The Happy Prince: And Other Tales

HIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all overwith thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed onhis sword-hilt.He was very much admired indeed. "He is as beautiful as a weathercock," remarked one of theTown Councillors who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes; "only not quite souseful," he added, fearing lest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not."Why can't you be like the Happy Prince?" asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was cryingfor the moon. "The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything.""I am glad there is some one in the world who is quite happy," muttered a disappointed man as hegazed at the wonderful statue."He looks just like an angel," said the Charity Children as they came out of the cathedral in theirbright 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 Mathematical Master frowned andlooked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming.One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeksbefore, but he had stayed behind, for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met herearly in the spring as he 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...