"Little maiden," said the lord-in-waiting, "I will obtain for you constant employment in the kitchen, and you shall have permission to see the emperor dine, if you will lead us to the nightingale; for she is invited for this evening to the palace." So she went into the wood where the nightingale sang, and half the court followed her. As they went along, a cow began lowing. "Oh," said a young courtier, "now we have found her; what wonderful power for such a small creature; I have certainly heard it before." Then some frogs began to croak in the marsh. "Beautiful," said the young courtier again. "Now I hear it, tinkling like little church bells." "Hark, hark! there she is," said the girl, "and there she sits," she added, pointing to a little gray bird who was perched on a bough. "Little nightingale," cried the girl, raising her voice, "our most gracious emperor wishes you to sing before him." "It sounds like tiny glass bells," said the lord-in-waiting, "and see how her little throat works. It is surprising that we have never heard this before; she will be a great success at court." "Shall I sing once more before the emperor?" asked the nightingale, who thought he was present. "My song sounds best in the green wood," said the bird; but still she came willingly when she heard the emperor's wish. |
- Feb 04 Wed 2015 12:03
The Nightingale 夜鶯
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