TheLittleMermaid
by
HansChristianAndersen
(1836)
Faroutintheocean,wherethewaterisasblueastheprettiestcornflower,andasclearascrystal,itisvery,verydeep;sodeep,indeed,thatnocablecouldfathomit:manychurchsteeples,piledoneuponanother,wouldnotreachfromthegroundbeneathtothesurfaceofthewaterabove.TheredwelltheSeaKingandhissubjects.Wemustnotimaginethatthereisnothingatthebottomoftheseabutbareyellowsand.No,indeed;themostsingularflowersandplantsgrowthere;theleavesandstemsofwhicharesopliant,thattheslightestagitationofthewatercausesthemtostirasiftheyhadlife.Fishes,bothlargeandsmall,glidebetweenthebranches,asbirdsflyamongthetreeshereuponland.Inthedeepestspotofall,standsthecastleoftheSeaKing.Itswallsarebuiltofcoral,andthelong,gothicwindowsareoftheclearestamber.Theroofisformedofshells,thatopenandcloseasthewaterflowsoverthem.Theirappearanceisverybeautiful,forineachliesaglitteringpearl,whichwouldbefitforthediademofaqueen.
“Whenyouhavereachedyourfifteenthyear,”saidthegrand-mother,“youwillhavepermissiontoriseupoutofthesea,tositontherocksinthemoonlight,whilethegreatshipsaresailingby;andthenyouwillseebothforestsandtowns.”
Inthefollowingyear,oneofthesisterswouldbefifteen:butaseachwasayearyoungerthantheother,theyoungestwouldhavetowaitfiveyearsbeforeherturncametoriseupfromthebottomoftheocean,andseetheearthaswedo.However,eachpromisedtotelltheotherswhatshesawonherfirstvisit,andwhatshethoughtthemostbeautiful;fortheirgrandmothercouldnottellthemenough;thereweresomanythingsonwhichtheywantedinformation.Noneofthemlongedsomuchforherturntocomeastheyoungest,shewhohadthelongesttimetowait,andwhowassoquietandthoughtful.Manynightsshestoodbytheopenwindow,lookingupthroughthedarkbluewater,andwatchingthefishastheysplashedaboutwiththeirfinsandtails.Shecouldseethemoonandstarsshiningfaintly;butthroughthewatertheylookedlargerthantheydotooureyes.Whensomethinglikeablackcloudpassedbetweenherandthem,sheknewthatitwaseitherawhaleswimmingoverherhead,orashipfullofhumanbeings,whoneverimaginedthataprettylittlemermaidwasstandingbeneaththem,holdingoutherwhitehandstowardsthekeeloftheirship.
Assoonastheeldestwasfifteen,shewasallowedtorisetothesurfaceoftheocean.Whenshecameback,shehadhundredsofthingstotalkabout;butthemostbeautiful,shesaid,wastolieinthemoonlight,onasandbank,inthequietsea,nearthecoast,andtogazeonalargetownnearby,wherethelightsweretwinklinglikehundredsofstars;tolistentothesoundsofthemusic,thenoiseofcarriages,andthevoicesofhumanbeings,andthentohearthemerrybellspealoutfromthechurchsteeples;andbecauseshecouldnotgoneartoallthosewonderfulthings,shelongedforthemmorethanever.Oh,didnottheyoungestsisterlisteneagerlytoallthesedescriptions?andafterwards,whenshestoodattheopenwindowlookingupthroughthedarkbluewater,shethoughtofthegreatcity,withallitsbustleandnoise,andevenfanciedshecouldhearthesoundofthechurchbells,downinthedepthsofthesea.
Inanotheryearthesecondsisterreceivedpermissiontorisetothesurfaceofthewater,andtoswimaboutwhereshepleased.Sherosejustasthesunwassetting,andthis,shesaid,wasthemostbeautifulsightofall.Thewholeskylookedlikegold,whilevioletandrose-coloredclouds,whichshecouldnotdescribe,floatedoverher;and,stillmorerapidlythantheclouds,flewalargeflockofwildswanstowardsthesettingsun,lookinglikealongwhiteveilacrossthesea.Shealsoswamtowardsthesun;butitsunkintothewaves,andtherosytintsfadedfromthecloudsandfromthesea.
Thethirdsister''sturnfollowed;shewastheboldestofthemall,andsheswamupabroadriverthatemptieditselfintothesea.Onthebanksshesawgreenhillscoveredwithbeautifulvines;palacesandcastlespeepedoutfromamidtheproudtreesoftheforest;sheheardthebirdssinging,andtheraysofthesunweresopowerfulthatshewasobligedoftentodivedownunderthewatertocoolherburningface.Inanarrowcreekshefoundawholetroopoflittlehumanchildren,quitenaked,andsportingaboutinthewater;shewantedtoplaywiththem,buttheyfledinagreatfright;andthenalittleblackanimalcametothewater;itwasadog,butshedidnotknowthat,forshehadneverbeforeseenone.Thisanimalbarkedathersoterriblythatshebecamefrightened,andrushedbacktotheopensea.Butshesaidsheshouldneverforgetthebeautifulforest,thegreenhills,andtheprettylittlechildrenwhocouldswiminthewater,althoughtheyhadnotfish''stails.
Thefourthsisterwasmoretimid;sheremainedinthemidstofthesea,butshesaiditwasquiteasbeautifulthereasnearertheland.Shecouldseeforsomanymilesaroundher,andtheskyabovelookedlikeabellofglass.Shehadseentheships,butatsuchagreatdistancethattheylookedlikesea-gulls.Thedolphinssportedinthewaves,andthegreatwhalesspoutedwaterfromtheirnostrilstillitseemedasifahundredfountainswereplayingineverydirection.
Thefifthsister''sbirthdayoccurredinthewinter;sowhenherturncame,shesawwhattheothershadnotseenthefirsttimetheywentup.Thesealookedquitegreen,andlargeicebergswerefloatingabout,eachlikeapearl,shesaid,butlargerandloftierthanthechurchesbuiltbymen.Theywereofthemostsingularshapes,andglitteredlikediamonds.Shehadseatedherselfupononeofthelargest,andletthewindplaywithherlonghair,andsheremarkedthatalltheshipssailedbyrapidly,andsteeredasfarawayastheycouldfromtheiceberg,asiftheywereafraidofit.Towardsevening,asthesunwentdown,darkcloudscoveredthesky,thethunderrolledandthelightningflashed,andtheredlightglowedontheicebergsastheyrockedandtossedontheheavingsea.Onalltheshipsthesailswerereefedwithfearandtrembling,whileshesatcalmlyonthefloatingiceberg,watchingthebluelightning,asitdarteditsforkedflashesintothesea.
Whenfirstthesistershadpermissiontorisetothesurface,theywereeachdelightedwiththenewandbeautifulsightstheysaw;butnow,asgrown-upgirls,theycouldgowhentheypleased,andtheyhadbecomeindifferentaboutit.Theywishedthemselvesbackagaininthewater,andafteramonthhadpassedtheysaiditwasmuchmorebeautifuldownbelow,andpleasantertobeathome.Yetoften,intheeveninghours,thefivesisterswouldtwinetheirarmsroundeachother,andrisetothesurface,inarow.Theyhadmorebeautifulvoicesthananyhumanbeingcouldhave;andbeforetheapproachofastorm,andwhentheyexpectedashipwouldbelost,theyswambeforethevessel,andsangsweetlyofthedelightstobefoundinthedepthsofthesea,andbeggingthesailorsnottofeariftheysanktothebottom.Butthesailorscouldnotunderstandthesong,theytookitforthehowlingofthestorm.Andthesethingswerenevertobebeautifulforthem;foriftheshipsank,themenweredrowned,andtheirdeadbodiesalonereachedthepalaceoftheSeaKing.
Whenthesistersrose,arm-in-arm,throughthewaterinthisway,theiryoungestsisterwouldstandquitealone,lookingafterthem,readytocry,onlythatthemermaidshavenotears,andthereforetheysuffermore.“Oh,wereIbutfifteenyearsold,”saidshe:“IknowthatIshalllovetheworldupthere,andallthepeoplewholiveinit.”
Atlastshereachedherfifteenthyear.“Well,now,youaregrownup,”saidtheolddowager,hergrandmother;“soyoumustletmeadornyoulikeyourothersisters;”andsheplacedawreathofwhiteliliesinherhair,andeveryflowerleafwashalfapearl.Thentheoldladyorderedeightgreatoysterstoattachthemselvestothetailoftheprincesstoshowherhighrank.
“Buttheyhurtmeso,”saidthelittlemermaid.
“Pridemustsufferpain,”repliedtheoldlady.Oh,howgladlyshewouldhaveshakenoffallthisgrandeur,andlaidasidetheheavywreath!Theredflowersinherowngardenwouldhavesuitedhermuchbetter,butshecouldnothelpherself:soshesaid,“Farewell,”androseaslightlyasabubbletothesurfaceofthewater.Thesunhadjustsetassheraisedherheadabovethewaves;butthecloudsweretintedwithcrimsonandgold,andthroughtheglimmeringtwilightbeamedtheeveningstarinallitsbeauty.Theseawascalm,andtheairmildandfresh.Alargeship,withthreemasts,laybecalmedonthewater,withonlyonesailset;fornotabreezestiffed,andthesailorssatidleondeckoramongsttherigging.Therewasmusicandsongonboard;and,asdarknesscameon,ahundredcoloredlanternswerelighted,asiftheflagsofallnationswavedintheair.Thelittlemermaidswamclosetothecabinwindows;andnowandthen,asthewavesliftedherup,shecouldlookinthroughclearglasswindow-panes,andseeanumberofwell-dressedpeoplewithin.Amongthemwasayoungprince,themostbeautifulofall,withlargeblackeyes;hewassixteenyearsofage,andhisbirthdaywasbeingkeptwithmuchrejoicing.Thesailorsweredancingondeck,butwhentheprincecameoutofthecabin,morethanahundredrocketsroseintheair,makingitasbrightasday.Thelittlemermaidwassostartledthatshedivedunderwater;andwhensheagainstretchedoutherhead,itappearedasifallthestarsofheavenwerefallingaroundher,shehadneverseensuchfireworksbefore.Greatsunsspurtedfireabout,splendidfirefliesflewintotheblueair,andeverythingwasreflectedintheclear,calmseabeneath.Theshipitselfwassobrightlyilluminatedthatallthepeople,andeventhesmallestrope,couldbedistinctlyandplainlyseen.Andhowhandsometheyoungprincelooked,ashepressedthehandsofallpresentandsmiledatthem,whilethemusicresoundedthroughtheclearnightair.
Itwasverylate;yetthelittlemermaidcouldnottakehereyesfromtheship,orfromthebeautifulprince.Thecoloredlanternshadbeenextinguished,nomorerocketsroseintheair,andthecannonhadceasedfiring;buttheseabecamerestless,andamoaning,grumblingsoundcouldbeheardbeneaththewaves:stillthelittlemermaidremainedbythecabinwindow,rockingupanddownonthewater,whichenabledhertolookin.Afterawhile,thesailswerequicklyunfurled,andthenobleshipcontinuedherpassage;butsoonthewavesrosehigher,heavycloudsdarkenedthesky,andlightningappearedinthedistance.Adreadfulstormwasapproaching;oncemorethesailswerereefed,andthegreatshippursuedherflyingcourseovertheragingsea.Thewavesrosemountainshigh,asiftheywouldhaveovertoppedthemast;buttheshipdivedlikeaswanbetweenthem,andthenroseagainontheirlofty,foamingcrests.Tothelittlemermaidthisappearedpleasantsport;notsotothesailors.Atlengththeshipgroanedandcreaked;thethickplanksgavewayunderthelashingoftheseaasitbrokeoverthedeck;themainmastsnappedasunderlikeareed;theshiplayoveronherside;andthewaterrushedin.Thelittlemermaidnowperceivedthatthecrewwereindanger;evensheherselfwasobligedtobecarefultoavoidthebeamsandplanksofthewreckwhichlayscatteredonthewater.Atonemomentitwassopitchdarkthatshecouldnotseeasingleobject,butaflashoflightningrevealedthewholescene;shecouldseeeveryonewhohadbeenonboardexceptingtheprince;whentheshipparted,shehadseenhimsinkintothedeepwaves,andshewasglad,forshethoughthewouldnowbewithher;andthensherememberedthathumanbeingscouldnotliveinthewater,sothatwhenhegotdowntoherfather''spalacehewouldbequitedead.Buthemustnotdie.Sosheswamaboutamongthebeamsandplankswhichstrewedthesurfaceofthesea,forgettingthattheycouldcrushhertopieces.Thenshediveddeeplyunderthedarkwaters,risingandfallingwiththewaves,tillatlengthshemanagedtoreachtheyoungprince,whowasfastlosingthepowerofswimminginthatstormysea.Hislimbswerefailinghim,hisbeautifuleyeswereclosed,andhewouldhavediedhadnotthelittlemermaidcometohisassistance.Sheheldhisheadabovethewater,andletthewavesdriftthemwheretheywould.
Inthemorningthestormhadceased;butoftheshipnotasinglefragmentcouldbeseen.Thesunroseupredandglowingfromthewater,anditsbeamsbroughtbackthehueofhealthtotheprince''scheeks;buthiseyesremainedclosed.Themermaidkissedhishigh,smoothforehead,andstrokedbackhiswethair;heseemedtoherlikethemarblestatueinherlittlegarden,andshekissedhimagain,andwishedthathemightlive.Presentlytheycameinsightofland;shesawloftybluemountains,onwhichthewhitesnowrestedasifaflockofswanswerelyinguponthem.Nearthecoastwerebeautifulgreenforests,andclosebystoodalargebuilding,whetherachurchoraconventshecouldnottell.Orangeandcitrontreesgrewinthegarden,andbeforethedoorstoodloftypalms.Theseahereformedalittlebay,inwhichthewaterwasquitestill,butverydeep;sosheswamwiththehandsomeprincetothebeach,whichwascoveredwithfine,whitesand,andthereshelaidhiminthewarmsunshine,takingcaretoraisehisheadhigherthanhisbody.Thenbellssoundedinthelargewhitebuilding,andanumberofyounggirlscameintothegarden.Thelittlemermaidswamoutfartherfromtheshoreandplacedherselfbetweensomehighrocksthatroseoutofthewater;thenshecoveredherheadandneckwiththefoamoftheseasothatherlittlefacemightnotbeseen,andwatchedtoseewhatwouldbecomeofthepoorprince.Shedidnotwaitlongbeforeshesawayounggirlapproachthespotwherehelay.Sheseemedfrightenedatfirst,butonlyforamoment;thenshefetchedanumberofpeople,andthemermaidsawthattheprincecametolifeagain,andsmileduponthosewhostoodroundhim.Buttoherhesentnosmile;heknewnotthatshehadsavedhim.Thismadeherveryunhappy,andwhenhewasledawayintothegreatbuilding,shediveddownsorrowfullyintothewater,andreturnedtoherfather''scastle.Shehadalwaysbeensilentandthoughtful,andnowshewasmoresothanever.
Hersistersaskedherwhatshehadseenduringherfirstvisittothesurfaceofthewater;butshewouldtellthemnothing.Manyaneveningandmorningdidsherisetotheplacewhereshehadlefttheprince.Shesawthefruitsinthegardenripentilltheyweregathered,thesnowonthetopsofthemountainsmeltaway;butsheneversawtheprince,andthereforeshereturnedhome,alwaysmoresorrowfulthanbefore.Itwasheronlycomforttositinherownlittlegarden,andflingherarmroundthebeautifulmarblestatuewhichwasliketheprince;butshegaveuptendingherflowers,andtheygrewinwildconfusionoverthepaths,twiningtheirlongleavesandstemsroundthebranchesofthetrees,sothatthewholeplacebecamedarkandgloomy.Atlengthshecouldbearitnolonger,andtoldoneofhersistersallaboutit.Thentheothersheardthesecret,andverysoonitbecameknowntotwomermaidswhoseintimatefriendhappenedtoknowwhotheprincewas.Shehadalsoseenthefestivalonboardship,andshetoldthemwheretheprincecamefrom,andwherehispalacestood.
“Come,littlesister,”saidtheotherprincesses;thentheyentwinedtheirarmsandroseupinalongrowtothesurfaceofthewater,closebythespotwheretheyknewtheprince''spalacestood.Itwasbuiltofbrightyellowshiningstone,withlongflightsofmarblesteps,oneofwhichreachedquitedowntothesea.Splendidgildedcupolasroseovertheroof,andbetweenthepillarsthatsurroundedthewholebuildingstoodlife-likestatuesofmarble.Throughtheclearcrystaloftheloftywindowscouldbeseennoblerooms,withcostlysilkcurtainsandhangingsoftapestry;whilethewallswerecoveredwithbeautifulpaintingswhichwereapleasuretolookat.Inthecentreofthelargestsaloonafountainthrewitssparklingjetshighupintotheglasscupolaoftheceiling,throughwhichthesunshonedownuponthewateranduponthebeautifulplantsgrowingroundthebasinofthefountain.Nowthatsheknewwherehelived,shespentmanyaneveningandmanyanightonthewaternearthepalace.Shewouldswimmuchnearertheshorethananyoftheothersventuredtodo;indeedonceshewentquiteupthenarrowchannelunderthemarblebalcony,whichthrewabroadshadowonthewater.Hereshewouldsitandwatchtheyoungprince,whothoughthimselfquitealoneinthebrightmoonlight.Shesawhimmanytimesofaneveningsailinginapleasantboat,withmusicplayingandflagswaving.Shepeepedoutfromamongthegreenrushes,andifthewindcaughtherlongsilvery-whiteveil,thosewhosawitbelievedittobeaswan,spreadingoutitswings.Onmanyanight,too,whenthefishermen,withtheirtorches,wereoutatsea,sheheardthemrelatesomanygoodthingsaboutthedoingsoftheyoungprince,thatshewasgladshehadsavedhislifewhenhehadbeentossedabouthalf-deadonthewaves.Andsherememberedthathisheadhadrestedonherbosom,andhowheartilyshehadkissedhim;butheknewnothingofallthis,andcouldnotevendreamofher.Shegrewmoreandmorefondofhumanbeings,andwishedmoreandmoretobeabletowanderaboutwiththosewhoseworldseemedtobesomuchlargerthanherown.Theycouldflyovertheseainships,andmountthehighhillswhichwerefarabovetheclouds;andthelandstheypossessed,theirwoodsandtheirfields,stretchedfarawaybeyondthereachofhersight.Therewassomuchthatshewishedtoknow,andhersisterswereunabletoanswerallherquestions.Thensheappliedtoheroldgrandmother,whoknewallabouttheupperworld,whichsheveryrightlycalledthelandsabovethesea.
“Ifhumanbeingsarenotdrowned,”askedthelittlemermaid,“cantheyliveforever?dotheyneverdieaswedohereinthesea?”
“Yes,”repliedtheoldlady,“theymustalsodie,andtheirtermoflifeisevenshorterthanours.Wesometimeslivetothreehundredyears,butwhenweceasetoexisthereweonlybecomethefoamonthesurfaceofthewater,andwehavenotevenagravedownhereofthosewelove.Wehavenotimmortalsouls,weshallneverliveagain;but,likethegreensea-weed,whenonceithasbeencutoff,wecanneverflourishmore.Humanbeings,onthecontrary,haveasoulwhichlivesforever,livesafterthebodyhasbeenturnedtodust.Itrisesupthroughtheclear,pureairbeyondtheglitteringstars.Asweriseoutofthewater,andbeholdallthelandoftheearth,sodotheyrisetounknownandgloriousregionswhichweshallneversee.”
“Whyhavenotweanimmortalsoul?”askedthelittlemermaidmournfully;“IwouldgivegladlyallthehundredsofyearsthatIhavetolive,tobeahumanbeingonlyforoneday,andtohavethehopeofknowingthehappinessofthatgloriousworldabovethestars.”
“Youmustnotthinkofthat,”saidtheoldwoman;“wefeelourselvestobemuchhappierandmuchbetteroffthanhumanbeings.”
“SoIshalldie,”saidthelittlemermaid,“andasthefoamoftheseaIshallbedrivenaboutneveragaintohearthemusicofthewaves,ortoseetheprettyflowersnortheredsun.IsthereanythingIcandotowinanimmortalsoul?”
“No,”saidtheoldwoman,“unlessamanweretoloveyousomuchthatyouweremoretohimthanhisfatherormother;andifallhisthoughtsandallhislovewerefixeduponyou,andthepriestplacedhisrighthandinyours,andhepromisedtobetruetoyouhereandhereafter,thenhissoulwouldglideintoyourbodyandyouwouldobtainashareinthefuturehappinessofmankind.Hewouldgiveasoultoyouandretainhisownaswell;butthiscanneverhappen.Yourfish''stail,whichamongstusisconsideredsobeautiful,isthoughtonearthtobequiteugly;theydonotknowanybetter,andtheythinkitnecessarytohavetwostoutprops,whichtheycalllegs,inordertobehandsome.”
Thenthelittlemermaidsighed,andlookedsorrowfullyatherfish''stail.“Letusbehappy,”saidtheoldlady,“anddartandspringaboutduringthethreehundredyearsthatwehavetolive,whichisreallyquitelongenough;afterthatwecanrestourselvesallthebetter.Thiseveningwearegoingtohaveacourtball.”
Itisoneofthosesplendidsightswhichwecanneverseeonearth.Thewallsandtheceilingofthelargeball-roomwereofthick,buttransparentcrystal.Mayhundredsofcolossalshells,someofadeepred,othersofagrassgreen,stoodoneachsideinrows,withbluefireinthem,whichlightedupthewholesaloon,andshonethroughthewalls,sothattheseawasalsoilluminated.Innumerablefishes,greatandsmall,swampastthecrystalwalls;onsomeofthemthescalesglowedwithapurplebrilliancy,andonotherstheyshonelikesilverandgold.
Throughthehallsflowedabroadstream,andinitdancedthemermenandthemermaidstothemusicoftheirownsweetsinging.Nooneonearthhassuchalovelyvoiceastheirs.Thelittlemermaidsangmoresweetlythanthemall.Thewholecourtapplaudedherwithhandsandtails;andforamomentherheartfeltquitegay,forsheknewshehadtheloveliestvoiceofanyonearthorinthesea.Butshesoonthoughtagainoftheworldaboveher,forshecouldnotforgetthecharmingprince,norhersorrowthatshehadnotanimmortalsoullikehis;thereforeshecreptawaysilentlyoutofherfather''spalace,andwhileeverythingwithinwasgladnessandsong,shesatinherownlittlegardensorrowfulandalone.Thensheheardthebuglesoundingthroughthewater,andthought—“Heiscertainlysailingabove,heonwhommywishesdepend,andinwhosehandsIshouldliketoplacethehappinessofmylife.Iwillventureallforhim,andtowinanimmortalsoul,whilemysistersaredancinginmyfather''spalace,Iwillgototheseawitch,ofwhomIhavealwaysbeensomuchafraid,butshecangivemecounselandhelp.”
Andthenthelittlemermaidwentoutfromhergarden,andtooktheroadtothefoamingwhirlpools,behindwhichthesorceresslived.Shehadneverbeenthatwaybefore:neitherflowersnorgrassgrewthere;nothingbutbare,gray,sandygroundstretchedouttothewhirlpool,wherethewater,likefoamingmill-wheels,whirledroundeverythingthatitseized,andcastitintothefathomlessdeep.Throughthemidstofthesecrushingwhirlpoolsthelittlemermaidwasobligedtopass,toreachthedominionsoftheseawitch;andalsoforalongdistancetheonlyroadlayrightacrossaquantityofwarm,bubblingmire,calledbythewitchherturfmoor.Beyondthisstoodherhouse,inthecentreofastrangeforest,inwhichallthetreesandflowerswerepolypi,halfanimalsandhalfplants;theylookedlikeserpentswithahundredheadsgrowingoutoftheground.Thebrancheswerelongslimyarms,withfingerslikeflexibleworms,movinglimbafterlimbfromtheroottothetop.Allthatcouldbereachedintheseatheyseizedupon,andheldfast,sothatitneverescapedfromtheirclutches.Thelittlemermaidwassoalarmedatwhatshesaw,thatshestoodstill,andherheartbeatwithfear,andshewasverynearlyturningback;butshethoughtoftheprince,andofthehumansoulforwhichshelonged,andhercouragereturned.Shefastenedherlongflowinghairroundherhead,sothatthepolypimightnotseizeholdofit.Shelaidherhandstogetheracrossherbosom,andthenshedartedforwardasafishshootsthroughthewater,betweenthesupplearmsandfingersoftheuglypolypi,whichwerestretchedoutoneachsideofher.Shesawthateachheldinitsgraspsomethingithadseizedwithitsnumerouslittlearms,asiftheywereironbands.Thewhiteskeletonsofhumanbeingswhohadperishedatsea,andhadsunkdownintothedeepwaters,skeletonsoflandanimals,oars,rudders,andchestsofshipswerelyingtightlygraspedbytheirclingingarms;evenalittlemermaid,whomtheyhadcaughtandstrangled;andthisseemedthemostshockingofalltothelittleprincess.
Shenowcametoaspaceofmarshygroundinthewood,wherelarge,fatwater-snakeswererollinginthemire,andshowingtheirugly,drab-coloredbodies.Inthemidstofthisspotstoodahouse,builtwiththebonesofshipwreckedhumanbeings.Theresattheseawitch,allowingatoadtoeatfromhermouth,justaspeoplesometimesfeedacanarywithapieceofsugar.Shecalledtheuglywater-snakesherlittlechickens,andallowedthemtocrawlalloverherbosom.
“Iknowwhatyouwant,”saidtheseawitch;“itisverystupidofyou,butyoushallhaveyourway,anditwillbringyoutosorrow,myprettyprincess.Youwanttogetridofyourfish''stail,andtohavetwosupportsinsteadofit,likehumanbeingsonearth,sothattheyoungprincemayfallinlovewithyou,andthatyoumayhaveanimmortalsoul.”Andthenthewitchlaughedsoloudanddisgustingly,thatthetoadandthesnakesfelltotheground,andlaytherewrigglingabout.“Youarebutjustintime,”saidthewitch;“foraftersunriseto-morrowIshouldnotbeabletohelpyoutilltheendofanotheryear.Iwillprepareadraughtforyou,withwhichyoumustswimtolandtomorrowbeforesunrise,andsitdownontheshoreanddrinkit.Yourtailwillthendisappear,andshrinkupintowhatmankindcallslegs,andyouwillfeelgreatpain,asifaswordwerepassingthroughyou.Butallwhoseeyouwillsaythatyouaretheprettiestlittlehumanbeingtheyeversaw.Youwillstillhavethesamefloatinggracefulnessofmovement,andnodancerwillevertreadsolightly;butateverystepyoutakeitwillfeelasifyouweretreadinguponsharpknives,andthatthebloodmustflow.Ifyouwillbearallthis,Iwillhelpyou.”
“Yes,Iwill,”saidthelittleprincessinatremblingvoice,asshethoughtoftheprinceandtheimmortalsoul.
“Butthinkagain,”saidthewitch;“forwhenonceyourshapehasbecomelikeahumanbeing,youcannomorebeamermaid.Youwillneverreturnthroughthewatertoyoursisters,ortoyourfather''spalaceagain;andifyoudonotwintheloveoftheprince,sothatheiswillingtoforgethisfatherandmotherforyoursake,andtoloveyouwithhiswholesoul,andallowthepriesttojoinyourhandsthatyoumaybemanandwife,thenyouwillneverhaveanimmortalsoul.Thefirstmorningafterhemarriesanotheryourheartwillbreak,andyouwillbecomefoamonthecrestofthewaves.”
“Iwilldoit,”saidthelittlemermaid,andshebecamepaleasdeath.
“ButImustbepaidalso,”saidthewitch,“anditisnotatriflethatIask.Youhavethesweetestvoiceofanywhodwellhereinthedepthsofthesea,andyoubelievethatyouwillbeabletocharmtheprincewithitalso,butthisvoiceyoumustgivetome;thebestthingyoupossesswillIhaveforthepriceofmydraught.Myownbloodmustbemixedwithit,thatitmaybeassharpasatwo-edgedsword.”
“Butifyoutakeawaymyvoice,”saidthelittlemermaid,“whatisleftforme?”
“Yourbeautifulform,yourgracefulwalk,andyourexpressiveeyes;surelywiththeseyoucanenchainaman''sheart.Well,haveyoulostyourcourage?PutoutyourlittletonguethatImaycutitoffasmypayment;thenyoushallhavethepowerfuldraught.”
“Itshallbe,”saidthelittlemermaid.
Thenthewitchplacedhercauldrononthefire,topreparethemagicdraught.
“Cleanlinessisagoodthing,”saidshe,scouringthevesselwithsnakes,whichshehadtiedtogetherinalargeknot;thensheprickedherselfinthebreast,andlettheblackblooddropintoit.Thesteamthatroseformeditselfintosuchhorribleshapesthatnoonecouldlookatthemwithoutfear.Everymomentthewitchthrewsomethingelseintothevessel,andwhenitbegantoboil,thesoundwasliketheweepingofacrocodile.Whenatlastthemagicdraughtwasready,itlookedliketheclearestwater.
“Thereitisforyou,”saidthewitch.Thenshecutoffthemermaid''stongue,sothatshebecamedumb,andwouldneveragainspeakorsing.
“Ifthepolypishouldseizeholdofyouasyoureturnthroughthewood,”saidthewitch,“throwoverthemafewdropsofthepotion,andtheirfingerswillbetornintoathousandpieces.”
Butthelittlemermaidhadnooccasiontodothis,forthepolypisprangbackinterrorwhentheycaughtsightoftheglitteringdraught,whichshoneinherhandlikeatwinklingstar.
Soshepassedquicklythroughthewoodandthemarsh,andbetweentherushingwhirlpools.Shesawthatinherfather''spalacethetorchesintheballroomwereextinguished,andallwithinasleep;butshedidnotventuretogointothem,fornowshewasdumbandgoingtoleavethemforever,shefeltasifherheartwouldbreak.Shestoleintothegarden,tookaflowerfromtheflower-bedsofeachofhersisters,kissedherhandathousandtimestowardsthepalace,andthenroseupthroughthedarkbluewaters.Thesunhadnotrisenwhenshecameinsightoftheprince''spalace,andapproachedthebeautifulmarblesteps,butthemoonshoneclearandbright.Thenthelittlemermaiddrankthemagicdraught,anditseemedasifatwo-edgedswordwentthroughherdelicatebody:shefellintoaswoon,andlaylikeonedead.Whenthesunaroseandshoneoverthesea,sherecovered,andfeltasharppain;butjustbeforeherstoodthehandsomeyoungprince.Hefixedhiscoal-blackeyesuponhersoearnestlythatshecastdownherown,andthenbecameawarethatherfish''stailwasgone,andthatshehadasprettyapairofwhitelegsandtinyfeetasanylittlemaidencouldhave;butshehadnoclothes,soshewrappedherselfinherlong,thickhair.Theprinceaskedherwhoshewas,andwhereshecamefrom,andshelookedathimmildlyandsorrowfullywithherdeepblueeyes;butshecouldnotspeak.Everystepshetookwasasthewitchhadsaiditwouldbe,shefeltasiftreadinguponthepointsofneedlesorsharpknives;butsheboreitwillingly,andsteppedaslightlybytheprince''ssideasasoap-bubble,sothatheandallwhosawherwonderedathergraceful-swayingmovements.Shewasverysoonarrayedincostlyrobesofsilkandmuslin,andwasthemostbeautifulcreatureinthepalace;butshewasdumb,andcouldneitherspeaknorsing.
Beautifulfemaleslaves,dressedinsilkandgold,steppedforwardandsangbeforetheprinceandhisroyalparents:onesangbetterthanalltheothers,andtheprinceclappedhishandsandsmiledather.Thiswasgreatsorrowtothelittlemermaid;sheknewhowmuchmoresweetlysheherselfcouldsingonce,andshethought,“Ohifhecouldonlyknowthat!Ihavegivenawaymyvoiceforever,tobewithhim.”
Theslavesnextperformedsomeprettyfairy-likedances,tothesoundofbeautifulmusic.Thenthelittlemermaidraisedherlovelywhitearms,stoodonthetipsofhertoes,andglidedoverthefloor,anddancedasnooneyethadbeenabletodance.Ateachmomentherbeautybecamemorerevealed,andherexpressiveeyesappealedmoredirectlytotheheartthanthesongsoftheslaves.Everyonewasenchanted,especiallytheprince,whocalledherhislittlefoundling;andshedancedagainquitereadily,topleasehim,thougheachtimeherfoottouchedtheflooritseemedasifshetrodonsharpknives.
Theprincesaidsheshouldremainwithhimalways,andshereceivedpermissiontosleepathisdoor,onavelvetcushion.Hehadapage''sdressmadeforher,thatshemightaccompanyhimonhorseback.Theyrodetogetherthroughthesweet-scentedwoods,wherethegreenboughstouchedtheirshoulders,andthelittlebirdssangamongthefreshleaves.Sheclimbedwiththeprincetothetopsofhighmountains;andalthoughhertenderfeetbledsothatevenherstepsweremarked,sheonlylaughed,andfollowedhimtilltheycouldseethecloudsbeneaththemlookinglikeaflockofbirdstravellingtodistantlands.Whileattheprince''spalace,andwhenallthehouseholdwereasleep,shewouldgoandsitonthebroadmarblesteps;foriteasedherburningfeettobathetheminthecoldsea-water;andthenshethoughtofallthosebelowinthedeep.
Onceduringthenighthersisterscameuparm-in-arm,singingsorrowfully,astheyfloatedonthewater.Shebeckonedtothem,andthentheyrecognizedher,andtoldherhowshehadgrievedthem.Afterthat,theycametothesameplaceeverynight;andonceshesawinthedistanceheroldgrandmother,whohadnotbeentothesurfaceoftheseaformanyyears,andtheoldSeaKing,herfather,withhiscrownonhishead.Theystretchedouttheirhandstowardsher,buttheydidnotventuresonearthelandashersistersdid.
Asthedayspassed,shelovedtheprincemorefondly,andhelovedherashewouldlovealittlechild,butitnevercameintohisheadtomakeherhiswife;yet,unlesshemarriedher,shecouldnotreceiveanimmortalsoul;and,onthemorningafterhismarriagewithanother,shewoulddissolveintothefoamofthesea.
“Doyounotlovemethebestofthemall?”theeyesofthelittlemermaidseemedtosay,whenhetookherinhisarms,andkissedherfairforehead.
“Yes,youaredeartome,”saidtheprince;“foryouhavethebestheart,andyouarethemostdevotedtome;youarelikeayoungmaidenwhomIoncesaw,butwhomIshallnevermeetagain.Iwasinashipthatwaswrecked,andthewavescastmeashorenearaholytemple,whereseveralyoungmaidensperformedtheservice.Theyoungestofthemfoundmeontheshore,andsavedmylife.Isawherbuttwice,andsheistheonlyoneintheworldwhomIcouldlove;butyouarelikeher,andyouhavealmostdrivenherimageoutofmymind.Shebelongstotheholytemple,andmygoodfortunehassentyoutomeinsteadofher;andwewillneverpart.”
“Ah,heknowsnotthatitwasIwhosavedhislife,”thoughtthelittlemermaid.“Icarriedhimovertheseatothewoodwherethetemplestands:Isatbeneaththefoam,andwatchedtillthehumanbeingscametohelphim.Isawtheprettymaidenthathelovesbetterthanhelovesme;”andthemermaidsigheddeeply,butshecouldnotshedtears.“Hesaysthemaidenbelongstotheholytemple,thereforeshewillneverreturntotheworld.Theywillmeetnomore:whileIambyhisside,andseehimeveryday.Iwilltakecareofhim,andlovehim,andgiveupmylifeforhissake.”
Verysoonitwassaidthattheprincemustmarry,andthatthebeautifuldaughterofaneighboringkingwouldbehiswife,forafineshipwasbeingfittedout.Althoughtheprincegaveoutthathemerelyintendedtopayavisittotheking,itwasgenerallysupposedthathereallywenttoseehisdaughter.Agreatcompanyweretogowithhim.Thelittlemermaidsmiled,andshookherhead.Sheknewtheprince''sthoughtsbetterthananyoftheothers.
“Imusttravel,”hehadsaidtoher;“Imustseethisbeautifulprincess;myparentsdesireit;buttheywillnotobligemetobringherhomeasmybride.Icannotloveher;sheisnotlikethebeautifulmaideninthetemple,whomyouresemble.IfIwereforcedtochooseabride,Iwouldratherchooseyou,mydumbfoundling,withthoseexpressiveeyes.”Andthenhekissedherrosymouth,playedwithherlongwavinghair,andlaidhisheadonherheart,whileshedreamedofhumanhappinessandanimmortalsoul.
“Youarenotafraidofthesea,mydumbchild,”saidhe,astheystoodonthedeckofthenobleshipwhichwastocarrythemtothecountryoftheneighboringking.Andthenhetoldherofstormandofcalm,ofstrangefishesinthedeepbeneaththem,andofwhatthedivershadseenthere;andshesmiledathisdescriptions,forsheknewbetterthananyonewhatwonderswereatthebottomofthesea.
Inthemoonlight,whenallonboardwereasleep,exceptingthemanatthehelm,whowassteering,shesatonthedeck,gazingdownthroughtheclearwater.Shethoughtshecoulddistinguishherfather''scastle,anduponitheragedgrandmother,withthesilvercrownonherhead,lookingthroughtherushingtideatthekeelofthevessel.Thenhersisterscameuponthewaves,andgazedathermournfully,wringingtheirwhitehands.Shebeckonedtothem,andsmiled,andwantedtotellthemhowhappyandwelloffshewas;butthecabin-boyapproached,andwhenhersistersdiveddownhethoughtitwasonlythefoamoftheseawhichhesaw.
Thenextmorningtheshipsailedintotheharborofabeautifultownbelongingtothekingwhomtheprincewasgoingtovisit.Thechurchbellswereringing,andfromthehightowerssoundedaflourishoftrumpets;andsoldiers,withflyingcolorsandglitteringbayonets,linedtherocksthroughwhichtheypassed.Everydaywasafestival;ballsandentertainmentsfollowedoneanother.
Buttheprincesshadnotyetappeared.Peoplesaidthatshewasbeingbroughtupandeducatedinareligioushouse,whereshewaslearningeveryroyalvirtue.Atlastshecame.Thenthelittlemermaid,whowasveryanxioustoseewhethershewasreallybeautiful,wasobligedtoacknowledgethatshehadneverseenamoreperfectvisionofbeauty.Herskinwasdelicatelyfair,andbeneathherlongdarkeye-lashesherlaughingblueeyesshonewithtruthandpurity.
“Itwasyou,”saidtheprince,“whosavedmylifewhenIlaydeadonthebeach,”andhefoldedhisblushingbrideinhisarms.“Oh,Iamtoohappy,”saidhetothelittlemermaid;“myfondesthopesareallfulfilled.Youwillrejoiceatmyhappiness;foryourdevotiontomeisgreatandsincere.”
Thelittlemermaidkissedhishand,andfeltasifherheartwerealreadybroken.Hisweddingmorningwouldbringdeathtoher,andshewouldchangeintothefoamofthesea.Allthechurchbellsrung,andtheheraldsrodeaboutthetownproclaimingthebetrothal.Perfumedoilwasburningincostlysilverlampsoneveryaltar.Thepriestswavedthecensers,whilethebrideandbridegroomjoinedtheirhandsandreceivedtheblessingofthebishop.Thelittlemermaid,dressedinsilkandgold,heldupthebride''strain;butherearsheardnothingofthefestivemusic,andhereyessawnottheholyceremony;shethoughtofthenightofdeathwhichwascomingtoher,andofallshehadlostintheworld.Onthesameeveningthebrideandbridegroomwentonboardship;cannonswereroaring,flagswaving,andinthecentreoftheshipacostlytentofpurpleandgoldhadbeenerected.Itcontainedelegantcouches,forthereceptionofthebridalpairduringthenight.Theship,withswellingsailsandafavorablewind,glidedawaysmoothlyandlightlyoverthecalmsea.Whenitgrewdarkanumberofcoloredlampswerelit,andthesailorsdancedmerrilyonthedeck.Thelittlemermaidcouldnothelpthinkingofherfirstrisingoutofthesea,whenshehadseensimilarfestivitiesandjoys;andshejoinedinthedance,poisedherselfintheairasaswallowwhenhepursueshisprey,andallpresentcheeredherwithwonder.Shehadneverdancedsoelegantlybefore.Hertenderfeetfeltasifcutwithsharpknives,butshecarednotforit;asharperpanghadpiercedthroughherheart.Sheknewthiswasthelasteveningsheshouldeverseetheprince,forwhomshehadforsakenherkindredandherhome;shehadgivenupherbeautifulvoice,andsufferedunheard-ofpaindailyforhim,whileheknewnothingofit.Thiswasthelasteveningthatshewouldbreathethesameairwithhim,orgazeonthestarryskyandthedeepsea;aneternalnight,withoutathoughtoradream,awaitedher:shehadnosoulandnowshecouldneverwinone.Allwasjoyandgayetyonboardshiptilllongaftermidnight;shelaughedanddancedwiththerest,whilethethoughtsofdeathwereinherheart.Theprincekissedhisbeautifulbride,whilesheplayedwithhisravenhair,tilltheywentarm-in-armtorestinthesplendidtent.Thenallbecamestillonboardtheship;thehelmsman,aloneawake,stoodatthehelm.Thelittlemermaidleanedherwhitearmsontheedgeofthevessel,andlookedtowardstheeastforthefirstblushofmorning,forthatfirstrayofdawnthatwouldbringherdeath.Shesawhersistersrisingoutoftheflood:theywereaspaleasherself;buttheirlongbeautifulhairwavednomoreinthewind,andhadbeencutoff.
“Wehavegivenourhairtothewitch,”saidthey,“toobtainhelpforyou,thatyoumaynotdieto-night.Shehasgivenusaknife:hereitis,seeitisverysharp.Beforethesunrisesyoumustplungeitintotheheartoftheprince;whenthewarmbloodfallsuponyourfeettheywillgrowtogetheragain,andformintoafish''stail,andyouwillbeoncemoreamermaid,andreturntoustoliveoutyourthreehundredyearsbeforeyoudieandchangeintothesaltseafoam.Haste,then;heoryoumustdiebeforesunrise.Ouroldgrandmothermoanssoforyou,thatherwhitehairisfallingofffromsorrow,asoursfellunderthewitch''sscissors.Killtheprinceandcomeback;hasten:doyounotseethefirstredstreaksinthesky?Inafewminutesthesunwillrise,andyoumustdie.”Andthentheysigheddeeplyandmournfully,andsankdownbeneaththewaves.Thelittlemermaiddrewbackthecrimsoncurtainofthetent,andbeheldthefairbridewithherheadrestingontheprince''sbreast.Shebentdownandkissedhisfairbrow,thenlookedattheskyonwhichtherosydawngrewbrighterandbrighter;thensheglancedatthesharpknife,andagainfixedhereyesontheprince,whowhisperedthenameofhisbrideinhisdreams.Shewasinhisthoughts,andtheknifetrembledinthehandofthelittlemermaid:thensheflungitfarawayfromherintothewaves;thewaterturnedredwhereitfell,andthedropsthatspurteduplookedlikeblood.Shecastonemorelingering,half-faintingglanceattheprince,andthenthrewherselffromtheshipintothesea,andthoughtherbodywasdissolvingintofoam.Thesunroseabovethewaves,andhiswarmraysfellonthecoldfoamofthelittlemermaid,whodidnotfeelasifsheweredying.Shesawthebrightsun,andallaroundherfloatedhundredsoftransparentbeautifulbeings;shecouldseethroughthemthewhitesailsoftheship,andtheredcloudsinthesky;theirspeechwasmelodious,buttooetherealtobeheardbymortalears,astheywerealsounseenbymortaleyes.Thelittlemermaidperceivedthatshehadabodyliketheirs,andthatshecontinuedtorisehigherandhigheroutofthefoam.
“WhereamI?”askedshe,andhervoicesoundedethereal,asthevoiceofthosewhowerewithher;noearthlymusiccouldimitateit.
“Amongthedaughtersoftheair,”answeredoneofthem.“Amermaidhasnotanimmortalsoul,norcansheobtainoneunlessshewinstheloveofahumanbeing.Onthepowerofanotherhangshereternaldestiny.Butthedaughtersoftheair,althoughtheydonotpossessanimmortalsoul,can,bytheirgooddeeds,procureoneforthemselves.Weflytowarmcountries,andcoolthesultryairthatdestroysmankindwiththepestilence.Wecarrytheperfumeoftheflowerstospreadhealthandrestoration.Afterwehavestrivenforthreehundredyearstoallthegoodinourpower,wereceiveanimmortalsoulandtakepartinthehappinessofmankind.You,poorlittlemermaid,havetriedwithyourwholehearttodoaswearedoing;youhavesufferedandenduredandraisedyourselftothespirit-worldbyyourgooddeeds;andnow,bystrivingforthreehundredyearsinthesameway,youmayobtainanimmortalsoul.”
Thelittlemermaidliftedherglorifiedeyestowardsthesun,andfeltthem,forthefirsttime,fillingwithtears.Ontheship,inwhichshehadlefttheprince,therewerelifeandnoise;shesawhimandhisbeautifulbridesearchingforher;sorrowfullytheygazedatthepearlyfoam,asiftheyknewshehadthrownherselfintothewaves.Unseenshekissedtheforeheadofherbride,andfannedtheprince,andthenmountedwiththeotherchildrenoftheairtoarosycloudthatfloatedthroughtheaether.
“Afterthreehundredyears,thusshallwefloatintothekingdomofheaven,”saidshe.“Andwemayevengettheresooner,”whisperedoneofhercompanions.“Unseenwecanenterthehousesofmen,wheretherearechildren,andforeverydayonwhichwefindagoodchild,whoisthejoyofhisparentsanddeservestheirlove,ourtimeofprobationisshortened.Thechilddoesnotknow,whenweflythroughtheroom,thatwesmilewithjoyathisgoodconduct,forwecancountoneyearlessofourthreehundredyears.Butwhenweseeanaughtyorawickedchild,weshedtearsofsorrow,andforeverytearadayisaddedtoourtimeoftrial!”
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