimaginable——shabbyandsmall;andtheinstantPrinceDolortouchedit，itgrewsmallerstill，dwindlingdowntillhecouldputitinhistrouserspocket，likeahandkerchiefrolledupintoaball。Hedidthisatonce，forfearhisnurseshouldseeit，andkeptitthereallday——allnight，too。Tillafterhisnextmorning’slessonshehadnoopportunityofexamininghistreasure。
Whenhedid，itseemednotreasureatall;butamerepieceofcloth——circularinform，darkgreenincolor——thatis，ifithadanycoloratall，beingsowornandshabby，thoughnotdirty。Ithadasplitcuttothecenter，formingaroundholefortheneck——andthatwasallitsshape;theshape，infact，ofthosecloakswhichinSouthAmericaarecalledponchos——verysimple，butmostgracefulandconvenient。
PrinceDolorhadneverseenanythinglikeit。
Inspiteofhisdisappointment，heexamineditcuriously;spreaditoutonthedoor，thenarrangeditonhisshoulders。Itfeltverywarmandcomfortable;butitwassoexceedinglyshabby——theonlyshabbythingthatthePrincehadeverseeninhislife。
"Andwhatusewillitbetome？"saidhesadly。"Ihavenoneedofoutdoorclothes，asI
nevergoout。Whywasthisgivenme，Iwonder？
andwhatintheworldamItodowithit？Shemustbearatherfunnyperson，thisdeargodmotherofmine。"
Nevertheless，becauseshewashisgodmother，andhadgivenhimthecloak，hefoldeditcarefullyandputitaway，poorandshabbyasitwas，hidingitinasafecornerofhistopcupboard，whichhisnursenevermeddledwith。Hedidnotwanthertofindit，ortolaughatitorathisgodmother——ashefeltsureshewould，ifsheknewall。
Thereitlay，andbyandbyheforgotallaboutit;nay，Iamsorrytosaythat，beingbutachild，andnotseeingheragain，healmostforgothissweetoldgodmother，orthoughtofheronlyashedidoftheangelsorfairiesthathereadofinhisbooks，andofhervisitasifithadbeenameredreamofthenight。
Thereweretimes，certainly，whenherecalledher：ofearlymornings，likethatmorningwhensheappearedbesidehim，andlateevenings，whenthegraytwilightremindedhimofthecolorofherhairandherprettysoftgarments;
aboveall，when，wakinginthemiddleofthenight，withthestarspeeringinathiswindow，orthemoonlightshiningacrosshislittlebed，hewouldnothavebeensurprisedtoseeherstandingbesideit，lookingathimwiththosebeautifultendereyes，whichseemedtohaveapleasantnessandcomfortinthemdifferentfromanythinghehadeverknown。
Butshenevercame，andgraduallysheslippedoutofhismemory——onlyaboy’smemory，afterall;untilsomethinghappenedwhichmadehimrememberher，andwantherashehadneverwantedanythingbefore。
PrinceDolorfellill。Hecaught——hisnursecouldnottellhow——acomplaintcommontothepeopleofNomansland，calledthedoldrums，asunpleasantasmeaslesoranyotherofourcomplaints;anditmadehimrestless，cross，anddisagreeable。Evenwhenalittlebetter，hewastooweaktoenjoyanything，butlayalldaylongonhissofa，fidgetinghisnurseextremely——
while，inherintenseterrorlesthemightdie，shefidgetedhimstillmore。Atlast，seeinghereallywasgettingwell，shelefthimtohimself——whichhewasmostgladof，inspiteofhisdullnessanddreariness。Therehelay，alone，quitealone。
Nowandthenanirritablefitcameoverhim，inwhichhelongedtogetupanddosomething，ortogosomewhere——wouldhavelikedtoimitatehiswhitekitten——jumpdownfromthetowerandrunaway，takingthechanceofwhatevermighthappen。
Onlyonething，alas！waslikelytohappen;
forthekitten，heremembered，hadfouractivelegs，whilehe————
"Iwonderwhatmygodmothermeantwhenshelookedatmylegsandsighedsobitterly？I
wonderwhyIcan’twalkstraightandsteadylikemynurseonlyIwouldn’tliketohavehergreat，noisy，clumpingshoes。Stillitwouldbeverynicetomoveaboutquickly——perhapstofly，likeabird，likethatstringofbirdsIsawtheotherdayskimmingacrossthesky，oneaftertheother。"
Thesewerethepassage-birds——theonlylivingcreaturesthatevercrossedthelonelyplain;andhehadbeenmuchinterestedinthem，wonder-
ingwhencetheycameandwhithertheyweregoing。
"Howniceitmustbetobeabird！Iflegsarenogood，whycannotonehavewings？Peoplehavewingswhentheydie——perhaps;IwishI
weredead，thatIdo。Iamsotired，sotired;
andnobodycaresforme。Nobodyeverdidcareforme，exceptperhapsmygodmother。Godmother，dear，haveyouquiteforsakenme？"
Hestretchedhimselfwearily，gatheredhimselfup，anddroppedhisheaduponhishands;
ashedidso，hefeltsomebodykisshimatthebackofhisneck，and，turning，foundthathewasresting，notonthesofapillows，butonawarmshoulder——thatofthelittleoldwomanclothedingray。
Howgladhewastoseeher！Howhelookedintoherkindeyesandfeltherhands，toseeifshewereallrealandalive！thenputbothhisarmsroundherneck，andkissedherasifhewouldneverhavedonekissing。
"Stop，stop！"criedshe，pretendingtobesmothered。"Iseeyouhavenotforgottenmyteachings。Kissingisagoodthing——inmoderation。
Onlyjustletmehavebreathtospeakoneword。"
"Adozen！"hesaid。
"Well，then，tellmeallthathashappenedtoyousinceIsawyou——or，rather，sinceyousawme，whichisquiteadifferentthing。"
"Nothinghashappened——nothingeverdoeshappentome，"answeredthePrincedolefully。
"Andareyouverydull，myboy？"
"SodullthatIwasjustthinkingwhetherI
couldnotjumpdowntothebottomofthetower，likemywhitekitten。"
"Don’tdothat，notbeingawhitekitten。"
"IwishIwere——IwishIwereanythingbutwhatIam。"
"Andyoucan’tmakeyourselfanydifferent，norcanIdoiteither。Youmustbecontenttostayjustwhatyouare。"
Thelittleoldwomansaidthis——veryfirmly，butgently，too——withherarmsroundhisneckandherlipsonhisforehead。Itwasthefirsttimetheboyhadeverheardanyonetalklikethis，andhelookedupinsurprise——butnotinpain，forhersweetmannersoftenedthehardnessofherwords。
"Now，myPrince，——foryouareaprince，andmustbehaveassuch，——letusseewhatwecando;howmuchIcandoforyou，orshowyouhowtodoforyourself。Whereisyourtraveling-cloak？"
PrinceDolorblushedextremely。"I——Iputitawayinthecupboard;Isupposeitistherestill。"
"Youhaveneverusedit;youdislikeit？"
Hehesitated，no;wishingtobeimpolite。
"Don’tyouthinkit’s——justalittleoldandshabbyforaprince？"
Theoldwomanlaughed——longandloud，thoughverysweetly。
"Prince，indeed！Why，ifalltheprincesintheworldcravedforit，theycouldn’tgetit，unlessIgaveitthem。Oldandshabby！It’sthemostvaluablethingimaginable！Veryfeweverhaveit;butIthoughtIwouldgiveittoyou，because——becauseyouaredifferentfromotherpeople。"
"AmI？"saidthePrince，andlookedfirstwithcuriosity，thenwithasortofanxiety，intohisgodmother’sface，whichwassadandgrave，withslowtearsbeginningtostealdown。
Shetouchedhispoorlittlelegs。"Thesearenotlikethoseofotherlittleboys。"
"Indeed！——mynursenevertoldmethat。"
"Verylikelynot。Butitistimeyouweretold;andItellyou，becauseIloveyou。"
"Tellmewhat，deargodmother？"
"Thatyouwillneverbeabletowalkorrunorjumporplay——thatyourlifewillbequitedifferentfrommostpeople’slives;butitmaybeaveryhappylifeforallthat。Donotbeafraid。"
"Iamnotafraid，"saidtheboy;butheturnedverypale，andhislipsbegantoquiver，thoughhedidnotactuallycry——hewastoooldforthat，and，perhaps，tooproud。
Thoughnotwhollycomprehending，hebegandimlytoguesswhathisgodmothermeant。Hehadneverseenanyrealliveboys，buthehadseenpicturesofthemrunningandjumping;
whichhehadadmiredandtriedhardtoimitatebutalwaysfailed。Nowhebegantounderstandwhyhefailed，andthathealwaysshouldfail——
that，infact，hewasnotlikeotherlittleboys;
anditwasofnousehiswishingtodoastheydid，andplayastheyplayed，evenifhehadhadthemtoplaywith。Hiswasaseparatelife，inwhichhemustfindoutnewworkandnewpleasuresforhimself。
ThesenseofTHEINEVITABLE，asgrown-uppeoplecallit——thatwecannothavethingsaswewantthemtobe，butastheyare，andthatwemustlearntobearthemandmakethebestofthem——thislesson，whicheverybodyhastolearnsoonorlate——came，alas！sadlysoon，tothepoorboy。Hefoughtagainstitforawhile，andthen，quiteovercome，turnedandsobbedbitterlyinhisgodmother’sarms。
Shecomfortedhim——Idonotknowhow，exceptthatlovealwayscomforts;andthenshewhisperedtohim，inhersweet，strong，cheerfulvoice："Nevermind！"
"No，Idon’tthinkIdomind——thatis，IWON’T
mind，"repliedhe，catchingthecourageofhertoneandspeakinglikeaman，thoughhewasstillsuchamereboy。
"Thatisright，myPrince！——thatisbeinglikeaprince。Nowweknowexactlywhereweare;
letusputourshoulderstothewheeland————"
"WeareinHopelessTower"（thiswasitsname，ifithadaname），"andthereisnowheeltoputourshouldersto，"saidthechildsadly。
"Youlittlematter-of-factgoose！Wellforyouthatyouhaveagodmothercalled————"
"What？"heeagerlyasked。
"Stuff-and-nonsense。"
"Stuff-and-nonsense！Whatafunnyname！"
"Somepeoplegiveitme，buttheyarenotmymostintimatefriends。Thesecallme——nevermindwhat，"addedtheoldwoman，withasofttwinkleinhereyes。"Soasyouknowme，andknowmewell，youmaygivemeanynameyouplease;itdoesn’tmatter。ButIamyourgodmother，child。Ihavefewgodchildren;thoseI
havelovemedearly，andfindmethegreatestblessinginalltheworld。"
"Icanwellbelieveit，"criedthelittlelamePrince，andforgothistroublesinlookingather——asherfiguredilated，hereyesgrewlustrousasstars，herveryraimentbrightened，andthewholeroomseemedfilledwithherbeautifulandbeneficentpresencelikelight。
Hecouldhavelookedatherforever——halfinlove，halfinawe;butshesuddenlydwindleddownintothelittleoldwomanallingray，and，withamalicioustwinkleinhereyes，askedforthetraveling-cloak。
"Bringitoutoftherubbishcupboard，andshakethedustoffit，quick！"saidshetoPrinceDolor，whohunghishead，ratherashamed。
"Spreaditoutonthefloor，andwaittillthesplitclosesandtheedgesturnuplikearimallround。Thengoandopentheskylight，——mind，IsayOPENTHESKYLIGHT，——setyourselfdowninthemiddleofit，likeafrogonawater-lilyleaf;
say`Abracadabra，dumdumdum，’and——seewhatwillhappen！"
ThePrinceburstintoafitoflaughing。Itallseemedsoexceedinglysilly;hewonderedthatawiseoldwomanlikehisgodmothershouldtalksuchnonsense。
"Stuff-and-nonsense，youmean，"saidshe，answering，tohisgreatalarm，hisunspokenthoughts。"DidInottellyousomepeoplecalledmebythatname？Nevermind;itdoesn’tharmme。"
Andshelaughed——hermerrylaugh——aschild-
likeasifshewerethePrince’sageinsteadofherown，whateverthatmightbe。Shecertainlywasamostextraordinaryoldwoman。
"Believemeornot，itdoesn’tmatter，"saidshe。"Hereisthecloak：whenyouwanttogotravelingonit，say`Abracadabra，dum，dum，dum’;whenyouwanttocomebackagain，say`Abracadabra，tumtumti。’That’sall;good-by。"
Apuffofmostpleasantairpassingbyhim。
andmakinghimfeelforthemomentquitestrongandwell，wasallthePrincewasconsciousof。Hismostextraordinarygodmotherwasgone。
"Reallynow，howrosyyourRoyalHighness’
cheekshavegrown！Youseemtohavegotwellalready，"saidthenurse，enteringtheroom。
"IthinkIhave，"repliedthePrinceverygently——hefeltgentlyandkindlyeventohisgrimnurse。"Andnowletmehavemydinner，andgoyoutoyoursewingasusual。"
Theinstantshewasgone，however，takingwithhertheplatesanddishes，whichforthefirsttimesincehisillnesshehadsatisfactorilycleared，PrinceDolorsprangdownfromhissofa，andwithoneortwoofhisfrog-likejumpsreachedthecupboardwherehekepthistoys，andlookedeverywhereforhistraveling-cloak。
Alas！itwasnotthere。
Whilehewasillofthedoldrums，hisnurse，thinkingitagoodopportunityforputtingthingstorights，hadmadeagrandclearanceofallhis"rubbish"——assheconsideredit：hisbelovedheadlesshorses，brokencarts，sheepwithoutfeet，andbirdswithoutwings——allthetreasuresofhisbabydays，whichhecouldnotbeartopartwith。Thoughheseldomplayedwiththemnow，helikedjusttofeeltheywerethere。
Theywereallgoneandwiththemthetraveling-cloak。Hesatdownonthefloor，lookingattheemptyshelves，sobeautifullycleanandtidy，thenburstoutsobbingasifhisheartwouldbreak。
Butquietly——alwaysquietly。Heneverlethisnursehearhimcry。Sheonlylaughedathim，ashefeltshewouldlaughnow。
"Anditisallmyownfault！"hecried。"I
oughttohavetakenbettercareofmygodmother’sgift。Oh，godmother，forgiveme！I’llneverbesocarelessagain。Idon’tknowwhatthecloakisexactly，butIamsureitissomethingprecious。Helpmetofinditagain。Oh，don’tletitbestolenfromme——don’t，please！"
"Ha，ha，ha！"laughedasilveryvoice。"Why，thattraveling-cloakistheonethingintheworldwhichnobodycansteal。Itisofnousetoanybodyexcepttheowner。Openyoureyes，myPrince，andseewhatyoushallsee。"
Hisdearoldgodmother，hethought，andturnedeagerlyround。Butno;heonlybeheld，lyinginacorneroftheroom，alldustandcobwebs，hisprecioustraveling-cloak。
PrinceDolordartedtowardit，tumblingseveraltimesontheway，asheoftendidtumble，poorboy！andpickhimselfupagain，nevercomplaining。Snatchingittohisbreast，hehuggedandkissedit，cobwebsandall，asifithadbeensomethingalive。Thenhebeganunrollingit，wonderingeachminutewhatwouldhappen。WhatdidhappenwassocuriousthatImustleaveitforanotherchapter。
CHAPTERV
Ifanyreader，bigorlittle，shouldwonderwhetherthereisameaninginthisstorydeeperthanthatofanordinaryfairytale，Iwillownthatthereis。ButIhavehiddenitsocarefullythatthesmallerpeople，andmanylargerfolk，willneverfinditout，andmeantimethebookmaybereadstraighton，like"Cinderella，"or"Blue-Beard，"or"Hop-o’-
my-Thumb，"forwhatinterestithas，orwhatamusementitmaybring。
Havingsaidthis，IreturntoPrinceDolor，thatlittlelameboywhommanymaythinksoexceedinglytobepitied。Butifyouhadseenhimashesatpatientlyuntyinghiswonderfulcloak，whichwasdoneupinaverytightandperplexingparcel，usingskillfullyhisdeftlittlehands，andknittinghisbrowswithfirmdetermination，whilehiseyesglistenedwithpleasureandenergyandeageranticipation——ifyouhadbeheldhimthus，youmighthavechangedyouropinion。
Whenweseepeoplesufferingorunfortunate，wefeelverysorryforthem;butwhenweseethembravelybearingtheirsufferingsandmakingthebestoftheirmisfortunes，itisquiteadifferentfeeling。Werespect，weadmirethem。
Onecanrespectandadmireevenalittlechild。
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