Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/227

THE NIGHTINGALE And she sang and the Emperor fell into a sweet sleep. Oh, how soft and kindly was that sleep!

The sun shone in at the window when he awoke, strong and healthy. Not one of his servants had returned, for they all believed him dead; but the nightingale still sat and sang.



'Thou shalt always stay with me,' said the Emperor, 'thou shalt only sing when it pleases thee, and the artificial bird I will break into a thousand pieces.'

'Do not so,' said the nightingale; 'truly he has done what he could; take care of him. I cannot stay in the palace; but let me come when I like: I will sit on the branches close to the window, in the evening, and sing to thee, that thou 187