Page:Hans Andersen's fairy tales (Robinson).djvu/294

 THE SWINEHERD The Princess now stood and wept, the swineherd scolded, and the rain poured down.

'Alas! unhappy creature that I am!' said the Princess. 'If I had but married the handsome young Prince! Ah, how unfortunate I am!'

And the swineherd went behind a tree, washed the black and brown colour from his face, threw off his dirty clothes, and stepped forth in his princely robes; he looked so noble that the Princess could not help bowing before him.

'I am come to despise thee,' said he. 'Thou wouldst not have an honourable prince! thou couldst not prize the rose and the nightingale, but thou wast ready to kiss the swineherd for the sake of a trumpery plaything. Thou art rightly served.'

He then went back to his own little kingdom, and shut the door of his palace in her face. Now she might well sing

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