安徒生童话-第2部分

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hem；　forthey　know　not　what　they　do。〃

The　girl　stood　still　before　the　wonderful　plant；　for　the　greenleaves　exhaled　a　sweet　and　refreshing　fragrance；　and　the　flowersglittered　and　sparkled　in　the　sunshine　like　colored　flames；　and　theharmony　of　sweet　sounds　lingered　round　them　as　if　each　concealedwithin　itself　a　deep　fount　of　melody；　which　thousands　of　years　couldnot　exhaust。　With　pious　gratitude　the　girl　looked　upon　this　gloriouswork　of　God；　and　bent　down　over　one　of　the　branches；　that　she　mightexamine　the　flower　and　inhale　the　sweet　perfume。　Then　a　light　broke　inon　her　mind；　and　her　heart　expanded。　Gladly　would　she　have　plucked　aflower；　but　she　could　not　overe　her　reluctance　to　break　one　off。She　knew　it　would　so　soon　fade；　so　she　took　only　a　single　greenleaf；　carried　it　home；　and　laid　it　in　her　Bible；　where　it　remainedever　green；　fresh；　and　unfading。　Between　the　pages　of　the　Bible　itstill　lay　when；　a　few　weeks　afterwards；　that　Bible　was　laid　underthe　young　girl's　head　in　her　coffin。　A　holy　calm　rested　on　her　face；as　if　the　earthly　remains　bore　the　impress　of　the　truth　that　she　nowstood　in　the　presence　of　God。

In　the　forest　the　wonderful　plant　still　continued　to　bloom　till　itgrew　and　became　almost　a　tree；　and　all　the　birds　of　passage　bowedthemselves　before　it。

〃That　plant　is　a　foreigner；　no　doubt；〃　said　the　thistles　and　theburdocks。　〃We　can　never　conduct　ourselves　like　that　in　thiscountry。〃　And　the　black　forest　snails　actually　spat　at　the　flower。

Then　came　the　swineherd；　he　was　collecting　thistles　and　shrubsto　burn　them　for　the　ashes。　He　pulled　up　the　wonderful　plant；　rootsand　all；　and　placed　it　in　his　bundle。　〃This　will　be　as　useful　as　any；〃he　said；　so　the　plant　was　carried　away。

Not　long　after；　the　king　of　the　country　suffered　from　thedeepest　melancholy。　He　was　diligent　and　industrious；　but　employmentdid　him　no　good。　They　read　deep　and　learned　books　to　him；　and　then　thelightest　and　most　trifling　that　could　be　found；　but　all　to　no　purpose。Then　they　applied　for　advice　to　one　of　the　wise　men　of　the　world；and　he　sent　them　a　message　to　say　that　there　was　one　remedy　whichwould　relieve　and　cure　him；　and　that　it　was　a　plant　of　heavenly　originwhich　grew　in　the　forest　in　the　king's　own　dominions。　The　messengerdescribed　the　flower　so　that　is　appearance　could　not　be　mistaken。

Then　said　the　swineherd；　〃I　am　afraid　I　carried　this　plant　awayfrom　the　forest　in　my　bundle；　and　it　has　been　burnt　to　ashes　long　ago。But　I　did　not　know　any　better。〃

〃You　did　not　know；　any　better！　Ignorance　upon　ignorance　indeed！〃

The　poor　swineherd　took　these　words　to　heart；　for　they　wereaddressed　to　him；　he　knew　not　that　there　were　others　who　wereequally　ignorant。　Not　even　a　leaf　of　the　plant　could　be　found。　Therewas　one；　but　it　lay　in　the　coffin　of　the　dead；　no　one　knew　anythingabout　it。

Then　the　king；　in　his　melancholy；　wandered　out　to　the　spot　inthe　wood。　〃Here　is　where　the　plant　stood；〃　he　said；　〃it　is　a　sacredplace。〃　Then　he　ordered　that　the　place　should　be　surrounded　with　agolden　railing；　and　a　sentry　stationed　near　it。

The　botanical　professor　wrote　a　long　treatise　about　the　heavenlyplant；　and　for　this　he　was　loaded　with　gold；　which　improved　theposition　of　himself　and　his　family。

And　this　part　is　really　the　most　pleasant　part　of　the　story。　Forthe　plant　had　disappeared；　and　the　king　remained　as　melancholy　and　sadas　ever；　but　the　sentry　said　he　had　always　been　so。

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　　A　ROSE　FROM　HOMER'S　GRAVE

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

ALL　the　songs　of　the　east　speak　of　the　love　of　the　nightingale　forthe　rose　in　the　silent　starlight　night。　The　winged　songsterserenades　the　fragrant　flowers。

Not　far　from　Smyrna；　where　the　merchant　drives　his　loadedcamels；　proudly　arching　their　long　necks　as　they　journey　beneath　thelofty　pines　over　holy　ground；　I　saw　a　hedge　of　roses。　Theturtle…dove　flew　among　the　branches　of　the　tall　trees；　and　as　thesunbeams　fell　upon　her　wings；　they　glistened　as　if　they　weremother…of…pearl。　On　the　rose…bush　grew　a　flower；　more　beautiful　thanthem　all；　and　to　her　the　nightingale　sung　of　his　woes；　but　the　roseremained　silent；　not　even　a　dewdrop　lay　like　a　tear　of　sympathy　on　herleaves。　At　last　she　bowed　her　head　over　a　heap　of　stones；　and　said；〃Here　rests　the　greatest　singer　in　the　world；　over　his　tomb　will　Ispread　my　fragrance；　and　on　it　I　will　let　my　leaves　fall　when　thestorm　scatters　them。　He　who　sung　of　Troy　became　earth；　and　from　thatearth　I　have　sprung。　I；　a　rose　from　the　grave　of　Homer；　am　too　loftyto　bloom　for　a　nightingale。〃　Then　the　nightingale　sung　himself　todeath。　A　camel…driver　came　by；　with　his　loaded　camels　and　his　blackslaves；　his　little　son　found　the　dead　bird；　and　buried　the　lovelysongster　in　the　grave　of　the　great　Homer；　while　the　rose　trembled　inthe　wind。

The　evening　came；　and　the　rose　wrapped　her　leaves　more　closelyround　her；　and　dreamed：　and　this　was　her　dream。

It　was　a　fair　sunshiny　day；　a　crowd　of　strangers　drew　near　who　hadundertaken　a　pilgrimage　to　the　grave　of　Homer。　Among　the　strangers　wasa　minstrel　from　the　north；　the　home　of　the　clouds　and　the　brilliantlights　of　the　aurora　borealis。　He　plucked　the　rose　and　placed　it　ina　book；　and　carried　it　away　into　a　distant　part　of　the　world；　hisfatherland。　The　rose　faded　with　grief；　and　lay　between　the　leaves　ofthe　book；　which　he　opened　in　his　own　home；　saying；　〃Here　is　a　rosefrom　the　grave　of　Homer。〃

Then　the　flower　awoke　from　her　dream；　and　trembled　in　the　wind。A　drop　of　dew　fell　from　the　leaves　upon　the　singer's　grave。　The　sunrose；　and　the　flower　bloomed　more　beautiful　than　ever。　The　day　washot；　and　she　was　still　in　her　own　warm　Asia。　Then　footstepsapproached；　strangers；　such　as　the　rose　had　seen　in　her　dream；　cameby；　and　among　them　was　a　poet　from　the　north；　he　plucked　the　rose；pressed　a　kiss　upon　her　fresh　mouth；　and　carried　her　away　to　thehome　of　the　clouds　and　the　northern　lights。　Like　a　mummy；　the　flowernow　rests　in　his　〃Iliad；〃　and；　as　in　her　dream；　she　hears　him　say；as　he　opens　the　book；　〃Here　is　a　rose　from　the　grave　of　Homer。〃

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

A　STORY

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

IN　the　garden　all　the　apple…trees　were　in　blossom。　They　hadhastened　to　bring　forth　flowers　before　they　got　green　leaves；　and　inthe　yard　all　the　ducklings　walked　up　and　down；　and　the　cat　too：　itbasked　in　the　sun　and　licked　the　sunshine　from　its　own　paws。　Andwhen　one　looked　at　the　fields；　how　beautifully　the　corn　stood　andhow　green　it　shone；　without　parison！　and　there　was　a　twittering　anda　fluttering　of　all　the　little　birds；　as　if　the　day　were　a　greatfestival；　and　so　it　was；　for　it　was　Sunday。　All　the　bells　wereringing；　and　all　the　people　went　to　church；　looking　cheerful；　anddressed　in　their　best　clothes。　There　was　a　look　of　cheerfulness　oneverything。　The　day　was　so　warm　and　beautiful　that　one　might　well　havesaid：　〃God's　kindness　to　us　men　is　beyond　all　limits。〃　But　insidethe　church　the　pastor　stood　in　the　pulpit；　and　spoke　very　loudly　andangrily。　He　said　that　all　men　were　wicked；　and　God　would　punish　themfor　their　sins；　and　that　the　wicked；　when　they　died；　would　be　castinto　hell；　to　burn　for　ever　and　ever。　He　spoke　very　excitedly；saying　that　their　evil　propensities　would　not　be　destroyed；　norwould　the　fire　be　extinguished；　and　they　should　never　find　rest。That　was　terrible　to　hear；　and　he　said　it　in　such　a　tone　ofconviction；　he　described　hell　to　them　as　a　miserable　hole　where　allthe　refuse　of　the　world　gathers。　There　was　no　air　beside　the　hotburning　sulphur　flame；　and　there　was　no　ground　under　their　feet；　they；the　wicked　ones；　sank　deeper　and　deeper；　while　eternal　silencesurrounded　them！　It　was　dreadful　to　hear　all　that；　for　the　preacherspoke　from　his　heart；　and　all　the　people　in　the　church　were　terrified。Meanwhile；　the　birds　sang　merrily　outside；　and　the　sun　was　shiningso　beautifully　warm；　it　seemed　as　though　every　little　flower　said：〃God；　Thy　kindness　towards　us　all　is　without　limits。〃　Indeed；outside　it　was　not　at　all　like　the　pastor's　sermon。

The　same　evening；　upon　going　to　bed；　the　pastor　noticed　his　wifesitting　there　quiet　and　pensive。

〃What　is　the　matter　with　you？〃　he　asked　her。

〃Well；　the　matter　with　me　is；〃　she　said；　〃that　I　cannot　collect　mythoughts；　and　am　unable　to　grasp　the　meaning　of　what　you　said　to…dayin　church…　that　there　are　so　many　wicked　people；　and　that　theyshould　burn　eternally。　Alas！　eternally…　how　long！　I　am　only　a　womanand　a　sinner　before　God；　but　I　should　not　have　the　heart　to　let　eventhe　worst　sinner　burn　for　ever；　and　how　could　our　Lord　to　do　so；　whois　so　infinitely　good；　and　who　knows　how　the　wickedness　es　fromwithout　and　within？　No；　I　am　unable　to　imagine　that；　although　yousay　so。〃

It　was　autumn；　the　trees　dropped　their　leaves；　the　earnest　andsevere　pastor　sat　at　the　bedside　of　a　dying　person。　A　pious；faithful　soul　closed　her　eyes　for　ever；　she　was　the　pastor's　wife。

。。。〃If　any　one　shall　find　rest　in　the　grave　and　mercy　before　ourLord　you　shall　certainly　do　so；〃　said　the　pastor。　He　folded　herhands　and　read　a　psalm　over　the　dead　woman。

She　was　buried；　two　large　tears　rolled　over　the　cheeks　of　theearnest　man；　and　in　the　parsonage　it　was　empty　and　still；　for　itssun　had　set　for　ever。　She　had　gone　home。

It　was　night。　A　cold　wind　swept　over　the　pastor's　head；　heopened　his　eyes；　and　it　seemed　to　him　as　if　the　moon　was　shininginto　his　room。　It　was　not　so；　however；　there　was　a　being　standingbefore　his　bed；　and　looking　like　the　ghost　of　his　deceased　wife。　Shefixed　her　eyes　upon　him　with　such　a　kind　and　sad　expression；　just　asif　she　wished　to　say　something　to　him。　The　pastor　raised　himself　inbed　and　stretched　his　arms　towards　her；　saying；　〃Not　even　you　can　findeternal　rest！　You　suffer；　you　best　and　most　pious　woman？〃

The　dead　woman　nodded　her　head　as　if　to　say　〃Yes；〃　and　put　herhand　on　her　breast。

〃And　can　I　not　obtain　rest　in　the　grave　for　you？〃

〃Yes；〃　was　the　answer。

〃And　how？〃

〃Give　me　one　hair…　only　one　single　hair…　from　the　head　of　thesinner　for　whom　the　fire　shall　never　be　extinguished；　of　the　sinnerwhom　God　will　condemn　to　eternal　punishment　in　hell。〃

〃Yes；　one　ought　to　be　able　to　redeem　you　so　easily；　you　pure；pious　woman；〃　he　said。

〃Follow　me；〃　said　the　dead　woman。　〃It　is　thus　granted　to　us。　By　myside　you　will　be　able　to　fly　wherever　your　thoughts　wish　to　go。Invisible　to　men；　we　shall　perate　into　their　most　secretchambers；　but　with　sure　hand　you　must　find　out　him　who　is　destinedto　eternal　torture；　and　before　the　cock　crows　he　must　be　found！〃　Asquickly　as　if　carried　by　the　winged　thoughts　they　were　in　the　greatcity；　and　from　the　walls　the　names　of　the　deadly　sins　shone　in　flamingletters：　pride；　avarice；　drunkenness；　wantonness…　in　short；　thewhole　seven…coloured　bow　of　sin。

〃Yes；　therein；　as　I　believed；　as　I　knew　it；〃　said　the　pastor；　〃areliving　those　who　are　abandoned　to　the　eternal　fire。〃　And　they　werestanding　before　the　magnificently　illuminated　gate；　the　broad　stepswere　adorned　with　carpets　and　flowers；　and　dance　music　was　soundingthrough　the　festive　halls。　A　footman　dressed　in　silk　and　velvetstood　with　a　large　silver…mounted　rod　near　the　entrance。

〃Our　ball　can　pare　favourably　with　the　king's；〃　he　said；　andturned　with　contempt　towards　the　gazing　crowd　in　the　street。　What　hethought　was　sufficiently　expressed　in　his　features　and　movements：〃Miserable　beggars；　who　are　looking　in；　you　are　nothing　inparison　to　me。〃

〃Pride；〃　said　the　dead　woman；　〃do　you　see　him？〃

〃The　footman？〃　asked　the　pastor。　〃He　is　but　a　poor　fool；　and　notdoomed　to　be　tortured　eternally　by　fire！〃

〃Only　a　fool！〃　It　sounded　through　the　whole　house　of　pride：　theywere　all　fools　there。

Then　they　flew　within　the　four　naked　walls　of　the　miser。　Lean　as　askeleton；　trembling　with　cold；　and　hunger；　the　old　man　was　clingingwith　all　his　thoughts　to　his　money。　They　saw　him　jump　up　feverishlyfrom　his　miserable　couch　and　take　a　loose　stone　out　of　the　wall；　therelay　gold　coins　in　an　old　stocking。　They　saw　him　anxiously　feeling　overan　old　ragged　coat　in　which　pieces　of　gold　were　sewn；　and　his　clammyfingers　trembled。

〃He　is　ill！　That　is　madness…　a　joyless　madness…　besieged　by　fearand　dreadful　dreams！〃

They　quickly　went　away　and　came　before　the　beds　of　thecriminals；　these　unfortunate　people　slept　side　by　side；　in　longrows。　Like　a　ferocious　animal；　one　of　them　rose　out　of　his　sleep　anduttered　a　horrible　cry；　and　gave　his　rade　a　violent　dig　in　the　ribswith　his　pointed　elbow；　and　this　one　turned　round　in　his　sleep：

〃Be　quiet；　monster…　sleep！　This　happens　every　night！〃

〃Every　night！〃　repeated　the　other。　〃Yes；　every　night　he　esand　tortures　me！　In　my　violence　I　have　done　this　and　that。　I　wasborn　with　an　evil　mind；　which　has　brought　me　hither　for　the　secondtime；　but　if　I　have　done　wrong　I　suffer　punishment　for　it。　Ohing；　however；　I　have　not　yet　confessed。　When　I　came　out　a　littlewhile　ago；　and　passed　by　the　yard　of　my　former　master；　evil　thoughtsrose　within　me　when　I　remembered　this　and　that。　I　struck　a　match　alittle　bit　on　the　wall；　probably　it　came　a　little　too　close　to　thethatched　roof。　All　burnt　down…　a　great　heat　rose；　such　as　sometimesoveres　me。　I　myself　helped　to　rescue　cattle　and　things；　nothingalive　burnt；　except　a　flight　of　pigeons；　which　flew　into　the　fire；　andthe　yard　dog；　of　which　I　had　not　thought；　one　could　hear　him　howlout　of　the　fire；　and　this　howling　I　still　hear　when　I　wish　to　sleep；and　when　I　have　fallen　asleep；　the　great　rough　dog　es　and　placeshimself　upon　me；　and　howls；　presses；　and　tortures　me。　Now　listen　towhat　I　tell　you！　You　can　snore；　you　are　snoring　the　whole　night；　and　Ihardly　a　quarter　of　an　hour！〃　And　the　blood　rose　to　the　head　of　theexcited　criminal；　he　threw　himself　upon　his　rade；　and　beat　him　withhis　clenced　fist　in　the　face。

〃Wicked　Matz　has　bee　mad　again！〃　they　said　amongstthemselves。　The　other　criminals　seized　him；　wrestled　with　him；　andbent　him　double；　so　that　his　head　rested　between　his　knees；　and　theytied　him；　so　that　the　blood　almost　came　out　of　his　eyes　and　out　of　allhis　pores。

〃You　are　killing　the　unfortunate　man；〃　said　the　pastor；　and　ashe　stretched　out　his　hand　to　protect　him　who　already　suffered　toomuch；　the　scene　changed。　They　flew　through　rich　halls　and　wretchedhovels；　wantonness　and　envy；　all　the　deadly　sins；　passed　beforethem。　An　angel　of　justice　read　their　crimes　and　their　defence；　thelatter　was　not　a　brilliant　one；　but　it　was　read　before　God；　Whoreads　the　heart；　Who　knows　everything；　the　wickedness　that　esfrom　within　and　from　without；　Who　is　mercy　and　love　personified。　Thepastor's　hand　trembled；　he　dared　not　stretch　it　out；　he　did　notventure　to　pull　a　hair　out　of　the　sinner's　head。　And　tears　gushed　fromhis　eyes　like　a　stream　of　mercy　and　love；　the　cooling　waters　ofwhich　extinguished　the　eternal　fire　of　hell。

Just　then　the　cock　crowed。

〃Father　of　all　mercy；　grant　Thou　to　her　the　peace　that　I　wasunable　to　procure　for　her！〃

〃I　have　it　now！〃　said　the　dead　woman。　〃It　was　your　hard　words；your　despair　of　mankind；　your　gloomy　belief　in　God　and　His　creation；which　drove　me　to　you。　Learn　to　know　mankind！　Even　in　the　wicked　onelives　a　part　of　God…　and　this　extinguishes　and　conquers　the　flame　ofhell！〃

The　pastor　felt　a　kiss　on　his　lips；　a　gleam　of　light　surroundedhim…　God's　bright　sun　shone　into　the　room；　and　his　wife；　alive；sweet　and　full　of　love；　awoke　him　from　a　dream　which　Go