安徒生童话-第118部分

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e　land；　one　behind　the　other；　like　a　long　white　ribbon。　Then　Elizawent　down　the　slope　from　the　shore；　and　hid　herself　behind　the　bushes。The　swans　alighted　quite　close　to　her　and　flapped　their　great　whitewings。　As　soon　as　the　sun　had　disappeared　under　the　water；　thefeathers　of　the　swans　fell　off；　and　eleven　beautiful　princes；Eliza's　brothers；　stood　near　her。　She　uttered　a　loud　cry；　for；although　they　were　very　much　changed；　she　knew　them　immediately。　Shesprang　into　their　arms；　and　called　them　each　by　name。　Then；　howhappy　the　princes　were　at　meeting　their　little　sister　again；　forthey　recognized　her；　although　she　had　grown　so　tall　and　beautiful。They　laughed；　and　they　wept；　and　very　soon　understood　how　wickedlytheir　mother　had　acted　to　them　all。　〃We　brothers；〃　said　the　eldest；〃fly　about　as　wild　swans；　so　long　as　the　sun　is　in　the　sky；　but　assoon　as　it　sinks　behind　the　hills；　we　recover　our　human　shape。Therefore　must　we　always　be　near　a　resting　place　for　our　feet　beforesunset；　for　if　we　should　be　flying　towards　the　clouds　at　the　time　werecovered　our　natural　shape　as　men；　we　should　sink　deep　into　thesea。　We　do　not　dwell　here；　but　in　a　land　just　as　fair；　that　liesbeyond　the　ocean；　which　we　have　to　cross　for　a　long　distance；　there　isno　island　in　our　passage　upon　which　we　could　pass；　the　night；nothing　but　a　little　rock　rising　out　of　the　sea；　upon　which　we　canscarcely　stand　with　safety；　even　closely　crowded　together。　If　thesea　is　rough；　the　foam　dashes　over　us；　yet　we　thank　God　even　forthis　rock；　we　have　passed　whole　nights　upon　it；　or　we　should　neverhave　reached　our　beloved　fatherland；　for　our　flight　across　the　seaoccupies　two　of　the　longest　days　in　the　year。　We　have　permission　tovisit　out　home　once　in　every　year；　and　to　remain　eleven　days；　duringwhich　we　fly　across　the　forest　to　look　once　more　at　the　palace　whereour　father　dwells；　and　where　we　were　born；　and　at　the　church；　whereour　mother　lies　buried。　Here　it　seems　as　if　the　very　trees　andbushes　were　related　to　us。　The　wild　horses　leap　over　the　plains　aswe　have　seen　them　in　our　childhood。　The　charcoal　burners　sing　theold　songs；　to　which　we　have　danced　as　children。　This　is　ourfatherland；　to　which　we　are　drawn　by　loving　ties；　and　here　we　havefound　you；　our　dear　little　sister。；　Two　days　longer　we　can　remainhere；　and　then　must　we　fly　away　to　a　beautiful　land　which　is　not　ourhome；　and　how　can　we　take　you　with　us？　We　have　neither　ship　nor　boat。〃

〃How　can　I　break　this　spell？〃　said　their　sister。　And　then　shetalked　about　it　nearly　the　whole　night；　only　slumbering　for　a　fewhours。　Eliza　was　awakened　by　the　rustling　of　the　swans'　wings　asthey　soared　above。　Her　brothers　were　again　changed　to　swans；　andthey　flew　in　circles　wider　and　wider；　till　they　were　far　away；　but　oneof　them；　the　youngest　swan；　remained　behind；　and　laid　his　head　inhis　sister's　lap；　while　she　stroked　his　wings；　and　they　remainedtogether　the　whole　day。　Towards　evening；　the　rest　came　back；　and　asthe　sun　went　down　they　resumed　their　natural　forms。　〃To…morrow；〃said　one；　〃we　shall　fly　away；　not　to　return　again　till　a　whole　yearhas　passed。　But　we　cannot　leave　you　here。　Have　you　courage　to　gowith　us？　My　arm　is　strong　enough　to　carry　you　through　the　wood；　andwill　not　all　our　wings　be　strong　enough　to　fly　with　you　over　the　sea？〃

〃Yes；　take　me　with　you；〃　said　Eliza。　Then　they　spent　the　wholenight　in　weaving　a　　with　the　pliant　willow　and　rushes。　It　wasvery　large　and　strong。　Eliza　laid　herself　down　on　the　；　and　whenthe　sun　rose；　and　her　brothers　again　became　wild　swans；　they　took　upthe　　with　their　beaks；　and　flew　up　to　the　clouds　with　their　dearsister；　who　still　slept。　The　sunbeams　fell　on　her　face；　thereforeone　of　the　swans　soared　over　her　head；　so　that　his　broad　wings　mightshade　her。　They　were　far　from　the　land　when　Eliza　woke。　She　thoughtshe　must　still　be　dreaming；　it　seemed　so　strange　to　her　to　feelherself　being　carried　so　high　in　the　air　over　the　sea。　By　her　side　laya　branch　full　of　beautiful　ripe　berries；　and　a　bundle　of　sweetroots；　the　youngest　of　her　brothers　had　gathered　them　for　her；　andplaced　them　by　her　side。　She　smiled　her　thanks　to　him；　she　knew　it　wasthe　same　who　had　hovered　over　her　to　shade　her　with　his　wings。　Theywere　now　so　high；　that　a　large　ship　beneath　them　looked　like　a　whitesea…gull　skimming　the　waves。　A　great　cloud　floating　behind　themappeared　like　a　vast　mountain；　and　upon　it　Eliza　saw　her　own　shadowand　those　of　the　eleven　swans；　looking　gigantic　in　size。　Altogether　itformed　a　more　beautiful　picture　than　she　had　ever　seen；　but　as　the　sunrose　higher；　and　the　clouds　were　left　behind；　the　shadowy　picturevanished　away。　Onward　the　whole　day　they　flew　through　the　air　like　awinged　arrow；　yet　more　slowly　than　usual；　for　they　had　their　sister　tocarry。　The　weather　seemed　inclined　to　be　stormy；　and　Eliza　watched　thesinking　sun　with　great　anxiety；　for　the　little　rock　in　the　ocean　wasnot　yet　in　sight。　It　appeared　to　her　as　if　the　swans　were　making　greatefforts　with　their　wings。　Alas！　she　was　the　cause　of　their　notadvancing　more　quickly。　When　the　sun　set；　they　would　change　to　men；fall　into　the　sea　and　be　drowned。　Then　she　offered　a　prayer　from　herinmost　heart；　but　still　no　appearance　of　the　rock。　Dark　clouds　camenearer；　the　gusts　of　wind　told　of　a　ing　storm；　while　from　athick；　heavy　mass　of　clouds　the　lightning　burst　forth　flash　afterflash。　The　sun　had　reached　the　edge　of　the　sea；　when　the　swansdarted　down　so　swiftly；　that　Eliza's　head　trembled；　she　believedthey　were　falling；　but　they　again　soared　onward。　Presently　shecaught　sight　of　the　rock　just　below　them；　and　by　this　time　the　sun　washalf　hidden　by　the　waves。　The　rock　did　not　appear　larger　than　a　seal'shead　thrust　out　of　the　water。　They　sunk　so　rapidly；　that　at　the　momenttheir　feet　touched　the　rock；　it　shone　only　like　a　star；　and　at　lastdisappeared　like　the　last　spark　in　a　piece　of　burnt　paper。　Then　shesaw　her　brothers　standing　closely　round　her　with　their　arms　linkedtogether。　There　was　but　just　room　enough　for　them；　and　not　thesmallest　space　to　spare。　The　sea　dashed　against　the　rock；　andcovered　them　with　spray。　The　heavens　were　lighted　up　with　continualflashes；　and　peal　after　peal　of　thunder　rolled。　But　the　sister　andbrothers　sat　holding　each　other's　hands；　and　singing　hymns；　from　whichthey　gained　hope　and　courage。　In　the　early　dawn　the　air　became　calmand　still；　and　at　sunrise　the　swans　flew　away　from　the　rock　withEliza。　The　sea　was　still　rough；　and　from　their　high　position　in　theair；　the　white　foam　on　the　dark　green　waves　looked　like　millions　ofswans　swimming　on　the　water。　As　the　sun　rose　higher；　Eliza　sawbefore　her；　floating　on　the　air；　a　range　of　mountains；　with　shiningmasses　of　ice　on　their　summits。　In　the　centre；　rose　a　castleapparently　a　mile　long；　with　rows　of　columns；　rising　one　aboveanother；　while；　around　it；　palm…trees　waved　and　flowers　bloomed　aslarge　as　mill　wheels。　She　asked　if　this　was　the　land　to　which　theywere　hastening。　The　swans　shook　their　heads；　for　what　she　beheldwere　the　beautiful　ever…changing　cloud　palaces　of　the　〃FataMorgana；〃　into　which　no　mortal　can　enter。　Eliza　was　still　gazing　atthe　scene；　when　mountains；　forests；　and　castles　melted　away；　andtwenty　stately　churches　rose　in　their　stead；　with　high　towers　andpointed　gothic　windows。　Eliza　even　fancied　she　could　hear　the　tones　ofthe　organ；　but　it　was　the　music　of　the　murmuring　sea　which　sheheard。　As　they　drew　nearer　to　the　churches；　they　also　changed　into　afleet　of　ships；　which　seemed　to　be　sailing　beneath　her；　but　as　shelooked　again；　she　found　it　was　only　a　sea　mist　gliding　over　the　ocean。So　there　continued　to　pass　before　her　eyes　a　constant　change　of　scene；till　at　last　she　saw　the　real　land　to　which　they　were　bound；　withits　blue　mountains；　its　cedar　forests；　and　its　cities　and　palaces。Long　before　the　sun　went　down；　she　sat　on　a　rock；　in　front　of　alarge　cave；　on　the　floor　of　which　the　over…grown　yet　delicate　greencreeping　plants　looked　like　an　embroidered　carpet。　〃Now　we　shallexpect　to　hear　what　you　dream　of　to…night；〃　said　the　youngest　brother；as　he　showed　his　sister　her　bedroom。

〃Heaven　grant　that　I　may　dream　how　to　save　you；〃　she　replied。And　this　thought　took　such　hold　upon　her　mind　that　she　prayedearnestly　to　God　for　help；　and　even　in　her　sleep　she　continued　topray。　Then　it　appeared　to　her　as　if　she　were　flying　high　in　the　air；towards　the　cloudy　palace　of　the　〃Fata　Morgana；〃　and　a　fairy　cameout　to　meet　her；　radiant　and　beautiful　in　appearance；　and　yet　verymuch　like　the　old　woman　who　had　given　her　berries　in　the　wood；　and　whohad　told　her　of　the　swans　with　golden　crowns　on　their　heads。　〃Yourbrothers　can　be　released；〃　said　she；　〃if　you　have　only　courage　andperseverance。　True；　water　is　softer　than　your　own　delicate　hands；and　yet　it　polishes　stones　into　shapes；　it　feels　no　pain　as　yourfingers　would　feel；　it　has　no　soul；　and　cannot　suffer　such　agony　andtorment　as　you　will　have　to　endure。　Do　you　see　the　stinging　tlewhich　I　hold　in　my　hand？　Quantities　of　the　same　sort　grow　round　thecave　in　which　you　sleep；　but　none　will　be　of　any　use　to　you　unlessthey　grow　upon　the　graves　in　a　churchyard。　These　you　must　gathereven　while　they　burn　blisters　on　your　hands。　Break　them　to　pieces　withyour　hands　and　feet；　and　they　will　bee　flax；　from　which　you　mustspin　and　weave　eleven　coats　with　long　sleeves；　if　these　are　thenthrown　over　the　eleven　swans；　the　spell　will　be　broken。　Butremember；　that　from　the　moment　you　mence　your　task　until　it　isfinished；　even　should　it　occupy　years　of　your　life；　you　must　notspeak。　The　first　word　you　utter　will　pierce　through　the　hearts　of　yourbrothers　like　a　deadly　dagger。　Their　lives　hang　upon　your　tongue。Remember　all　I　have　told　you。〃　And　as　she　finished　speaking；　shetouched　her　hand　lightly　with　the　tle；　and　a　pain；　as　of　burningfire；　awoke　Eliza。

It　was　broad　daylight；　and　close　by　where　she　had　been　sleepinglay　a　tle　like　the　one　she　had　seen　in　her　dream。　She　fell　on　herknees　and　offered　her　thanks　to　God。　Then　she　went　forth　from　the　caveto　begin　her　work　with　her　delicate　hands。　She　groped　in　amongst　theugly　tles；　which　burnt　great　blisters　on　her　hands　and　arms；　butshe　determined　to　bear　it　gladly　if　she　could　only　release　her　dearbrothers。　So　she　bruised　the　tles　with　her　bare　feet　and　spun　theflax。　At　sunset　her　brothers　returned　and　were　very　much　frightenedwhen　they　found　her　dumb。　They　believed　it　to　be　some　new　sorcery　oftheir　wicked　step…mother。　But　when　they　saw　her　hands　theyunderstood　what　she　was　doing　on　their　behalf；　and　the　youngestbrother　wept；　and　where　his　tears　fell　the　pain　ceased；　and　theburning　blisters　vanished。　She　kept　to　her　work　all　night；　for　shecould　not　rest　till　she　had　released　her　dear　brothers。　During　thewhole　of　the　following　day；　while　her　brothers　were　absent；　she　sat　insolitude；　but　never　before　had　the　time　flown　so　quickly。　One　coat　wasalready　finished　and　she　had　begun　the　second；　when　she　heard　thehuntsman's　horn；　and　was　struck　with　fear。　The　sound　came　nearer　andnearer；　she　heard　the　dogs　barking；　and　fled　with　terror　into　thecave。　She　hastily　bound　together　the　tles　she　had　gathered　into　abundle　and　sat　upon　them。　Immediately　a　great　dog　came　boundingtowards　her　out　of　the　ravine；　and　then　another　and　another；　theybarked　loudly；　ran　back；　and　then　came　again。　In　a　very　few　minutesall　the　huntsmen　stood　before　the　cave；　and　the　handsomest　of　them　wasthe　king　of　the　country。　He　advanced　towards　her；　for　he　had　neverseen　a　more　beautiful　maiden。

〃How　did　you　e　here；　my　sweet　child？〃　he　asked。　But　Eliza　shookher　head。　She　dared　not　speak；　at　the　cost　of　her　brothers'　lives。　Andshe　hid　her　hands　under　her　apron；　so　that　the　king　might　not　seehow　she　must　be　suffering。

〃e　with　me；〃　he　said；　〃here　you　cannot　remain。　If　you　are　asgood　as　you　are　beautiful；　I　will　dress　you　in　silk　and　velvet；　I　willplace　a　golden　crown　upon　your　head；　and　you　shall　dwell；　and　rule；and　make　your　home　in　my　richest　castle。〃　And　then　he　lifted　her　onhis　horse。　She　wept　and　wrung　her　hands；　but　the　king　said；　〃I　wishonly　for　your　happiness。　A　time　will　e　when　you　will　thank　me　forthis。〃　And　then　he　galloped　away　over　the　mountains；　holding　herbefore　him　on　this　horse；　and　the　hunters　followed　behind　them。　As　thesun　went　down；　they　approached　a　fair　royal　city；　with　churches；　andcupolas。　On　arriving　at　the　castle　the　king　led　her　into　marble　halls；where　large　fountains　played；　and　where　the　walls　and　the　ceilingswere　covered　with　rich　paintings。　But　she　had　no　eyes　for　all　theseglorious　sights；　she　could　only　mourn　and　weep。　Patiently　sheallowed　the　women　to　array　her　in　royal　robes；　to　weave　pearls　inher　hair；　and　draw　soft　gloves　over　her　blistered　fingers。　As　shestood　before　them　in　all　her　rich　dress；　she　looked　so　dazzinglybeautiful　that　the　court　bowed　low　in　her　presence。　Then　the　kingdeclared　his　intention　of　making　her　his　bride；　but　the　archbishopshook　his　head；　and　whispered　that　the　fair　young　maiden　was　only　awitch　who　had　blinded　the　king's　eyes　and　bewitched　his　heart。　But　theking　would　not　listen　to　this；　he　ordered　the　music　to　sound；　thedaintiest　dishes　to　be　served；　and　the　loveliest　maidens　to　dance。After…wards　he　led　her　through　fragrant　gardens　and　lofty　halls；　butnot　a　smile　appeared　on　her　lips　or　sparkled　in　her　eyes。　She　lookedthe　very　picture　of　grief。　Then　the　king　opened　the　door　of　a　littlechamber　in　which　she。　was　to　sleep；　it　was　adorned　with　rich　greentapestry；　and　resembled　the　cave　in　which　he　had　found　her。　On　thefloor　lay　the　bundle　of　flax　which　she　had　spun　from　the　tles；and　under　the　ceiling　hung　the　coat　she　had　made。　These　things　hadbeen　brought　away　from　the　cave　as　curiosities　by　one　of　the　huntsmen。

〃Here　you　can　dream　yourself　back　again　in　the　old　home　in　thecave；〃　said　the　king；　〃here　is　the　work　with　which　you　employedyourself。　It　will　amuse　you　now　in　the　midst　of　all　this　splendor　tothink　of　that　time。〃

When　Eliza　saw　all　these　things　which　lay　so　near　her　heart；　asmile　played　around　her　mouth；　and　the　crimson　blood　rushed　to　hercheeks。　She　thought　of　her　brothers；　and　their　release　made　her　sojoyful　that　she　kissed　the　king's　hand。　Then　he　pressed　her　to　hisheart。　Very　soon　the　joyous　church　bells　announced　the　marriage　feast；and　that　the　beautiful　dumb　girl　out　of　the　wood　was　to　be　made　thequeen　of　the　country。　Then　the　archbishop　whispered　wicked　words　inthe　king's　ear；　but　they　did　not　sink　into　his　heart。　The　marriage　wasstill　to　take　place；　and　the　archbishop　himself　had　to　place　the　crownon　the　bride's　head；　in　his　wicked　spite；　he　pressed　the　narrowcirclet　so　tightly　on　her　forehead　that　it　caused　her　pain。　But　aheavier　weight　encircled　her　heart…　sorrow　for　her　brothers。　Shefelt　not　bodily　pain。　Her　mouth　was　closed；　a　single　word　would　costthe　lives　of　her　brothers。　But　she　loved　the　kind；　handsome　king；who　did　everything　to　make　her　happy　more　and　more　each　day；　she　lovedhim　with　all　her　heart；　and　her　eyes　beamed　with　the　love　she　darednot　speak。　Oh！　if　she　had　only　been　able　to　confide　in　him　and　tellhim　of　her　grief。　But　dumb　she　must　remain　till　her　task　was　finished。Therefore　at　night　she　crept　away　into　her　little　chamber；　which　hadbeen　decked　out　to　look　like　the　cave；　and　quickly　wove　one　coat　afteranother。　But　when　she　began　the　seventh　she　found　she　had　no　moreflax。　She　knew　that　the　tles　she　wanted　to　use　grew　in　thechurchyard；　and　that　she　must　pluck　them　herself。　How　should　she　getout　there？　〃Oh；　what　is　the