The Happy Prince 快樂王子by Oscar WildeHigh above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince.He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had twobright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt.He was very much admired indeed. "He is as beautiful as a weathercock,"remarked one of the Town Councillors who wished to gain a reputation forhaving artistic tastes; "only not quite so useful," he added, fearing lestpeople should think him unpractical, which he really was not."Why can't you be like the Happy Prince?" asked a sensible mother of herlittle boy who was crying for the moon. "The Happy Prince never dreams ofcrying for anything.""I am glad there is someone in the world who is quite happy," muttered adisappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue."He looks just like an angel," said the Charity Children as they came outof the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white pinafores."How do you know?" said the Mathematical Master, "you have never seen one.""Ah! but we have, in our dreams," answered the children; and the MathematicalMaster frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of childrendreaming.One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends had goneaway to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for he was inlove with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the spring ashe was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had been so attractedby her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her."Shall I love you?" said the Swallow, who liked to come to the point atonce, and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew round and round her, touchingthe water with his wings, and making silver ripples. This was his courtship,and it lasted all through the summer."It is a ridiculous attachment," twittered the other Swallows; "she hasno money, and far too many relations"; and indeed the river was quite fullof Reeds. Then, when the autumn came they all flew away.After they had gone he felt lonely, and began to tire of his lady-love."She has no conversation," he said, "and I am afraid that she is a coquette,for she is always flirting with the wind." And certainly, whenever the windblew, the Reed made the most graceful curtseys. "I admit that she is domestic," he continued, "but I love travelling, and my wife, consequently, shouldlove travelling also.""Will you come away with me?" he said finally to her; but the Reed shookher head, she was so attached to her home."You have been trifling with me," he cried. "I am off to the Pyramids. Good-bye!" and he flew away.All day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city. "Where shallI put up?" he said; "I hope the town has made preparations."Then he saw the statue on the tall column."I will put up there," he cried; "it is a fine position, with plenty offresh air." So he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince."I have a golden bedroom," he said softly to himself as he looked round,and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head underhis wing a large drop of water fell on him. "What a curious thing!" he cried;"there is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clear and bright,and yet it is raining. The climate in the north of Europe is really dreadful.The Reed used to like the rain, but that was merely her selfishness."Then another drop fell."What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep the rain off?" he said; "Imust look for a good chimney-pot," and he determined to fly away.But before he had opened his wings, a third drop fell, and he looked up,and saw -Ah! what did he see?The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears, and tears were runningdown his golden cheeks. His face was so beautiful in the moonlight thatthe little Swallow was filled with pity."Who are you?" he said."I am the Happy Prince.""Why are you weeping then?" asked the Swallow; "you have quite drenchedme.""When I was alive and had a human heart," answered the statue, "I did notknow what tears were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci [1], wheresorrow is not allowed to enter. In the daytime I played with my companionsin the garden, and in the evening I led the dance in the Great Hall. Roundthe garden ran a very lofty wall, but I never cared to ask what lay beyondit, everything about me was so beautiful. My courtiers called me the HappyPrince, and happy indeed I was, if pleasure be happiness. So I lived, andso I died. And now that I am dead they have set me up here so high thatI can see all the ugliness and all the misery of my city, and though myheart is made of lead, yet I cannot choose but weep.""What! is he not solid gold?" said the Swallow to himself. He was too politeto make any personal remarks out loud."Far away," continued the statue in a low musical voice, "。