Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/216

 HANS ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES to see His Majesty the Emperor dine, if you will conduct us to the nightingale, for she is expected at court this evening.'

So they went together to the wood, where the nightingale was accustomed to sing; and half the court went with them. Whilst on their way, a cow began to low.

'Oh!' said the court pages, 'now we have her! It is certainly an extraordinary voice for so small an animal; surely I have heard it somewhere before.'

'No, those are cows you hear lowing,' said the little kitchen-maid, 'we are still far from the place.'

The frogs were now croaking in the pond.

'That is famous!' said the chief court-preacher, 'now I hear her; it sounds just like little church-bells.'

'No, those are frogs,' said the little kitchen-maid, but now I think we shall soon hear her.'

Then began the nightingale to sing.

'There she is!' said the little girl. 'Listen! listen! there she sits,' and she pointed to a little grey bird up in the branches.

'Is it possible?' said the Cavalier. 'I should not have thought it. How simple she looks! she must certainly have changed colour at the sight of so many distinguished personages.'

'Little nightingale!' called out the kitchen-maid, 'our gracious Emperor wishes you to sing something to him.'

'With the greatest pleasure,' said the nightingale, and she sang in such a manner that it was delightful to hear her.

'It sounds like glass bells,' said the Cavalier. 'And look at her little throat, how it moves! It is singular that we should never have heard her before; she will have great success at court.' 176