WhenPrinceDolorhadpatientlyuntiedalltheknots，aremarkablethinghappened。Thecloakbegantoundoitself。Slowlyunfolding，itlaiditselfdownonthecarpet，asflatasifithadbeenironed;thesplitjoinedwithalittlesharpcrick-crack，andtherimturnedupallroundtillitwasbreast-high;formeantimethecloakhadgrownandgrown，andbecomequitelargeenoughforonepersontositinitascomfortableasifinaboat。
　　ThePrincewatcheditratheranxiously;itwassuchanextraordinary，nottosayafrightening，thing。However，hewasnocoward，butathoroughboy，who，ifhehadbeenlikeotherboys，woulddoubtlesshavegrownupdaringandadventurous——asoldier，asailor，orthelike。Asitwas，hecouldonlyshowhiscouragemorally，notphysically，bybeingafraidofnothing，andbydoingboldlyallthatitwasinhisnarrowpowerstodo。AndIamnotsurebutthatinthiswayheshowedmorerealvalorthanifhehadhadsixpairsofproperlegs。
　　Hesaidtohimself："WhatagooseIam！Asifmydeargodmotherwouldeverhavegivenmeanythingtohurtme。Heregoes！"
　　So，withoneofhisactiveleaps，hesprangrightintothemiddleofthecloak，wherehesquatteddown，wrappinghisarmstightroundhisknees，fortheyshookalittleandhisheartbeatfast。Buttherehesat，steadyandsilent，waitingforwhatmighthappennext。
　　Nothingdidhappen，andhebegantothinknothingwould，andtofeelratherdisappointed，whenherecollectedthewordshehadbeentoldtorepeat——"Abracadabra，dumdumdum！"
　　Herepeatedthem，laughingallthewhile，theyseemedsuchnonsense。Andthen——andthen————
　　NowIdon’texpectanybodytobelievewhatIamgoingtorelate，thoughagoodmanywisepeoplehavebelievedagoodmanysillierthings。
　　Andasseeing’sbelieving，andIneversawit，I
　　cannotbeexpectedimplicitlytobelieveitmyself，exceptinasortofaway;andyetthereistruthinit——forsomepeople。
　　Thecloakrose，slowlyandsteadily，atfirstonlyafewinches，thengraduallyhigherandhigher，tillitnearlytouchedtheskylight。
　　PrinceDolor’sheadactuallybumpedagainsttheglass，orwouldhavedonesohadhenotcroucheddown，crying"Oh，pleasedon’thurtme！"inamostmelancholyvoice。
　　Thenhesuddenlyrememberedhisgodmother’sexpresscommand——"Opentheskylight！"
　　Regaininghiscourageatonce，withoutamoment’sdelayhelifteduphisheadandbegansearchingforthebolt——thecloakmeanwhileremainingperfectlystill，balancedintheair。
　　Buttheminutethewindowwasopened，outitsailed——rightoutintotheclear，freshair，withnothingbetweenitandthecloudlessblue。
　　PrinceDolorhadneverfeltanysuchdelicioussensationbefore。Icanunderstandit。
　　Cannotyou？Didyouneverthink，inwatchingtherooksgoinghomesinglyorinpairs，soaringtheirwayacrossthecalmeveningskytilltheyvanishlikeblackdotsinthemistygray，howpleasantitmustfeeltobeupthere，quiteoutofthenoiseanddinoftheworld，abletohearandseeeverythingdownbelow，yettroubledbynothingandteasedbynoone——allalone，butperfectlycontent？
　　SomethinglikethiswasthehappinessofthelittlelamePrincewhenhegotoutofHopelessTower，andfoundhimselfforthefirsttimeinthepureopenair，withtheskyabovehimandtheearthbelow。
　　True，therewasnothingbutearthandsky;nohouses，notrees，norivers，mountains，seas——
　　notabeastontheground，orabirdintheair。
　　Buttohimeventhelevelplainlookedbeautiful;
　　andthentherewasthegloriousarchofthesky，withalittleyoungmoonsittinginthewestlikeababyqueen。Andtheeveningbreezewassosweetandfresh——itkissedhimlikehisgodmother’skisses;andbyandbyafewstarscameout——firsttwoorthree，andthenquantities——
　　quantities！sothatwhenhebegantocountthemhewasutterlybewildered。
　　Bythistime，however，thecoolbreezehadbecomecold;themistgathered;andashehad，ashesaid，nooutdoorclothes，poorPrinceDolorwasnotverycomfortable。Thedewsfelldamponhiscurls——hebegantoshiver。
　　"PerhapsIhadbettergohome，"thoughthe。
　　Buthow？Forinhisexcitementtheotherwordswhichhisgodmotherhadtoldhimtousehadslippedhismemory。Theywereonlyalittledifferentfromthefirst，butinthatslightdifferencealltheimportancelay。Asherepeatedhis"Abracadabra，"tryingeversomanyothersyllablesafterit，thecloakonlywentfasterandfaster，skimmingonthroughthedusky，emptyair。
　　ThepoorlittlePrincebegantofeelfrightened。Whatifhiswonderfultraveling-cloakshouldkeeponthustraveling，perhapstotheworld’send，carryingwithitapoor，tired，hungryboy，who，afterall，wasbeginningtothinktherewassomethingverypleasantinsupperandbed！
　　"Deargodmother，"hecriedpitifully，"dohelpme！TellmejustthisonceandI’llneverforgetagain。"
　　Instantlythewordscamerushingintohishead——"Abracadabra，tumtumti！"Wasthatit？Ah！yes——forthecloakbegantoturnslowly。
　　Herepeatedthecharmagain，moredistinctlyandfirmly，whenitgaveagentledip，likeanodofsatisfaction，andimmediatelystartedback，asfastasever，inthedirectionofthetower。
　　Hereachedtheskylight，whichhefoundexactlyashehadleftit，andslippedin，cloakandall，aseasilyashehadgotout。Hehadscarcelyreachedthefloor，andwasstillsittinginthemiddleofhistraveling-cloak，——likeafrogonawater-lilyleaf，ashisgodmotherhadexpressedit，——whenheheardhisnurse’svoiceoutside。
　　"Blessus！whathasbecomeofyourRoyalHighnessallthistime？Tositstupidlyhereatthewindowtillitisquitedark，andleavetheskylightopen，too。Prince！whatcanyoubethinkingof？YouarethesilliestboyIeverknew。"
　　"AmI？"saidheabsently，andneverheedinghercrossness;forhisonlyanxietywaslestshemightfindoutanything。
　　Shewouldhavebeenaverycleverpersontohavedoneso。TheinstantPrinceDolorgotoffit，thecloakfoldeditselfupintothetiniestpossibleparcel，tiedallitsownknots，androlleditselfofitsownaccordintothefarthestanddarkestcorneroftheroom。Ifthenursehadseenit，whichshedidn’t，shewouldhavetakenitforamerebundleofrubbishnotworthnoticing。
　　Shuttingtheskylightwithanangrybang，shebroughtinthesupperandlitthecandleswithherusualunhappyexpressionofcountenance。
　　ButPrinceDolorhardlysawit;heonlysaw，hidinthecornerwherenobodyelsewouldseeit，hiswonderfultraveling-cloak。Andthoughhissupperwasnotparticularlynice，heateitheartily，scarcelyhearingawordofhisnurse’sgrumbling，whichto-nightseemedtohavetakentheplaceofhersullensilence。
　　"Poorwoman！"hethought，whenhepausedaminutetolistenandlookatherwiththosequiet，happyeyes，solikehismother’s。"Poorwoman！shehasn’tgotatraveling-cloak！"
　　Andwhenhewasleftaloneatlast，andcreptintohislittlebed，wherehelayawakeagoodwhile，watchingwhathecalledhis"sky-
　　garden，"allplantedwithstars，likeflowers，hischiefthoughtwas——"Imustbeupveryearlyto-morrowmorning，andgetmylessonsdone，andthenI’llgotravelingallovertheworldonmybeautifulcloak。"
　　Sonextdayheopenedhiseyeswiththesun，andwentwithagoodhearttohislessons。Theyhadhithertobeenthechiefamusementofhisdulllife;now，Iamafraid，hefoundthemalsoalittledull。Buthetriedtobegood，——Idon’tsayPrinceDoloralwayswasgood，buthegenerallytriedtobe，——andwhenhismindwentwanderingafterthedark，dustycornerwherelayhisprecioustreasure，heresolutelycalleditbackagain。
　　"For，"hesaid，"howashamedmygodmotherwouldbeofmeifIgrewupastupidboy！"
　　Buttheinstantlessonsweredone，andhewasaloneintheemptyroom，hecreptacrossthefloor，undidtheshabbylittlebundle，hisfingerstremblingwitheagerness，climbedonthechair，andthencetothetable，soastounbartheskylight，——heforgotnothingnow，——saidhismagiccharm，andwasawayoutofthewindow，aschildrensay，"inafewminuteslessthannotime。"
　　Nobodymissedhim。Hewasaccustomedtositsoquietlyalwaysthathisnurse，thoughonlyinthenextroom，perceivednodifference。Andbesides，shemighthavegoneinandoutadozentimes，anditwouldhavebeenjustthesame;
　　shenevercouldhavefoundouthisabsence。
　　Forwhatdoyouthinktheclevergodmotherdid？Shetookaquantityofmoonshine，orsomeequallyconvenientmaterial，andmadeanimage，whichshesetonthewindow-sillreading，orbythetabledrawing，whereitlookedsolikePrinceDolorthatanycommonobserverwouldneverhaveguessedthedeception;andeventheboywouldhavebeenpuzzledtoknowwhichwastheimageandwhichwashimself。
　　Andallthiswhilethehappylittlefellowwasaway，floatingintheaironhismagiccloak，andseeingallsortsofwonderfulthings——ortheyseemedwonderfultohim，whohadhithertoseennothingatall。
　　First，thereweretheflowersthatgrewontheplain，which，wheneverthecloakcamenearenough，hestrainedhiseyestolookat;theywereverytiny，butverybeautiful——whitesaxifrage，andyellowlotus，andground-thistles，purpleandbright，withmanyothersthenamesofwhichIdonotknow。NomoredidPrinceDolor，thoughhetriedtofindthemoutbyrecallinganypictureshehadseenofthem。Buthewastoofaroff;andthoughitwaspleasantenoughtoadmirethemasbrilliantpatchesofcolor，stillhewouldhavelikedtoexaminethemall。Hewas，asalittlegirlIknowoncesaidofaplayfellow，"averyexaminingboy。"
　　"Iwonder，"hethought，"whetherIcouldseebetterthroughapairofglasseslikethosemynursereadswith，andtakessuchcareof。HowIwouldtakecareofthem，too，ifIonlyhadapair！"
　　Immediatelyhefeltsomethingqueerandhardfixingitselftothebridgeofhisnose。Itwasapairoftheprettiestgoldspectacleseverseen;andlookingdownward，hefoundthat，thougheversohighabovetheground，hecouldseeeveryminutebladeofgrass，everytinybudandflower——nay，eventheinsectsthatwalkedoverthem。
　　"Thankyou，thankyou！"hecried，inagushofgratitude——toanybodyoreverybody，butespeciallytohisdeargodmother，whohefeltsurehadgivenhimthisnewpresent。Heamusedhimselfwithitforeversolong，withhischinpressedontherimofthecloak，gazingdownuponthegrass，everysquarefootofwhichwasamineofwonders。
　　Then，justtoresthiseyes，heturnedthemuptothesky——theblue，bright，emptysky，whichhehadlookedatsooftenandseennothing。
　　Nowsurelytherewassomething。Along，black，wavyline，movingoninthedistance，notbychance，asthecloudsmoveapparently，butdeliberately，asifitwerealive。Hemighthaveseenitbefore——healmostthoughthehad;butthenhecouldnottellwhatitwas。Lookingatitthroughhisspectacles，hediscoveredthatitreallywasalive;beingalongstringofbirds，flyingoneaftertheother，theirwingsmovingsteadilyandtheirheadspointedinonedirection，assteadilyasifeachwerealittleship，guidedinvisiblybyanunerringhelm。
　　"Theymustbethepassage-birdsflyingseaward！"criedtheboy，whohadreadalittleaboutthem，andhadagreattalentforputtingtwoandtwotogetherandfindingoutallhecould。"Oh，howIshouldliketoseethemquiteclose，andtoknowwheretheycomefromandwhithertheyaregoing！HowIwishIkneweverythinginalltheworld！"
　　Asillyspeechforevenan"examining"littleboytomake;because，aswegrowolder，themoreweknowthemorewefindoutthereistoknow。AndPrinceDolorblushedwhenhehadsaidit，andhopednobodyhadheardhim。
　　Apparentlysomebodyhad，however;forthecloakgaveasuddenboundforward，andpresentlyhefoundhimselfhighintheair，intheverymiddleofthatbandofaerialtravelers，whohadmomagiccloaktotravelon——nothingexcepttheirwings。Yettheretheywere，makingtheirfearlesswaythroughthesky。
　　PrinceDolorlookedatthemasoneaftertheothertheyglidedpasthim;andtheylookedathim——thoseprettyswallows，withtheirchangingnecksandbrighteyes——asifwonderingtomeetinmid-airsuchanextraordinarysortofbird。
　　"Oh，IwishIweregoingwithyou，youlovelycreatures！I’mgettingsotiredofthisdullplain，andthedrearyandlonelytower。Idosowanttoseetheworld！Prettyswallows，dearswallows！tellmewhatitlookslike——thebeautiful，wonderfulworld！"
　　Buttheswallowsflewpasthim——steadily，slowlypursuingtheircourseasifinsideeachlittleheadhadbeenamariner’scompass，toguidethemsafeoverlandandsea，directtotheplacewheretheywishedtogo。
　　Theboylookedafterthemwithenvy。Foralongtimehefollowedwithhiseyesthefaint，wavyblacklineasitfloatedaway，sometimeschangingitscurvesalittle，butneverdeviatingfromitssettledcourse，tillitvanishedentirelyoutofsight。
　　Thenhesettledhimselfdowninthecenterofthecloak，feelingquitesadandlonely。
　　"IthinkI’llgohome，"saidhe，andrepeatedhis"Abracadabra，tumtumti！"witharatherheavyheart。Themorehehad，themorehewanted;anditisnotalwaysonecanhaveeverythingonewants——atleast，attheexactminuteonecravesforit;noteventhoughoneisaprince，andhasapowerfulandbeneficentgodmother。
　　Hedidnotliketovexherbycallingforherandtellingherhowunhappyhewas，inspiteofallhergoodness;sohejustkepthistroubletohimself，wentbacktohislonelytower，andspentthreedaysinsilentmelancholy，withoutevenattemptinganotherjourneyonhistraveling-cloak。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Thefourthdayithappenedthatthedeaf-mutepaidhisaccustomedvisit，afterwhichPrinceDolor’sspiritsrose。Theyalwaysdidwhenhegotthenewbookswhich，justtorelievehisconscience，theKingofNomanslandregularlysenttohisnephew;withmanynewtoysalso，thoughthelatterweredisregardednow。
　　"Toys，indeed！whenI’mabigboy，"saidthePrince，withdisdain，andwouldscarcelycondescendtomountarocking-horsewhichhadcome，somehoworother，——Ican’tbeexpectedtoexplainthingsveryexactly，——packedonthebackoftheother，thegreatblackhorse，whichstoodandfedcontentedlyatthebottomofthetower。
　　PrinceDolorleanedoverandlookedatit，andthoughthowgranditmustbetogetuponitsback——thisgrandlivesteed——andrideaway，likethepicturesofknights。
　　"SupposeIwasaknight，"hesaidtohimself;
　　"thenIshouldbeobligedtorideoutandseetheworld。"
　　Buthekeptallthesethoughtstohimself，andjustsatstill，devouringhisnewbookstillhehadcometotheendofthemall。ItwasarepastnotunliketheBarmecide’sfeastwhichyoureadofinthe"ArabianNights，"whichconsistedofveryelegantbutemptydishes，orthatsupperofSanchoPanzain"DonQuixote，"
　　where，theminutethesmokingdishescameonthetable，thephysicianwavedhishandandtheywerealltakenaway。
　　Thusalmostalltheordinarydelightsofboy-
　　lifehadbeentakenawayfrom，orrathernevergiventothispoorlittleprince。
　　"Iwonder，"hewouldsometimesthink——"I
　　wonderwhatitfeelsliketobeonthebackofahorse，gallopingaway，orholdingthereinsinacarriage，andtearingacrossthecountry，orjumpingaditch，orrunningarace，suchasI
　　readoforseeinpictures。WhatalotofthingstherearethatIshouldliketodo！ButfirstI
　　shouldliketogoandseetheworld。I’lltry。"
　　Apparentlyitwashisgodmother’splanalwaystolethimtry，andtryhard，beforehegainedanything。Thisdaytheknotsthattieduphistraveling-cloakweremorethanusuallytroublesome，andhewasafullhalf-hourbeforehegotoutintotheopenair，andfoundhimselffloatingmerrilyoverthetopofthetower。
　　Hitherto，inallhisjourneys，hehadneverlethimselfgooutofsightofhome，forthedrearybuilding，afterall，washome——herememberednoother;butnowhefeltsickoftheverylookofhistower，withitsroundsmoothwallsandlevelbattlements。
　　"Offwego！"criedhe，whenthecloakstirreditselfwithaslight，slowmotion，asifwaitinghisorders。"Anywhereanywhere，sothatIamawayfromhere，andoutintotheworld。"
　　Ashespoke，thecloak，asifseizedsuddenlywithanewidea，boundedforwardandwentskimmingthroughtheair，fasterthantheveryfastestrailwaytrain。
　　"Gee-up！gee-up！"criedPrinceDoloringreatexcitement。"Thisisasgoodasridingarace。"
　　Andhepattedthecloakasifithadbeenahorse——thatis，inthewayhesupposedhorsesoughttobepatted——andtossedhisheadbacktomeetthefreshbreeze，andpulledhiscoatcollarupandhishatdownashefeltthewindgrowkeenerandcolder——colderthananythinghehadeverknown。
　　"Whatdoesitmatter，though？"saidhe。
　　"I’maboy，andboysoughtnottomindanything。"
　　Still，forallhisgood-will，byandby，hebegantoshiverexceedingly;also，hehadcomeawaywithouthisdinner，andhegrewfrightfullyhungry。Andtoaddtoeverything，thesunshinydaychangedintorain，andbeinghighup，intheverymidstoftheclouds，hegotsoakedthroughandthroughinaveryfewminutes。
　　"ShallIturnback？"meditatedhe。
　　"SupposeIsay`Abracadabra？’"
　　Herehestopped，foralreadythecloakgaveanobedientlurch，asifitwereexpectingtobesenthomeimmediately。
　　"No——Ican’t——Ican’tgoback！Imustgoforwardandseetheworld。Butoh！ifIhadbuttheshabbiestoldrugtosheltermefromtherain，orthedriestmorselofbreadandcheese，justtokeepmefromstarving！Still，Idon’tmuchmind;I’maprince，andoughttobeabletostandanything。Holdon，cloak，we’llmakethebestofit。"
　　Itwasamostcuriouscircumstance，butnosoonerhadhesaidthisthanhefeltstealingoverhiskneessomethingwarmandsoft;infact，amostbeautifulbearskin，whichfoldeditselfroundhimquitenaturally，andcuddledhimupascloselyasifhehadbeenthecubofthekindoldmother-bearthatonceownedit。Thenfeelinginhispocket，whichsuddenlystuckoutinamarvelousway，hefound，notexactlybreadandcheese，norevensandwiches，butapacketofthemostdeliciousfoodhehadevertasted。
　　Itwasnotmeat，norpudding，butacombinationofboth，anditservedhimexcellentlyforboth。Heatehisdinnerwiththegreatestgustoimaginable，tillhegrewsothirstyhedidnotknowwhattodo。
　　"Couldn’tIhavejustonedropofwater，ifitdidn’ttroubleyoutoomuch，kindestofgodmothers？"
　　Forhereallythoughtthiswantwasbeyondherpowertosupply。AllthewaterwhichsuppliedHopelessTowerwaspumpedupwithdifficultyfromadeepartesianwell——thereweresuchthingsknowninNomansland——whichhadbeenmadeatthefootofit。Butaround，formilesuponmiles，thedesolateplainwasperfectlydry。Andaboveit，highintheair，howcouldheexpecttofindawell，ortogetevenadropofwater？
　　Heforgotonething——therain。Whilehespoke，itcameoninanotherwildburst，asifthecloudshadpouredthemselvesoutinapassionofcrying，wettinghimcertainly，butleavingbehind，inalargeglassvesselwhichhehadnevernoticedbefore，enoughwatertoquenchthethirstoftwoorthreeboysatleast。
　　Anditwassofresh，sopure——aswaterfromthecloudsalwaysiswhenitdoesnotcatchthesootfromcitychimneysandotherdefilements——thathedrankit，everydrop，withthegreatestdelightandcontent。
　　Also，assoonasitwasemptytherainfilleditagain，sothathewasabletowashhisfaceandhandsandrefreshhimselfexceedingly。Thenthesuncameoutanddriedhiminnotime。
　　Afterthathecurledhimselfupunderthebear-
　　skinrug，andthoughhedeterminedtobethemostwide-awakeboyimaginable，beingsoexceedinglysnugandwarmandcomfortable，PrinceDolorcondescendedtoshuthiseyesjustforoneminute。Thenextminutehewassoundasleep。
　　Whenheawoke，hefoundhimselffloatingoveracountryquiteunlikeanythinghehadeverseenbefore。
　　Yetitwasnothingbutwhatmostofyouchildrenseeeverydayandnevernoticeit——aprettycountrylandscape，likeEngland，Scotland，France，oranyotherlandyouchoosetoname。
　　Ithadnoparticularfeatures——nothinginitgrandorlovely——wassimplypretty，nothingmore;yettoPrinceDolor，whohadnevergonebeyondhislonelytowerandlevelplain，itappearedthemostcharmingsightimaginable。
　　First，therewasariver。Itcametumblingdownthehillside，frothingandfoaming，playingathide-and-seekamongtherocks，thenburstingoutinnoisyfunlikeachild，toburyitselfindeep，stillpools。Afterwarditwentsteadilyonforawhile，likeagoodgrown-upperson，tillitcametoanotherbigrock，whereitmisbehaveditselfextremely。Itturnedintoacataract，andwenttumblingoverandover，afterafashionthatmadetheprince——whohadneverseenwaterbefore，exceptinhisbathorhisdrinking-cup——claphishandswithdelight。
　　"Itissoactive，soalive！Ilikethingsactiveandalive！"criedhe，andwatcheditshimmeringanddancing，whirlingandleaping，till，afterafewwindingsandvagaries，itsettledintoarespectablestream。Afterthatitwentalong，deepandquiet，butflowingsteadilyon，tillitreachedalargelake，intowhichitslippedandsoendeditscourse。
　　Allthistheboysaw，eitherwithhisownnakedeyeorthroughhisgoldspectacles。Hesawalsoasinapicture，beautifulbutsilent，manyotherthingswhichstruckhimwithwonder，especiallyagroveoftrees。
　　Onlythink，tohavelivedtohisage（whichhehimselfdidnotknow，ashedidnotknowhisownbirthday）andnevertohaveseentrees！
　　Ashefloatedovertheseoaks，theyseemedtohim——trunk，branches，andleaves——themostcurioussightimaginable。
　　"IfIcouldonlygetnearer，soastotouchthem，"saidhe，andimmediatelytheobedientcloakduckeddown;PrinceDolormadeasnatchatthetopmosttwigofthetallesttree，andcaughtabunchofleavesinhishand。
　　Justabunchofgreenleaves——suchasweseeinmyriads;watchingthembud，grow，fall，andthenkickingthemalongonthegroundasiftheywereworthnothing。Yethowwonderfultheyare——everyoneofthemalittledifferent。
　　Idon’tsupposeyoucouldeverfindtwoleavesexactlyalikeinform，color，andsize——nomorethanyoucouldfindtwofacesalike，ortwocharactersexactlythesame。Theplanofthisworldisinfinitesimilarityandyetinfinitevariety。
　　PrinceDolorexaminedhisleaveswiththegreatestcuriosity——andalsoalittlecaterpillarthathefoundwalkingoveroneofthem。Hecoaxedittotakeanadditionalwalkoverhisfinger，whichitdidwiththegreatestdignityanddecorum，asifit，Mr。Caterpillar，werethemostimportantindividualinexistence。Itamusedhimforalongtime;andwhenasuddengustofwindblewitoverboard，leavesandall，hefeltquitedisconsolate。
　　"Stilltheremustbemanylivecreaturesintheworldbesidescaterpillars。Ishouldliketoseeafewofthem。"
　　Thecloakgavealittledipdown，asiftosay"Allright，myPrince，"andborehimacrosstheoakforesttoalongfertilevalley——calledinScotlandastrathandinEnglandaweald，butwhattheycallitinthetongueofNomanslandIdonotknow。Itwasmadeupofcornfields，pasturefields，lanes，hedges，brooks，andponds。
　　Also，initwerewhattheprincedesiredtosee——aquantityoflivingcreatures，wildandtame。
　　Cowsandhorses，lambsandsheep，fedinthemeadows;pigsandfowlswalkedaboutthefarm-yards;andinlonelierplacesharesscudded，rabbitsburrowed，andpheasantsandpartridges，withmanyothersmallerbirds，inhabitedthefieldsandwoods。
　　ThroughhiswonderfulspectaclesthePrincecouldseeeverything;but，asIsaid，itwasasilentpicture;hewastoohighuptocatchanythingexceptafaintmurmur，whichonlyarousedhisanxietytohearmore。
　　"Ihaveasgoodastwopairsofeyes，"hethought。"Iwonderifmygodmotherwouldgivemeasecondpairofears。"
　　Scarcelyhadhespokenthanhefoundlyingonhislapthemostcuriouslittleparcel，alldoneupinsilverypaper。Anditcontained——whatdoyouthink？Actuallyapairofsilverears，which，whenhetriedthemon，fittedsoexactlyoverhisownthathehardlyfeltthem，exceptforthedifferencetheymadeinhishearing。
　　Thereissomethingwhichwelistentodailyandnevernotice。Imeanthesoundsofthevisibleworld，animateandinanimate。Windsblowing，watersflowing，treesstirring，insectswhirring（dearme！Iamquiteunconsciouslywritingrhyme），withthevariouscriesofbirdsandbeasts，——lowingcattle，bleatingsheep，gruntingpigs，andcacklinghens，——alltheinfinitediscordsthatsomehoworothermakeabeautifulharmony。
　　Wehearthis，andaresoaccustomedtoitthatwethinknothingofit;butPrinceDolor，whohadlivedallhisdaysinthedeadsilenceofHopelessTower，hearditforthefirsttime。
　　Andoh！ifyouhadseenhisface。
　　Helistened，listened，asifhecouldneverhavedonelistening。Andhelookedandlooked，asifhecouldnotgazeenough。Aboveall，themotionoftheanimalsdelightedhim：cowswalking，horsesgalloping，littlelambsandcalvesrunningracesacrossthemeadows，weresuchatreatforhimtowatch——hethatwasalwayssoquiet。But，thesecreatureshavingfourlegs，andheonlytwo，thedifferencedidnotstrikehimpainfully。
　　Still，byandby，afterthefashionofchildren，——andIfear，ofmanybigpeopletoo，——hebegantowantsomethingmorethanhehad，somethingfreshandnew。
　　"Godmother，"hesaid，havingnowbeguntobelievethat，whetherhesawherornot，hecouldalwaysspeaktoherwithfullconfidencethatshewouldhearhim——"Godmother，allthesecreaturesIlikeexceedingly;butIshouldlikebettertoseeacreaturelikemyself。Couldn’tyoushowmejustonelittleboy？"
　　Therewasasighbehindhim，——itmighthavebeenonlythewind，——andthecloakremainedsolongbalancedmotionlessinairthathewashalfafraidhisgodmotherhadforgottenhim，orwasoffendedwithhimforaskingtoomuch。
　　Suddenlyashrillwhistlestartledhim，eventhroughhissilverears，andlookingdownward，hesawstartupfrombehindabushonacommon，something————
　　Neitherasheepnorahorsenoracow——nothinguponfourlegs。Thiscreaturehadonlytwo;buttheywerelong，straight，andstrong。
　　Andithadalithe，activebody，andacurlyheadofblackhairsetuponitsshoulders。Itwasaboy，ashepherd-boy，aboutthePrince’sownage——but，oh！sodifferent。
　　Notthathewasanuglyboy——thoughhisfacewasalmostasredashishands，andhisshaggyhairmattedlikethebacksofhisownsheep。
　　Hewasratheranice-lookinglad;andseemedsobrightandhealthyandgood-tempered——
　　"jolly"wouldbetheword，onlyIamnotsureiftheyhavesuchaoneintheelegantlanguageofNomansland——thatthelittlePrincewatchedhimwithgreatadmiration。
　　"Mighthecomeandplaywithme？Iwoulddropdowntothegroundtohim，orfetchhimuptomehere。Oh，howniceitwouldbeifIonlyhadalittleboytoplaywithme。"
　　Butthecloak，usuallysoobedienttohiswishes，disobeyedhimnow。Therewereevi-
　　dentlysomethingswhichhisgodmothereithercouldnotorwouldnotgive。Thecloakhungstationary，highinair，neverattemptingtodescend。Theshepherd-ladevidentlytookitforalargebird，and，shadinghiseyes，lookedupatit，makingthePrince’sheartbeatfast。
　　However，nothingensued。Theboyturnedround，withalong，loudwhistle——seeminglyhisusualandonlywayofexpressinghisfeelings。
　　Hecouldnotmakethethingoutexactly——itwasarathermysteriousaffair，butitdidnottroublehimmuch——hewasnotan"examining"boy。
　　Then，stretchinghimself，forhehadbeenevidentlyhalfasleep，hebeganfloppinghisshoulderswithhisarmstowakeandwarmhimself;
　　whilehisdog，aroughcollie，whohadbeenguardingthesheepmeanwhile，begantojumpuponhim，barkingwithdelight。
　　"Down，Snap，down：Stopthat，orI’llthrashyou，"thePrinceheardhimsay;thoughwithsucharough，hardvoiceandqueerpronunciationthatitwasdifficulttomakethewordsout。
　　"Hollo！Let’swarmourselvesbyarace。"
　　Theystartedofftogether，boyanddog——barkingandshouting，tillitwasdoubtfulwhichmadethemorenoiseorranthefaster。A
　　regularsteeplechaseitwas：firstacrossthelevelcommon，greatlydisturbingthequietsheep;andthentearingawayacrosscountry，scramblingthroughhedgesandleapingditches，andtumblingupanddownoverplowedfields。Theydidnotseemtohaveanythingtorunfor——butasiftheydidit，bothofthem，forthemerepleasureofmotion。
　　Andwhatapleasurethatseemed！Tothedogofcourse，butscarcelylesssototheboy。
　　Howheskimmedalongovertheground——hischeeksglowing，andhishairflying，andhislegs——oh，whatapairoflegshehad！
　　PrinceDolorwatchedhimwithgreatintentness，andinastateofexcitementalmostequaltothatoftherunnerhimself——forawhile。
　　Thenthesweet，palefacegrewatriflepaler，thelipsbegantoquiver，andtheeyestofill。
　　"Howniceitmustbetorunlikethat！"hesaidsoftly，thinkingthatnever——no，neverinthisworld——wouldhebeabletodothesame。
　　Nowheunderstoodwhathisgodmotherhadmeantwhenshegavehimhistraveling-cloak，andwhyhehadheardthatsigh——hewassureitwashers——whenhehadaskedtosee"justonelittleboy。"
　　"IthinkIhadrathernotlookathimagain，"
　　saidthepoorlittlePrince，drawinghimselfbackintothecenterofhiscloak，andresuminghisfavoriteposture，sittinglikeaTurk，withhisarmswrappedroundhisfeeble，uselesslegs。
　　"You’renogoodtome，"hesaid，pattingthemmournfully。"Youneverwillbeanygoodtome。IwonderwhyIhadyouatall。I
　　wonderwhyIwasbornatall，sinceIwasnottogrowuplikeotherboys。Whynot？"
　　Aquestionsostrange，sosad，yetsooftenoccurringinsomeformorotherinthisworld——asyouwillfind，mychildren，whenyouareolder——thatevenifhehadputittohismothershecouldonlyhaveansweredit，aswehavetoanswermanyasdifficultthings，bysimplysaying，"Idon’tknow。"Thereismuchthatwedonotknowandcannotunderstand——webigfolksnomorethanyoulittleones。Wehavetoacceptitalljustasyouhavetoacceptanythingwhichyourparentsmaytellyou，eventhoughyoudon’tasyetseethereasonofit。Youmaysometime，ifyoudoexactlyastheytellyou，andarecontenttowait。
　　PrinceDolorsatagoodwhilethus，oritappearedtohimagoodwhile，somanythoughtscameandwentthroughhispooryoungmind——
　　thoughtsofgreatbitterness，which，littlethoughhewas，seemedtomakehimgrowyearsolderinafewminutes。
　　Thenhefanciedthecloakbegantorockgentlytoandfro，withasoothingkindofmotion，asifhewereinsomebody’sarms：somebodywhodidnotspeak，butlovedhimandcomfortedhimwithoutneedofwords;notbydeceivinghimwithfalseencouragementorhope，butbymakinghimseetheplain，hardtruthinallitshardness，andthuslettinghimquietlyfaceit，tillitgrewsofteneddown，anddidnotseemnearlysodreadfulafterall。
　　Throughthedrearysilenceandblankness，forhehadplacedhimselfsothathecouldseenothingbutthesky，andhadtakenoffhissilverearsaswellashisgoldspectacles——whatwastheuseofeitherwhenhehadnolegswithwhichtowalkorrun？——upfrombelowthereroseadelicioussound。
　　Youhaveheardithundredsoftimes，mychildren，andsohaveI。WhenIwasachildI
　　thoughttherewasnothingsosweet;andIthinksostill。Itwasjustthesongofaskylark，mountinghigherandhigherfromtheground，tillitcamesoclosethatPrinceDolorcoulddistinguishhisquiveringwingsandtinybody，almosttootinytocontainsuchagushofmusic。
　　"Oh，youbeautiful，beautifulbird！"criedhe;
　　"Ishoulddearlyliketotakeyouinandcuddleyou。Thatis，ifIcould——ifIdared。"
　　Buthehesitated。Thelittlebrowncreaturewithitsloudheavenlyvoicealmostmadehimafraid。Nevertheless，italsomadehimhappy;
　　andhewatchedandlistened——soabsorbedthatheforgotallregretandpain，forgoteverythingintheworldexceptthelittlelark。
　　Itsoaredandsoared，andhewasjustwonderingifitwouldsoaroutofsight，andwhatintheworldheshoulddowhenitwasgone，whenitsuddenlycloseditswings，aslarksdowhentheymeantodroptotheground。But，insteadofdroppingtotheground，itdroppedrightintothelittleboy’sbreast。
　　Whatfelicity！Ifitwouldonlystay！A
　　tiny，softthingtofondleandkiss，tosingtohimalldaylong，andbehisplayfellowandcompanion，tameandtender，whiletotherestoftheworlditwasawildbirdoftheair。Whatapride，whatadelight！Tohavesomethingthatnobodyelsehad——somethingallhisown。Asthetraveling-cloaktraveledon，helittleheededwhere，andthelarkstillstayed，nestleddowninhisbosom，hoppedfromhishandtohisshoulder，andkissedhimwithitsdaintybeak，asifitlovedhim，PrinceDolorforgotallhisgrief，andwasentirelyhappy。
　　ButwhenhegotinsightofHopelessTowerapainfulthoughtstruckhim。
　　"Myprettybird，whatamItodowithyou？
　　IfItakeyouintomyroomandshutyouupthere，you，awildskylarkoftheair，whatwillbecomeofyou？Iamusedtothis，butyouarenot。Youwillbesomiserable;andsupposemynurseshouldfindyou——shewhocan’tbearthesoundofsinging？Besides，Irememberheroncetellingmethatthenicestthingsheeverateinherlifewaslarkpie！"
　　Thelittleboyshiveredalloveratthethought。
　　And，thoughthemerrylarkimmediatelybrokeintotheloudestcarol，asifsayingderisivelythathedefiedanybodytoeathim，still，PrinceDolorwasveryuneasy。Inanotherminutehehadmadeuphismind。
　　"No，mybird，nothingsodreadfulshallhappentoyouifIcanhelpit;Iwouldratherdowithoutyoualtogether。Yes，I’lltry。Flyaway，mydarling，mybeautiful！Good-by，mymerry，merrybird。"
　　Openinghistwocaressinghands，inwhich，asifforprotection，hehadfoldedit，heletthelarkgo。Itlingeredaminute，perchingontherimofthecloak，andlookingathimwitheyesofalmosthumantenderness;thenawayitflew，farupintothebluesky。Itwasonlyabird。
　　Butsometimeafter，whenPrinceDolorhadeatenhissupper——somewhatdrearily，exceptforthethoughtthathecouldnotpossiblysupofflarkpienow——andgonequietlytobed，theoldfamiliarlittlebed，wherehewasaccustomedtosleep，orlieawakecontentedlythinking——
　　suddenlyheheardoutsidethewindowalittlefaintcarol——faintbutcheerful——cheerfuleventhoughitwasthemiddleofthenight。
　　Thedearlittlelark！ithadnotflownaway，afterall。Anditwastrulythemostextraordinarybird，for，unlikeordinarylarks，itkepthoveringaboutthetowerinthesilenceanddarknessofthenight，outsidethewindoworovertheroof。Wheneverhelistenedforamoment，hehearditsingingstill。
　　Hewenttosleepashappyasaking。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Happyasaking。"HowfarkingsarehappyIcannotsay，nomorethancouldPrinceDolor，thoughhehadoncebeenakinghimself。Butherememberednothingaboutit，andtherewasnobodytotellhim，excepthisnurse，whohadbeenforbiddenuponpainofdeathtolethimknowanythingabouthisdeadparents，orthekinghisuncle，orindeedanypartofhisownhistory。
　　Sometimeshespeculatedabouthimself，whetherhehadhadafatherandmotherasotherlittleboyshadwhattheyhadbeenlike，andwhyhehadneverseenthem。But，knowingnothingaboutthem，hedidnotmissthem——onlyonceortwice，readingprettystoriesaboutlittlechildrenandtheirmothers，whohelpedthemwhentheywereindifficultyandcomfortedthemwhentheyweresick，hefeelingillanddullandlonely，wonderedwhathadbecomeofhismotherandwhyshenevercametoseehim。
　　Then，inhishistorylessons，ofcoursehereadaboutkingsandprinces，andthegovernmentsofdifferentcountries，andtheeventsthathappenedthere。Andthoughhebutfaintlytookinallthis，stillhedidtakeitinalittle，andworriedhisyoungbrainaboutit，andperplexedhisnursewithquestions，towhichshereturnedsharpandmysteriousanswers，whichonlysethimthinkingthemore。
　　Hehadplentyoftimeforthinking。Afterhislastjourneyinthetraveling-cloak，thejourneywhichhadgivenhimsomuchpain，hisdesiretoseetheworldsomehowfadedaway。
　　Hecontentedhimselfwithreadinghisbooks，andlookingoutofthetowerwindows，andlisteningtohisbelovedlittlelark，whichhadcomehomewithhimthatday，andneverlefthimagain。
　　True，itkeptoutoftheway;andthoughhisnursesometimesdimlyheardit，andsaid"Whatisthathorridnoiseoutside？"shenevergotthefaintestchanceofmakingitintoalarkpie。PrinceDolorhadhispetalltohimself，andthoughheseldomsawit，heknewitwasnearhim，andhecaughtcontinually，atoddhoursoftheday，andeveninthenight，fragmentsofitsdelicioussong。
　　Allduringthewinter——sofarasthereeverwasanydifferencebetweensummerandwinterinHopelessTower——thelittlebirdcheeredandamusedhim。Hescarcelyneededanythingmore——notevenhistraveling-cloak，whichlaybundledupunnoticedinacorner，tiedupinitsinnumerableknots。
　　Nordidhisgodmothercomenearhim。Itseemedasifshehadgiventhesetreasuresandlefthimalone——tousethemorlosethem，applythemormisapplythem，accordingtohisownchoice。Thatisallwecandowithchildrenwhentheygrowintobigchildrenoldenoughtodistinguishbetweenrightandwrong，andtoooldtobeforcedtodoeither。
　　PrinceDolorwasnowquiteabigboy。Nottall——alas！henevercouldbethat，withhispoorlittleshrunkenlegs，whichwereofnouse，onlyanencumbrance。Buthewasstoutandstrong，withgreatsturdyshoulders，andmusculararms，uponwhichhecouldswinghimselfaboutalmostlikeamonkey。Asifincompensationforhisuselesslowerlimbs，Naturehadgiventotheseextrastrengthandactivity。Hisface，too，wasveryhandsome;thinner，firmer，moremanly;butstillthesweetfaceofhischildhood——hismother’sownface。
　　Howhismotherwouldhavelikedtolookathim！Perhapsshedid——whoknows？
　　Theboywasnotastupidboyeither。Hecouldlearnalmostanythinghechose——andhedidchoose，whichwasmorethanhalfthebattle。
　　Henevergaveuphislessonstillhehadlearnedthemall——neverthoughtitapunishmentthathehadtoworkatthem，andthattheycosthimadealoftroublesometimes。
　　"But，"thoughthe，"menwork，anditmustbesograndtobeaman——aprincetoo;andI
　　fancyprincesworkharderthananybody——
　　exceptkings。TheprincesIreadaboutgenerallyturnintokings。Iwonder"——theboywasalwayswondering——"Nurse，"——andonedayhestartledherwithasuddenquestion，——"tellme——
　　shallIeverbeaking？"
　　Thewomanstood，perplexedbeyondexpression。
　　Solongatimehadpassedbysincehercrime——ifitwereacrime——andhersentence，thatshenowseldomthoughtofeither。Evenherpunishment——tobeshutupforlifeinHopelessTower——shehadgraduallygotusedto。
　　UsedalsotothelittlelamePrince，hercharge——whomatfirstshehadhated，thoughshecarefullydideverythingtokeephimalive，sinceuponhimherownlifehung。
　　Butlatterlyshehadceasedtohatehim，and，inasortofway，almostlovedhim——atleast，enoughtobesorryforhim——aninnocentchild，imprisonedheretillhegrewintoanoldman，andbecameadull，worn-outcreaturelikeherself。Sometimes，watchinghim，shefeltmoresorryforhimthanevenforherself;andthen，seeingshelookedalessmiserableanduglywoman，hedidnotshrinkfromherasusual。
　　Hedidnotnow。"Nurse——dearnurse，"saidhe，"Idon’tmeantovexyou，buttellmewhatisaking？shallIeverbeone？"
　　Whenshebegantothinklessofherselfandmoreofthechild，thewoman’scourageincreased。Theideacametoher——whatharmwoulditbe，evenifhedidknowhisownhistory？
　　Perhapsheoughttoknowit——fortherehadbeenvariousupsanddowns，usurpations，revolutions，andrestorationsinNomansland，asinmostothercountries。Somethingmighthappen——whocouldtell？Changesmightoccur。Possiblyacrownwouldevenyetbesetuponthosepretty，faircurls——whichshebegantothinkprettierthaneverwhenshesawtheimaginarycoronetuponthem。
　　Shesatdown，consideringwhetherheroath，neverto"sayaword"toPrinceDolorabouthimself，wouldbebrokenifsheweretotakeapencilandwritewhatwastobetold。Amerequibble——amean，miserablequibble。Butthenshewasamiserablewoman，moretobepitiedthanscorned。
　　Afterlongdoubt，andwithgreattrepidation，sheputherfingerstoherlips，andtakingthePrince’sslate——withthespongetiedtoit，readytoruboutthewritinginaminute——shewrote：
　　"Youareaking。"
　　PrinceDolorstarted。Hisfacegrewpale，andthenflushedallover;heheldhimselferect。
　　Lameashewas，anybodycouldseehewasborntobeaking。
　　"Hush！"saidthenurse，ashewasbeginningtospeak。Andthen，terriblyfrightenedallthewhile，——peoplewhohavedonewrongalwaysarefrightened，——shewrotedowninafewhurriedsentenceshishistory。Howhisparentshaddied——hisunclehadusurpedhisthrone，andsenthimtoendhisdaysinthislonelytower。
　　"I，too，"addedshe，burstingintotears。
　　"Unless，indeed，youcouldgetoutintotheworld，andfightforyourrightslikeaman。Andfightformealso，myPrince，thatImaynotdieinthisdesolateplace。"
　　"Pooroldnurse！"saidtheboycompassion-
　　ately。Forsomehow，boyashewas，whenheheardhewasborntobeaking，hefeltlikeaman——likeaking——whocouldaffordtobetenderbecausehewasstrong。
　　Hescarcelysleptthatnight，andeventhoughheheardhislittlelarksinginginthesunrise，hebarelylistenedtoit。Thingsmoreseriousandimportanthadtakenpossessionofhismind。
　　"Suppose，"thoughthe，"Iweretodoasshesays，andgooutintheworld，nomatterhowithurtsme——theworldofpeople，activepeople，asthatboyIsaw。Theymightonlylaughatme——
　　poorhelplesscreaturethatIam;butstillI
　　mightshowthemIcoulddosomething。Atanyrate，Imightgoandseeiftherewereanythingformetodo。Godmother，helpme！"
　　Itwassolongsincehehadaskedherhelpthathewashardlysurprisedwhenhegotnoanswer——onlythelittlelarkoutsidethewindowsanglouderandlouder，andthesunrose，floodingtheroomwithlight。
　　PrinceDolorsprangoutofbed，andbegandressinghimself，whichwashardwork，forhewasnotusedtoit——hehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtodependuponhisnurseforeverything。
　　"ButImustnowlearntobeindependent，"
　　thoughthe。"Fancyakingbeingdressedlikeababy！"
　　Sohedidthebesthecould，——awkwardlybutcheerily，——andthenheleapedtothecornerwherelayhistraveling-cloak，untieditasbefore，andwatcheditunrollingitself——whichitdidrapidly，withaheartygood-will，asifquitetiredofidleness。SowasPrinceDolor——orfeltasifhewere。Hejumpedintothemiddleofit，saidhischarm，andwasoutthroughtheskylightimmediately。
　　"Good-by，prettylark！"heshouted，ashepasseditonthewing，stillwarblingitscaroltothenewlyrisensun。"Youhavebeenmypleasure，mydelight;nowImustgoandwork。
　　SingtooldnursetillIcomebackagain。Perhapsshe’llhearyou——perhapsshewon’t——butitwilldohergoodallthesame。Good-by！"
　　But，asthecloakhungirresoluteinair，hesuddenlyrememberedthathehadnotdeterminedwheretogo——indeed，hedidnotknow，andtherewasnobodytotellhim。
　　"Godmother，"hecried，inmuchperplexity，"youknowwhatIwant，——atleast，Ihopeyoudo，forIhardlydomyself——takemewhereI
　　oughttogo;showmewhateverIoughttosee——
　　nevermindwhatIliketosee，"asasuddenideacameintohismindthathemightseemanypainfulanddisagreeablethings。Butthisjourneywasnotforpleasureasbefore。Hewasnotababynow，todonothingbutplay——bigboysdonotalwaysplay。Normenneither——theywork。ThusmuchPrinceDolorknew——thoughverylittlemore。
　　Asthecloakstartedoff，travelingfasterthanhehadeverknownittodo，——throughsky-landandcloudland，overfreezingmountain-tops，anddesolatestretchesofforest，andsmilingcultivatedplains，andgreatlakesthatseemedtohimalmostasshorelessasthesea，——hewasoftenratherfrightened。Buthecroucheddown，silentandquiet;whatwastheuseofmakingafuss？and，wrappinghimselfupinhisbear-skin，waitedforwhatwastohappen。
　　Aftersometimeheheardamurmurinthedistance，increasingmoreandmoretillitgrewlikethehumofagigantichiveofbees。And，stretchinghischinovertherimofhiscloak，PrinceDolorsaw——far，farbelowhim，yet，withhisgoldspectaclesandsilverearson，hecoulddistinctlyhearandsee——what？
　　Mostofushavesometimeorothervisitedagreatmetropolis——havewanderedthroughitsnetworkofstreets——lostourselvesinitscrowdsofpeople——lookedupatitstallrowsofhouses，itsgrandpublicbuildings，churches，andsquares。Also，perhaps，wehavepeepedintoitsmiserablelittlebackalleys，wheredirtychildrenplayinguttersalldayandhalfthenight——
　　evenyoungboysgoaboutpickingpockets，withnobodytotellthemitiswrongexceptthepoliceman，andhesimplytakesthemofftoprison。
　　Andallthiswretchednessisclosebehindthegrandeur——likethetwosidesoftheleafofabook。
　　Anawfulsightisalargecity，seenanyhowfromanywhere。But，supposeyouweretoseeitfromtheupperair，where，withyoureyesandearsopen，youcouldtakeineverythingatonce？Whatwoulditlooklike？Howwouldyoufeelaboutit？Ihardlyknowmyself。Doyou？
　　PrinceDolorhadneedtobeaking——thatis，aboywithakinglynature——tobeabletostandsuchasightwithoutbeingutterlyovercome。
　　Buthewasverymuchbewildered——asbewilderedasablindpersonwhoissuddenlymadetosee。
　　Hegazeddownonthecitybelowhim，andthenputhishandoverhiseyes。
　　"Ican’tbeartolookatit，itissobeautiful——
　　sodreadful。AndIdon’tunderstandit——notonebit。Thereisnobodytotellmeaboutit。
　　IwishIhadsomebodytospeakto。"
　　"Doyou？Thenprayspeaktome。Iwasalwaysconsideredgoodatconversation。"
　　Thevoicethatsqueakedoutthisreplywasanexcellentimitationofthehumanone，thoughitcameonlyfromabird。Nolarkthistime，however，butagreatblackandwhitecreaturethatflewintothecloak，andbeganwalkingroundandroundontheedgeofitwithadignifiedstride，onefootbeforetheother，likeanyunfeatheredbipedyoucouldname。
　　"Ihaven’tthehonorofyouracquaintance，sir，"saidtheboypolitely。
　　"Ma’am，ifyouplease。Iamamotherbird，andmynameisMag，andIshallbehappytotellyoueverythingyouwanttoknow。ForI
　　knowagreatdeal;andIenjoytalking。Myfamilyisofgreatantiquity;wehavebuiltinthispalaceforhundreds——thatistosay，dozensofyears。Iamintimatelyacquaintedwiththeking，thequeen，andthelittleprincesandprincesses——alsothemaidsofhonor，andalltheinhabitantsofthecity。Italkagooddeal，butI
　　alwaystalksense，andIdaresayIshouldbeex-
　　ceedinglyusefultoapoorlittleignorantboylikeyou。"
　　"Iamaprince，"saidtheothergently。
　　"Allright。AndIamamagpie。Youwillfindmeamostrespectablebird。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtofit，"wasthepoliteanswer——thoughhethoughtinhisownmindthatMagmusthaveaverygoodopinionofherself。Butshewasaladyandastranger，soofcoursehewasciviltoher。
　　Shesettledherselfathiselbow，andbegantochatteraway，pointingoutwithoneskinnyclaw，whileshebalancedherselfontheother，everyobjectofinterest，evidentlybelieving，asnodoubtallitsinhabitantsdid，thattherewasnocapitalintheworldlikethegreatmetropolisofNomansland。
　　Ihavenotseenit，andthereforecannotdescribeit，sowewilljusttakeitupontrust，andsupposeittobe，likeeveryotherfinecity，thefinestcitythateverwasbuilt。Magsaidso——
　　andofcoursesheknew。
　　Nevertheless，therewereafewthingsinitwhichsurprisedPrinceDolor——and，ashehadsaid，hecouldnotunderstandthematall。Onehalfthepeopleseemedsohappyandbusy——
　　hurryingupanddownthefullstreets，ordriv-
　　inglazilyalongtheparksintheirgrandcarriages，whiletheotherhalfweresowretchedandmiserable。
　　"Can’ttheworldbemadealittlemorelevel？
　　IwouldtrytodoitifIwereaking。"
　　"Butyou’renottheking：onlyalittlegooseofaboy，"returnedthemagpieloftily。"AndI’mherenottoexplainthings，onlytoshowthem。ShallIshowyoutheroyalpalace？"
　　Itwasaverymagnificentpalace。Ithadterracesandgardens，battlementsandtowers。Itextendedoveracresofground，andhadinitroomsenoughtoaccommodatehalfthecity。Itswindowslookedinalldirections，butnoneofthemhadanyparticularview——exceptasmallone，highuptowardtheroof，whichlookedoutontheBeautifulMountains。Butsincethequeendiedthereithadbeenclosed，boardedup，indeed，themagpiesaid。Itwassolittleandinconvenientthatnobodycaredtoliveinit。
　　Besides，thelowerapartments，whichhadnoview，weremagnificent——worthyofbeinginhabitedbytheking。
　　"Ishouldliketoseetheking，"saidPrinceDolor。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　What，Iwonder，wouldbepeople’sideaofaking？WhatwasPrinceDolor’s？
　　Perhapsaverysplendidpersonage，withacrownonhisheadandascepterinhishand，sittingonathroneandjudgingthepeople。Alwaysdoingright，andneverwrong——"Thekingcandonowrong"wasalawlaiddowninoldentimes。Nevercross，ortired，orsick，orsuffering;perfectlyhandsomeandwelldressed，calmandgood-tempered，readytoseeandheareverybody，anddiscourteoustonobody;
　　allthingsalwaysgoingwellwithhim，andnothingunpleasanteverhappening。
　　This，probably，waswhatPrinceDolorexpectedtosee。Andwhatdidhesee？ButI
　　musttellyouhowhesawit。
　　"Ah，"saidthemagpie，"noleveeto-day。
　　TheKingisill，thoughhisMajestydoesnotwishittobegenerallyknown——itwouldbesoveryinconvenient。Hecan’tseeyou，butperhapsyoumightliketogoandtakealookathiminawayIoftendo？Itissoveryamusing。"
　　Amusing，indeed！
　　Theprincewasjustnowtoomuchexcitedtotalkmuch。Washenotgoingtoseethekinghisuncle，whohadsucceededhisfatheranddethronedhimself;hadsteppedintoallthepleasantthingsthathe，PrinceDolor，oughttohavehad，andshuthimupinadesolatetower？Whatwashelike，thisgreat，bad，cleverman？Hadhegotallthethingshewanted，whichanotheroughttohavehad？Anddidheenjoythem？
　　"Nobodyknows，"answeredthemagpie，justasifshehadbeensittinginsidetheprince’sheart，insteadofonthetopofhisshoulder。"Heisaking，andthat’senough。Fortherestnobodyknows。"
　　Asshespoke，Magflewdownontothepalaceroof，wherethecloakhadrested，settlingdownbetweenthegreatstacksofchimneysascomfortablyasifontheground。Shepeckedatthetileswithherbeak——trulyshewasawonderfulbird——andimmediatelyalittleholeopened，asortofdoor，throughwhichcouldbeseendistinctlythechamberbelow。
　　"Nowlookin，myPrince。Makehaste，forI
　　mustsoonshutitupagain。"
　　Buttheboyhesitated。"Isn’titrude？——
　　won’ttheythinkusintruding？"
　　"Oh，dearno！there’saholelikethisineverypalace;dozensofholes，indeed。Everybodyknowsit，butnobodyspeaksofit。Intrusion！
　　Why，thoughtheroyalfamilyaresupposedtoliveshutupbehindstonewallseversothick，alltheworldknowsthattheyliveinaglasshousewhereeverybodycanseethemandthrowastoneatthem。Nowpopdownonyourknees，andtakeapeepathisMajestyHisMajesty！
　　ThePrincegazedeagerlydownintoalargeroom，thelargestroomhehadeverbeheld，withfurnitureandhangingsgranderthananythinghecouldhaveeverimagined。Astraysunbeam，comingthroughacreviceofthedarkenedwindows，struckacrossthecarpet，anditwastheloveliestcarpeteverwoven——justlikeabedofflowerstowalkover;onlynobodywalkedoverit，theroombeingperfectlyemptyandsilent。