安徒生童话-第39部分

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rts　of　the　people。

The　village　children　listened　attentively；　and　the　Dryad　no　lessattentively；　she　became　a　school…child　with　the　rest。　In　the　cloudsthat　went　sailing　by　she　saw；　picture　by　picture；　everything　thatshe　heard　talked　about。　The　cloudy　sky　was　her　picture…book。

She　felt　so　happy　in　beautiful　France；　the　fruitful　land　ofgenius；　with　the　crater　of　freedom。　But　in　her　heart　the　stingremained　that　the　bird；　that　every　animal　that　could　fly；　was　muchbetter　off　than　she。　Even　the　fly　could　look　about　more　in　theworld；　far　beyond　the　Dryad's　horizon。

France　was　so　great　and　so　glorious；　but　she　could　only　lookacross　a　little　piece　of　it。　The　land　stretched　out；　world…wide；with　vineyards；　forests　and　great　cities。　Of　all　these　Paris　was　themost　splendid　and　the　mightiest。　The　birds　could　get　there；　but　she；never！

Among　the　village　children　was　a　little　ragged；　poor　girl；　but　apretty　one　to　look　at。　She　was　always　laughing　or　singing　andtwining　red　flowers　in　her　black　hair。

〃Don't　go　to　Paris！〃　the　old　clergyman　warned　her。　〃Poor　child！　ifyou　go　there；　it　will　be　your　ruin。〃

But　she　went　for　all　that。

The　Dryad　often　thought　of　her；　for　she　had　the　same　wish；　andfelt　the　same　longing　for　the　great　city。

The　Dryad's　tree　was　bearing　its　first　chestnut　blossoms；　thebirds　were　twittering　round　them　in　the　most　beautiful　sunshine。Then　a　stately　carriage　came　rolling　along　that　way；　and　in　it　sat　agrand　lady　driving　the　spirited；　light…footed　horses。　On　the　back　seata　little　smart　groom　balanced　himself。　The　Dryad　knew　the　lady；　andthe　old　clergyman　knew　her　also。　He　shook　his　head　gravely　when　he　sawher；　and　said：

〃So　you　went　there　after　all；　and　it　was　your　ruin；　poor　Mary！〃

〃That　one　poor？〃　thought　the　Dryad。　〃No；　she　wears　a　dress　fit　fora　countess〃　（she　had　bee　one　in　the　city　of　magic　changes）。　〃Oh；　ifI　were　only　there；　amid　all　the　splendor　and　pomp！　They　shine　upinto　the　very　clouds　at　night；　when　I　look　up；　I　can　tell　in　whatdirection　the　town　lies。〃

Towards　that　direction　the　Dryad　looked　every　evening。　She　sawin　the　dark　night　the　gleaming　cloud　on　the　horizon；　in　the　clearmoonlight　nights　she　missed　the　sailing　clouds；　which　showed　herpictures　of　the　city　and　pictures　from　history。

The　child　grasps　at　the　picture…books；　the　Dryad　grasped　at　thecloud…world；　her　thought…book。　A　sudden；　cloudless　sky　was　for　her　ablank　leaf；　and　for　several　days　she　had　only　had　such　leaves　beforeher。

It　was　in　the　warm　summer…time：　not　a　breeze　moved　through　theglowing　hot　days。　Every　leaf；　every　flower；　lay　as　if　it　weretorpid；　and　the　people　seemed　torpid；　too。

Then　the　clouds　arose　and　covered　the　region　round　about　where　thegleaming　mist　announced　〃Here　lies　Paris。〃

The　clouds　piled　themselves　up　like　a　chain　of　mountains；hurried　on　through　the　air；　and　spread　themselves　abroad　over　thewhole　landscape；　as　far　as　the　Dryad's　eye　could　reach。

Like　enormous　blue…black　blocks　of　rock；　the　clouds　lay　piled　overone　another。　Gleams　of　lightning　shot　forth　from　them。

〃These　also　are　the　servants　of　the　Lord　God；〃　the　old　clergymanhad　said。　And　there　came　a　bluish　dazzling　flash　of　lightning；　alighting　up　as　if　of　the　sun　itself；　which　could　burst　blocks　ofrock　asunder。　The　lightning　struck　and　split　to　the　roots　the　oldvenerable　oak。　The　crown　fell　asunder。　It　seemed　as　if　the　tree　werestretching　forth　its　arms　to　clasp　the　messengers　of　the　light。

No　bronze　cannon　can　sound　over　the　land　at　the　birth　of　a　royalchild　as　the　thunder　sounded　at　the　death　of　the　old　oak。　The　rainstreamed　down；　a　refreshing　wind　was　blowing；　the　storm　had　gone　by；and　there　was　quite　a　holiday　glow　on　all　things。　The　old　clergymanspoke　a　few　words　for　honorable　remembrance；　and　a　painter　made　adrawing；　as　a　lasting　record　of　the　tree。

〃Everything　passes　away；〃　said　the　Dryad；　〃passes　away　like　acloud；　and　never　es　back！〃

The　old　clergyman；　too；　did　not　e　back。　The　green　roof　of　hisschool　was　gone；　and　his　teaching…chair　had　vanished。　The　children　didnot　e；　but　autumn　came；　and　winter　came；　and　then　spring　also。　Inall　this　change　of　seasons　the　Dryad　looked　toward　the　region　where；at　night；　Paris　gleamed　with　its　bright　mist　far　on　the　horizon。

Forth　from　the　town　rushed　engine　after　engine；　train　after　train；whistling　and　screaming　at　all　hours　in　the　day。　In　the　evening；towards　midnight；　at　daybreak；　and　all　the　day　through；　came　thetrains。　Out　of　each　one；　and　into　each　one；　streamed　people　from　thecountry　of　every　king。　A　new　wonder　of　the　world　had　summoned　themto　Paris。

In　what　form　did　this　wonder　exhibit　itself？

〃A　splendid　blossom　of　art　and　industry；〃　said　one；　〃hasunfolded　itself　in　the　Champ　de　Mars；　a　gigantic　sunflower；　from　whosepetals　one　can　learn　geography　and　statistics；　and　can　bee　aswise　as　a　lord　mayor；　and　raise　one's　self　to　the　level　of　art　andpoetry；　and　study　the　greatness　and　power　of　the　various　lands。〃

〃A　fairy　tale　flower；〃　said　another；　〃a　many…coloredlotus…plant；　which　spreads　out　its　green　leaves　like　a　velvet　carpetover　the　sand。　The　opening　spring　has　brought　it　forth；　the　summerwill　see　it　in　all　its　splendor；　the　autumn　winds　will　sweep　itaway；　so　that　not　a　leaf；　not　a　fragment　of　its　root　shall　remain。〃

In　front　of　the　Military　School　extends　in　time　of　peace　the　arenaof　war…　a　field　without　a　blade　of　grass；　a　piece　of　sandy　steppe；as　if　cut　out　of　the　Desert　of　Africa；　where　Fata　Morgana　displays　herwondrous　airy　castles　and　hanging　gardens。　In　the　Champ　de　Mars；however；　these　were　to　be　seen　more　splendid；　more　wonderful　than　inthe　East；　for　human　art　had　converted　the　airy　deceptive　scenes　intoreality。

〃The　Aladdin's　Palace　of　the　present　has　been　built；〃　it　was　said。〃Day　by　day；　hour　by　hour；　it　unfolds　more　of　its　wonderful　splendor。〃

The　endless　halls　shine　in　marble　and　many　colors。　〃MasterBloodless〃　here　moves　his　limbs　of　steel　and　iron　in　the　greatcircular　hall　of　machinery。　Works　of　art　in　metal；　in　stone；　inGobelins　tapestry；　announce　the　vitality　of　mind　that　is　stirring　inevery　land。　Halls　of　paintings；　splendor　of　flowers；　everything　thatmind　and　skill　can　create　in　the　workshop　of　the　artisan；　has　beenplaced　here　for　show。　Even　the　memorials　of　ancient　days；　out　of　oldgraves　and　turf…moors；　have　appeared　at　this　general　meeting。

The　overpowering　great　variegated　whole　must　be　divided　into　smallportions；　and　pressed　together　like　a　plaything；　if　it　is　to　beunderstood　and　described。

Like　a　great　table　on　Christmas　Eve；　the　Champ　de　Mars　carried　awonder…castle　of　industry　and　art；　and　around　this　knickknacks　fromall　countries　had　been　ranged；　knickknacks　on　a　grand　scale；　for　everynation　found　some　remembrance　of　home。

Here　stood　the　royal　palace　of　Egypt；　there　the　caravanserai　ofthe　desert　land。　The　Bedouin　had　quitted　his　sunny　country；　andhastened　by　on　his　camel。　Here　stood　the　Russian　stables；　with　thefiery　glorious　horses　of　the　steppe。　Here　stood　the　simplestraw…thatched　dwelling　of　the　Danish　peasant；　with　the　Dannebrogflag；　next　to　Gustavus　Vasa's　wooden　house　from　Dalarne；　with　itswonderful　carvings。　American　huts；　English　cottages；　French　pavilions；kiosks；　theatres；　churches；　all　strewn　around；　and　between　them　thefresh　green　turf；　the　clear　springing　water；　blooming　bushes；　raretrees；　hothouses；　in　which　one　might　fancy　one's　self　transported　intothe　tropical　forest；　whole　gardens　brought　from　Damascus；　and　bloomingunder　one　roof。　What　colors；　what　fragrance！

Artificial　grottoes　surrounded　bodies　of　fresh　or　salt　water；and　gave　a　glimpse　into　the　empire　of　the　fishes；　the　visitor　seemedto　wander　at　the　bottom　of　the　sea；　among　fishes　and　polypi。

〃All　this；〃　they　said；　〃the　Champ　de　Mars　offers；〃　and　aroundthe　great　richly…spread　table　the　crowd　of　human　beings　moves　like　abusy　swarm　of　ants；　on　foot　or　in　little　carriages；　for　not　all　feetare　equal　to　such　a　fatiguing　journey。

Hither　they　swarm　from　morning　till　late　in　the　evening。　Steamerafter　steamer；　crowded　with　people；　glides　down　the　Seine。　Thenumber　of　carriages　is　continually　on　the　increase。　The　swarm　ofpeople　on　foot　and　on　horseback　grows　more　and　more　dense。　Carriagesand　omnibuses　are　crowded；　stuffed　and　embroidered　with　people。　Allthese　tributary　streams　flow　in　one　direction…　towards　the　Exhibition。On　every　entrance　the　flag　of　France　is　displayed；　around　theworld's　bazaar　wave　the　flags　of　all　nations。　There　is　a　humming　and　amurmuring　from　the　hall　of　the　machines；　from　the　towers　the　melody　ofthe　chimes　is　heard；　with　the　tones　of　the　organs　in　the　churchesmingle　the　hoarse　nasal　songs　from　the　cafes　of　the　East。　It　is　akingdom　of　Babel；　a　wonder　of　the　world！

In　very　truth　it　was。　That's　what　all　the　reports　said；　and　whodid　not　hear　them？　The　Dryad　knew　everything　that　is　told　here　ofthe　new　wonder　in　the　city　of　cities。

〃Fly　away；　ye　birds！　fly　away　to　see；　and　then　e　back　andtell　me；〃　said　the　Dryad。

The　wish　became　an　intense　desire…　became　the　one　thought　of　alife。　Then；　in　the　quiet　silent　night；　while　the　full　moon　wasshining；　the　Dryad　saw　a　spark　fly　out　of　the　moon's　disc；　and　falllike　a　shooting　star。　And　before　the　tree；　whose　leaves　waved　to　andfro　as　if　they　were　stirred　by　a　tempest；　stood　a　noble；　mighty；　andgrand　figure。　In　tones　that　were　at　once　rich　and　strong；　like　thetrumpet　of　the　Last　Judgment　bidding　farewell　to　life　and　summoning　tothe　great　account；　it　said：

〃Thou　shalt　go　to　the　city　of　magic；　thou　shalt　take　root　there；and　enjoy　the　mighty　rushing　breezes；　the　air　and　the　sunshihere。　But　the　time　of　thy　life　shall　then　be　shortened；　the　line　ofyears　that　awaited　thee　here　amid　the　free　nature　shall　shrink　tobut　a　small　tale。　Poor　Dryad！　It　shall　be　thy　destruction。　Thyyearning　and　longing　will　increase；　thy　desire　will　grow　morestormy；　the　tree　itself　will　be　as　a　prison　to　thee；　thou　wilt　quitthy　cell　and　give　up　thy　nature　to　fly　out　and　mingle　among　men。Then　the　years　that　would　have　belonged　to　thee　will　be　contractedto　half　the　span　of　the　ephemeral　fly；　that　lives　but　a　day：　onenight；　and　thy　life…taper　shall　be　blown　out…　the　leaves　of　the　treewill　wither　and　be　blown　away；　to　bee　green　never　again！〃

Thus　the　words　sounded。　And　the　light　vanished　away；　but　not　thelonging　of　the　Dryad。　She　trembled　in　the　wild　fever　of　expectation。

〃I　shall　go　there！〃　she　cried；　rejoicingly。　〃Life　is　beginning　andswells　like　a　cloud；　nobody　knows　whither　it　is　hastening。〃

When　the　gray　dawn　arose　and　the　moon　turned　pale　and　the　cloudswere　tinted　red；　the　wished…for　hour　struck。　The　words　of　promise　werefulfilled。

People　appeared　with　spades　and　poles；　they　dug　round　the　roots　ofthe　tree；　deeper　and　deeper；　and　beneath　it。　A　wagon　was　broughtout；　drawn　by　many　horses；　and　the　tree　was　lifted　up；　with　itsroots　and　the　lumps　of　earth　that　adhered　to　them；　matting　wasplaced　around　the　roots；　as　though　the　tree　had　its　feet　in　a　warmbag。　And　now　the　tree　was　lifted　on　the　wagon　and　secured　with　chains。The　journey　began…　the　journey　to　Paris。　There　the　tree　was　to　grow　asan　ornament　to　the　city　of　French　glory。

The　twigs　and　the　leaves　of　the　chestnut　tree　trembled　in　thefirst　moments　of　its　being　moved；　and　the　Dryad　trembled　in　thepleasurable　feeling　of　expectation。

〃Away！　away！〃　it　sounded　in　every　beat　of　her　pulse。　〃Away！away〃　sounded　in　words　that　flew　trembling　along。　The　Dryad　forgotto　bid　farewell　to　the　regions　of　home；　she　thought　not　of　thewaving　grass　and　of　the　innocent　daisies；　which　had　looked　up　to　heras　to　a　great　lady；　a　young　Princess　playing　at　being　a　shepherdessout　in　the　open　air。

The　chestnut　tree　stood　upon　the　wagon；　and　nodded　his　branches；whether　this　meant　〃farewell〃　or　〃forward；〃　the　Dryad　knew　not；　shedreamed　only　of　the　marvellous　new　things；　that　seemed　yet　sofamiliar；　and　that　were　to　unfold　themselves　before　her。　No　child'sheart　rejoicing　in　innocence…　no　heart　whose　blood　danced　withpassion…　had　set　out　on　the　journey　to　Paris　more　full　ofexpectation　than　she。

Her　〃farewell〃　sounded　in　the　words　〃Away！　away！〃

The　wheels　turned；　the　distant　approached；　the　present　vanished。The　region　was　changed；　even　as　the　clouds　change。　New　vineyards；forests；　villages；　villas　appeared…　came　nearer…　vanished！

The　chestnut　tree　moved　forward；　and　the　Dryad　went　with　it。Steam…engine　after　steam…engine　rushed　past；　sending　up　into　the　airvapory　clouds；　that　formed　figures　which　told　of　Paris；　whence　theycame；　and　whither　the　Dryad　was　going。

Everything　around　knew　it；　and　must　know　whither　she　was　bound。　Itseemed　to　her　as　if　every　tree　she　passed　stretched　out　its　leavestowards　her；　with　the　prayer…　〃Take　me　with　you！　take　me　with　you！〃for　every　tree　enclosed　a　longing　Dryad。

What　changes　during　this　flight！　Houses　seemed　to　be　rising　out　ofthe　earth…　more　and　more…　thicker　and　thicker。　The　chimneys　roselike　flower…pots　ranged　side　by　side；　or　in　rows　one　above　theother；　on　the　roofs。　Great　inscriptions　in　letters　a　yard　long；　andfigures　in　various　colors；　covering　the　walls　from　cornice　tobasement；　came　brightly　out。

〃Where　does　Paris　begin；　and　when　shall　I　be　there？〃　asked　theDryad。

The　crowd　of　people　grew；　the　tumult　and　the　bustle　increased；carriage　followed　upon　carriage；　people　on　foot　and　people　onhorseback　were　mingled　together；　all　around　were　shops　on　shops；　musicand　song；　crying　and　talking。

The　Dryad；　in　her　tree；　was　now　in　the　midst　of　Paris。　The　greatheavy　wagon　all　at　once　stopped　on　a　little　square　planted　with　trees。The　high　houses　around　had　all　of　them　balconies　to　the　windows；from　which　the　inhabitants　looked　down　upon　the　young　fresh　chestnuttree；　which　was　ing　to　be　planted　here　as　a　substitute　for　the　deadtree　that　lay　stretched　on　the　ground。

The　passers…by　stood　still　and　smiled　in　admiration　of　its　purevernal　freshness。　The　older　trees；　whose　buds　were　still　closed；whispered　with　their　waving　branches；　〃Wele！　wele！〃　Thefountain；　throwing　its　jet　of　water　high　up　in　the　air；　to　let　it　fallagain　in　the　wide　stone　basin；　told　the　wind　to　sprinkle　the　new…erwith　pearly　drops；　as　if　it　wished　to　give　him　a　refreshing　draught　towele　him。

The　Dryad　felt　how　her　tree　was　being　lifted　from　the　wagon　tobe　placed　in　the　spot　where　it　was　to　stand。　The　roots　were　coveredwith　earth；　and　fresh　turf　was　laid　on　top。　Blooming　shrubs　andflowers　in　pots　were　ranged　around；　and　thus　a　little　garden　arosein　the　square。

The　tree　that　had　been　killed　by　the　fumes　of　gas；　the　steam　ofkitchens；　and　the　bad　air　of　the　city；　was　put　upon　the　wagon　anddriven　away。　The　passers…by　looked　on。　Children　and　old　men　sat　uponthe　bench；　and　looked　at　the　green　tree。　And　we　who　are　telling　thisstory　stood　upon　a　balcony；　and　looked　down　upon　the　green　springsight　that　had　been　brought　in　from　the　fresh　country　air；　and　said；what　the　old　clergyman　would　have　said；　〃Poor　Dryad！〃

〃I　am　happy！　I　am　happy！〃　the　Dryad　cried；　rejoicing；　〃and　yet　Icannot　realize；　cannot　describe　what　I　feel。　Everything　is　as　Ifancied　it；　and　yet　as　I　did　not　fancy　it。〃

The　houses　stood　there；　so　lofty；　so　close！　The　sunlight　shoneon　only　one　of　the　walls；　and　that　one　was　stuck　over　with　bills　andplacards；　before　which　the　people　stood　still；　and　this　made　a　crowd。

Carriages　rushed　past；　carriages　rolled　past；　light　ones　and　heavyones　mingled　together。　Omnibuses；　those　over…crowded　movin