WhenPrinceDolorhadpatientlyuntiedalltheknots，aremarkablethinghappened。Thecloakbegantoundoitself。Slowlyunfolding，itlaiditselfdownonthecarpet，asflatasifithadbeenironed;thesplitjoinedwithalittlesharpcrick-crack，andtherimturnedupallroundtillitwasbreast-high;formeantimethecloakhadgrownandgrown，andbecomequitelargeenoughforonepersontositinitascomfortableasifinaboat。
ThePrincewatcheditratheranxiously;itwassuchanextraordinary，nottosayafrightening，thing。However，hewasnocoward，butathoroughboy，who，ifhehadbeenlikeotherboys，woulddoubtlesshavegrownupdaringandadventurous——asoldier，asailor，orthelike。Asitwas，hecouldonlyshowhiscouragemorally，notphysically，bybeingafraidofnothing，andbydoingboldlyallthatitwasinhisnarrowpowerstodo。AndIamnotsurebutthatinthiswayheshowedmorerealvalorthanifhehadhadsixpairsofproperlegs。
Hesaidtohimself："WhatagooseIam！Asifmydeargodmotherwouldeverhavegivenmeanythingtohurtme。Heregoes！"
So，withoneofhisactiveleaps，hesprangrightintothemiddleofthecloak，wherehesquatteddown，wrappinghisarmstightroundhisknees，fortheyshookalittleandhisheartbeatfast。Buttherehesat，steadyandsilent，waitingforwhatmighthappennext。
Nothingdidhappen，andhebegantothinknothingwould，andtofeelratherdisappointed，whenherecollectedthewordshehadbeentoldtorepeat——"Abracadabra，dumdumdum！"
Herepeatedthem，laughingallthewhile，theyseemedsuchnonsense。Andthen——andthen————
NowIdon’texpectanybodytobelievewhatIamgoingtorelate，thoughagoodmanywisepeoplehavebelievedagoodmanysillierthings。
Andasseeing’sbelieving，andIneversawit，I
cannotbeexpectedimplicitlytobelieveitmyself，exceptinasortofaway;andyetthereistruthinit——forsomepeople。
Thecloakrose，slowlyandsteadily，atfirstonlyafewinches，thengraduallyhigherandhigher，tillitnearlytouchedtheskylight。
PrinceDolor’sheadactuallybumpedagainsttheglass，orwouldhavedonesohadhenotcroucheddown，crying"Oh，pleasedon’thurtme！"inamostmelancholyvoice。
Thenhesuddenlyrememberedhisgodmother’sexpresscommand——"Opentheskylight！"
Regaininghiscourageatonce，withoutamoment’sdelayhelifteduphisheadandbegansearchingforthebolt——thecloakmeanwhileremainingperfectlystill，balancedintheair。
Buttheminutethewindowwasopened，outitsailed——rightoutintotheclear，freshair，withnothingbetweenitandthecloudlessblue。
PrinceDolorhadneverfeltanysuchdelicioussensationbefore。Icanunderstandit。
Cannotyou？Didyouneverthink，inwatchingtherooksgoinghomesinglyorinpairs，soaringtheirwayacrossthecalmeveningskytilltheyvanishlikeblackdotsinthemistygray，howpleasantitmustfeeltobeupthere，quiteoutofthenoiseanddinoftheworld，abletohearandseeeverythingdownbelow，yettroubledbynothingandteasedbynoone——allalone，butperfectlycontent？
SomethinglikethiswasthehappinessofthelittlelamePrincewhenhegotoutofHopelessTower，andfoundhimselfforthefirsttimeinthepureopenair，withtheskyabovehimandtheearthbelow。
True，therewasnothingbutearthandsky;nohouses，notrees，norivers，mountains，seas——
notabeastontheground，orabirdintheair。
Buttohimeventhelevelplainlookedbeautiful;
andthentherewasthegloriousarchofthesky，withalittleyoungmoonsittinginthewestlikeababyqueen。Andtheeveningbreezewassosweetandfresh——itkissedhimlikehisgodmother’skisses;andbyandbyafewstarscameout——firsttwoorthree，andthenquantities——
quantities！sothatwhenhebegantocountthemhewasutterlybewildered。
Bythistime，however，thecoolbreezehadbecomecold;themistgathered;andashehad，ashesaid，nooutdoorclothes，poorPrinceDolorwasnotverycomfortable。Thedewsfelldamponhiscurls——hebegantoshiver。
"PerhapsIhadbettergohome，"thoughthe。
Buthow？Forinhisexcitementtheotherwordswhichhisgodmotherhadtoldhimtousehadslippedhismemory。Theywereonlyalittledifferentfromthefirst，butinthatslightdifferencealltheimportancelay。Asherepeatedhis"Abracadabra，"tryingeversomanyothersyllablesafterit，thecloakonlywentfasterandfaster，skimmingonthroughthedusky，emptyair。
ThepoorlittlePrincebegantofeelfrightened。Whatifhiswonderfultraveling-cloakshouldkeeponthustraveling，perhapstotheworld’send，carryingwithitapoor，tired，hungryboy，who，afterall，wasbeginningtothinktherewassomethingverypleasantinsupperandbed！
"Deargodmother，"hecriedpitifully，"dohelpme！TellmejustthisonceandI’llneverforgetagain。"
Instantlythewordscamerushingintohishead——"Abracadabra，tumtumti！"Wasthatit？Ah！yes——forthecloakbegantoturnslowly。
Herepeatedthecharmagain，moredistinctlyandfirmly，whenitgaveagentledip，likeanodofsatisfaction，andimmediatelystartedback，asfastasever，inthedirectionofthetower。
Hereachedtheskylight，whichhefoundexactlyashehadleftit，andslippedin，cloakandall，aseasilyashehadgotout。Hehadscarcelyreachedthefloor，andwasstillsittinginthemiddleofhistraveling-cloak，——likeafrogonawater-lilyleaf，ashisgodmotherhadexpressedit，——whenheheardhisnurse’svoiceoutside。
"Blessus！whathasbecomeofyourRoyalHighnessallthistime？Tositstupidlyhereatthewindowtillitisquitedark，andleavetheskylightopen，too。Prince！whatcanyoubethinkingof？YouarethesilliestboyIeverknew。"
"AmI？"saidheabsently，andneverheedinghercrossness;forhisonlyanxietywaslestshemightfindoutanything。
Shewouldhavebeenaverycleverpersontohavedoneso。TheinstantPrinceDolorgotoffit，thecloakfoldeditselfupintothetiniestpossibleparcel，tiedallitsownknots，androlleditselfofitsownaccordintothefarthestanddarkestcorneroftheroom。Ifthenursehadseenit，whichshedidn’t，shewouldhavetakenitforamerebundleofrubbishnotworthnoticing。
Shuttingtheskylightwithanangrybang，shebroughtinthesupperandlitthecandleswithherusualunhappyexpressionofcountenance。
ButPrinceDolorhardlysawit;heonlysaw，hidinthecornerwherenobodyelsewouldseeit，hiswonderfultraveling-cloak。Andthoughhissupperwasnotparticularlynice，heateitheartily，scarcelyhearingawordofhisnurse’sgrumbling，whichto-nightseemedtohavetakentheplaceofhersullensilence。
"Poorwoman！"hethought，whenhepausedaminutetolistenandlookatherwiththosequiet，happyeyes，solikehismother’s。"Poorwoman！shehasn’tgotatraveling-cloak！"
Andwhenhewasleftaloneatlast，andcreptintohislittlebed，wherehelayawakeagoodwhile，watchingwhathecalledhis"sky-
garden，"allplantedwithstars，likeflowers，hischiefthoughtwas——"Imustbeupveryearlyto-morrowmorning，andgetmylessonsdone，andthenI’llgotravelingallovertheworldonmybeautifulcloak。"
Sonextdayheopenedhiseyeswiththesun，andwentwithagoodhearttohislessons。Theyhadhithertobeenthechiefamusementofhisdulllife;now，Iamafraid，hefoundthemalsoalittledull。Buthetriedtobegood，——Idon’tsayPrinceDoloralwayswasgood，buthegenerallytriedtobe，——andwhenhismindwentwanderingafterthedark，dustycornerwherelayhisprecioustreasure，heresolutelycalleditbackagain。
"For，"hesaid，"howashamedmygodmotherwouldbeofmeifIgrewupastupidboy！"
Buttheinstantlessonsweredone，andhewasaloneintheemptyroom，hecreptacrossthefloor，undidtheshabbylittlebundle，hisfingerstremblingwitheagerness，climbedonthechair，andthencetothetable，soastounbartheskylight，——heforgotnothingnow，——saidhismagiccharm，andwasawayoutofthewindow，aschildrensay，"inafewminuteslessthannotime。"
Nobodymissedhim。Hewasaccustomedtositsoquietlyalwaysthathisnurse，thoughonlyinthenextroom，perceivednodifference。Andbesides，shemighthavegoneinandoutadozentimes，anditwouldhavebeenjustthesame;
shenevercouldhavefoundouthisabsence。
Forwhatdoyouthinktheclevergodmotherdid？Shetookaquantityofmoonshine，orsomeequallyconvenientmaterial，andmadeanimage，whichshesetonthewindow-sillreading，orbythetabledrawing，whereitlookedsolikePrinceDolorthatanycommonobserverwouldneverhaveguessedthedeception;andeventheboywouldhavebeenpuzzledtoknowwhichwastheimageandwhichwashimself。
Andallthiswhilethehappylittlefellowwasaway，floatingintheaironhismagiccloak，andseeingallsortsofwonderfulthings——ortheyseemedwonderfultohim，whohadhithertoseennothingatall。
First，thereweretheflowersthatgrewontheplain，which，wheneverthecloakcamenearenough，hestrainedhiseyestolookat;theywereverytiny，butverybeautiful——whitesaxifrage，andyellowlotus，andground-thistles，purpleandbright，withmanyothersthenamesofwhichIdonotknow。NomoredidPrinceDolor，thoughhetriedtofindthemoutbyrecallinganypictureshehadseenofthem。Buthewastoofaroff;andthoughitwaspleasantenoughtoadmirethemasbrilliantpatchesofcolor，stillhewouldhavelikedtoexaminethemall。Hewas，asalittlegirlIknowoncesaidofaplayfellow，"averyexaminingboy。"
"Iwonder，"hethought，"whetherIcouldseebetterthroughapairofglasseslikethosemynursereadswith，andtakessuchcareof。HowIwouldtakecareofthem，too，ifIonlyhadapair！"
Immediatelyhefeltsomethingqueerandhardfixingitselftothebridgeofhisnose。Itwasapairoftheprettiestgoldspectacleseverseen;andlookingdownward，hefoundthat，thougheversohighabovetheground，hecouldseeeveryminutebladeofgrass，everytinybudandflower——nay，eventheinsectsthatwalkedoverthem。
"Thankyou，thankyou！"hecried，inagushofgratitude——toanybodyoreverybody，butespeciallytohisdeargodmother，whohefeltsurehadgivenhimthisnewpresent。Heamusedhimselfwithitforeversolong，withhischinpressedontherimofthecloak，gazingdownuponthegrass，everysquarefootofwhichwasamineofwonders。
Then，justtoresthiseyes，heturnedthemuptothesky——theblue，bright，emptysky，whichhehadlookedatsooftenandseennothing。
Nowsurelytherewassomething。Along，black，wavyline，movingoninthedistance，notbychance，asthecloudsmoveapparently，butdeliberately，asifitwerealive。Hemighthaveseenitbefore——healmostthoughthehad;butthenhecouldnottellwhatitwas。Lookingatitthroughhisspectacles，hediscoveredthatitreallywasalive;beingalongstringofbirds，flyingoneaftertheother，theirwingsmovingsteadilyandtheirheadspointedinonedirection，assteadilyasifeachwerealittleship，guidedinvisiblybyanunerringhelm。
"Theymustbethepassage-birdsflyingseaward！"criedtheboy，whohadreadalittleaboutthem，andhadagreattalentforputtingtwoandtwotogetherandfindingoutallhecould。"Oh，howIshouldliketoseethemquiteclose，andtoknowwheretheycomefromandwhithertheyaregoing！HowIwishIkneweverythinginalltheworld！"
Asillyspeechforevenan"examining"littleboytomake;because，aswegrowolder，themoreweknowthemorewefindoutthereistoknow。AndPrinceDolorblushedwhenhehadsaidit，andhopednobodyhadheardhim。
Apparentlysomebodyhad，however;forthecloakgaveasuddenboundforward，andpresentlyhefoundhimselfhighintheair，intheverymiddleofthatbandofaerialtravelers，whohadmomagiccloaktotravelon——nothingexcepttheirwings。Yettheretheywere，makingtheirfearlesswaythroughthesky。
PrinceDolorlookedatthemasoneaftertheothertheyglidedpasthim;andtheylookedathim——thoseprettyswallows，withtheirchangingnecksandbrighteyes——asifwonderingtomeetinmid-airsuchanextraordinarysortofbird。
"Oh，IwishIweregoingwithyou，youlovelycreatures！I’mgettingsotiredofthisdullplain，andthedrearyandlonelytower。Idosowanttoseetheworld！Prettyswallows，dearswallows！tellmewhatitlookslike——thebeautiful，wonderfulworld！"
Buttheswallowsflewpasthim——steadily，slowlypursuingtheircourseasifinsideeachlittleheadhadbeenamariner’scompass，toguidethemsafeoverlandandsea，directtotheplacewheretheywishedtogo。
Theboylookedafterthemwithenvy。Foralongtimehefollowedwithhiseyesthefaint，wavyblacklineasitfloatedaway，sometimeschangingitscurvesalittle，butneverdeviatingfromitssettledcourse，tillitvanishedentirelyoutofsight。
Thenhesettledhimselfdowninthecenterofthecloak，feelingquitesadandlonely。
"IthinkI’llgohome，"saidhe，andrepeatedhis"Abracadabra，tumtumti！"witharatherheavyheart。Themorehehad，themorehewanted;anditisnotalwaysonecanhaveeverythingonewants——atleast，attheexactminuteonecravesforit;noteventhoughoneisaprince，andhasapowerfulandbeneficentgodmother。
Hedidnotliketovexherbycallingforherandtellingherhowunhappyhewas，inspiteofallhergoodness;sohejustkepthistroubletohimself，wentbacktohislonelytower，andspentthreedaysinsilentmelancholy，withoutevenattemptinganotherjourneyonhistraveling-cloak。
CHAPTERVI
Thefourthdayithappenedthatthedeaf-mutepaidhisaccustomedvisit，afterwhichPrinceDolor’sspiritsrose。Theyalwaysdidwhenhegotthenewbookswhich，justtorelievehisconscience，theKingofNomanslandregularlysenttohisnephew;withmanynewtoysalso，thoughthelatterweredisregardednow。
"Toys，indeed！whenI’mabigboy，"saidthePrince，withdisdain，andwouldscarcelycondescendtomountarocking-horsewhichhadcome，somehoworother，——Ican’tbeexpectedtoexplainthingsveryexactly，——packedonthebackoftheother，thegreatblackhorse，whichstoodandfedcontentedlyatthebottomofthetower。
PrinceDolorleanedoverandlookedatit，andthoughthowgranditmustbetogetuponitsback——thisgrandlivesteed——andrideaway，likethepicturesofknights。
"SupposeIwasaknight，"hesaidtohimself;
"thenIshouldbeobligedtorideoutandseetheworld。"
Buthekeptallthesethoughtstohimself，andjustsatstill，devouringhisnewbookstillhehadcometotheendofthemall。ItwasarepastnotunliketheBarmecide’sfeastwhichyoureadofinthe"ArabianNights，"whichconsistedofveryelegantbutemptydishes，orthatsupperofSanchoPanzain"DonQuixote，"
where，theminutethesmokingdishescameonthetable，thephysicianwavedhishandandtheywerealltakenaway。
Thusalmostalltheordinarydelightsofboy-
lifehadbeentakenawayfrom，orrathernevergiventothispoorlittleprince。
"Iwonder，"hewouldsometimesthink——"I
wonderwhatitfeelsliketobeonthebackofahorse，gallopingaway，orholdingthereinsinacarriage，andtearingacrossthecountry，orjumpingaditch，orrunningarace，suchasI
readoforseeinpictures。WhatalotofthingstherearethatIshouldliketodo！ButfirstI
shouldliketogoandseetheworld。I’lltry。"
Apparentlyitwashisgodmother’splanalwaystolethimtry，andtryhard，beforehegainedanything。Thisdaytheknotsthattieduphistraveling-cloakweremorethanusuallytroublesome，andhewasafullhalf-hourbeforehegotoutintotheopenair，andfoundhimselffloatingmerrilyoverthetopofthetower。
Hitherto，inallhisjourneys，hehadneverlethimselfgooutofsightofhome，forthedrearybuilding，afterall，washome——herememberednoother;butnowhefeltsickoftheverylookofhistower，withitsroundsmoothwallsandlevelbattlements。
"Offwego！"criedhe，whenthecloakstirreditselfwithaslight，slowmotion，asifwaitinghisorders。"Anywhereanywhere，sothatIamawayfromhere，andoutintotheworld。"
Ashespoke，thecloak，asifseizedsuddenlywithanewidea，boundedforwardandwentskimmingthroughtheair，fasterthantheveryfastestrailwaytrain。
"Gee-up！gee-up！"criedPrinceDoloringreatexcitement。"Thisisasgoodasridingarace。"
Andhepattedthecloakasifithadbeenahorse——thatis，inthewayhesupposedhorsesoughttobepatted——andtossedhisheadbacktomeetthefreshbreeze，andpulledhiscoatcollarupandhishatdownashefeltthewindgrowkeenerandcolder——colderthananythinghehadeverknown。
"Whatdoesitmatter，though？"saidhe。
"I’maboy，andboysoughtnottomindanything。"
Still，forallhisgood-will，byandby，hebegantoshiverexceedingly;also，hehadcomeawaywithouthisdinner，andhegrewfrightfullyhungry。Andtoaddtoeverything，thesunshinydaychangedintorain，andbeinghighup，intheverymidstoftheclouds，hegotsoakedthroughandthroughinaveryfewminutes。
"ShallIturnback？"meditatedhe。
"SupposeIsay`Abracadabra？’"
Herehestopped，foralreadythecloakgaveanobedientlurch，asifitwereexpectingtobesenthomeimmediately。
"No——Ican’t——Ican’tgoback！Imustgoforwardandseetheworld。Butoh！ifIhadbuttheshabbiestoldrugtosheltermefromtherain，orthedriestmorselofbreadandcheese，justtokeepmefromstarving！Still，Idon’tmuchmind;I’maprince，andoughttobeabletostandanything。Holdon，cloak，we’llmakethebestofit。"
Itwasamostcuriouscircumstance，butnosoonerhadhesaidthisthanhefeltstealingoverhiskneessomethingwarmandsoft;infact，amostbeautifulbearskin，whichfoldeditselfroundhimquitenaturally，andcuddledhimupascloselyasifhehadbeenthecubofthekindoldmother-bearthatonceownedit。Thenfeelinginhispocket，whichsuddenlystuckoutinamarvelousway，hefound，notexactlybreadandcheese，norevensandwiches，butapacketofthemostdeliciousfoodhehadevertasted。
Itwasnotmeat，norpudding，butacombinationofboth，anditservedhimexcellentlyforboth。Heatehisdinnerwiththegreatestgustoimaginable，tillhegrewsothirstyhedidnotknowwhattodo。
"Couldn’tIhavejustonedropofwater，ifitdidn’ttroubleyoutoomuch，kindestofgodmothers？"
Forhereallythoughtthiswantwasbeyondherpowertosupply。AllthewaterwhichsuppliedHopelessTowerwaspumpedupwithdifficultyfromadeepartesianwell——thereweresuchthingsknowninNomansland——whichhadbeenmadeatthefootofit。Butaround，formilesuponmiles，thedesolateplainwasperfectlydry。Andaboveit，highintheair，howcouldheexpecttofindawell，ortogetevenadropofwater？
Heforgotonething——therain。Whilehespoke，itcameoninanotherwildburst，asifthecloudshadpouredthemselvesoutinapassionofcrying，wettinghimcertainly，butleavingbehind，inalargeglassvesselwhichhehadnevernoticedbefore，enoughwatertoquenchthethirstoftwoorthreeboysatleast。
Anditwassofresh，sopure——aswaterfromthecloudsalwaysiswhenitdoesnotcatchthesootfromcitychimneysandotherdefilements——thathedrankit，everydrop，withthegreatestdelightandcontent。
Also，assoonasitwasemptytherainfilleditagain，sothathewasabletowashhisfaceandhandsandrefreshhimselfexceedingly。Thenthesuncameoutanddriedhiminnotime。
Afterthathecurledhimselfupunderthebear-
skinrug，andthoughhedeterminedtobethemostwide-awakeboyimaginable，beingsoexceedinglysnugandwarmandcomfortable，PrinceDolorcondescendedtoshuthiseyesjustforoneminute。Thenextminutehewassoundasleep。
Whenheawoke，hefoundhimselffloatingoveracountryquiteunlikeanythinghehadeverseenbefore。
Yetitwasnothingbutwhatmostofyouchildrenseeeverydayandnevernoticeit——aprettycountrylandscape，likeEngland，Scotland，France，oranyotherlandyouchoosetoname。
Ithadnoparticularfeatures——nothinginitgrandorlovely——wassimplypretty，nothingmore;yettoPrinceDolor，whohadnevergonebeyondhislonelytowerandlevelplain，itappearedthemostcharmingsightimaginable。
First，therewasariver。Itcametumblingdownthehillside，frothingandfoaming，playingathide-and-seekamongtherocks，thenburstingoutinnoisyfunlikeachild，toburyitselfindeep，stillpools。Afterwarditwentsteadilyonforawhile，likeagoodgrown-upperson，tillitcametoanotherbigrock，whereitmisbehaveditselfextremely。Itturnedintoacataract，andwenttumblingoverandover，afterafashionthatmadetheprince——whohadneverseenwaterbefore，exceptinhisbathorhisdrinking-cup——claphishandswithdelight。
"Itissoactive，soalive！Ilikethingsactiveandalive！"criedhe，andwatcheditshimmeringanddancing，whirlingandleaping，till，afterafewwindingsandvagaries，itsettledintoarespectablestream。Afterthatitwentalong，deepandquiet，butflowingsteadilyon，tillitreachedalargelake，intowhichitslippedandsoendeditscourse。
Allthistheboysaw，eitherwithhisownnakedeyeorthroughhisgoldspectacles。Hesawalsoasinapicture，beautifulbutsilent，manyotherthingswhichstruckhimwithwonder，especiallyagroveoftrees。
Onlythink，tohavelivedtohisage（whichhehimselfdidnotknow，ashedidnotknowhisownbirthday）andnevertohaveseentrees！
Ashefloatedovertheseoaks，theyseemedtohim——trunk，branches，andleaves——themostcurioussightimaginable。
"IfIcouldonlygetnearer，soastotouchthem，"saidhe，andimmediatelytheobedientcloakduckeddown;PrinceDolormadeasnatchatthetopmosttwigofthetallesttree，andcaughtabunchofleavesinhishand。
Justabunchofgreenleaves——suchasweseeinmyriads;watchingthembud，grow，fall，andthenkickingthemalongonthegroundasiftheywereworthnothing。Yethowwonderfultheyare——everyoneofthemalittledifferent。
Idon’tsupposeyoucouldeverfindtwoleavesexactlyalikeinform，color，andsize——nomorethanyoucouldfindtwofacesalike，ortwocharactersexactlythesame。Theplanofthisworldisinfinitesimilarityandyetinfinitevariety。
PrinceDolorexaminedhisleaveswiththegreatestcuriosity——andalsoalittlecaterpillarthathefoundwalkingoveroneofthem。Hecoaxedittotakeanadditionalwalkoverhisfinger，whichitdidwiththegreatestdignityanddecorum，asifit，Mr。Caterpillar，werethemostimportantindividualinexistence。Itamusedhimforalongtime;andwhenasuddengustofwindblewitoverboard，leavesandall，hefeltquitedisconsolate。
"Stilltheremustbemanylivecreaturesintheworldbesidescaterpillars。Ishouldliketoseeafewofthem。"
Thecloakgavealittledipdown，asiftosay"Allright，myPrince，"andborehimacrosstheoakforesttoalongfertilevalley——calledinScotlandastrathandinEnglandaweald，butwhattheycallitinthetongueofNomanslandIdonotknow。Itwasmadeupofcornfields，pasturefields，lanes，hedges，brooks，andponds。
Also，initwerewhattheprincedesiredtosee——aquantityoflivingcreatures，wildandtame。
Cowsandhorses，lambsandsheep，fedinthemeadows;pigsandfowlswalkedaboutthefarm-yards;andinlonelierplacesharesscudded，rabbitsburrowed，andpheasantsandpartridges，withmanyothersmallerbirds，inhabitedthefieldsandwoods。
ThroughhiswonderfulspectaclesthePrincecouldseeeverything;but，asIsaid，itwasasilentpicture;hewastoohighuptocatchanythingexceptafaintmurmur，whichonlyarousedhisanxietytohearmore。
"Ihaveasgoodastwopairsofeyes，"hethought。"Iwonderifmygodmotherwouldgivemeasecondpairofears。"
Scarcelyhadhespokenthanhefoundlyingonhislapthemostcuriouslittleparcel，alldoneupinsilverypaper。Anditcontained——whatdoyouthink？Actuallyapairofsilverears，which，whenhetriedthemon，fittedsoexactlyoverhisownthathehardlyfeltthem，exceptforthedifferencetheymadeinhishearing。
Thereissomethingwhichwelistentodailyandnevernotice。Imeanthesoundsofthevisibleworld，animateandinanimate。Windsblowing，watersflowing，treesstirring，insectswhirring（dearme！Iamquiteunconsciouslywritingrhyme），withthevariouscriesofbirdsandbeasts，——lowingcattle，bleatingsheep，gruntingpigs，andcacklinghens，——alltheinfinitediscordsthatsomehoworothermakeabeautifulharmony。
Wehearthis，andaresoaccustomedtoitthatwethinknothingofit;butPrinceDolor，whohadlivedallhisdaysinthedeadsilenceofHopelessTower，hearditforthefirsttime。
Andoh！ifyouhadseenhisface。
Helistened，listened，asifhecouldneverhavedonelistening。Andhelookedandlooked，asifhecouldnotgazeenough。Aboveall，themotionoftheanimalsdelightedhim：cowswalking，horsesgalloping，littlelambsandcalvesrunningracesacrossthemeadows，weresuchatreatforhimtowatch——hethatwasalwayssoquiet。But，thesecreatureshavingfourlegs，andheonlytwo，thedifferencedidnotstrikehimpainfully。
Still，byandby，afterthefashionofchildren，——andIfear，ofmanybigpeopletoo，——hebegantowantsomethingmorethanhehad，somethingfreshandnew。
"Godmother，"hesaid，havingnowbeguntobelievethat，whetherhesawherornot，hecouldalwaysspeaktoherwithfullconfidencethatshewouldhearhim——"Godmother，allthesecreaturesIlikeexceedingly;butIshouldlikebettertoseeacreaturelikemyself。Couldn’tyoushowmejustonelittleboy？"
Therewasasighbehindhim，——itmighthavebeenonlythewind，——andthecloakremainedsolongbalancedmotionlessinairthathewashalfafraidhisgodmotherhadforgottenhim，orwasoffendedwithhimforaskingtoomuch。
Suddenlyashrillwhistlestartledhim，eventhroughhissilverears，andlookingdownward，hesawstartupfrombehindabushonacommon，something————
Neitherasheepnorahorsenoracow——nothinguponfourlegs。Thiscreaturehadonlytwo;buttheywerelong，straight，andstrong。
Andithadalithe，activebody，andacurlyheadofblackhairsetuponitsshoulders。Itwasaboy，ashepherd-boy，aboutthePrince’sownage——but，oh！sodifferent。
Notthathewasanuglyboy——thoughhisfacewasalmostasredashishands，andhisshaggyhairmattedlikethebacksofhisownsheep。
Hewasratheranice-lookinglad;andseemedsobrightandhealthyandgood-tempered——
"jolly"wouldbetheword，onlyIamnotsureiftheyhavesuchaoneintheelegantlanguageofNomansland——thatthelittlePrincewatchedhimwithgreatadmiration。
"Mighthecomeandplaywithme？Iwoulddropdowntothegroundtohim，orfetchhimuptomehere。Oh，howniceitwouldbeifIonlyhadalittleboytoplaywithme。"
Butthecloak，usuallysoobedienttohiswishes，disobeyedhimnow。Therewereevi-
dentlysomethingswhichhisgodmothereithercouldnotorwouldnotgive。Thecloakhungstationary，highinair，neverattemptingtodescend。Theshepherd-ladevidentlytookitforalargebird，and，shadinghiseyes，lookedupatit，makingthePrince’sheartbeatfast。
However，nothingensued。Theboyturnedround，withalong，loudwhistle——seeminglyhisusualandonlywayofexpressinghisfeelings。
Hecouldnotmakethethingoutexactly——itwasarathermysteriousaffair，butitdidnottroublehimmuch——hewasnotan"examining"boy。
Then，stretchinghimself，forhehadbeenevidentlyhalfasleep，hebeganfloppinghisshoulderswithhisarmstowakeandwarmhimself;
whilehisdog，aroughcollie，whohadbeenguardingthesheepmeanwhile，begantojumpuponhim，barkingwithdelight。
"Down，Snap，down：Stopthat，orI’llthrashyou，"thePrinceheardhimsay;thoughwithsucharough，hardvoiceandqueerpronunciationthatitwasdifficulttomakethewordsout。
"Hollo！Let’swarmourselvesbyarace。"
Theystartedofftogether，boyanddog——barkingandshouting，tillitwasdoubtfulwhichmadethemorenoiseorranthefaster。A
regularsteeplechaseitwas：firstacrossthelevelcommon，greatlydisturbingthequietsheep;andthentearingawayacrosscountry，scramblingthroughhedgesandleapingditches，andtumblingupanddownoverplowedfields。Theydidnotseemtohaveanythingtorunfor——butasiftheydidit，bothofthem，forthemerepleasureofmotion。
Andwhatapleasurethatseemed！Tothedogofcourse，butscarcelylesssototheboy。
Howheskimmedalongovertheground——hischeeksglowing，andhishairflying，andhislegs——oh，whatapairoflegshehad！
PrinceDolorwatchedhimwithgreatintentness，andinastateofexcitementalmostequaltothatoftherunnerhimself——forawhile。
Thenthesweet，palefacegrewatriflepaler，thelipsbegantoquiver，andtheeyestofill。
"Howniceitmustbetorunlikethat！"hesaidsoftly，thinkingthatnever——no，neverinthisworld——wouldhebeabletodothesame。
Nowheunderstoodwhathisgodmotherhadmeantwhenshegavehimhistraveling-cloak，andwhyhehadheardthatsigh——hewassureitwashers——whenhehadaskedtosee"justonelittleboy。"
"IthinkIhadrathernotlookathimagain，"
saidthepoorlittlePrince，drawinghimselfbackintothecenterofhiscloak，andresuminghisfavoriteposture，sittinglikeaTurk，withhisarmswrappedroundhisfeeble，uselesslegs。
"You’renogoodtome，"hesaid，pattingthemmournfully。"Youneverwillbeanygoodtome。IwonderwhyIhadyouatall。I
wonderwhyIwasbornatall，sinceIwasnottogrowuplikeotherboys。Whynot？"
Aquestionsostrange，sosad，yetsooftenoccurringinsomeformorotherinthisworld——asyouwillfind，mychildren，whenyouareolder——thatevenifhehadputittohismothershecouldonlyhaveansweredit，aswehavetoanswermanyasdifficultthings，bysimplysaying，"Idon’tknow。"Thereismuchthatwedonotknowandcannotunderstand——webigfolksnomorethanyoulittleones。Wehavetoacceptitalljustasyouhavetoacceptanythingwhichyourparentsmaytellyou，eventhoughyoudon’tasyetseethereasonofit。Youmaysometime，ifyoudoexactlyastheytellyou，andarecontenttowait。
PrinceDolorsatagoodwhilethus，oritappearedtohimagoodwhile，somanythoughtscameandwentthroughhispooryoungmind——
thoughtsofgreatbitterness，which，littlethoughhewas，seemedtomakehimgrowyearsolderinafewminutes。
Thenhefanciedthecloakbegantorockgentlytoandfro，withasoothingkindofmotion，asifhewereinsomebody’sarms：somebodywhodidnotspeak，butlovedhimandcomfortedhimwithoutneedofwords;notbydeceivinghimwithfalseencouragementorhope，butbymakinghimseetheplain，hardtruthinallitshardness，andthuslettinghimquietlyfaceit，tillitgrewsofteneddown，anddidnotseemnearlysodreadfulafterall。
Throughthedrearysilenceandblankness，forhehadplacedhimselfsothathecouldseenothingbutthesky，andhadtakenoffhissilverearsaswellashisgoldspectacles——whatwastheuseofeitherwhenhehadnolegswithwhichtowalkorrun？——upfrombelowthereroseadelicioussound。
Youhaveheardithundredsoftimes，mychildren，andsohaveI。WhenIwasachildI
thoughttherewasnothingsosweet;andIthinksostill。Itwasjustthesongofaskylark，mountinghigherandhigherfromtheground，tillitcamesoclosethatPrinceDolorcoulddistinguishhisquiveringwingsandtinybody，almosttootinytocontainsuchagushofmusic。
"Oh，youbeautiful，beautifulbird！"criedhe;
"Ishoulddearlyliketotakeyouinandcuddleyou。Thatis，ifIcould——ifIdared。"
Buthehesitated。Thelittlebrowncreaturewithitsloudheavenlyvoicealmostmadehimafraid。Nevertheless，italsomadehimhappy;
andhewatchedandlistened——soabsorbedthatheforgotallregretandpain，forgoteverythingintheworldexceptthelittlelark。
Itsoaredandsoared，andhewasjustwonderingifitwouldsoaroutofsight，andwhatintheworldheshoulddowhenitwasgone，whenitsuddenlycloseditswings，aslarksdowhentheymeantodroptotheground。But，insteadofdroppingtotheground，itdroppedrightintothelittleboy’sbreast。
Whatfelicity！Ifitwouldonlystay！A
tiny，softthingtofondleandkiss，tosingtohimalldaylong，andbehisplayfellowandcompanion，tameandtender，whiletotherestoftheworlditwasawildbirdoftheair。Whatapride，whatadelight！Tohavesomethingthatnobodyelsehad——somethingallhisown。Asthetraveling-cloaktraveledon，helittleheededwhere，andthelarkstillstayed，nestleddowninhisbosom，hoppedfromhishandtohisshoulder，andkissedhimwithitsdaintybeak，asifitlovedhim，PrinceDolorforgotallhisgrief，andwasentirelyhappy。
ButwhenhegotinsightofHopelessTowerapainfulthoughtstruckhim。
"Myprettybird，whatamItodowithyou？
IfItakeyouintomyroomandshutyouupthere，you，awildskylarkoftheair，whatwillbecomeofyou？Iamusedtothis，butyouarenot。Youwillbesomiserable;andsupposemynurseshouldfindyou——shewhocan’tbearthesoundofsinging？Besides，Irememberheroncetellingmethatthenicestthingsheeverateinherlifewaslarkpie！"
Thelittleboyshiveredalloveratthethought。
And，thoughthemerrylarkimmediatelybrokeintotheloudestcarol，asifsayingderisivelythathedefiedanybodytoeathim，still，PrinceDolorwasveryuneasy。Inanotherminutehehadmadeuphismind。
"No，mybird，nothingsodreadfulshallhappentoyouifIcanhelpit;Iwouldratherdowithoutyoualtogether。Yes，I’lltry。Flyaway，mydarling，mybeautiful！Good-by，mymerry，merrybird。"
Openinghistwocaressinghands，inwhich，asifforprotection，hehadfoldedit，heletthelarkgo。Itlingeredaminute，perchingontherimofthecloak，andlookingathimwitheyesofalmosthumantenderness;thenawayitflew，farupintothebluesky。Itwasonlyabird。
Butsometimeafter，whenPrinceDolorhadeatenhissupper——somewhatdrearily，exceptforthethoughtthathecouldnotpossiblysupofflarkpienow——andgonequietlytobed，theoldfamiliarlittlebed，wherehewasaccustomedtosleep，orlieawakecontentedlythinking——
suddenlyheheardoutsidethewindowalittlefaintcarol——faintbutcheerful——cheerfuleventhoughitwasthemiddleofthenight。
Thedearlittlelark！ithadnotflownaway，afterall。Anditwastrulythemostextraordinarybird，for，unlikeordinarylarks，itkepthoveringaboutthetowerinthesilenceanddarknessofthenight，outsidethewindoworovertheroof。Wheneverhelistenedforamoment，hehearditsingingstill。
Hewenttosleepashappyasaking。
CHAPTERVII
Happyasaking。"HowfarkingsarehappyIcannotsay，nomorethancouldPrinceDolor，thoughhehadoncebeenakinghimself。Butherememberednothingaboutit，andtherewasnobodytotellhim，excepthisnurse，whohadbeenforbiddenuponpainofdeathtolethimknowanythingabouthisdeadparents，orthekinghisuncle，orindeedanypartofhisownhistory。
Sometimeshespeculatedabouthimself，whetherhehadhadafatherandmotherasotherlittleboyshadwhattheyhadbeenlike，andwhyhehadneverseenthem。But，knowingnothingaboutthem，hedidnotmissthem——onlyonceortwice，readingprettystoriesaboutlittlechildrenandtheirmothers，whohelpedthemwhentheywereindifficultyandcomfortedthemwhentheyweresick，hefeelingillanddullandlonely，wonderedwhathadbecomeofhismotherandwhyshenevercametoseehim。
Then，inhishistorylessons，ofcoursehereadaboutkingsandprinces，andthegovernmentsofdifferentcountries，andtheeventsthathappenedthere。Andthoughhebutfaintlytookinallthis，stillhedidtakeitinalittle，andworriedhisyoungbrainaboutit，andperplexedhisnursewithquestions，towhichshereturnedsharpandmysteriousanswers，whichonlysethimthinkingthemore。
Hehadplentyoftimeforthinking。Afterhislastjourneyinthetraveling-cloak，thejourneywhichhadgivenhimsomuchpain，hisdesiretoseetheworldsomehowfadedaway。
Hecontentedhimselfwithreadinghisbooks，andlookingoutofthetowerwindows，andlisteningtohisbelovedlittlelark，whichhadcomehomewithhimthatday，andneverlefthimagain。
True，itkeptoutoftheway;andthoughhisnursesometimesdimlyheardit，andsaid"Whatisthathorridnoiseoutside？"shenevergotthefaintestchanceofmakingitintoalarkpie。PrinceDolorhadhispetalltohimself，andthoughheseldomsawit，heknewitwasnearhim，andhecaughtcontinually，atoddhoursoftheday，andeveninthenight，fragmentsofitsdelicioussong。
Allduringthewinter——sofarasthereeverwasanydifferencebetweensummerandwinterinHopelessTower——thelittlebirdcheeredandamusedhim。Hescarcelyneededanythingmore——notevenhistraveling-cloak，whichlaybundledupunnoticedinacorner，tiedupinitsinnumerableknots。
Nordidhisgodmothercomenearhim。Itseemedasifshehadgiventhesetreasuresandlefthimalone——tousethemorlosethem，applythemormisapplythem，accordingtohisownchoice。Thatisallwecandowithchildrenwhentheygrowintobigchildrenoldenoughtodistinguishbetweenrightandwrong，andtoooldtobeforcedtodoeither。
PrinceDolorwasnowquiteabigboy。Nottall——alas！henevercouldbethat，withhispoorlittleshrunkenlegs，whichwereofnouse，onlyanencumbrance。Buthewasstoutandstrong，withgreatsturdyshoulders，andmusculararms，uponwhichhecouldswinghimselfaboutalmostlikeamonkey。Asifincompensationforhisuselesslowerlimbs，Naturehadgiventotheseextrastrengthandactivity。Hisface，too，wasveryhandsome;thinner，firmer，moremanly;butstillthesweetfaceofhischildhood——hismother’sownface。
Howhismotherwouldhavelikedtolookathim！Perhapsshedid——whoknows？
Theboywasnotastupidboyeither。Hecouldlearnalmostanythinghechose——andhedidchoose，whichwasmorethanhalfthebattle。
Henevergaveuphislessonstillhehadlearnedthemall——neverthoughtitapunishmentthathehadtoworkatthem，andthattheycosthimadealoftroublesometimes。
"But，"thoughthe，"menwork，anditmustbesograndtobeaman——aprincetoo;andI
fancyprincesworkharderthananybody——
exceptkings。TheprincesIreadaboutgenerallyturnintokings。Iwonder"——theboywasalwayswondering——"Nurse，"——andonedayhestartledherwithasuddenquestion，——"tellme——
shallIeverbeaking？"
Thewomanstood，perplexedbeyondexpression。
Solongatimehadpassedbysincehercrime——ifitwereacrime——andhersentence，thatshenowseldomthoughtofeither。Evenherpunishment——tobeshutupforlifeinHopelessTower——shehadgraduallygotusedto。
UsedalsotothelittlelamePrince，hercharge——whomatfirstshehadhated，thoughshecarefullydideverythingtokeephimalive，sinceuponhimherownlifehung。
Butlatterlyshehadceasedtohatehim，and，inasortofway，almostlovedhim——atleast，enoughtobesorryforhim——aninnocentchild，imprisonedheretillhegrewintoanoldman，andbecameadull，worn-outcreaturelikeherself。Sometimes，watchinghim，shefeltmoresorryforhimthanevenforherself;andthen，seeingshelookedalessmiserableanduglywoman，hedidnotshrinkfromherasusual。
Hedidnotnow。"Nurse——dearnurse，"saidhe，"Idon’tmeantovexyou，buttellmewhatisaking？shallIeverbeone？"
Whenshebegantothinklessofherselfandmoreofthechild，thewoman’scourageincreased。Theideacametoher——whatharmwoulditbe，evenifhedidknowhisownhistory？
Perhapsheoughttoknowit——fortherehadbeenvariousupsanddowns，usurpations，revolutions，andrestorationsinNomansland，asinmostothercountries。Somethingmighthappen——whocouldtell？Changesmightoccur。Possiblyacrownwouldevenyetbesetuponthosepretty，faircurls——whichshebegantothinkprettierthaneverwhenshesawtheimaginarycoronetuponthem。
Shesatdown，consideringwhetherheroath，neverto"sayaword"toPrinceDolorabouthimself，wouldbebrokenifsheweretotakeapencilandwritewhatwastobetold。Amerequibble——amean，miserablequibble。Butthenshewasamiserablewoman，moretobepitiedthanscorned。
Afterlongdoubt，andwithgreattrepidation，sheputherfingerstoherlips，andtakingthePrince’sslate——withthespongetiedtoit，readytoruboutthewritinginaminute——shewrote：
"Youareaking。"
PrinceDolorstarted。Hisfacegrewpale，andthenflushedallover;heheldhimselferect。
Lameashewas，anybodycouldseehewasborntobeaking。
"Hush！"saidthenurse，ashewasbeginningtospeak。Andthen，terriblyfrightenedallthewhile，——peoplewhohavedonewrongalwaysarefrightened，——shewrotedowninafewhurriedsentenceshishistory。Howhisparentshaddied——hisunclehadusurpedhisthrone，andsenthimtoendhisdaysinthislonelytower。
"I，too，"addedshe，burstingintotears。
"Unless，indeed，youcouldgetoutintotheworld，andfightforyourrightslikeaman。Andfightformealso，myPrince，thatImaynotdieinthisdesolateplace。"
"Pooroldnurse！"saidtheboycompassion-
ately。Forsomehow，boyashewas，whenheheardhewasborntobeaking，hefeltlikeaman——likeaking——whocouldaffordtobetenderbecausehewasstrong。
Hescarcelysleptthatnight，andeventhoughheheardhislittlelarksinginginthesunrise，hebarelylistenedtoit。Thingsmoreseriousandimportanthadtakenpossessionofhismind。
"Suppose，"thoughthe，"Iweretodoasshesays，andgooutintheworld，nomatterhowithurtsme——theworldofpeople，activepeople，asthatboyIsaw。Theymightonlylaughatme——
poorhelplesscreaturethatIam;butstillI
mightshowthemIcoulddosomething。Atanyrate，Imightgoandseeiftherewereanythingformetodo。Godmother，helpme！"
Itwassolongsincehehadaskedherhelpthathewashardlysurprisedwhenhegotnoanswer——onlythelittlelarkoutsidethewindowsanglouderandlouder，andthesunrose，floodingtheroomwithlight。
PrinceDolorsprangoutofbed，andbegandressinghimself，whichwashardwork，forhewasnotusedtoit——hehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtodependuponhisnurseforeverything。
"ButImustnowlearntobeindependent，"
thoughthe。"Fancyakingbeingdressedlikeababy！"
Sohedidthebesthecould，——awkwardlybutcheerily，——andthenheleapedtothecornerwherelayhistraveling-cloak，untieditasbefore，andwatcheditunrollingitself——whichitdidrapidly，withaheartygood-will，asifquitetiredofidleness。SowasPrinceDolor——orfeltasifhewere。Hejumpedintothemiddleofit，saidhischarm，andwasoutthroughtheskylightimmediately。
"Good-by，prettylark！"heshouted，ashepasseditonthewing，stillwarblingitscaroltothenewlyrisensun。"Youhavebeenmypleasure，mydelight;nowImustgoandwork。
SingtooldnursetillIcomebackagain。Perhapsshe’llhearyou——perhapsshewon’t——butitwilldohergoodallthesame。Good-by！"
But，asthecloakhungirresoluteinair，hesuddenlyrememberedthathehadnotdeterminedwheretogo——indeed，hedidnotknow，andtherewasnobodytotellhim。
"Godmother，"hecried，inmuchperplexity，"youknowwhatIwant，——atleast，Ihopeyoudo，forIhardlydomyself——takemewhereI
oughttogo;showmewhateverIoughttosee——
nevermindwhatIliketosee，"asasuddenideacameintohismindthathemightseemanypainfulanddisagreeablethings。Butthisjourneywasnotforpleasureasbefore。Hewasnotababynow，todonothingbutplay——bigboysdonotalwaysplay。Normenneither——theywork。ThusmuchPrinceDolorknew——thoughverylittlemore。
Asthecloakstartedoff，travelingfasterthanhehadeverknownittodo，——throughsky-landandcloudland，overfreezingmountain-tops，anddesolatestretchesofforest，andsmilingcultivatedplains，andgreatlakesthatseemedtohimalmostasshorelessasthesea，——hewasoftenratherfrightened。Buthecroucheddown，silentandquiet;whatwastheuseofmakingafuss？and，wrappinghimselfupinhisbear-skin，waitedforwhatwastohappen。
Aftersometimeheheardamurmurinthedistance，increasingmoreandmoretillitgrewlikethehumofagigantichiveofbees。And，stretchinghischinovertherimofhiscloak，PrinceDolorsaw——far，farbelowhim，yet，withhisgoldspectaclesandsilverearson，hecoulddistinctlyhearandsee——what？
Mostofushavesometimeorothervisitedagreatmetropolis——havewanderedthroughitsnetworkofstreets——lostourselvesinitscrowdsofpeople——lookedupatitstallrowsofhouses，itsgrandpublicbuildings，churches，andsquares。Also，perhaps，wehavepeepedintoitsmiserablelittlebackalleys，wheredirtychildrenplayinguttersalldayandhalfthenight——
evenyoungboysgoaboutpickingpockets，withnobodytotellthemitiswrongexceptthepoliceman，andhesimplytakesthemofftoprison。
Andallthiswretchednessisclosebehindthegrandeur——likethetwosidesoftheleafofabook。
Anawfulsightisalargecity，seenanyhowfromanywhere。But，supposeyouweretoseeitfromtheupperair，where，withyoureyesandearsopen，youcouldtakeineverythingatonce？Whatwoulditlooklike？Howwouldyoufeelaboutit？Ihardlyknowmyself。Doyou？
PrinceDolorhadneedtobeaking——thatis，aboywithakinglynature——tobeabletostandsuchasightwithoutbeingutterlyovercome。
Buthewasverymuchbewildered——asbewilderedasablindpersonwhoissuddenlymadetosee。
Hegazeddownonthecitybelowhim，andthenputhishandoverhiseyes。
"Ican’tbeartolookatit，itissobeautiful——
sodreadful。AndIdon’tunderstandit——notonebit。Thereisnobodytotellmeaboutit。
IwishIhadsomebodytospeakto。"
"Doyou？Thenprayspeaktome。Iwasalwaysconsideredgoodatconversation。"
Thevoicethatsqueakedoutthisreplywasanexcellentimitationofthehumanone，thoughitcameonlyfromabird。Nolarkthistime，however，butagreatblackandwhitecreaturethatflewintothecloak，andbeganwalkingroundandroundontheedgeofitwithadignifiedstride，onefootbeforetheother，likeanyunfeatheredbipedyoucouldname。
"Ihaven’tthehonorofyouracquaintance，sir，"saidtheboypolitely。
"Ma’am，ifyouplease。Iamamotherbird，andmynameisMag，andIshallbehappytotellyoueverythingyouwanttoknow。ForI
knowagreatdeal;andIenjoytalking。Myfamilyisofgreatantiquity;wehavebuiltinthispalaceforhundreds——thatistosay，dozensofyears。Iamintimatelyacquaintedwiththeking，thequeen，andthelittleprincesandprincesses——alsothemaidsofhonor，andalltheinhabitantsofthecity。Italkagooddeal，butI
alwaystalksense，andIdaresayIshouldbeex-
ceedinglyusefultoapoorlittleignorantboylikeyou。"
"Iamaprince，"saidtheothergently。
"Allright。AndIamamagpie。Youwillfindmeamostrespectablebird。"
"Ihavenodoubtofit，"wasthepoliteanswer——thoughhethoughtinhisownmindthatMagmusthaveaverygoodopinionofherself。Butshewasaladyandastranger，soofcoursehewasciviltoher。
Shesettledherselfathiselbow，andbegantochatteraway，pointingoutwithoneskinnyclaw，whileshebalancedherselfontheother，everyobjectofinterest，evidentlybelieving，asnodoubtallitsinhabitantsdid，thattherewasnocapitalintheworldlikethegreatmetropolisofNomansland。
Ihavenotseenit，andthereforecannotdescribeit，sowewilljusttakeitupontrust，andsupposeittobe，likeeveryotherfinecity，thefinestcitythateverwasbuilt。Magsaidso——
andofcoursesheknew。
Nevertheless，therewereafewthingsinitwhichsurprisedPrinceDolor——and，ashehadsaid，hecouldnotunderstandthematall。Onehalfthepeopleseemedsohappyandbusy——
hurryingupanddownthefullstreets，ordriv-
inglazilyalongtheparksintheirgrandcarriages，whiletheotherhalfweresowretchedandmiserable。
"Can’ttheworldbemadealittlemorelevel？
IwouldtrytodoitifIwereaking。"
"Butyou’renottheking：onlyalittlegooseofaboy，"returnedthemagpieloftily。"AndI’mherenottoexplainthings，onlytoshowthem。ShallIshowyoutheroyalpalace？"
Itwasaverymagnificentpalace。Ithadterracesandgardens，battlementsandtowers。Itextendedoveracresofground，andhadinitroomsenoughtoaccommodatehalfthecity。Itswindowslookedinalldirections，butnoneofthemhadanyparticularview——exceptasmallone，highuptowardtheroof，whichlookedoutontheBeautifulMountains。Butsincethequeendiedthereithadbeenclosed，boardedup，indeed，themagpiesaid。Itwassolittleandinconvenientthatnobodycaredtoliveinit。
Besides，thelowerapartments，whichhadnoview，weremagnificent——worthyofbeinginhabitedbytheking。
"Ishouldliketoseetheking，"saidPrinceDolor。
CHAPTERVIII
What，Iwonder，wouldbepeople’sideaofaking？WhatwasPrinceDolor’s？
Perhapsaverysplendidpersonage，withacrownonhisheadandascepterinhishand，sittingonathroneandjudgingthepeople。Alwaysdoingright，andneverwrong——"Thekingcandonowrong"wasalawlaiddowninoldentimes。Nevercross，ortired，orsick，orsuffering;perfectlyhandsomeandwelldressed，calmandgood-tempered，readytoseeandheareverybody，anddiscourteoustonobody;
allthingsalwaysgoingwellwithhim，andnothingunpleasanteverhappening。
This，probably，waswhatPrinceDolorexpectedtosee。Andwhatdidhesee？ButI
musttellyouhowhesawit。
"Ah，"saidthemagpie，"noleveeto-day。
TheKingisill，thoughhisMajestydoesnotwishittobegenerallyknown——itwouldbesoveryinconvenient。Hecan’tseeyou，butperhapsyoumightliketogoandtakealookathiminawayIoftendo？Itissoveryamusing。"
Amusing，indeed！
Theprincewasjustnowtoomuchexcitedtotalkmuch。Washenotgoingtoseethekinghisuncle，whohadsucceededhisfatheranddethronedhimself;hadsteppedintoallthepleasantthingsthathe，PrinceDolor，oughttohavehad，andshuthimupinadesolatetower？Whatwashelike，thisgreat，bad，cleverman？Hadhegotallthethingshewanted，whichanotheroughttohavehad？Anddidheenjoythem？
"Nobodyknows，"answeredthemagpie，justasifshehadbeensittinginsidetheprince’sheart，insteadofonthetopofhisshoulder。"Heisaking，andthat’senough。Fortherestnobodyknows。"
Asshespoke，Magflewdownontothepalaceroof，wherethecloakhadrested，settlingdownbetweenthegreatstacksofchimneysascomfortablyasifontheground。Shepeckedatthetileswithherbeak——trulyshewasawonderfulbird——andimmediatelyalittleholeopened，asortofdoor，throughwhichcouldbeseendistinctlythechamberbelow。
"Nowlookin，myPrince。Makehaste，forI
mustsoonshutitupagain。"
Buttheboyhesitated。"Isn’titrude？——
won’ttheythinkusintruding？"
"Oh，dearno！there’saholelikethisineverypalace;dozensofholes，indeed。Everybodyknowsit，butnobodyspeaksofit。Intrusion！
Why，thoughtheroyalfamilyaresupposedtoliveshutupbehindstonewallseversothick，alltheworldknowsthattheyliveinaglasshousewhereeverybodycanseethemandthrowastoneatthem。Nowpopdownonyourknees，andtakeapeepathisMajestyHisMajesty！
ThePrincegazedeagerlydownintoalargeroom，thelargestroomhehadeverbeheld，withfurnitureandhangingsgranderthananythinghecouldhaveeverimagined。Astraysunbeam，comingthroughacreviceofthedarkenedwindows，struckacrossthecarpet，anditwastheloveliestcarpeteverwoven——justlikeabedofflowerstowalkover;onlynobodywalkedoverit，theroombeingperfectlyemptyandsilent。
返回顶部