Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/193

 HANS ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES 'Alas! he does not know that it was I who saved his life,' thought the little mermaiden, sighing deeply; ' I bore him over the wild waves, into the wooded bay, where the holy temple stood; I sat behind the rocks, waiting till some one should come. I saw the pretty maiden approach, whom he loves more than me,'—and again she heaved a deep sigh, for she could not weep. 'He said that the young girl belongs to the holy temple; she never comes out into the world, so they cannot meet each other again,—and I am always with him, see him daily; I will love him, and devote my whole life to him.'

'So the prince is going to be married to the beautiful daughter of the neighbouring king,' said the courtiers, 'that is why he is having that splendid ship fitted out. It is announced that he wishes to travel, but in reality he goes to see the princess; a numerous retinue will accompany him.' The little mermaiden smiled at these and similar conjectures, for she knew the prince's intentions better than any one else.

'I must go,' he said to her, 'I must see the beautiful princess; my parents require me to do so; but they will not compel me to marry her, and bring her home as my bride. And it is quite impossible for me to love her, for she cannot be so like the beautiful girl in the temple as thou art; and if I were obliged to choose, I should prefer thee, my little silent foundling, with the speaking eyes.' And he kissed her rosy lips, played with her locks, and folded her in his arms, whereupon arose in her heart a sweet vision of human happiness, and immortal bliss. Thou art not afraid of the sea, art thou, my sweet silent child? ' asked he tenderly, as they stood together in the splendid ship, which was to take them to the country of the neighbouring king. And then he told her of the storms that 156