\"WhereistheKing？\"askedthepuzzledboy。
\"There，\"saidMag，pointingwithonewrinkledclawtoamagnificentbed，largeenoughtocontainsixpeople。Inthecenterofit，justvisibleunderthesilkencounterpane，——quitestraightandstill，——withitsheadonthelacepillow，layasmallfigure，somethinglikewax-
work，fastasleep——veryfastasleep！Therewasanumberofsparklingringsonthetinyyellowhands，thatwerecurledalittle，helplessly，likeababy’s，outsidethecoverlet;theeyeswereshut，thenoselookedsharpandthin，andthelonggraybeardhidthemouthandlayoverthebreast。Asightnotuglynorfrightening，onlysolemnandquiet。Andsoverysilent——twolittlefliesbuzzingaboutthecurtainsofthebedbeingtheonlyaudiblesound。
\"IsthattheKing？\"whisperedPrinceDolor。
\"Yes，\"repliedthebird。
Hehadbeenangry——furiouslyangry——
eversinceheknewhowhisunclehadtakenthecrown，andsenthim，apoorlittlehelplesschild，tobeshutupforlife，justasifhehadbeendead。
Manytimestheboyhadfeltasif，kingashewas，heshouldliketostrikehim，thisgreat，strong，wickedman。
Why，youmightaswellhavestruckababy！
Howhelplesshelay，withhiseyesshut，andhisidlehandsfolded：theyhadnomoreworktodo，badorgood。
\"Whatisthematterwithhim？\"askedthePrince。
\"Heisdead，\"saidtheMagpie，withacroak。
No，therewasnottheleastuseinbeingangrywithhimnow。Onthecontrary，thePrincefeltalmostsorryforhim，exceptthathelookedsopeacefulwithallhiscaresatrest。Andthiswasbeingdead？Soevenkingsdied？
\"Well，well，hehadn’taneasylife，folksay，forallhisgrandeur。Perhapsheisgladitisover。Good-by，yourMajesty。\"
Withanothercheerfultapofherbeak，MistressMagshutdownthelittledoorinthetiles，andPrinceDolor’sfirstandlastsightofhisunclewasended。
Hesatinthecenterofhistraveling-cloak，silentandthoughtful。
\"Whatshallwedonow？\"saidthemagpie。
\"There’snothingmuchmoretobedonewithhismajesty，exceptafinefuneral，whichIshallcertainlygoandsee。Alltheworldwill。Heinterestedtheworldexceedinglywhenhewasalive，andheoughttodoitnowhe’sdead——justoncemore。Andsincehecan’thearme，Imayaswellsaythat，onthewhole，hismajestyismuchbetterdeadthanalive——ifwecanonlygetsomebodyinhisplace。There’llbesucharowinthecitypresently。Supposewefloatupagainandseeitall——atasafedistance，though。Itwillbesuchfun！\"
\"Whatwillbefun？\"
\"Arevolution。\"
Whetheranybodyexceptamagpiewouldhavecalledit\"fun\"Idon’tknow，butitcertainlywasaremarkablescene。
Assoonasthecathedralbellbegantotollandtheminute-gunstofire，announcingtothekingdomthatitwaswithoutaking，thepeoplegatheredincrowds，stoppingatstreetcornerstotalktogether。Themurmurnowandthenroseintoashout，andtheshoutintoaroar。
WhenPrinceDolor，quietlyfloatinginupperair，caughtthesoundoftheirdifferentandoppositecries，itseemedtohimasifthewholecityhadgonemadtogether。
\"Longlivetheking！\"\"Thekingisdead——
downwiththeking！\"\"Downwiththecrown，andthekingtoo！\"\"Hurrahfortherepublic！\"
\"Hurrahfornogovernmentatall！\"
Suchweretheshoutswhichtraveleduptothetraveling-cloak。Andthenbegan——oh，whatascene！
Whenyouchildrenaregrownmenandwomen——orbefore——youwillhearandreadinbooksaboutwhatarecalledrevolutions——earnestlyI
trustthatneitherInoryoumayeverseeone。
Buttheyhavehappened，andmayhappenagain，inothercountriesbesidesNomansland，whenwickedkingshavehelpedtomaketheirpeoplewickedtoo，oroutofanunrighteousnationhavesprungrulersequallybad;or，withouteitherofthesecauses，whenarestlesscountryhasfanciedanychangebetterthannochangeatall。
Forme，Idon’tlikechanges，unlessprettysurethattheyareforgood。Andhowgoodcancomeoutofabsoluteevil——thehorribleevilthatwentonthisnightunderPrinceDolor’sveryeyes——soldiersshootingdownpeoplebyhundredsinthestreets，scaffoldserected，andheadsdroppingoff——housesburned，andwomenandchildrenmurdered——thisismorethanIcanunderstand。
Butallthesethingsyouwillfindinhistory，mychildren，andmustbyandbyjudgeforyourselvestherightandwrongofthem，asfarasanybodyevercanjudge。
PrinceDolorsawitall。Thingshappenedsofastoneafteranotherthattheyquiteconfusedhisfaculties。
\"Oh，letmegohome，\"hecriedatlast，stoppinghisearsandshuttinghiseyes;\"onlyletmegohome！\"forevenhislonelytowerseemedhome，anditsdrearinessandsilenceabsoluteparadiseafterallthis。
\"Good-by，then，\"saidthemagpie，flappingherwings。Shehadbeenchattingincessantlyalldayandallnight，foritwasactuallythuslongthatPrinceDolorhadbeenhoveringoverthecity，neithereatingnorsleeping，withalltheseterriblethingshappeningunderhisveryeyes。\"You’vehadenough，Isuppose，ofseeingtheworld？\"
\"Oh，Ihave——Ihave！\"criedtheprince，withashudder。
\"Thatis，tillnexttime。Allright，yourroyalhighness。Youdon’tknowme，butIknowyou。
Wemaymeetagainsometime。\"
Shelookedathimwithherclear，piercingeyes，sharpenoughtoseethrougheverything，anditseemedasiftheychangedfrombird’seyestohumaneyes——theveryeyesofhisgodmother，whomhehadnotseenforeversolong。
Buttheminuteafterwardshebecameonlyabird，andwithascreechandachatter，spreadherwingsandflewaway。
PrinceDolorfellintoakindofswoonofuttermisery，bewilderment，andexhaustion，andwhenheawokehefoundhimselfinhisownroom——aloneandquiet——withthedawnjustbreaking，andthelongrimofyellowlightinthehorizonglimmeringthroughthewindow-panes。
CHAPTERIX
WhenPrinceDolorsatupinbed，tryingtorememberwherehewas，whitherhehadbeen，andwhathehadseenthedaybefore，heperceivedthathisroomwasempty。
Generallyhisnurseratherworriedhimbybreakinghisslumbers，cominginand\"settingthingstorights，\"asshecalledit。Nowthedustlaythickuponchairsandtables;therewasnoharshvoiceheardtoscoldhimfornotgettingupimmediately，which，Iamsorrytosay，thisboydidnotalwaysdo。Forhesoenjoyedlyingstill，andthinkinglazilyabouteverythingornothing，that，ifhehadnottriedhardagainstit，hewouldcertainlyhavebecomelikethosecelebrated\"TwolittlemenWholayintheirbedtilltheclockstruckten。\"
Itwasstrikingtennow，andstillnonursewastobeseen。Hewasratherrelievedatfirst，forhefeltsotired;andbesides，whenhestretchedouthisarm，hefoundtohisdismaythathehadgonetobedinhisclothes。
Veryuncomfortablehefelt，ofcourse;andjustalittlefrightened。Especiallywhenhebegantocallandcallagain，butnobodyanswered。Oftenheusedtothinkhowniceitwouldbetogetridofhisnurseandliveinthistowerallbyhimself——likeasortofmonarchabletodoeverythingheliked，andleaveundoneallthathedidnotwanttodo;butnowthatthisseemedreallytohavehappened，hedidnotlikeitatall。
\"Nurse，——dearnurse，——pleasecomeback！\"hecalledout。\"Comeback，andIwillbethebestboyinalltheland。\"
Andwhenshedidnotcomeback，andnothingbutsilenceansweredhislamentablecall，heverynearlybegantocry。
\"Thiswon’tdo，\"hesaidatlast，dashingthetearsfromhiseyes。\"It’sjustlikeababy，andI’mabigboy——shallbeamansomeday。Whathashappened，Iwonder？I’llgoandsee。\"
Hesprangoutofbed，——nottohisfeet，alas！
buttohispoorlittleweakknees，andcrawledonthemfromroomtoroom。Allthefourchambersweredeserted——notforlornoruntidy，foreverythingseemedtohavebeendoneforhiscomfort——thebreakfastanddinnerthingswerelaid，thefoodspreadinorder。Hemightlive\"likeaprince，\"astheproverbis，forseveraldays。
Buttheplacewasentirelyforsaken——therewasevidentlynotacreaturebuthimselfinthesolitarytower。
Agreatfearcameuponthepoorboy。Lonelyashislifehadbeen，hehadneverknownwhatitwastobeabsolutelyalone。Akindofdespairseizedhim——noviolentangerorterror，butasortofpatientdesolation。
\"WhatintheworldamItodo？\"thoughthe，andsatdowninthemiddleofthefloor，halfinclinedtobelievethatitwouldbebettertogiveupentirely，layhimselfdown，anddie。
Thisfeeling，however，didnotlastlong，forhewasyoungandstrong，and，Isaidbefore，bynatureaverycourageousboy。Therecameintohishead，somehoworother，aproverbthathisnursehadtaughthim——thepeopleofNomanslandwereveryfondofproverbs：
\"ForeveryevilunderthesunThereisaremedy，orthere’snone;
Ifthereisone，trytofindit——
Ifthereisn’t，nevermindit。\"
\"Iwonderistherearemedynow，andcouldI
findit？\"criedthePrince，jumpingupandlookingoutofthewindow。
Nohelpthere。Heonlysawthebroad，bleak，sunshinyplain——thatis，atfirst。Butbyandby，inthecircleofmudthatsurroundedthebaseofthetower，heperceiveddistinctlythemarksofahorse’sfeet，andjustinthespotwherethedeaf-mutewasaccustomedtotieuphisgreatblackcharger，whilehehimselfascended，therelaytheremainsofabundleofhayandafeedofcorn。
\"Yes，that’sit。Hehascomeandgone，takingnurseawaywithhim。Poornurse！howgladshewouldbetogo！\"
ThatwasPrinceDolor’sfirstthought。Hissecond——wasn’titnatural？——wasapassionateindignationathercruelty——atthecrueltyofalltheworldtowardhim，apoorlittlehelplessboy。
Thenhedetermined，forsakenashewas，totryandholdontothelast，andnottodieaslongashecouldpossiblyhelpit。
Anyhow，itwouldbeeasiertodieherethanoutintheworld，amongtheterribledoingswhichhehadjustbeheld——fromthemidstofwhich，itsuddenlystruckhim，thedeaf-mutehadcome，contrivingsomehowtomakethenurseunderstandthatthekingwasdead，andsheneedhavenofearingoingbacktothecapital，wheretherewasagrandrevolution，andeverythingturnedupsidedown。So，ofcourse，shehadgone。
\"Ihopeshe’llenjoyit，miserablewoman——iftheydon’tcutoffherheadtoo。\"
Andthenakindofremorsesmotehimforfeelingsobitterlytowardher，afteralltheyearsshehadtakencareofhim——grudgingly，perhaps，andcoldly;stillshehadtakencareofhim，andthateventothelast：for，asIhavesaid，allhisfourroomswereastidyaspossible，andhismealslaidout，thathemighthavenomoretroublethancouldbehelped。
\"Possiblyshedidnotmeantobecruel。I
won’tjudgeher，\"saidhe。Andafterwardhewasverygladthathehadsodetermined。
Forthesecondtimehetriedtodresshimself，andthentodoeverythinghecouldforhimself——
eventosweepingupthehearthandputtingonmorecoals。\"It’safunnythingforaprincetohavetodo，\"saidhe，laughing。\"Butmygodmotheroncesaidprincesneedneverminddoinganything。\"
Andthenhethoughtalittleofhisgodmother。
Notofsummoningher，oraskinghertohelphim，——shehadevidentlylefthimtohelphimself，andhewasdeterminedtotryhisbesttodoit，beingaveryproudandindependentboy，——butherememberedhertenderlyandregret-
fully，asifevenshehadbeenalittleharduponhim——poor，forlornboythathewas。Butheseemedtohaveseenandlearnedsomuchwithinthelastfewdaysthathescarcelyfeltlikeaboy，butaman——untilhewenttobedatnight。
WhenIwasachild，Iusedoftentothinkhowniceitwouldbetoliveinalittlehouseallbymyownself——ahousebuilthighupinatree，orfarawayinaforest，orhalfwayupahillsidesodeliciouslyaloneandindependent。
Notalessontolearn——butno！Ialwayslikedlearningmylessons。Anyhow，tochoosethelessonsIlikedbest，tohaveasmanybookstoreadanddollstoplaywithaseverIwanted：
aboveall，tobefreeandatrest，withnobodytoteaseortroubleorscoldme，wouldbecharming。
ForIwasalonelylittlething，wholikedquietness——asmanychildrendo;whichotherchildren，andsometimesgrown-uppeopleeven，cannotunderstand。AndsoIcanunderstandPrinceDolor。
Afterhisfirstdespair，hewasnotmerelycomfortable，butactuallyhappyinhissolitude，doingeverythingforhimself，andenjoyingeverythingbyhimself——untilbedtime。Thenhedidnotlikeitatall。Nomore，Isuppose，thanotherchildrenwouldhavelikedmyim-
aginaryhouseinatreewhentheyhadhadsufficientoftheirowncompany。
ButthePrincehadtobearit——andhedidbearit，likeaprince——forfullyfivedays。Allthattimehegotupinthemorningandwenttobedatnightwithouthavingspokentoacreature，or，indeed，heardasinglesound。
Forevenhislittlelarkwassilent;andasforhistraveling-cloak，eitherheneverthoughtaboutit，orelseithadbeenspiritedaway——
forhemadenouseofit，norattemptedtodoso。
Averystrangeexistenceitwas，thosefivelonelydays。Heneverentirelyforgotit。Itthrewhimbackuponhimself，andintohimself——inawaythatallofushavetolearnwhenwegrowup，andarethebetterforit;butitissomewhathardlearning。
OnthesixthdayPrinceDolorhadastrangecomposureinhislook，buthewasverygraveandthinandwhite。Hehadnearlycometotheendofhisprovisions——andwhatwastohappennext？Getoutofthetowerhecouldnot：theladderthedeaf-muteusedwasalwayscarriedawayagain;andifithadnotbeen，howcouldthepoorboyhaveusedit？Andevenifheslungorflunghimselfdown，andbymiraculouschancecamealivetothefootofthetower，howcouldherunaway？
Fatehadbeenveryhardtohim，orsoitseemed。
Hemadeuphismindtodie。Notthathewishedtodie;onthecontrary，therewasagreatdealthathewishedtolivetodo;butifhemustdie，hemust。Dyingdidnotseemsoverydreadful;noteventoliequietlikehisuncle，whomhehadentirelyforgivennow，andneitherbemiserablenornaughtyanymore，andescapeallthosehorriblethingsthathehadseengoingonoutsidethepalace，inthatawfulplacewhichwascalled\"theworld。\"
\"It’sagreatdealnicerhere，\"saidthepoorlittlePrince，andcollectedallhisprettythingsroundhim：hisfavoritepictures，whichhethoughtheshouldliketohavenearhimwhenhedied;hisbooksandtoys——no，hehadceasedtocarefortoysnow;heonlylikedthembecausehehaddonesoasachild。Andtherehesatverycalmandpatient，likeakinginhiscastle，waitingfortheend。
\"Still，IwishIhaddonesomethingfirst——
somethingworthdoing，thatsomebodymightremembermeby，\"thoughthe。\"SupposeI
hadgrownaman，andhadhadworktodo，andpeopletocarefor，andwassousefulandbusythattheylikedme，andperhapsevenforgotI
waslame？Thenitwouldhavebeennicetolive，Ithink。\"
Atearcameintothelittlefellow’seyes，andhelistenedintentlythroughthedeadsilenceforsomehopefulsound。
Wasthereone？——wasithislittlelark，whomhehadalmostforgotten？No，nothinghalfsosweet。Butitreallywassomething——somethingwhichcamenearerandnearer，sothattherewasnomistakingit。Itwasthesoundofatrumpet，oneofthegreatsilvertrumpetssoadmiredinNomansland。Notpleasantmusic，butverybold，grand，andinspiring。
Ashelistenedtoittheboyseemedtorecallmanythingswhichhadslippedhismemoryforyears，andtonervehimselfforwhatevermightbegoingtohappen。
Whathadhappenedwasthis。
Thepoorcondemnedwomanhadnotbeensuchawickedwomanafterall。Perhapshercouragewasnotwhollydisinterested，butshehaddoneaveryheroicthing。AssoonassheheardofthedeathandburialoftheKingandofthechangesthatweretakingplaceinthecountry，adaringideacameintoherhead——tosetuponthethroneofNomanslanditsrightfulheir。Thereuponshepersuadedthedeaf-mutetotakeherawaywithhim，andtheygallopedlikethewindfromcitytocity，spreadingeverywherethenewsthatPrinceDolor’sdeathandburialhadbeenaninventionconcoctedbyhiswickedunclethathewasaliveandwell，andthenoblestyoungprincethateverwasborn。
Itwasaboldstroke，butitsucceeded。Thecountry，wearyperhapsofthelateKing’sharshrule，andyetgladtosaveitselffromthehorrorsofthelastfewdays，andthestillfurtherhorrorsofnoruleatall，andhavingnoparticularinterestintheotheryoungprinces，jumpedattheideaofthisPrince，whowasthesonoftheirlategoodKingandthebelovedQueenDolorez。
\"HurrahforPrinceDolor！LetPrinceDolorbeoursovereign！\"rangfromendtoendofthekingdom。Everybodytriedtorememberwhatadearbabyheoncewas——howlikehismother，whohadbeensosweetandkind，andhisfather，thefinest-lookingkingthateverreigned。Nobodyrememberedhislameness——
or，iftheydid，theypasseditoverasamatterofnoconsequence。Theyweredeterminedtohavehimreignoverthem，boyashewas——
perhapsjustbecausehewasaboy，sinceinthatcasethegreatnoblesthoughttheyshouldbeabletodoastheylikedwiththecountry。
Accordingly，withaficklenessnotconfinedtothepeopleofNomansland，nosoonerwasthelateKinglaidinhisgravethantheypronouncedhimtohavebeenausurper;turnedallhisfamilyoutofthepalace，andleftitemptyforthereceptionofthenewsovereign，whomtheywenttofetchwithgreatrejoicing，aselectbodyoflords，gentlemen，andsoldierstravelingnightanddayinsolemnprocessionthroughthecountryuntiltheyreachedHopelessTower。
TheretheyfoundthePrince，sittingcalmlyonthefloor——deadlypale，indeed，forheexpectedaquitedifferentendfromthis，andwasresolved，ifhehadtodie，todiecourageously，likeaPrinceandaKing。
ButwhentheyhailedhimasPrinceandKing，andexplainedtohimhowmattersstood，andwentdownontheirkneesbeforehim，offeringthecrown（onavelvetcushion，withfourgoldentassels，eachnearlyasbigashishead），——smallthoughhewasandlame，whichlamenessthecourtierspretendednottonotice，——therecamesuchaglowintohisface，suchadignityintohisdemeanor，thathebecamebeautiful，king-like。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"ifyoudesireit，Iwillbeyourking。AndIwilldomybesttomakemypeoplehappy。\"
Thentherearose，frominsideandoutsidethetower，suchashoutasneveryetwasheardacrossthelonelyplain。
PrinceDolorshrankalittlefromthedeafeningsound。\"HowshallIbeabletoruleallthisgreatpeople？Youforget，mylords，thatIamonlyalittleboystill。\"
\"Notsoverylittle，\"wastherespectfulanswer。\"Wehavesearchedintherecords，andfoundthatyourRoyalHighness——yourMajesty，Imean——isfifteenyearsold。\"
\"AmI？\"saidPrinceDolor;andhisfirstthoughtwasathoroughlychildishpleasurethatheshouldnowhaveabirthday，withawholenationtokeepit。Thenherememberedthathischildishdaysweredone。Hewasamonarchnow。Evenhisnurse，towhom，themomenthesawher，hehadheldouthishand，kisseditreverently，andcalledhimceremoniously\"hisMajestytheKing。\"
\"Akingmustbealwaysaking，Isuppose，\"
saidhehalf-sadly，when，theceremoniesover，hehadbeenlefttohimselfforjusttenminutes，toputoffhisboy’sclothesandbereattiredinmagnificentrobes，beforehewasconveyedawayfromhistowertotheroyalpalace。
Hecouldtakenothingwithhim;indeed，hesoonsawthat，howeverpolitelytheyspoke，theywouldnotallowhimtotakeanything。Ifhewastobetheirking，hemustgiveuphisoldlifeforever。Sohelookedwithtenderfarewellonhisoldbooks，oldtoys，thefurnitureheknewsowell，andthefamiliarplaininallitslevelness——
uglyyetpleasant，simplybecauseitwasfamiliar。
\"Itwillbeanewlifeinanewworld，\"saidhetohimself;\"butI’llremembertheoldthingsstill。And，oh！ifbeforeIgoIcouldbutonceseemydearoldgodmother。\"
Whilehespokehehadlaidhimselfdownonthebedforaminuteortwo，rathertiredwithhisgrandeur，andconfusedbythenoiseofthetrumpetswhichkeptplayingincessantlydownbelow。Hegazed，halfsadly，uptotheskylight，whencetherecamepouringastreamofsunrays，withinnumerablemotesfloatingthere，likeabridgethrownbetweenheavenandearth。Slidingdownit，asifshehadbeenmadeofair，camethelittleoldwomaningray。
Sobeautifullookedshe——oldasshewas——thatPrinceDolorwasatfirstquitestartledbytheapparition。Thenheheldouthisarmsineagerdelight。
\"Oh，godmother，youhavenotforsakenme！\"
\"Notatall，myson。Youmaynothaveseenme，butIhaveseenyoumanyatime。\"
\"How？\"
\"Oh，nevermind。IcanturnintoanythingIplease，youknow。AndIhavebeenabearskinrug，andacrystalgoblet——andsometimesIhavechangedfrominanimatetoanimatenature，putonfeathers，andmademyselfverycomfortableasabird。\"
\"Ha！\"laughedtheprince，anewlightbreakinginuponhimashecaughttheinfection{sic}ofhertone，livelyandmischievous。\"Ha！ha！alark，forinstance？\"
\"Oramagpie，\"answeredshe，withacapitalimitationofMistressMag’scroakyvoice。\"DoyousupposeIamalwayssentimental，andneverfunny？Ifanythingmakesyouhappy，gay，orgrave，don’tyouthinkitismorethanlikelytocomethroughyouroldgodmother？\"
\"Ibelievethat，\"saidtheboytenderly，holdingouthisarms。Theyclaspedoneanotherinacloseembrace。
SuddenlyPrinceDolorlookedveryanxious。
\"YouwillnotleavemenowthatIamaking？
OtherwiseIhadrathernotbeakingatall。
Promisenevertoforsakeme！\"
Thelittleoldwomanlaughedgayly。\"Forsakeyou？thatisimpossible。Butitisjustpossibleyoumayforsakeme。Notprobablethough。Yourmotherneverdid，andshewasaqueen。ThesweetestqueeninalltheworldwastheLadyDolorez。\"
\"Tellmeabouther，\"saidtheboyeagerly。
\"AsIgetolderIthinkIcanunderstandmore。
Dotellme。\"
\"Notnow。Youcouldn’thearmeforthetrumpetsandtheshouting。Butwhenyouarecometothepalace，askforalong-closedupperroom，whichlooksoutupontheBeautifulMountains;openitandtakeitforyourown。
Wheneveryougothereyouwillalwaysfindme，andwewilltalktogetheraboutallsortsofthings。\"
\"Andaboutmymother？\"
Thelittleoldwomannodded——andkeptnoddingandsmilingtoherselfmanytimes，astheboyrepeatedoverandoveragainthesweetwordshehadneverknownorunderstood——\"mymother——mymother。\"
\"NowImustgo，\"saidshe，asthetrumpetsblaredlouderandlouder，andtheshoutsofthepeopleshowedthattheywouldnotendureanydelay。\"Good-by，good-by！OpenthewindowandoutIfly。\"
PrinceDolorrepeatedgaylythemusicalrhyme——butallthewhiletriedtoholdhisgodmotherfast。
Vain，vain！forthemomentthataknockingwasheardathisdoorthesunwentbehindacloud，thebrightstreamofdancingmotesvanished，andthelittleoldwomanwiththem——
heknewnotwhere。
SoPrinceDolorquittedhistower——whichhehadenteredsomournfullyandignominiouslyasalittlehelplessbabycarriedinthedeaf-mute’sarms——quitteditasthegreatKingofNomansland。
Theonlythinghetookawaywithhimwassomethingsoinsignificantthatnoneofthelords，gentlemen，andsoldierswhoescortedhimwithsuchtriumphantsplendorcouldpossiblynoticeit——atinybundle，whichhehadfoundlyingonthefloorjustwherethebridgeofsunbeamshadrested。Atoncehehadpounceduponit，andthrustitsecretlyintohisbosom，whereitdwin-
dledintosuchsmallproportionsthatitmighthavebeentakenforamerechest-comforter，abitofflannel，oranoldpocket-handkerchief。
Itwashistraveling-cloak！
CHAPTERX
DidPrinceDolarbecomeagreatking？
Washe，thoughlittlemorethanaboy，\"thefatherofhispeople，\"asallkingsoughttobe？Didhisreignlastlong——longandhappy？andwhatweretheprincipaleventsofit，aschronicledinthehistoryofNomansland？
Why，ifIweretoanswerallthesequestionsIshouldhavetowriteanotherbook。AndI’mtired，children，tired——asgrown-uppeoplesometimesare，thoughnotalwayswithplay。
（Besides，Ihaveasmallpersonbelongingtome，who，thoughshelikesextremelytolistentotheword-of-mouthstoryofthisbook，grumblesmuchatthewritingofit，andhasrunaboutthehouseclappingherhandswithjoywhenmammatoldherthatitwasnearlyfinished。Butthatisneitherherenorthere。）
IhaverelatedaswellasIcouldthehistoryofPrinceDolor，butwiththehistoryofNomanslandIamasyetunacquainted。Ifanybodyknowsit，perhapsheorshewillkindlywriteitalldowninanotherbook。Butmineisdone。
However，ofthisIamsure，thatPrinceDolormadeanexcellentking。Nobodyeverdoesanythinglesswell，noteventhecommonestdutyofcommondailylife，forhavingsuchagodmotherasthelittleoldwomanclothedingray，whosenameis——well，Ileaveyoutoguess。Nor，I
think，isanybodylessgood，lesscapableofbothworkandenjoymentinafter-life，forhavingbeenalittleunhappyinhisyouth，astheprincehadbeen。
Icannottakeuponmyselftosaythathewasalwayshappynow——whois？——orthathehadnocares;justshowmethepersonwhoisquitefreefromthem！Butwheneverpeopleworriedandbotheredhim——astheydidsometimes，withstateetiquette，statesquabbles，andthelike，settingupthemselvesandpullingdowntheirneighbors——
hewouldtakerefugeinthatupperroomwhichlookedoutontheBeautifulMountains，and，layinghisheadonhisgodmother’sshoulder，becomecalmedandatrest。
Also，shehelpedhimoutofanydifficultywhichnowandthenoccurred——forthereneverwassuchawiseoldwoman。WhenthepeopleofNomanslandraisedthealarm——assometimestheydid——forwhatpeoplecanexistwithoutalittlefault-finding？——andbegantocryout，\"Un-
happyisthenationwhosekingisachild，\"shewouldsaytohimgently，\"Youareachild。
Acceptthefact。Behumble——beteachable。
Leanuponthewisdomofotherstillyouhavegainedyourown。\"
Hedidso。Helearnedhowtotakeadvicebeforeattemptingtogiveit，toobeybeforehecouldrighteouslycommand。Heassembledroundhimallthegoodandwiseofhiskingdom——laidallitsaffairsbeforethem，andwasguidedbytheiropinionsuntilhehadmaturelyformedhisown。
Thishedidsoonerthananybodywouldhaveimaginedwhodidnotknowofhisgodmotherandhistraveling-cloak——twosecretblessings，which，thoughmanyguessedat，nobodyquiteunderstood。Nordidtheyunderstandwhyhelovedsothelittleupperroom，exceptthatithadbeenhismother’sroom，fromthewindowofwhich，aspeoplerememberednow，shehadusedtositforhourswatchingtheBeautifulMountains。
Outofthatwindowheusedtofly——notveryoften;ashegrewolder，thelaborsofstatepreventedthefrequentuseofhistraveling-cloak;
stillhediduseitsometimes。Onlynowitwaslessforhisownpleasureandamusementthantoseesomethingorinvestigatesomethingforthegoodofthecountry。Butheprizedhisgodmother’sgiftasdearlyasever。Itwasacomforttohiminallhisvexations，anenhancementofallhisjoys。Itmadehimalmostforgethislameness——whichwasnevercured。
However，thecruelthingswhichhadbeenonceforebodedofhimdidnothappen。Hismisfortunewasnotsuchaheavyone，afterall。Itprovedtobeofmuchlessinconvenience，eventohimself，thanhadbeenfeared。Acouncilofeminentsurgeonsandmechaniciansinventedforhimawonderfulpairofcrutches，withthehelpofwhich，thoughheneverwalkedeasilyorgracefully，hedidmanagetowalksoastobequiteindependent。Andsuchwasthelovehispeopleborehimthattheyneverheardthesoundofhiscrutchesonthemarblepalacefloorswithoutaleapoftheheart，fortheyknewthatgoodwascomingtothemwheneverheapproached。
Thus，thoughheneverwalkedinprocessions，neverreviewedhistroopsmountedonamagnificentcharger，nordidanyofthethingswhichmakeashowmonarchsomuchappreciated，hewasableforallthedutiesandagreatmanyofthepleasuresofhisrank。Whenheheldhislevees，notstanding，butseatedonathronein-
geniouslycontrivedtohidehisinfirmity，thepeoplethrongedtogreethim;whenhedroveoutthroughthecitystreets，shoutsfollowedhimwhereverhewent——everycountenancebrightenedashepassed，andhisown，perhaps，wasthebrightestofall。
First，because，acceptinghisafflictionasinevitable，hetookitpatiently;second，because，beingabraveman，heboreitbravely，tryingtoforgethimself，andliveoutofhimself，andinandforotherpeople。ThereforeotherpeoplegrewtolovehimsowellthatIthinkhundredsofhissubjectsmighthavebeenfoundwhowerealmostreadytodiefortheirpoorlameking。
Henevergavethemaqueen。Whentheyimploredhimtochooseone，herepliedthathiscountrywashisbride，andhedesirednoother。
Butperhapstherealreasonwasthatheshrankfromanychange;andthatnowifeinalltheworldwouldhavebeenfoundsoperfect，solovable，sotendertohiminallhisweaknessesashisbeautifuloldgodmother。
Histwenty-fourothergodfathersandgodmothers，orasmanyofthemaswerestillalive，crowdedroundhimassoonasheascendedthethrone。Hewasveryciviltothemall，butadoptednoneofthenamestheyhadgivenhim，keepingtotheonebywhichhehadbeenalwaysknown，thoughithadnowalmostlostitsmeaning;
forKingDolorwasoneofthehappiestandcheerfulestmenalive。
Hedidagoodmanythings，however，unlikemostmenandmostkings，whichalittleastonishedhissubjects。First，hepardonedthecondemnedwomanwhohadbeenhisnurse，andordainedthatfromhenceforththereshouldbenosuchthingasthepunishmentofdeathinNomansland。AllcapitalcriminalsweretobesenttoperpetualimprisonmentinHopelessTowerandtheplainroundaboutit，wheretheycoulddonoharmtoanybody，andmightintimedoalittlegood，asthewomanhaddone。
Anothersurpriseheshortlyafterwardgavethenation。Herecalledhisuncle’sfamily，whohadfledawayinterrortoanothercountry，andrestoredthemtoalltheirhonorsintheirown。
Byandbyhechosetheeldestsonofhiseldestcousin（whohadbeendeadayear），andhadhimeducatedintheroyalpalace，astheheirtothethrone。Thislittleprincewasaquiet，unobtrusiveboy，sothateverybodywonderedattheKing’schoosinghimwhenthereweresomanymore;butashegrewintoafineyoungfellow，goodandbrave，theyagreedthattheKingjudgedmorewiselythanthey。
\"Notalameprince，either，\"hisMajestyobservedoneday，watchinghimaffectionately;forhewasthebestrunner，thehighestleaper，thekeenestandmostactivesportsmaninthecountry。\"Onecannotmakeone’sself，butonecansometimeshelpalittleinthemakingofsomebodyelse。Itiswell。\"
Thiswassaid，nottoanyofhisgreatlordsandladies，buttoagoodoldwoman——hisfirsthomelynursewhomhehadsoughtforfarandwide，andatlastfoundinhercottageamongtheBeautifulMountains。Hesentforhertovisithimonceayear，andtreatedherwithgreathonoruntilshedied。Hewasequallykind，thoughsomewhatlesstender，tohisothernurse，who，afterreceivingherpardon，returnedtohernativetownandgrewintoagreatlady，andIhopeagoodone。Butasshewassograndapersonagenow，anylittlefaultsshehaddidnotshow。
ThusKingDolor’sreignpassedyearafteryear，longandprosperous。Whetherhewerehappy——\"ashappyasaking\"——isaquestionnohumanbeingcandecide。ButIthinkhewas，becausehehadthepowerofmakingeverybodyabouthimhappy，anddidittoo;alsobecausehewashisgodmother’sgodson，andcouldshuthimselfupwithherwheneverheliked，inthatquietlittleroominviewoftheBeautifulMountains，whichnobodyelseeversaworcaredtosee。Theyweretoofaroff，andthecitylaysolow。Buttheretheywere，allthetime。Nochangeevercametothem;andIthink，atanydaythroughouthislongreign，theKingwouldsoonerhavelosthiscrownthanhavelostsightoftheBeautifulMountains。
Incourseoftime，whenthelittlePrince，hiscousin，wasgrownintoatallyoungman，capableofallthedutiesofaman，hisMajestydidoneofthemostextraordinaryactseverknowninasovereignbelovedbyhispeopleandprosperousinhisreign。Heannouncedthathewishedtoinvesthisheirwiththeroyalpurple——atanyrate，foratime——whilehehimselfwentawayonadistantjourney，whitherhehadlongdesiredtogo。
Everybodymarveled，butnobodyopposedhim。WhocouldopposethegoodKing，whowasnotayoungkingnow？Andbesides，thenationhadagreatadmirationfortheyoungregent——andpossiblyalurkingpleasureinchange。
Sotherewasafixeddaywhenallthepeoplewhomitwouldholdassembledinthegreatsquareofthecapital，toseetheyoungprinceinstalledsolemnlyinhisnewduties，andundertakinghisnewvows。Hewasaveryfineyoungfellow;tallandstraightasapoplartree，withafrank，handsomeface——agreatdealhandsomerthantheking，somepeoplesaid，butothersthoughtdifferently。However，ashisMajestysatonhisthrone，withhisgrayhairfallingfromunderneathhiscrown，andafewwrinklesshowinginspiteofhissmile，therewassomethingabouthiscountenancewhichmadehispeople，evenwhiletheyshouted，regardhimwithatendernessmixedwithawe。
Helifteduphisthin，slenderhand，andtherecameasilenceoverthevastcrowdimmediately。
Thenhespoke，inhisownaccustomedway，usingnograndwords，butsayingwhathehadtosayinthesimplestfashion，thoughwithaclearnessthatstrucktheirearslikethefirstsongofabirdintheduskofthemorning。
\"Mypeople，Iamtired：Iwanttorest。I
havehadalongreign，anddonemuchwork——atleast，asmuchasIwasabletodo。ManymighthavedoneitbetterthanI——butnonewithabetterwill。NowIleaveittoothers;Iamtired，verytired。Letmegohome。\"
Therearoseamurmur——ofcontentordiscontentnonecouldwelltell;thenitdieddownagain，andtheassemblylistenedsilentlyoncemore。
\"Iamnotanxiousaboutyou，mypeople——mychildren，\"continuedtheKing。\"Youareprosperousandatpeace。Ileaveyouingoodhands。ThePrinceRegentwillbeafitterkingforyouthanI。\"
\"No，no，no！\"rosetheuniversalshout——andthosewhohadsometimesfoundfaultwithhimshoutedlouderthananybody。Butheseemedasifheheardthemnot。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidhe，assoonasthetumulthadalittlesubsided：andhisvoicesoundedfirmandclear;andsomeveryoldpeople，whoboastedofhavingseenhimasachild，declaredthathisfacetookasuddenchange，andgrewasyoungandsweetasthatofthelittlePrinceDolor。\"Yes，Imustgo。Itistimeformetogo。Remembermesometimes，mypeople，forIhavelovedyouwell。AndIamgoingalongway，andIdonotthinkIshallcomebackanymore。\"
Hedrewalittlebundleoutofhisbreastpocket——abundlethatnobodyhadeverseenbefore。Itwassmallandshabby-looking，andtiedupwithmanyknots，whichuntiedthemselvesinaninstant。Withajoyfulcountenance，hemutteredoveritafewhalf-intelligiblewords。
Then，sosuddenlythateventhosenearesttohisMajestycouldnottellhowitcameabout，theKingwasaway——away——floatingrightupintheair——uponsomething，theyknewnotwhat，exceptthatitappearedtobeassafeandpleasantasthewingsofabird。
Andafterhimsprangabird——adearlittlelark，risingfromwhencenoonecouldsay，sincelarksdonotusuallybuildtheirnestsinthepavementofcitysquares。Butthereitwas，areallark，singingfarovertheirheads，louderandclearerandmorejoyfulasitvanishedfurtherintothebluesky。
Shadingtheireyes，andstrainingtheirears，theastonishedpeoplestooduntilthewholevisiondisappearedlikeaspeckintheclouds——
therosycloudsthatoverhungtheBeautifulMountains。
KingDolorwasneveragainbeheldorheardofinhisowncountry。Butthegoodhehaddonetherelastedforyearsandyears;hewaslongmissedanddeeplymourned——atleast，sofarasanybodycouldmournonewhowasgoneonsuchahappyjourney。
Whitherhewent，orwhowentwithhim，itisimpossibletosay。ButImyselfbelievethathisgodmothertookhimonhistraveling-cloaktotheBeautifulMountains。Whathedidthere，orwhereheisnow，whocantell？Icannot。ButonethingIamquitesureof，that，whereverheis，heisperfectlyhappy。
Andso，whenIthinkofhim，amI。
THEINVISIBLEPRINCE
THEREwereakingandqueenwhoweredotinglyfondoftheironlyson，notwithstandingthathewasequallydeformedinmindandperson。Thekingwasquitesensibleoftheevildispositionofhisson，butthequeeninherexcessivefondnesssawnofaultwhateverinherdearFuribon，ashewasnamed。
ThesurestwaytowinherfavorwastopraiseFuribonforcharmshedidnotpossess。Whenhecameofagetohaveagovernor，thekingmadechoiceofaprincewhohadanancientrighttothecrown，butwasnotabletosupportit。Thisprincehadason，namedLeander，handsome，accomplished，amiable——ineveryrespecttheoppositeofPrinceFuribon。Thetwowerefrequentlytogether，whichonlymadethedeformedprincemorerepulsive。
Oneday，certainambassadorshavingarrivedfromafarcountry，theprincestoodinagallerytoseethem;when，takingLeanderfortheking’sson，theymadetheirobeisancetohim，treatingFuribonasameredwarf，atwhichthelatterwassooffendedthathedrewhissword，andwouldhavedonethemamischiefhadnotthekingjustthenappeared。Asitwas，theaffairproducedaquarrel，whichendedinLeander’sbeingsenttoafar-awaycastlebelongingtohisfather。
There，however，hewasquitehappy，forhewasagreatloverofhunting，fishing，andwalking：
heunderstoodpainting，readmuch，andplayeduponseveralinstruments，sothathewasgladtobefreedfromthefantastichumorsofFuribon。Onedayashewaswalkinginthegarden，findingtheheatincrease，heretiredintoashadygroveandbegantoplayupontheflutetoamusehimself。Asheplayed，hefeltsomethingwindabouthisleg，andlookingdownsawagreatadder：hetookhishandkerchief，andcatchingitbytheheadwasgoingtokillit。
Buttheadder，lookingsteadfastlyinhisface，seemedtobeghispardon。AtthisinstantoneofthegardenershappenedtocometotheplacewhereLeanderwas，andspyingthesnake，criedouttohismaster：\"Holdhimfast，sir;itisbutanhoursinceweranafterhimtokillhim：itisthemostmischievouscreatureintheworld。\"
Leander，castinghiseyesasecondtimeuponthesnake，whichwasspeckledwithathousandextraordinarycolors，perceivedthepoorcreaturestilllookeduponhimwithanaspectthatseemedtoimplorecompassion，andnevertriedintheleasttodefenditself。
\"Thoughthouhastsuchamindtokillit，\"
saidhetothegardener，\"yet，asitcametomeforrefuge，Iforbidtheetodoitanyharm;forIwillkeepit，andwhenithascastitsbeautifulskinIwillletitgo。\"Hethenreturnedhome，andcarryingthesnakewithhim，putitintoalargechamber，thekeyofwhichhekepthimself，andorderedbran，milk，andflowerstobegiventoit，foritsdelightandsustenance;sothatneverwassnakesohappy。Leanderwentsometimestoseeit，andwhenitperceivedhimitmadehastetomeethim，showinghimallthelittlemarksofloveandgratitudeofwhichapoorsnakewascapable，whichdidnotalittlesurprisehim，thoughhetooknofurthernoticeofit。
Inthemeantimeallthecourtladieswereextremelytroubledathisabsence，andhewasthesubjectofalltheirdiscourse。\"Alas！\"criedthey，\"thereisnopleasureatcourtsinceLeanderisgone，ofwhoseabsencethewickedFuribonisthecause！\"Furibonalsohadhisparasites，forhispoweroverthequeenmadehimfeared;theytoldhimwhattheladiessaid，whichenragedhimtosuchadegreethatinhispassionheflewtothequeen’schamber，andvowedhewouldkillhimselfbeforeherfaceifshedidnotfindmeanstodestroyLeander。Thequeen，whoalsohatedLeander，becausehewashandsomerthanherson，repliedthatshehadlonglookeduponhimasatraitor，andthereforewouldwillinglyconsenttohisdeath。TowhichpurposesheadvisedFuribontogoa-huntingwithsomeofhisconfidants，andcontriveitsothatLeandershouldmakeoneoftheparty。
\"Then，\"saidshe，\"youmayfindsomewaytopunishhimforpleasingeverybody。\"
Furibonunderstoodher，andaccordinglywenta-hunting;andLeander，whenheheardthehornsandthehounds，mountedhishorseandrodetoseewhoitwas。Buthewassurprisedtomeettheprincesounexpectedly;healightedimmediatelyandsalutedhimwithrespect;andFuribonreceivedhimmoregraciouslythanusualandbadefollowhim。Allofasuddenheturnedhishorseandrodeanotherway，makingasigntotheruffianstotakethefirstopportunitytokillhim;butbeforehehadgotquiteoutofsight，alionofprodigioussize，comingoutofhisden，leapeduponFuribon;allhisfollowersfled，andonlyLeanderremained;
who，attackingtheanimalswordinhand，byhisvalorandagilitysavedthelifeofhismostcruelenemy，whohadfalleninaswoonfromfear。
Whenherecovered，Leanderpresentedhimhishorsetoremount。Now，anyotherthansuchawretchwouldhavebeengrateful，butFuribondidnotevenlookuponhim;nay，mountingthehorse，herodeinquestoftheruffians，towhomherepeatedhisorderstokillhim。TheyaccordinglysurroundedLeander，who，settinghisbacktoatree，behavedwithsomuchbraverythathelaidthemalldeadathisfeet。Furibon，believinghimbythistimeslain，rodeeagerlyuptothespot。WhenLeandersawhimheadvancedtomeethim。\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"ifitwasbyyourorderthattheseassassinscametokillme，IamsorryImadeanydefense。\"
\"Youareaninsolentvillain！\"repliedFuribon，\"andifeveryoucomeintomypresenceagain，youshallsurelydie。\"
Leandermadenoanswer，butretiredsadandpensivetohisownhome，wherehespentthenightinponderingwhatwasbestforhimtodo;
fortherewasnolikelihoodheshouldbeabletodefendhimselfagainstthepoweroftheking’sson;thereforeheatlengthconcludedhewouldtravelabroadandseetheworld。Beingreadytodepart，herecollectedhissnake，and，callingforsomemilkandfruits，carriedthemtothepoorcreatureforthelasttime;butonopeningthedoorheperceivedanextraordinarylusterinonecorneroftheroom，andcastinghiseyeontheplacehewassurprisedtoseealady，whosenobleandmajesticairmadehimimmediatelyconcludeshewasaprincessofroyalbirth。Herhabitwasofpurplesatin，embroideredwithpearlsanddiamonds;sheadvancedtowardhimwithagracioussmile。
\"Youngprince，\"saidshe，\"youfindnolongeryourpetsnake，butme，thefairyGentilla，readytorequiteyourgenerosity。Forknowthatwefairiesliveahundredyearsinflourishingyouth，withoutdiseases，withouttroubleorpain;andthistermbeingexpired，webecomesnakesforeightdays。Duringthattimeitisnotinourpowertopreventanymisfortunethatmaybefallus;andifwehappentobekilled，weneverreviveagain。Buttheseeightdaysbeingexpired，weresumeourusualformandrecoverourbeauty，ourpower，andourriches。NowyouknowhowmuchIamobligedtoyourgoodness，anditisbutjustthatIshouldrepaymydebtofgratitude;thinkhowIcanserveyouanddependonme。\"
Theyoungprince，whohadneverconversedwithafairytillnow，wassosurprisedthatitwasalongtimebeforehecouldspeak。Butatlength，makingaprofoundreverence，\"Madam，\"saidhe，\"sinceIhavehadthehonortoserveyou，IknownotanyotherhappinessthatIcanwishfor。\"
\"Ishouldbesorry，\"repliedshe，\"nottobeofservicetoyouinsomething;consider，itisinmypowertobestowonyoulonglife，kingdoms，riches;togiveyouminesofdiamondsandhousesfullofgold;Icanmakeyouanexcellentorator，poet，musician，andpainter;or，ifyoudesireit，aspiritoftheair，thewater，ortheearth。\"
HereLeanderinterruptedher。\"Permitme，madam，\"saidhe，\"toaskyouwhatbenefititwouldbetometobeaspirit？\"
\"Much，\"repliedthefairy，\"youwouldbeinvisiblewhenyoupleased，andmightinaninstanttraversethewholeearth;youwouldbeabletoflywithoutwings，todescendintotheabyssoftheearthwithoutdying，andwalkatthebottomoftheseawithoutbeingdrowned;
nordoors，norwindows，thoughfastshutandlocked，couldhinderyoufromenteringanywhere;
andwheneveryouhadamind，youmightresumeyournaturalform。\"
\"Oh，madam！\"criedLeander，\"thenletmebeaspirit;Iamgoingtotravel，andshouldpreferitaboveallthoseotheradvantagesyouhavesogenerouslyofferedme。\"
Gentillathereuponstrokinghisfacethreetimes，\"Beaspirit，\"saidshe;andthen，embracinghim，shegavehimalittleredcapwithaplumeoffeathers。\"Whenyouputonthiscapyoushallbeinvisible;butwhenyoutakeitoffyoushallagainbecomevisible。\"
Leander，overjoyed，puthislittleredcapuponhisheadandwishedhimselfintheforest，thathemightgathersomewildroseswhichhehadobservedthere：hisbodyimmediatelybecameaslightasthought;heflewthroughthewindowlikeabird;though，inflyingovertheriver，hewasnotwithoutfearlestheshouldfallintoit，andthepowerofthefairynotbeabletosavehim。Buthearrivedinsafetyattherose-
bushes，pluckedthethreeroses，andreturnedimmediatelytohischamber;presentedhisrosestothefairy，overjoyedthathisfirstexperimentshadsucceededsowell。Shebadehimkeeptheroses，forthatoneofthemwouldsupplyhimwithmoneywheneverhewantedit;thatifheputtheotherintohismistress’bosom，hewouldknowwhethershewasfaithfulornot;
andthatthethirdwouldkeephimalwaysingoodhealth。Then，withoutstayingtoreceivehisthanks，shewishedhimsuccessinhistravelsanddisappeared。
Leander，infinitelypleased，settledhisaffairs，mountedthefinesthorseinthestable，calledGris-de-line，andattendedbysomeofhisservantsinlivery，madehisreturntocourt。NowyoumustknowFuribonhadgivenoutthathaditnotbeenforhiscourageLeanderwouldhavemurderedhimwhentheywerea-hunting;sotheking，beingimportunedbythequeen，gaveordersthatLeandershouldbeapprehended。Butwhenhecame，heshowedsomuchcourageandresolutionthatFuribonrantothequeen’schamberandprayedhertoorderhimtobeseized。Thequeen，whowasextremelydiligentineverythingthathersondesired，wentimmediatelytotheking。Furibon，beingimpatienttoknowwhatwouldberesolved，followedher;butstoppedatthedoorandlaidhiseartothekeyhole，puttinghishairasidethathemightthebetterhearwhatwassaid。Atthesametime，Leanderenteredthecourt-hallofthepalacewithhisredcapuponhishead，andperceivingFuribonlisteningatthedooroftheking’schamber，hetookanailandahammerandnailedhiseartothedoor。Furibonbegantoroar，sothatthequeen，hearingherson’svoice，ranandopenedthedoor，and，pullingithastily，toreherson’searfromhishead。Halfoutofherwits，shesethiminherlap，tookuphisear，kissedit，andclappeditagainuponitsplace;buttheinvisibleLeander，seizinguponahandfuloftwigs，withwhichtheycorrectedtheking’slittledogs，gavethequeenseverallashesuponherhands，andhersonasmanyonthenose：uponwhichthequeencriedout，\"Murder！murder！\"andthekinglookedabout，andthepeoplecamerunningin;butnothingwastobeseen。Somecriedthatthequeenwasmad，andthathermadnessproceededfromhergrieftoseethathersonhadlostoneear;andthekingwasasreadyasanytobelieveit，sothatwhenshecamenearhimheavoidedher，whichmadeaveryridiculousscene。Leander，thenleavingthechamber，wentintothegarden，andthere，assuminghisownshape，heboldlybegantopluckthequeen’scherries，apricots，strawberries，andflowers，thoughheknewshesetsuchahighvalueonthemthatitwasasmuchasaman’slifewasworthtotouchone。
Thegardeners，allamazed，cameandtoldtheirmajestiesthatPrinceLeanderwasmakinghavocofallthefruitsandflowersinthequeen’sgardens\"Whatinsolence！\"saidthequeen：thenturningtoFuribon，\"myprettychild，forgetthepainofthyearbutforamoment，andfetchthatvilewretchhither;takeourguards，bothhorseandfoot，seizehim，andpunishhimashedeserves。\"
Furibon，encouragedbyhismother，andattendedbyagreatnumberofarmedsoldiers，enteredthegardenandsawLeander;who，takingrefugeunderatree，peltedthemallwithoranges。Butwhentheycamerunningtowardhim，thinkingtohaveseizedhim，hewasnottobeseen;hehadslippedbehindFuribon，whowasinabadconditionalready。ButLeanderplayedhimonetrickmore;forhepushedhimdownuponthegravelwalk，andfrightenedhimsothatthesoldiershadtotakehimup，carryhimaway，andputhimtobed。
Satisfiedwiththisrevenge，hereturnedtohisservants，whowaitedforhim，andgivingthemmoney，sentthembacktohiscastle，thatnonemightknowthesecretofhisredcapandroses。Asyethehadnotdeterminedwhithertogo;however，hemountedhisfinehorseGris-
de-line，and，layingthereinsuponhisneck，lethimtakehisownroad：atlengthhearrivedinaforest，wherehestoppedtoshelterhimselffromtheheat。Hehadnotbeenaboveaminutetherebeforeheheardalamentablenoiseofsighingandsobbing;andlookingabouthim，beheldaman，whoran，stopped，thenranagain，sometimescrying，sometimessilent，thentearinghishair，thenthumpinghisbreastlikesomeunfortunatemadman。Yetheseemedtobebothhandsomeandyoung：hisgarmentshadbeenmagnificent，buthehadtornthemalltotatters。
Theprince，movedwithcompassion，madetowardhim，andmildlyaccostedhim。\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"yourconditionappearssodeplorablethatI
mustaskthecauseofyoursorrow，assuringyouofeveryassistanceinmypower。\"
\"Oh，sir，\"answeredtheyoungman，\"nothingcancuremygrief;thisdaymydearmistressistobesacrificedtoaricholdruffianofahusbandwhowillmakehermiserable。\"
\"Doessheloveyou，then？\"askedLeander。
\"Iflattermyselfso，\"answeredtheyoungman。
\"Whereisshe？\"continuedLeander。
\"Inthecastleattheendofthisforest，\"
repliedthelover。
\"Verywell，\"saidLeander;\"stayyouheretillIcomeagain，andinalittlewhileIwillbringyougoodnews。\"
Hethenputonhislittleredcapandwishedhimselfinthecastle。Hehadhardlygotthitherbeforeheheardallsortsofmusic;heenteredintoagreatroom，wherethefriendsandkindredoftheoldmanandtheyoungladywereassembled。Noonecouldlookmoreamiablethanshe;butthepalenessofhercomplexion，themelancholythatappearedinhercountenance，andthetearsthatnowandthendropped，asitwerebystealthfromhereyes，betrayedthetroubleofhermind。
Leandernowbecameinvisible，andplacedhimselfinacorneroftheroom。Hesoonperceivedthefatherandmotherofthebride;andcomingbehindthemother’schair，whisperedinherear，\"Ifyoumarryyourdaughtertothatolddotard，beforeeightdaysareoveryoushallcertainlydie。\"Thewoman，frightenedtohearsuchaterriblesentencepronounceduponher，andyetnotknowfromwhenceitcame，gavealoudshriekanddroppeduponthefloor。Herhusbandaskedwhatailedher：shecriedthatshewasadeadwomanifthemarriageofherdaughterwentforward，andthereforeshewouldnotconsenttoitforalltheworld。Herhusbandlaughedatherandcalledherafool。ButtheinvisibleLeanderaccostingtheman，threatenedhiminthesameway，whichfrightenedhimsoterriblythathealsoinsistedonthemarriagebeingbrokenoff。Whenthelovercomplained，Leandertrodharduponhisgoutytoesandrangsuchanalarminhisearsthat，notbeingableanylongertohearhimselfspeak，awayhelimped，gladenoughtogo。Therealloversoonappeared，andheandhisfairmistressfelljoyfullyintooneanother’sarms，theparentsconsentingtotheirunion。Leander，assuminghisownshape，appearedatthehalldoor，asifhewereastrangerdrawnthitherbythereportofthisextraordinarywedding。
Fromhencehetraveledon，andcametoagreatcity，where，uponhisarrival，heunderstoodtherewasagreatandsolemnprocession，inordertoshutupayoungwomanagainstherwillamongthevestal-nuns。Theprincewastouchedwithcompassion;andthinkingthebestusehecouldmakeofhiscapwastoredresspublicwrongsandrelievetheoppressed，heflewtothetemple，wherehesawtheyoungwoman，crownedwithflowers，cladinwhite，andwithherdisheveledhairflowingabouthershoulders。
Twoofherbrothersledherbyeachhand，andhermotherfollowedherwithagreatcrowdofmenandwomen。Leander，beinginvisible，criedout，\"Stop，stop，wickedbrethren：stop，rashandinconsideratemother;ifyouproceedanyfurther，youshallbesqueezedtodeathlikesomanyfrogs。\"Theylookedabout，butcouldnotconceivefromwhencetheseterriblemenacescame。Thebrotherssaiditwasonlytheirsister’slover，whohadhidhimselfinsomehole;
atwhichLeander，inwrath，tookalongcudgel，andtheyhadnoreasontosaytheblowswerenotwelllaidon。Themultitudefled，thevestalsranaway，andLeanderwasleftalonewiththevictim;immediatelyhepulledoffhisredcapandaskedherwhereinhemightserveher。Sheansweredhimthattherewasacertaingentlemanwhomshewouldbegladtomarry，butthathewantedanestate。Leanderthenshookhisrosesolongthathesuppliedthemwithtenmillions;afterwhichtheyweremarriedandlivedhappilytogether。
Buthislastadventurewasthemostagreeable。
Enteringintoawideforest，heheardlamentablecries。Lookingabouthimeveryway，atlengthhespiedfourmenwellarmed，whowerecarryingawaybyforceayounglady，thirteenorfourteenyearsofage;uponwhich，makinguptothemasfastashecould，\"Whatharmhasthatgirldone？\"saidhe。
\"Ha！ha！mylittlemaster，\"criedhewhoseemedtobetheringleaderoftherest，\"whobadeyouinquire？\"
\"Letheralone，\"saidLeander，\"andgoaboutyourbusiness。\"
\"Oh，yes，tobesure，\"criedthey，laughing;
whereupontheprince，alighting，putonhisredcap，notthinkingitotherwiseprudenttoattackfourwhoseemedstrongenoughtofightadozen。Oneofthemstayedtotakecareoftheyounglady，whilethethreeotherswentafterGris-de-line，whogavethemagreatdealofunwelcomeexercise。
Meantimetheyoungladycontinuedhercriesandcomplaints。\"Oh，mydearprincess，\"saidshe，\"howhappywasIinyourpalace！Didyoubutknowmysadmisfortune，youwouldsendyourAmazonstorescuepoorAbricotina。\"
Leander，havinglistenedtowhatshesaid，withoutdelayseizedtheruffianthatheldher，andboundhimfasttoatreebeforehehadtimeorstrengthtodefendhimself。Hethenwenttothesecond，andtakinghimbybotharms，boundhiminthesamemannertoanothertree。InthemeantimeAbricotinamadethebestofhergoodfortuneandbetookherselftoherheels，notknowingwhichwayshewent。ButLeander，missingher，calledouttohishorseGris-de-line;
who，bytwokickswithhishoof，ridhimselfofthetworuffianswhohadpursuedhim：oneofthemhadhisheadbrokenandtheotherthreeofhisribs。AndnowLeanderonlywantedtoovertakeAbricotina;forhethoughthersohandsomethathewishedtoseeheragain。Hefoundherleaningagainstatree。WhenshesawGris-
de-linecomingtowardher，\"HowluckyamI！\"
criedshe;\"thisprettylittlehorsewillcarrymetothepalaceofpleasure。\"Leanderheardher，thoughshesawhimnot：herodeuptoher;
Gris-de-linestopped，andwhenAbricotinamountedhim，Leanderclaspedherinhisarmsandplacedhergentlybeforehim。Oh，howgreatwasAbricotina’sfeartofeelherselffastembraced，andyetseenobody！Shedurstnotstir，andshuthereyesforfearofseeingaspirit。
ButLeandertookoffhislittlecap。\"Howcomesit，fairAbricotina，\"saidhe，\"thatyouareafraidofme，whodeliveredyououtofthehandsoftheruffians？\"
Withthatsheopenedhereyes，andknowinghimagain，\"Oh，sir，\"saidshe，\"Iaminfinitelyobligedtoyou;butIwasafraid，forIfeltmyselfheldfastandcouldseenoone。\"
\"Surely，\"repliedLeander，\"thedangeryouhavebeeninhasdisturbedyouandcastamistbeforeyoureyes。\"
Abricotinawouldnotseemtodoubthim，thoughshewasotherwiseextremelysensible。
Andaftertheyhadtalkedforsometimeofindifferentthings，Leanderrequestedhertotellhimherage，hercountry，andbywhataccidentshefellintothehandsoftheruffians。
\"Knowthen，sir，\"saidshe，\"therewasacertainverygreatfairymarriedtoaprincewhoweariedofher：shethereforebanishedhimfromherpresence，andestablishedherselfanddaughterintheIslandofCalmDelights。Theprincess，whoismymistress，beingveryfair，hasmanylovers——amongothers，onenamedFuribon，whomshedetests;heitwaswhoseruffiansseizedmeto-daywhenIwaswanderinginsearchofastrayparrot。Accept，nobleprince，mybestthanksforyourvalor，whichIshallneverforget。\"
Leandersaidhowhappyhewastohaveservedher，andaskedifhecouldnotobtainadmissionintotheisland。Abricotinaassuredhimthiswasimpossible，andthereforehehadbetterforgetallaboutit。Whiletheywerethusconversing，theycametothebankofalargeriver。Abricotinaalightedwithanimblejumpfromthehorse。
\"Farewell，sir，\"saidshetotheprince，makingaprofoundreverence;\"Iwishyoueveryhappiness。\"
\"AndI，\"saidLeander，\"wishthatImaynowandthenhaveasmallshareinyourremembrance。\"
Sosaying，hegallopedawayandsoonenteredintothethickestpartofthewood，nearariver，whereheunbridledandunsaddledGris-de-line;
then，puttingonhislittlecap，wishedhimselfintheIslandofCalmDelights，andhiswishwasimmediatelyaccomplished。
Thepalacewasofpuregold，andstooduponpillarsofcrystalandpreciousstones，whichrepresentedthezodiacandallthewondersofnature;alltheartsandsciences;thesea，withallthevarietyoffishthereincontained;theearth，withallthevariouscreatureswhichitproduces;thechasesofDianaandhernymphs;
thenobleexercisesoftheAmazons;theamusementsofacountrylife;flocksofsheepwiththeirshepherdsanddogs;thetoilsofagriculture，harvesting，gardening。Andamongallthisvarietyofrepresentationstherewasneithermannorboytobeseen——notsomuchasalittlewingedCupid;sohighlyhadtheprincessbeenincensedagainstherinconstanthusbandasnottoshowtheleastfavortohisficklesex。
\"Abricotinadidnotdeceiveme，\"saidLeandertohimself;\"theyhavebanishedfromhencetheveryideaofmen;nowletusseewhattheyhavelostbyit。\"Withthatheenteredintothepalacesandateverystephetookhemetwithobjectssowonderfulthatwhenhehadoncefixedhiseyesuponthemhehadmuchadototakethemoffagain。Heviewedavastnumberoftheseapartments，somefullofchina，nolessfinethancurious;otherslinedwithporcelain，sodelicatethatthewallswerequitetransparent。
Coral，jasper，agates，andcorneliansadornedtheroomsofstate，andthepresence-chamberwasoneentiremirror。Thethronewasonegreatpearl，hollowedlikeashell;theprincesssat，surroundedbyhermaidens，noneofwhomcouldcomparewithherself。Inherwasalltheinnocentsweetnessofyouth，joinedtothedignityofmaturity;intruth，shewasperfection;andsothoughttheinvisibleLeander。
NotseeingAbricotina，sheaskedwhereshewas。Uponthat，Leander，beingverydesiroustospeak，assumedthetoneofaparrot，forthereweremanyintheroom，andaddressedhimselfinvisiblytotheprincess。
\"Mostcharmingprincess，\"saidhe，\"Abricotinawillreturnimmediately。Shewasingreatdangerofbeingcarriedawayfromthisplacebutforayoungprincewhorescuedher。\"
Theprincesswassurprisedattheparrot，hisanswerwassoextremelypertinent。
\"Youareveryrude，littleparrot，\"saidtheprincess;\"andAbricotina，whenshecomes，shallchastiseyouforit。\"
\"Ishallnotbechastised，\"answeredLeander，stillcounterfeitingtheparrot’svoice;\"moreover，shewillletyouknowthegreatdesirethatstrangerhadtobeadmittedintothispalace，thathemightconvinceyouofthefalsehoodofthoseideaswhichyouhaveconceivedagainsthissex。\"
\"Intruth，prettyparrot，\"criedtheprincess，\"itisapityyouarenoteverydaysodiverting;
Ishouldloveyoudearly。\"
\"Ah！ifprattlingwillpleaseyou，princess，\"
repliedLeander，\"Iwillpratefrommorningtillnight。\"
\"But，\"continuedtheprincess，\"howshallI
besuremyparrotisnotasorcerer？\"
\"Heismoreinlovethananysorcerercanbe，\"
repliedtheprince。
AtthismomentAbricotinaenteredtheroom，andfallingatherlovelymistress’feet，gaveherafullaccountofwhathadbefallenher，anddescribedtheprinceinthemostglowingcolors。
\"Ishouldhavehatedallmen，\"addedshe，\"hadInotseenhim！Oh，madam，howcharmingheis！Hisairandallhisbehaviorhavesomethinginthemsonoble;andthoughwhateverhespokewasinfinitelypleasing，yetIthinkIdidwellinnotbringinghimhither。\"
Tothistheprincesssaidnothing，butsheaskedAbricotinaahundredotherquestionsconcerningtheprince;whethersheknewhisname，hiscountry，hisbirth，fromwhencehecame，andwhitherhewasgoing;andafterthisshefellintoaprofoundthoughtfulness。
Leanderobservedeverything，andcontinuedtochatterashehadbegun。
\"Abricotinaisungrateful，madam，\"saidhe;
\"thatpoorstrangerwilldieforgriefifheseesyounot。\"
\"Well，parrot，lethimdie，\"answeredtheprincesswithasigh;\"andsincethouunder-
takesttoreasonlikeapersonofwit，andnotalittlebird，Iforbidtheetotalktomeanymoreofthisunknownperson。\"
LeanderwasoverjoyedtofindthatAbricotina’sandtheparrot’sdiscoursehadmadesuchanimpressionontheprincess。Helookeduponherwithpleasureanddelight。\"Canitbe，\"
saidhetohimself，\"thatthemasterpieceofnature，thatthewonderofourage，shouldbeconfinedeternallyinanisland，andnomortaldaretoapproachher？But，\"continuedhe，\"whereforeamIconcernedthatothersarebanishedhence，sinceIhavethehappinesstobewithher，tohearandtoadmireher;nay，more，toloveheraboveallthewomenintheuniverse？\"
Itwaslate，andtheprincessretiredintoalargeroomofmarbleandporphyry，whereseveralbubblingfountains，refreshedtheairwithanagreeablecoolness。Assoonassheenteredthemusicbegan，asumptuoussupperwasservedup，andthebirdsfromseveralaviariesoneachsideoftheroom，ofwhichAbricotinahadthechiefcare，openedtheirlittlethroatsinthemostagreeablemanner。
Leanderhadtraveledajourneylongenoughtogivehimagoodappetite，whichmadehimdrawnearthetable，wheretheverysmellofsuchviandswasagreeableandrefreshing。Theprincesshadacurioustabby-cat，forwhichshehadagreatkindness。Thiscatoneofthemaidsofhonorheldinherarms，saying，\"Madam，Bluetishungry！\"Withthatachairwaspresentlybroughtforthecat;forhewasacatofquality，andhadanecklaceofpearlabouthisneck。Hewasservedonagoldenplatewithalacednapkinbeforehim;andtheplatebeingsuppliedwithmeat，Bluetsatwiththesolemnimportanceofanalderman。
\"Ho！ho！\"criedLeandertohimself;\"anidletabbymalkin，thatperhapsnevercaughtamouseinhislife，andIdaresayisnotdescendedfromabetterfamilythanmyself，hasthehonortositattablewithmymistress：IwouldfainknowwhetherheloveshersowellasIdo。\"
Sayingthis，heplacedhimselfinthechairwiththecatuponhisknee，fornobodysawhim，becausehehadhislittleredcapon;findingBluet’splatewellsuppliedwithpartridge，quails，andpheasants，hemadesofreewiththemthatwhateverwassetbeforeMasterPussdisappearedinatrice。Thewholecourtsaidnoact{sic}everatewithabetterappetite。Therewereexcellentragouts，andtheprincemadeuseofthecat’spawtotastethem;buthesometimespulledhispawtooroughly，andBluet，notunderstandingraillery，begantomewandbequiteoutofpatience。Theprincessobservingit，\"BringthatfricasseeandthattarttopoorBluet，\"saidshe;\"seehowhecriestohavethem。\"
Leanderlaughedtohimselfatthepleasantnessofthisadventure;buthewasverythirsty，notbeingaccustomedtomakesuchlargemealswithoutdrinking。Bythehelpofthecat’spawhegotamelon，withwhichhesomewhatquenchedhisthirst;andwhensupperwasquiteover，hewenttothebuffetandtooktwobottlesofdeliciouswine。
Theprincessnowretiredintoherboudoir，orderingAbricotinatofollowherandmakefastthedoor;buttheycouldnotkeepoutLeander，whowasthereassoonasthey。However，theprincess，believingherselfalonewithherconfidante：
\"Abricotina，\"saidshe，\"tellmetruly，didyouexaggerateinyourdescriptionoftheunknownprince，formethinksitisimpossibleheshouldbeasamiableasyousay？\"
\"Madam，\"repliedthedamsel，\"ifIhavefailedinanything，itwaslncomingshortofwhatwasduetohim。\"
Theprincesssighedandwassilentforatime;
thenresumingherspeech：\"Iamglad，\"saidshe，\"thoudidstnotbringhimwiththee。\"
\"But，madam，\"answeredAbricotina，whowasacunninggirl，andalreadypenetratedhermistress’thoughts，\"supposehehadcometoadmirethewondersofthesebeautifulmansions，whatharmcouldhehavedoneus？Willyouliveeternallyunknowninacorneroftheworld，concealedfromtherestofhumankind？Ofwhatuseisallyourgrandeur，pomp，magnificence，ifnobodyseesit？\"
\"Holdthypeace，prattler，\"repliedtheprincess，\"anddonotdisturbthathappyreposewhichIhaveenjoyedsolong。\"
Abricotinadurstmakenoreply;andtheprincess，havingwaitedheranswerforsometime，askedherwhethershehadanythingtosay。
Abricotinathensaidshethoughtitwastoverylittlepurposehermistresshavingsentherpicturetothecourtsofseveralprinces，whereitonlyservedtomakethosewhosawitmiserable;
thateveryonewouldbedesiroustomarryher，andasshecouldnotmarrythemall，indeednoneofthem，itwouldmakethemdesperate。
\"Yet，forallthat，\"saidtheprincess，Icouldwishmypicturewereinthehandsofthissamestranger。\"
\"Oh，madam，\"answeredAbricotina，\"isnothisdesiretoseeyouviolentenoughalready？
Wouldyouaugmentit？\"
\"Yes，\"criedtheprincess;\"acertainimpulseofvanity，whichIwasneversensibleoftillnow，hasbredthisfoolishfancyinme。\"
Leanderheardallthisdiscourse，andlostnotatittleofwhatshesaid;someofherexpressionsgavehimhope，othersabsolutelydestroyedit。TheprincesspresentlyaskedAbricotinawhethershehadseenanythingextraordinaryduringhershorttravels。
\"Madam，\"saidshe，\"IpassedthroughoneforestwhereIsawcertaincreaturesthatresembledlittlechildren：theyskipanddanceuponthetreeslikesquirrels;theyareveryugly，buthavewonderfulagilityandaddress。\"
\"IwishIhadoneofthem，\"saidtheprincess;
\"butiftheyaresonimbleasyousaytheyare，itisimpossibletocatchone。\"
Leander，whopassedthroughthesameforest，knewwhatAbricotinameant，andpresentlywishedhimselfintheplace。Hecaughtadozenoflittlemonkeys，somebigger，someless，andallofdifferentcolors，andwithmuchadoputthemintoalargesack;then，wishinghimselfatParis，where，hehadheard，amanmighthaveeverythingformoney，hewentandboughtalittlegoldchariot。Hetaughtsixgreenmonkeystodrawit;theywereharnessedwithfinetracesofflame-