"Beyondeverything，"answeredhe；"forIhavefalleninwiththeonlyperfectcreatureIeversaw。"
"Nomoreofthat：Iamtiredofit，"saidtheprincess。
Perhapsshesharedherfather’saversiontopunning。
"Don’tyoulikefallinginthen？"saidtheprince。
"ItisthemostdelightfulfunIeverhadinmylife，"answeredshe。"Ineverfellbefore。IwishIcouldlearn。TothinkIamtheonlypersoninmyfather’skingdomthatcan’tfall！"
Herethepoorprincesslookedalmostsad。
"Ishallbemosthappytofallinwithyouanytimeyoulike，"saidtheprince，devotedly。
"Thankyou。Idon’tknow。Perhapsitwouldnotbeproper。ButI
don’tcare。Atallevents，aswehavefallenin，letushaveaswimtogether。"
"Withallmyheart，"respondedtheprince。
Andawaytheywent，swimming，anddiving，andfloating，untilatlasttheyheardcriesalongtheshore，andsawlightsglancinginalldirections。Itwasnowquitelate，andtherewasnomoon。
"Imustgohome，"saidtheprincess。"Iamverysorry，forthisisdelightful。"
"SoamI，"returnedtheprince。"ButIamgladIhaven’tahometogoto——atleast，Idon’texactlyknowwhereitis。"
"IwishIhadn’toneeither，"rejoinedtheprincess；"itissostupid！Ihaveagreatmind，"shecontinued，"toplaythemallatrick。Whycouldn’ttheyleavemealone？Theywon’ttrustmeinthelakeforasinglenight！——Youseewherethatgreenlightisburning？Thatisthewindowofmyroom。Nowifyouwouldjustswimtherewithmeveryquietly，andwhenweareallbutunderthebalcony，givemesuchapush——upyoucallit-asyoudidalittlewhileago，Ishouldbeabletocatchholdofthebalcony，andgetinatthewindow；andthentheymaylookformetillto-morrowmorning！"
"Withmoreobediencethanpleasure，"saidtheprince，gallantly；
andawaytheyswam，verygently。
"Willyoubeinthelaketo-morrownight？"theprinceventuredtoask。
"TobesureIwill。Idon’tthinkso。Perhaps，"wastheprincess’ssomewhatstrangeanswer。
Buttheprincewasintelligentenoughnottopressherfurther；andmerelywhispered，ashegaveherthepartinglift，"Don’ttell。"
Theonlyanswertheprincessreturnedwasaroguishlook。Shewasalreadyayardabovehishead。Thelookseemedtosay，"Neverfear。
Itistoogoodfuntospoilthatway。"
Soperfectlylikeotherpeoplehadshebeeninthewater，thatevenyettheprincecouldscarcelybelievehiseyeswhenhesawherascendslowly，graspthebalcony，anddisappearthroughthewindow。
Heturned，almostexpectingtoseeherstillbyhisside。Buthewasaloneinthewater。Soheswamawayquietly，andwatchedthelightsrovingabouttheshoreforhoursaftertheprincesswassafeinherchamber。Assoonastheydisappeared，helandedinsearchofhistunicandsword，and，aftersometrouble，foundthemagain。
Thenhemadethebestofhiswayroundthelaketotheotherside。
Therethewoodwaswilder，andtheshoresteeper-risingmoreimmediatelytowardsthemountainswhichsurroundedthelakeonallsides，andkeptsendingitmessagesofsilverystreamsfrommorningtonight，andallnightlong。Hesoonfoundaspotwhencehecouldseethegreenlightintheprincess’sroom，andwhere，eveninthebroaddaylight，hewouldbeinnodangerofbeingdiscoveredfromtheoppositeshore。Itwasasortofcaveintherock，whereheprovidedhimselfabedofwitheredleaves，andlaydowntootiredforhungertokeephimawake。Allnightlonghedreamedthathewasswimmingwiththeprincess。
10。LookattheMoon。
Earlythenextmorningtheprincesetouttolookforsomethingtoeat，whichhesoonfoundataforester’shut，whereformanyfollowingdayshewassuppliedwithallthatabraveprincecouldconsidernecessary。Andhavingplentytokeephimaliveforthepresent，hewouldnotthinkofwantsnotyetinexistence。WheneverCareintruded，thisprincealwaysbowedhimoutinthemostprincelymanner。
Whenhereturnedfromhisbreakfasttohiswatch-cave，hesawtheprincessalreadyfloatingaboutinthelake，attendedbythekingandqueenwhomheknewbytheircrowns——andagreatcompanyinlovelylittleboats，withcanopiesofallthecoloursoftherainbow，andflagsandstreamersofagreatmanymore。Itwasaverybrightday，andsoontheprince，burnedupwiththeheat，begantolongforthecoldwaterandthecoolprincess。Buthehadtoenduretilltwilight；fortheboatshadprovisionsonboard，anditwasnottillthesunwentdownthatthegaypartybegantovanish。Boatafterboatdrewawaytotheshore，followingthatofthekingandqueen，tillonlyone，apparentlytheprincess’sownboat，remained。Butshedidnotwanttogohomeevenyet，andtheprincethoughthesawherordertheboattotheshorewithouther。
Atallevents，itrowedaway；andnow，ofalltheradiantcompany，onlyonewhitespeckremained。Thentheprincebegantosing。Andthisiswhathesung：——
"Ladyfair，Swan-white，Liftthineeyes，BanishnightBythemightOfthineeyes。
Snowyarms，Oarsofsnow，Oarherhither，Plashinglow。
Softandslow，Oarherhither。
StreambehindherO’erthelake，Radiantwhiteness！
InherwakeFollowing，followingforhersake。
Radiantwhiteness！
Clingabouther，Watersblue；
Partnotfromher，ButrenewColdandtrueKissesroundher。
Lapmeround，Waterssad，Thathavelefther。
Makemeglad，ForyehadKissedherereyelefther。"
Beforehehadfinishedhissong，theprincesswasjustundertheplacewherehesat，andlookinguptofindhim。Herearshadledhertruly。
"Wouldyoulikeafall，princess？"saidtheprince，lookingdown。
"Ah！thereyouare！Yes，ifyouplease，prince，"saidtheprincess，lookingup。
"HowdoyouknowIamaprince，princess？"saidtheprince。
"Becauseyouareaveryniceyoungman，prince，"saidtheprincess。
"Comeupthen，princess。"
"Fetchme，prince。"
Theprincetookoffhisscarf，thenhissword-belt，thenhistunic，andtiedthemalltogether，andletthemdown。Butthelinewasfartooshort。Heunwoundhisturban，andaddedittotherest，whenitwasallbutlongenough；andhispursecompletedit。Theprincessjustmanagedtolayholdoftheknotofmoney，andwasbesidehiminamoment。Thisrockwasmuchhigherthantheother，andthesplashandthediveweretremendous。Theprincesswasinecstasiesofdelight，andtheirswimwasdelicious。
Nightafternighttheymet，andswamaboutinthedarkclearlake；
wheresuchwastheprince’sgladness，that（whethertheprincess’swayoflookingatthingsinfectedhim，orhewasactuallygettinglight-headed）heoftenfanciedthathewasswimmingintheskyinsteadofthelake。Butwhenhetalkedaboutbeinginheaven，theprincesslaughedathimdreadfully。
Whenthemooncame，shebroughtthemfreshpleasure。Everythinglookedstrangeandnewinherlight，withanold，withered，yetunfadingnewness。Whenthemoonwasnearlyfull，oneoftheirgreatdelightswas，todivedeepinthewater，andthen，turninground，lookupthroughitatthegreatblotoflightcloseabovethem，shimmeringandtremblingandwavering，spreadingandcontracting，seemingtomeltaway，andagaingrowsolid。Thentheywouldshootupthroughtheblot；andlo！therewasthemoon，faroff，clearandsteadyandcold，andverylovely，atthebottomofadeeperandbluerlakethantheirs，astheprincesssaid。
Theprincesoonfoundoutthatwhileinthewatertheprincesswasverylikeotherpeople。Andbesidesthis，shewasnotsoforwardinherquestionsorpertinherrepliesatseaasonshore。Neitherdidshelaughsomuch；andwhenshedidlaugh，itwasmoregently。
Sheseemedaltogethermoremodestandmaidenlyinthewaterthanoutofit。
Butwhentheprince，whohadreallyfalleninlovewhenhefellinthelake，begantotalktoheraboutlove，shealwaysturnedherheadtowardshimandlaughed。Afterawhileshebegantolookpuzzled，asifsheweretryingtounderstandwhathemeant，butcouldnot——revealinganotionthathemeantsomething。Butassoonaseversheleftthelake，shewassoaltered，thattheprincesaidtohimself，"IfImarryher，Iseenohelpforit：wemustturnmermanandmermaid，andgoouttoseaatonce。"
11。Hiss！
Theprincess’spleasureinthelakehadgrowntoapassion，andshecouldscarcelybeartobeoutofitforanhour。Imaginethenherconsternation，when，divingwiththeprinceonenight，asuddensuspicionseizedherthatthelakewasnotsodeepasitusedtobe。Theprincecouldnotimaginewhathadhappened。Sheshottothesurface，and，withoutaword，swamatfullspeedtowardsthehighersideofthelake。Hefollowed，beggingtoknowifshewasill，orwhatwasthematter。Sheneverturnedherhead，ortookthesmallestnoticeofhisquestion。Arrivedattheshore，shecoastedtherockswithminuteinspection。Butshewasnotabletocometoaconclusion，forthemoonwasverysmall，andsoshecouldnotseewell。Sheturnedthereforeandswamhome，withoutsayingawordtoexplainherconducttotheprince，ofwhosepresencesheseemednolongerconscious。Hewithdrewtohiscave，ingreatperplexityanddistress。
Nextdayshemademanyobservations，which，alas！strengthenedherfears。Shesawthatthebanksweretoodry；andthatthegrassontheshore，andthetrailingplantsontherocks，werewitheringaway。Shecausedmarkstobemadealongtheborders，andexaminedthem，dayafterday，inalldirectionsofthewind；tillatlastthehorribleideabecameacertainfact——thatthesurfaceofthelakewasslowlysinking。
Thepoorprincessnearlywentoutofthelittlemindshehad。Itwasawfultohertoseethelake，whichshelovedmorethananylivingthing，liedyingbeforehereyes。Itsankaway，slowlyvanishing。Thetopsofrocksthathadneverbeenseentillnow，begantoappearfardownintheclearwater。Beforelongtheyweredryinthesun。Itwasfearfultothinkofthemudthatwouldsoonlietherebakingandfestering，fulloflovelycreaturesdying，anduglycreaturescomingtolife，liketheunmakingofaworld。Andhowhotthesunwouldbewithoutanylake！Shecouldnotbeartoswiminitanymore，andbegantopineaway。Herlifeseemedboundupwithit；andeverasthelakesank，shepined。Peoplesaidshewouldnotliveanhourafterthelakewasgone。
Butshenevercried。
AProclamationwasmadetoallthekingdom，thatwhosoevershoulddiscoverthecauseofthelake’sdecrease，wouldberewardedafteraprincelyfashion。Hum-DrumandKopy-Keckappliedthemselvestotheirphysicsandmetaphysics；butinvain。Noteventheycouldsuggestacause。
Nowthefactwasthattheoldprincesswasattherootofthemischief。Whensheheardthatherniecefoundmorepleasureinthewaterthananyoneelseoutofit，shewentintoarage，andcursedherselfforherwantofforesight。
"But，"saidshe，"Iwillsoonsetallright。Thekingandthepeopleshalldieofthirst；theirbrainsshallboilandfrizzleintheirskullsbeforeIwilllosemyrevenge。"
Andshelaughedaferociouslaugh，thatmadethehairsonthebackofherblackcatstanderectwithterror。
Thenshewenttoanoldchestintheroom，andopeningit，tookoutwhatlookedlikeapieceofdriedseaweed。Thisshethrewintoatubofwater。Thenshethrewsomepowderintothewater，andstirreditwithherbarearm，mutteringoveritwordsofhideoussound，andyetmorehideousimport。Thenshesetthetubaside，andtookfromthechestahugebunchofahundredrustykeys，thatclatteredinhershakinghands。Thenshesatdownandproceededtooilthemall。Beforeshehadfinished，outfromthetub，thewaterofwhichhadkeptonaslowmotioneversinceshehadceasedstirringit，cametheheadandhalfthebodyofahugegraysnake。
Butthewitchdidnotlookround。Itgrewoutofthetub，wavingitselfbackwardsandforwardswithaslowhorizontalmotion，tillitreachedtheprincess，whenitlaiditsheaduponhershoulder，andgavealowhissinherear。Shestarted——butwithjoy；andseeingtheheadrestingonhershoulder，drewittowardsherandkissedit。Thenshedrewitalloutofthetub，andwounditroundherbody。Itwasoneofthosedreadfulcreatureswhichfewhaveeverbeheld——theWhiteSnakesofDarkness。
Thenshetookthekeysandwentdowntohercellar；andassheunlockedthedoorshesaidtoherself，——
"Thisisworthlivingfor！"
Lockingthedoorbehindher，shedescendedafewstepsintothecellar，andcrossingit，unlockedanotherdoorintoadark，narrowpassage。Shelockedthisalsobehindher，anddescendedafewmoresteps。Ifanyonehadfollowedthewitch-princess，hewouldhaveheardherunlockexactlyonehundreddoors，anddescendafewstepsafterunlockingeach。Whenshehadunlockedthelast，sheenteredavastcave，theroofofwhichwassupportedbyhugenaturalpillarsofrock。Nowthisroofwastheundersideofthebottomofthelake。
Shethenuntwinedthesnakefromherbody，andhelditbythetailhighaboveher。Thehideouscreaturestretchedupitsheadtowardstheroofofthecavern，whichitwasjustabletoreach。Itthenbegantomoveitsheadbackwardsandforwards，withaslowoscillatingmotion，asiflookingforsomething。Atthesamemomentthewitchbegantowalkroundandroundthecavern，comingnearertothecentreeverycircuit；whiletheheadofthesnakedescribedthesamepathovertheroofthatshedidoverthefloor，forshekeptholdingitup。Andstillitkeptslowlyoscillating。Roundandroundthecaverntheywent，everlesseningthecircuit，tillatlastthesnakemadeasuddendart，andclungtotheroofwithitsmouth。
"That’sright，mybeauty！"criedtheprincess；"drainitdry。"
Sheletitgo，leftithanging，andsatdownonagreatstone，withherblackcat，whichhadfollowedherallroundthecave，byherside。Thenshebegantoknitandmutterawfulwords。Thesnakehunglikeahugeleech，suckingatthestone；thecatstoodwithhisbackarched，andhistaillikeapieceofcable，lookingupatthesnake；andtheoldwomansatandknittedandmuttered。Sevendaysandsevennightstheyremainedthus；whensuddenlytheserpentdroppedfromtheroofasifexhausted，andshrivelleduptillitwasagainlikeapieceofdriedseaweed。Thewitchstartedtoherfeet，pickeditup，putitinherpocket，andlookedupattheroof。Onedropofwaterwastremblingonthespotwherethesnakehadbeensucking。Assoonasshesawthat，sheturnedandfled，followedbyhercat。Shuttingthedoorinaterriblehurry，shelockedit，andhavingmutteredsomefrightfulwords，spedtothenext，whichalsoshelockedandmutteredover；andsowithallthehundreddoors，tillshearrivedinherowncellar。Thenshesatdownonthefloorreadytofaint，butlisteningwithmaliciousdelighttotherushingofthewater，whichshecouldheardistinctlythroughallthehundreddoors。
Butthiswasnotenough。Nowthatshehadtastedrevenge，shelostherpatience。Withoutfurthermeasures，thelakewouldbetoolongindisappearing。Sothenextnight，withthelastshredofthedyingoldmoonrising，shetooksomeofthewaterinwhichshehadrevivedthesnake，putitinabottle，andsetout，accompaniedbyhercat。Beforemorningshehadmadetheentirecircuitofthelake，mutteringfearfulwordsasshecrossedeverystream，andcastingintoitsomeofthewateroutofherbottle。Whenshehadfinishedthecircuitshemutteredyetagain，andflungahandfulofwatertowardsthemoon。Thereuponeveryspringinthecountryceasedtothrobandbubble，dyingawaylikethepulseofadyingman。Thenextdaytherewasnosoundoffallingwatertobeheardalongthebordersofthelake。Theverycoursesweredry；andthemountainsshowednosilverystreaksdowntheirdarksides。AndnotalonehadthefountainsofmotherEarthceasedtoflow；forallthebabiesthroughoutthecountrywerecryingdreadfully——onlywithouttears。
12。WhereIsthePrince？
Neversincethenightwhentheprincesslefthimsoabruptlyhadtheprincehadasingleinterviewwithher。Hehadseenheronceortwiceinthelake；butasfarashecoulddiscover，shehadnotbeeninitanymoreatnight。Hehadsatandsung，andlookedinvainforhisNereid；whileshe，likeatrueNereid，waswastingawaywithherlake，sinkingasitsank，witheringasitdried。Whenatlengthhediscoveredthechangethatwastakingplaceinthelevelofthewater，hewasingreatalarmandperplexity。Hecouldnottellwhetherthelakewasdyingbecausetheladyhadforsakenit；orwhethertheladywouldnotcomebecausethelakehadbeguntosink。Butheresolvedtoknowsomuchatleast。
Hedisguisedhimself，and，goingtothepalace，requestedtoseethelordchamberlain。Hisappearanceatoncegainedhisrequest；
andthelordchamberlain，beingamanofsomeinsight，perceivedthattherewasmoreintheprince’ssolicitationthanmettheear。
Hefeltlikewisethatnoonecouldtellwhenceasolutionofthepresentdifficultiesmightarise。Sohegrantedtheprince’sprayertobemadeshoeblacktotheprincess。Itwasrathercunningintheprincetorequestsuchaneasypost，fortheprincesscouldnotpossiblysoilasmanyshoesasotherprincesses。
Hesoonlearnedallthatcouldbetoldabouttheprincess。Hewentnearlydistracted；butafterroamingaboutthelakefordays，anddivingineverydepththatremained，allthathecoulddowastoputanextrapolishonthedaintypairofbootsthatwasnevercalledfor。
Fortheprincesskeptherroom，withthecurtainsdrawntoshutoutthedyinglake，Butshecouldnotshutitoutofhermindforamoment。Ithauntedherimaginationsothatshefeltasifthelakewerehersoul，dryingupwithinher，firsttomud，thentomadnessanddeath。Shethusbroodedoverthechange，withallitsdreadfulaccompaniments，tillshewasnearlydistracted。Asfortheprince，shehadforgottenhim。Howevermuchshehadenjoyedhiscompanyinthewater，shedidnotcareforhimwithoutit。Butsheseemedtohaveforgottenherfatherandmothertoo。Thelakewentonsinking。
Smallslimyspotsbegantoappear，whichglitteredsteadilyamidstthechangefulshineofthewater。Thesegrewtobroadpatchesofmud，whichwidenedandspread，withrockshereandthere，andflounderingfishesandcrawlingeelsswarming。Thepeoplewenteverywherecatchingthese，andlookingforanythingthatmighthavedroppedfromtheroyalboats。
Atlengththelakewasallbutgone，onlyafewofthedeepestpoolsremainingunexhausted。
Ithappenedonedaythatapartyofyoungstersfoundthemselvesonthebrinkofoneofthesepoolsintheverycentreofthelake。itwasarockybasinofconsiderabledepth。Lookingin，theysawatthebottomsomethingthatshoneyellowinthesun。Alittleboyjumpedinanddivedforit。Itwasaplateofgoldcoveredwithwriting。Theycarriedittotheking。Ononesideofitstoodthesewords：——
"Deathalonefromdeathcansave。
Loveisdeath，andsoisbrave——
Lovecanfillthedeepestgrave。
Lovelovesonbeneaththewave。"
Nowthiswasenigmaticalenoughtothekingandcourtiers。Butthereverseoftheplateexplaineditalittle。Itswritingamountedtothis：——
"Ifthelakeshoulddisappear，theymustfindtheholethroughwhichthewaterran。Butitwouldbeuselesstotrytostopitbyanyordinarymeans。Therewasbutoneeffectualmode。——Thebodyofalivingmancouldalonestanchtheflow。Themanmustgivehimselfofhisownwill；andthelakemusttakehislifeasitfilled。
Otherwisetheofferingwouldbeofnoavail。Ifthenationcouldnotprovideonehero，itwastimeitshouldperish。"
13。HereIAm。
Thiswasaverydishearteningrevelationtotheking——notthathewasunwillingtosacrificeasubject，butthathewashopelessoffindingamanwillingtosacrificehimself。Notimewastobelost，however，fortheprincesswaslyingmotionlessonherbed，andtakingnonourishmentbutlake-water，whichwasnownoneofthebest。Thereforethekingcausedthecontentsofthewonderfulplateofgoldtobepublishedthroughoutthecountry。
Noone，however，cameforward。
Theprince，havinggoneseveraldays’journeyintotheforest，toconsultahermitwhomhehadmetthereonhiswaytoLagobel，knewnothingoftheoracletillhisreturn。
Whenhehadacquaintedhimselfwithalltheparticulars，hesatdownandthought，——
"ShewilldieifIdon’tdoit，andlifewouldbenothingtomewithouther；soIshalllosenothingbydoingit。Andlifewillbeaspleasanttoherasever，forshewillsoonforgetme。Andtherewillbesomuchmorebeautyandhappinessintheworld！——Tobesure，Ishallnotseeit。"（Herethepoorprincegaveasigh。）"Howlovelythelakewillbeinthemoonlight，withthatgloriouscreaturesportinginitlikeawildgoddess！——Itisratherhardtobedrownedbyinches，though。Letmesee——thatwillbeseventyinchesofmetodrown。"（Herehetriedtolaugh，butcouldnot。）
"Thelongerthebetter，however，"heresumed："forcanInotbargainthattheprincessshallbebesidemeallthetime？SoI
shallseeheroncemore，kissherperhaps，——whoknows？——anddielookinginhereyes。Itwillbenodeath。Atleast，Ishallnotfeelit。Andtoseethelakefillingforthebeautyagain！——Allright！Iamready。"
Hekissedtheprincess’sboot，laiditdown，andhurriedtotheking’sapartment。Butfeeling，ashewent，thatanythingsentimentalwouldbedisagreeable，heresolvedtocarryoffthewholeaffairwithnonchalance。Soheknockedatthedooroftheking’scounting-house，whereitwasallbutacapitalcrimetodisturbhim。
Whenthekingheardtheknockhestartedup，andopenedthedoorinarage。Seeingonlytheshoeblack，hedrewhissword。This，Iamsorrytosay，washisusualmodeofassertinghisregalitywhenhethoughthisdignitywasindanger。Buttheprincewasnotintheleastalarmed。
"PleaseyourMajesty，I’myourbutler，"saidhe。
"Mybutler！youlyingrascal！Whatdoyoumean？"
"Imean，Iwillcorkyourbigbottle。"
"Isthefellowmad？"bawledtheking，raisingthepointofhissword。
"Iwillputastopper——plug——whatyoucallit，inyourleakylake，grandmonarch，"saidtheprince。
Thekingwasinsucharagethatbeforehecouldspeakhehadtimetocool，andtoreflectthatitwouldbegreatwastetokilltheonlymanwhowaswillingtobeusefulinthepresentemergency，seeingthatintheendtheinsolentfellowwouldbeasdeadasifhehaddiedbyhisMajesty’sownhand。"Oh！"saidheatlast，puttinguphisswordwithdifficulty，itwassolong；"Iamobligedtoyou，youyoungfool！Takeaglassofwine？"
’No，thankyou，"repliedtheprince。
"Verywell，"saidtheking。"Wouldyouliketorunandseeyourparentsbeforeyoumakeyourexperiment？"
"No，thankyou，"saidtheprince。
"Thenwewillgoandlookfortheholeatonce，"saidhisMajesty，andproceededtocallsomeattendants。
"Stop，pleaseyourMajesty；Ihaveaconditiontomake，"interposedtheprince。
"What！"exclaimedtheking，"acondition！andwithme！Howdareyou？"
"Asyouplease，"returnedtheprince，coolly。"IwishyourMajestyagoodmorning。"
"Youwretch！Iwillhaveyouputinasack，andstuckinthehole。"
"Verywell，yourMajesty，"repliedtheprince，becomingalittlemorerespectful，lestthewrathofthekingshoulddeprivehimofthepleasureofdyingfortheprincess。"ButwhatgoodwillthatdoyourMajesty？Pleasetorememberthattheoraclesaysthevictimmustofferhimself。"
"Well，youhaveofferedyourself，"retortedtheking。
"Yes，upononecondition。"
"Conditionagain！"roaredtheking，oncemoredrawinghissword。
"Begone！Somebodyelsewillbegladenoughtotakethehonouroffyourshoulders。"
"YourMajestyknowsitwillnotbeeasytogetanothertotakemyplace。"
"Well，whatisyourcondition？"growledtheking，feelingthattheprincewasright。
"Onlythis，"repliedtheprince："that，asImustonnoaccountdiebeforeIamfairlydrowned，andthewaitingwillberatherwearisome，theprincess，yourdaughter，shallgowithme，feedmewithherownhands，andlookatmenowandthentocomfortme；foryoumustconfessitISratherhard。Assoonasthewaterisuptomyeyes，shemaygoandbehappy，andforgetherpoorshoeblack。"
Heretheprince’svoicefaltered，andheverynearlygrewsentimental，inspiteofhisresolution。
"Whydidn’tyoutellmebeforewhatyourconditionwas？Suchafussaboutnothing！"exclaimedtheking。
"Doyougrantit？"persistedtheprince。
"OfcourseIdo，"repliedtheking。
"Verywell。Iamready。"
"Goandhavesomedinner，then，whileIsetmypeopletofindtheplace。"
Thekingorderedouthisguards，andgavedirectionstotheofficerstofindtheholeinthelakeatonce。Sothebedofthelakewasmarkedoutindivisionsandthoroughlyexamined，andinanhourorsotheholewasdiscovered。Itwasinthemiddleofastone，nearthecentreofthelake，intheverypoolwherethegoldenplatehadbeenfound。Itwasathree-corneredholeofnogreatsize。Therewaswaterallroundthestone，butverylittlewasflowingthroughthehole。
14。ThisIsVeryKindofYou。
Theprincewenttodressfortheoccasion，forhewasresolvedtodielikeaprince。
Whentheprincessheardthatamanhadofferedtodieforher，shewassotransportedthatshejumpedoffthebed，feebleasshewas，anddancedabouttheroomforjoy。Shedidnotcarewhothemanwas；thatwasnothingtoher。Theholewantedstopping；andifonlyamanwoulddo，why，takeone。Inanhourortwomoreeverythingwasready。Hermaiddressedherinhaste，andtheycarriedhertothesideofthelake。Whenshesawitsheshrieked，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。Theyboreheracrosstothestonewheretheyhadalreadyplacedalittleboatforher。
Thewaterwasnotdeepenoughtofloatit，buttheyhopeditwouldbe，beforelong。Theylaidheroncushions，placedintheboatwinesandfruitsandothernicethings，andstretchedacanopyoverall。
Inafewminutestheprinceappeared。Theprincessrecognizedhimatonce，butdidnotthinkitworthwhiletoacknowledgehim。
"HereIam，"saidtheprince。"Putmein。"
"Theytoldmeitwasashoeblack，"saidtheprincess。
"SoIam，"saidtheprince。"Iblackedyourlittlebootsthreetimesaday，becausetheywereallIcouldgetofyou。Putmein。"
Thecourtiersdidnotresenthisbluntness，exceptbysayingtoeachotherthathewastakingitoutinimpudence。
Buthowwashetobeputin？Thegoldenplatecontainednoinstructionsonthispoint。Theprincelookedatthehole，andsawbutoneway。Heputbothhislegsintoit，sittingonthestone，and，stoopingforward，coveredthecornerthatremainedopenwithhistwohands。Inthisuncomfortablepositionheresolvedtoabidehisfate，andturningtothepeople，said，——
"Nowyoucango。"
Thekinghadalreadygonehometodinner。
"Nowyoucango，"repeatedtheprincessafterhim，likeaparrot。
Thepeopleobeyedherandwent。
Presentlyalittlewaveflowedoverthestone，andwettedoneoftheprince’sknees。Buthedidnotminditmuch。Hebegantosing，andthesonghesangwasthis：——
"Asaworldthathasnowell，Dartingbrightinforestdell；
AsaworldwithoutthegleamOfthedownward-goingstream；
AsaworldwithouttheglanceOftheocean’sfairexpanse；
AsaworldwhereneverrainGlitteredonthesunnyplain；——
Such，myheart，thyworldwouldbe，ifnolovedidflowinthee。
AsaworldwithoutthesoundOftherivuletsunderground；
OrthebubblingofthespringOutofdarknesswandering；
OrthemightyrushandflowingOftheriver’sdownwardgoing；
Orthemusic-showersthatdropOntheoutspreadbeech’stop；
Ortheocean’smightyvoice，Whenhisliftedwavesrejoice；——
Such，mysoul，thyworldwouldbe，ifnolovedidsinginthee。
Lady，keepthyworld’sdelight；
Keepthewatersinthysight。
Lovehathmademestrongtogo，Forthysake，torealmsbelow，Wherethewater’sshineandhumThroughthedarknessnevercome；
Let，Ipray，onethoughtofmeSpring，alittlewell，inthee；
LestthylovelesssoulbefoundLikeadryandthirstyground。"
"Singagain，prince。Itmakesitlesstedious，"saidtheprincess。
Buttheprincewastoomuchovercometosinganymore，andalongpausefollowed。
"Thisisverykindofyou，prince，"saidtheprincessatlast，quitecoolly，asshelayintheboatwithhereyesshut。
"IamsorryIcan’treturnthecompliment，"thoughttheprince；
"butyouareworthdyingfor，afterall。"
Againawavelet，andanother，andanotherflowedoverthestone，andwettedboththeprince’sknees；buthedidnotspeakormove。
Two——three——fourhourspassedinthisway，theprincessapparentlyasleep，andtheprinceverypatient。Buthewasmuchdisappointedinhisposition，forhehadnoneoftheconsolationhehadhopedfor。
Atlasthecouldbearitnolonger。
"Princess！"saidhe。
Butatthemomentupstartedtheprincess，crying，——
"I’mafloat！I’mafloat！"
Andthelittleboatbumpedagainstthestone。
"Princess！"repeatedtheprince，encouragedbyseeingherwideawakeandlookingeagerlyatthewater。
"Well？"saidshe，withoutlookinground。
"Yourpapapromisedthatyoushouldlookatme，andyouhaven’tlookedatmeonce。"
"Didhe？ThenIsupposeImust。ButIamsosleepy！"
"Sleepthen，darling，anddon’tmindme，"saidthepoorprince。
"Really，youareverygood，"repliedtheprincess。"IthinkIwillgotosleepagain。"
"Justgivemeaglassofwineandabiscuitfirst，"saidtheprince，veryhumbly。
"Withallmyheart，"saidtheprincess，andgapedasshesaidit。
Shegotthewineandthebiscuit，however，andleaningoverthesideoftheboattowardshim，wascompelledtolookathim。
"Why，prince，"shesaid，"youdon’tlookwell！Areyousureyoudon’tmindit？"
"Notabit，"answeredhe，feelingveryfaintindeed。"OnlyIshalldiebeforeitisofanyusetoyou，unlessIhavesomethingtoeat。"
"There，then，"saidshe，holdingoutthewinetohim。
"Ah！youmustfeedme。Idarenotmovemyhands。Thewaterwouldrunawaydirectly。"
"Goodgracious！"saidtheprincess；andshebeganatoncetofeedhimwithbitsofbiscuitandsipsofwine。
Asshefedhim，hecontrivedtokissthetipsofherfingersnowandthen。Shedidnotseemtomindit，onewayortheother。Buttheprincefeltbetter。
"Nowforyourownsake，princess，"saidhe，"Icannotletyougotosleep。Youmustsitandlookatme，elseIshallnotbeabletokeepup。"
"Well，IwilldoanythingIcantoobligeyou，"answeredshe，withcondescension；and，sittingdown，shedidlookathim，andkeptlookingathimwithwonderfulsteadiness，consideringallthings。
Thesunwentdown，andthemoonrose，and，gushaftergush，thewaterswererisinguptheprince’sbody。Theywereuptohiswaistnow。
"Whycan’twegoandhaveaswim？"saidtheprincess。"ThereseemstobewaterenoughJustabouthere。"
"Ishallneverswimmore，"saidtheprince。
"Oh，Iforgot，"saidtheprincess，andwassilent。
Sothewatergrewandgrew，androseupandupontheprince。Andtheprincesssatandlookedathim。Shefedhimnowandthen。Thenightworeon。Thewatersroseandrose。Themoonroselikewisehigherandhigher，andshonefullonthefaceofthedyingprince。
Thewaterwasuptohisneck。
"Willyoukissme，princess？"saidhe，feebly。
Thenonchalancewasallgonenow。
"Yes，Iwill，"answeredtheprincess，andkissedhimwithalong，sweet，coldkiss。
"Now，"saidhe，withasighofcontent，"Idiehappy。"
Hedidnotspeakagain。Theprincessgavehimsomewineforthelasttime：hewaspasteating。Thenshesatdownagain，andlookedathim。Thewaterroseandrose。Ittouchedhischin。Ittouchedhislowerlip。Ittouchedbetweenhislips。Heshutthemhardtokeepitout。Theprincessbegantofeelstrange。Ittouchedhisupperlip。Hebreathedthroughhisnostrils。Theprincesslookedwild。Itcoveredhisnostrils。Hereyeslookedscared，andshonestrangeinthemoonlight。Hisheadfellback；thewaterclosedoverit，andthebubblesofhislastbreathbubbledupthroughthewater。Theprincessgaveashriek，andsprangintothelake。
Shelaidholdfirstofoneleg，andthenoftheother，andpulledandtugged，butshecouldnotmoveeither。Shestoppedtotakebreath，andthatmadeherthinkthatHEcouldnotgetanybreath。
Shewasfrantic。Shegotholdofhim，andheldhisheadabovethewater，whichwaspossiblenowhishandswerenolongeronthehole。
Butitwasofnouse，forhewaspastbreathing。
Loveandwaterbroughtbackallherstrength。Shegotunderthewater，andpulledandpulledwithherwholemight，tillatlastshegotonelegout。Theothereasilyfollowed。Howshegothimintotheboatshenevercouldtell；butwhenshedid，shefaintedaway。
Comingtoherself，sheseizedtheoars，keptherselfsteadyasbestshecould，androwedandrowed，thoughshehadneverrowedbefore。
Roundrocks，andovershallows，andthroughmudsherowed，tillshegottothelanding-stairsofthepalace。Bythistimeherpeoplewereontheshore，fortheyhadheardhershriek。Shemadethemcarrytheprincetoherownroom，andlayhiminherbed，andlightafire，andsendforthedoctors。
"Butthelake，yourHighness！"saidthechamberlain，who，rousedbythenoise，camein，inhisnightcap。
"Goanddrownyourselfinit！"shesaid。
Thiswasthelastrudenessofwhichtheprincesswaseverguilty；
andonemustallowthatshehadgoodcausetofeelprovokedwiththelordchamberlain。
Haditbeenthekinghimself，hewouldhavefarednobetter。Butbothheandthequeenwerefastasleep。Andthechamberlainwentbacktohisbed。Somehow，thedoctorsnevercame。Sotheprincessandheroldnursewereleftwiththeprince。Buttheoldnursewasawisewoman，andknewwhattodo。
Theytriedeverythingforalongtimewithoutsuccess。Theprincesswasnearlydistractedbetweenhopeandfear，butshetriedonandon，onethingafteranother，andeverythingoverandoveragain。
Atlast，whentheyhadallbutgivenitup，justasthesunrose，theprinceopenedhiseyes。
15。LookattheRain！
Theprincessburstintoapassionoftears，andfellonthefloor。
Thereshelayforanhour，andhertearsneverceased。Allthepent-upcryingofherlifewasspentnow。Andaraincameon，suchashadneverbeenseeninthatcountry。Thesunshoneallthetime，andthegreatdrops，whichfellstraighttotheearth，shonelikewise。Thepalacewasintheheartofarainbow。Itwasarainofrubies，andsapphires，andemeralds，andtopazes。Thetorrentspouredfromthemountainslikemoltengold；andifithadnotbeenforitssubterraneousoutlet，thelakewouldhaveoverflowedandinundatedthecountry。Itwasfullfromshoretoshore。
Buttheprincessdidnotheedthelake。Shelayonthefloorandwept，andthisrainwithindoorswasfarmorewonderfulthantherainoutofdoors。
Forwhenitabatedalittle，andsheproceededtorise，shefound，toherastonishment，thatshecouldnot。Atlength，aftermanyefforts，shesucceededingettinguponherfeet。Butshetumbleddownagaindirectly。Hearingherfall，heroldnurseutteredayellofdelight，andrantoher，screaming，——
"Mydarlingchild！she’sfoundhergravity！"
"Oh，that’sit！isit？"saidtheprincess，rubbinghershoulderandherkneealternately。"Iconsideritveryunpleasant。IfeelasifIshouldbecrushedtopieces。"
"Hurrah！"criedtheprincefromthebed。"Ifyou’vecomeround，princess，sohaveI。How’sthelake？"
"Brimful，"answeredthenurse。
"Thenwe’reallhappy。"
"Thatweareindeed！"answeredtheprincess，sobbing。
Andtherewasrejoicingalloverthecountrythatrainyday。Eventhebabiesforgottheirpasttroubles，anddancedandcrowedamazingly。Andthekingtoldstories，andthequeenlistenedtothem。Andhedividedthemoneyinhisbox，andshethehoneyinherpot，amongallthechildren。Andtherewassuchjubilationaswasneverheardofbefore。
Ofcoursetheprinceandprincesswerebetrothedatonce。Buttheprincesshadtolearntowalk，beforetheycouldbemarriedwithanypropriety。Andthiswasnotsoeasyathertimeoflife，forshecouldwalknomorethanababy。Shewasalwaysfallingdownandhurtingherself。
"Isthisthegravityyouusedtomakesomuchof？"saidsheonedaytotheprince，asheraisedherfromthefloor。"Formypart，Iwasagreatdealmorecomfortablewithoutit。"
"No，no，that’snotit。Thisisit，"repliedtheprince，ashetookherup，andcarriedheraboutlikeababy，kissingherallthetime。"Thisisgravity。"
"That’sbetter，"saidshe。"Idon’tmindthatsomuch。"
Andshesmiledthesweetest，loveliestsmileintheprince’sface。
Andshegavehimonelittlekissinreturnforallhis；andhethoughtthemoverpaid，forhewasbesidehimselfwithdelight。I
fearshecomplainedofhergravitymorethanonceafterthis，notwithstanding。
Itwasalongtimebeforeshegotreconciledtowalking。Butthepainoflearningitwasquitecounterbalancedbytwothings，eitherofwhichwouldhavebeensufficientconsolation。Thefirstwas，thattheprincehimselfwasherteacher；andthesecond，thatshecouldtumbleintothelakeasoftenasshepleased。Still，shepreferredtohavetheprincejumpinwithher；andthesplashtheymadebeforewasnothingtothesplashtheymadenow。
Thelakeneversankagain。Inprocessoftime，itworetheroofofthecavernquitethrough，andwastwiceasdeepasbefore。
Theonlyrevengetheprincesstookuponherauntwastotreadprettyhardonhergoutytoethenexttimeshesawher。Butshewassorryforittheverynextday，whensheheardthatthewaterhadunderminedherhouse，andthatithadfalleninthenight，buryingherinitsruins；whencenooneeverventuredtodigupherbody。
Theresheliestothisday。
Sotheprinceandprincesslivedandwerehappy；andhadcrownsofgold，andclothesofcloth，andshoesofleather，andchildrenofboysandgirls，notoneofwhomwaseverknown，onthemostcriticaloccasion，tolosethesmallestatomofhisorherdueproportionofgravity。