FIRSTSTORY.WhichTreatsofaMirrorandoftheSplinters
Nowthen,letusbegin.Whenweareattheendofthestory,weshallknowmorethanweknownow:buttobegin.
Onceuponatimetherewasawickedsprite,indeedhewasthemostmischievousofallsprites.Onedayhewasinaverygoodhumor,forhehadmadeamirrorwiththepowerofcausingallthatwasgoodandbeautifulwhenitwasreflectedtherein,tolookpoorandmean;butthatwhichwasgood-for-nothingandlookeduglywasshownmagnifiedandincreasedinugliness.Inthismirrorthemostbeautifullandscapeslookedlikeboiledspinach,andthebestpersonswereturnedintofrights,orappearedtostandontheirheads;theirfacesweresodistortedthattheywerenottoberecognised;andifanyonehadamole,youmightbesurethatitwouldbemagnifiedandspreadoverbothnoseandmouth.
SECONDSTORY.ALittleBoyandaLittleGirl
Inalargetown,wheretherearesomanyhouses,andsomanypeople,thatthereisnoroofleftforeverybodytohavealittlegarden;andwhere,onthisaccount,mostpersonsareobligedtocontentthemselveswithflowersinpots;therelivedtwolittlechildren,whohadagardensomewhatlargerthanaflower-pot.Theywerenotbrotherandsister;buttheycaredforeachotherasmuchasiftheywere.Theirparentslivedexactlyopposite.Theyinhabitedtwogarrets;andwheretheroofoftheonehousejoinedthatoftheother,andthegutterranalongtheextremeendofit,therewastoeachhouseasmallwindow:oneneededonlytostepovertheguttertogetfromonewindowtotheother.
"Itisthewhitebeesthatareswarming,"saidKay'soldgrandmother.
"Dothewhitebeeschooseaqueen"askedthelittleboy;forheknewthatthehoney-beesalwayshaveone.
"Yes,"saidthegrandmother,"sheflieswheretheswarmhangsinthethickestclusters.Sheisthelargestofall;andshecanneverremainquietlyontheearth,butgoesupagainintotheblackclouds.Manyawinter'snightshefliesthroughthestreetsofthetown,andpeepsinatthewindows;andtheythenfreezeinsowondrousamannerthattheylooklikeflowers."
"Yes,Ihaveseenit,"saidboththechildren;andsotheyknewthatitwastrue.
"CantheSnowQueencomein"saidthelittlegirl.
"Onlylethercomein!"saidthelittleboy."ThenI'dputheronthestove,andshe'dmelt."
Andthenhisgrandmotherpattedhisheadandtoldhimotherstories.
Intheevening,whenlittleKaywasathome,andhalfundressed,heclimbeduponthechairbythewindow,andpeepedoutofthelittlehole.Afewsnow-flakeswerefalling,andone,thelargestofall,remainedlyingontheedgeofaflower-pot.
Theflakeofsnowgrewlargerandlarger;andatlastitwaslikeayounglady,dressedinthefinestwhitegauze,madeofamillionlittleflakeslikestars.Shewassobeautifulanddelicate,butshewasofice,ofdazzling,sparklingice;yetshelived;hereyesgazedfixedly,liketwostars;buttherewasneitherquietnorreposeinthem.Shenoddedtowardsthewindow,andbeckonedwithherhand.Thelittleboywasfrightened,andjumpeddownfromthechair;itseemedtohimasif,atthesamemoment,alargebirdflewpastthewindow.
Thenextdayitwasasharpfrost--andthenthespringcame;thesunshone,thegreenleavesappeared,theswallowsbuilttheirnests,thewindowswereopened,andthelittlechildrenagainsatintheirprettygarden,highupontheleadsatthetopofthehouse.
Thatsummertherosesfloweredinunwontedbeauty.Thelittlegirlhadlearnedahymn,inwhichtherewassomethingaboutroses;andthenshethoughtofherownflowers;andshesangtheversetothelittleboy,whothensangitwithher:
"Theroseinthevalleyisbloomingsosweet,Andangelsdescendtherethechildrentogreet."
Andthechildrenheldeachotherbythehand,kissedtheroses,lookedupattheclearsunshine,andspokeasthoughtheyreallysawangelsthere.Whatlovelysummer-daysthosewere!Howdelightfultobeoutintheair,nearthefreshrose-bushes,thatseemasiftheywouldneverfinishblossoming!
KayandGerdalookedatthepicture-bookfullofbeastsandofbirds;anditwasthen--theclockinthechurch-towerwasjuststrikingfive--thatKaysaid,"Oh!Ifeelsuchasharppaininmyheart;andnowsomethinghasgotintomyeye!"
Thelittlegirlputherarmsaroundhisneck.Hewinkedhiseyes;nowtherewasnothingtobeseen.
"Ithinkitisoutnow,"saidhe;butitwasnot.Itwasjustoneofthosepiecesofglassfromthemagicmirrorthathadgotintohiseye;andpoorKayhadgotanotherpiecerightinhisheart.Itwillsoonbecomelikeice.Itdidnothurtanylonger,butthereitwas.
"Whatareyoucryingfor"askedhe."Youlooksougly!There'snothingthematterwithme.Ah,"saidheatonce,"thatroseiscankered!Andlook,thisoneisquitecrooked!Afterall,theserosesareveryugly!Theyarejustliketheboxtheyareplantedin!"Andthenhegavetheboxagoodkickwithhisfoot,andpulledboththerosesup.
"Whatareyoudoing"criedthelittlegirl;andasheperceivedherfright,hepulledupanotherrose,gotinatthewindow,andhastenedofffromdearlittleGerda.
Afterwards,whenshebroughtherpicture-book,heasked,"Whathorridbeastshaveyouthere"Andifhisgrandmothertoldthemstories,healwaysinterruptedher;besides,ifhecouldmanageit,hewouldgetbehindher,putonherspectacles,andimitateherwayofspeaking;hecopiedallherways,andtheneverybodylaughedathim.Hewassoonabletoimitatethegaitandmannerofeveryoneinthestreet.Everythingthatwaspeculiaranddispleasinginthem--thatKayknewhowtoimitate:andatsuchtimesallthepeoplesaid,"Theboyiscertainlyveryclever!"Butitwastheglasshehadgotinhiseye;theglassthatwasstickinginhisheart,whichmadehimteaseevenlittleGerda,whosewholesoulwasdevotedtohim.
Hisgamesnowwerequitedifferenttowhattheyhadformerlybeen,theyweresoveryknowing.Onewinter'sday,whentheflakesofsnowwereflyingabout,hespreadtheskirtsofhisbluecoat,andcaughtthesnowasitfell.
"Lookthroughthisglass,Gerda,"saidhe.Andeveryflakeseemedlarger,andappearedlikeamagnificentflower,orbeautifulstar;itwassplendidtolookat!
"Look,howclever!"saidKay."That'smuchmoreinterestingthanrealflowers!Theyareasexactaspossible;thereisnotafaultinthem,iftheydidnotmelt!"
Itwasnotlongafterthis,thatKaycameonedaywithlargegloveson,andhislittlesledgeathisback,andbawledrightintoGerda'sears,"Ihavepermissiontogooutintothesquarewheretheothersareplaying";andoffhewasinamoment.
Thesnow-flakesgrewlargerandlarger,tillatlasttheylookedjustlikegreatwhitefowls.Suddenlytheyflewononeside;thelargesledgestopped,andthepersonwhodroveroseup.Itwasalady;hercloakandcapwereofsnow.Shewastallandofslenderfigure,andofadazzlingwhiteness.ItwastheSnowQueen.
"Wehavetravelledfast,"saidshe;"butitisfreezinglycold.Comeundermybearskin."Andsheputhiminthesledgebesideher,wrappedthefurroundhim,andhefeltasthoughheweresinkinginasnow-wreath.
"Areyoustillcold"askedshe;andthenshekissedhisforehead.Ah!itwascolderthanice;itpenetratedtohisveryheart,whichwasalreadyalmostafrozenlump;itseemedtohimasifhewereabouttodie--butamomentmoreanditwasquitecongenialtohim,andhedidnotremarkthecoldthatwasaroundhim.
"Mysledge!Donotforgetmysledge!"Itwasthefirstthinghethoughtof.Itwastheretiedtooneofthewhitechickens,whoflewalongwithitonhisbackbehindthelargesledge.TheSnowQueenkissedKayoncemore,andthenheforgotlittleGerda,grandmother,andallwhomhehadleftathishome.
"Nowyouwillhavenomorekisses,"saidshe,"orelseIshouldkissyoutodeath!"
Kaylookedather.Shewasverybeautiful;amoreclever,oramorelovelycountenancehecouldnotfancytohimself;andshenolongerappearedoficeasbefore,whenshesatoutsidethewindow,andbeckonedtohim;inhiseyesshewasperfect,hedidnotfearheratall,andtoldherthathecouldcalculateinhisheadandwithfractions,even;thatheknewthenumberofsquaremilestherewereinthedifferentcountries,andhowmanyinhabitantstheycontained;andshesmiledwhilehespoke.Itthenseemedtohimasifwhatheknewwasnotenough,andhelookedupwardsinthelargehugeemptyspaceabovehim,andonsheflewwithhim;flewhighovertheblackclouds,whilethestormmoanedandwhistledasthoughitweresingingsomeoldtune.Ontheyflewoverwoodsandlakes,overseas,andmanylands;andbeneaththemthechillingstormrushedfast,thewolveshowled,thesnowcrackled;abovethemflewlargescreamingcrows,buthigherupappearedthemoon,quitelargeandbright;anditwasonitthatKaygazedduringthelonglongwinter'snight;whilebydayhesleptatthefeetoftheSnowQueen.
THIRDSTORY.OftheFlower-GardenAttheOldWoman'sWhoUnderstoodWitchcraft
ButwhatbecameoflittleGerdawhenKaydidnotreturnWherecouldhebeNobodyknew;nobodycouldgiveanyintelligence.Alltheboysknewwas,thattheyhadseenhimtiehissledgetoanotherlargeandsplendidone,whichdrovedownthestreetandoutofthetown.Nobodyknewwherehewas;manysadtearswereshed,andlittleGerdaweptlongandbitterly;atlastshesaidhemustbedead;thathehadbeendrownedintheriverwhichflowedclosetothetown.Oh!thosewereverylonganddismalwinterevenings!
Atlastspringcame,withitswarmsunshine.
"Kayisdeadandgone!"saidlittleGerda.
"ThatIdon'tbelieve,"saidtheSunshine.
"Kayisdeadandgone!"saidshetotheSwallows.
"ThatIdon'tbelieve,"saidthey:andatlastlittleGerdadidnotthinksoanylongereither.
"I'llputonmyredshoes,"saidshe,onemorning;"Kayhasneverseenthem,andthenI'llgodowntotheriverandaskthere."
Itwasquiteearly;shekissedheroldgrandmother,whowasstillasleep,putonherredshoes,andwentalonetotheriver.
"IsittruethatyouhavetakenmylittleplayfellowIwillmakeyouapresentofmyredshoes,ifyouwillgivehimbacktome."
And,asitseemedtoher,thebluewavesnoddedinastrangemanner;thenshetookoffherredshoes,themostpreciousthingsshepossessed,andthrewthembothintotheriver.Buttheyfellclosetothebank,andthelittlewavesborethemimmediatelytoland;itwasasifthestreamwouldnottakewhatwasdearesttoher;forinrealityithadnotgotlittleKay;butGerdathoughtthatshehadnotthrowntheshoesoutfarenough,sosheclamberedintoaboatwhichlayamongtherushes,wenttothefarthestend,andthrewouttheshoes.Buttheboatwasnotfastened,andthemotionwhichsheoccasioned,madeitdriftfromtheshore.Sheobservedthis,andhastenedtogetback;butbeforeshecoulddoso,theboatwasmorethanayardfromtheland,andwasglidingquicklyonward.
LittleGerdawasveryfrightened,andbegantocry;butnooneheardherexceptthesparrows,andtheycouldnotcarryhertoland;buttheyflewalongthebank,andsangasiftocomforther,"Hereweare!Hereweare!"Theboatdriftedwiththestream,littleGerdasatquitestillwithoutshoes,fortheywereswimmingbehindtheboat,butshecouldnotreachthem,becausetheboatwentmuchfasterthantheydid.
Thebanksonbothsideswerebeautiful;lovelyflowers,venerabletrees,andslopeswithsheepandcows,butnotahumanbeingwastobeseen.
"PerhapstheriverwillcarrymetolittleKay,"saidshe;andthenshegrewlesssad.Sherose,andlookedformanyhoursatthebeautifulgreenbanks.Presentlyshesailedbyalargecherry-orchard,wherewasalittlecottagewithcuriousredandbluewindows;itwasthatched,andbeforeittwowoodensoldiersstoodsentry,andpresentedarmswhenanyonewentpast.
Gerdacalledtothem,forshethoughttheywerealive;butthey,ofcourse,didnotanswer.Shecameclosetothem,forthestreamdriftedtheboatquiteneartheland.
Gerdacalledstilllouder,andanoldwomanthencameoutofthecottage,leaninguponacrookedstick.Shehadalargebroad-brimmedhaton,paintedwiththemostsplendidflowers.
"Poorlittlechild!"saidtheoldwoman."Howdidyougetuponthelargerapidriver,tobedrivenaboutsointhewideworld!"Andthentheoldwomanwentintothewater,caughtholdoftheboatwithhercrookedstick,drewittothebank,andliftedlittleGerdaout.
AndGerdawassogladtobeondrylandagain;butshewasratherafraidofthestrangeoldwoman.
"Butcomeandtellmewhoyouare,andhowyoucamehere,"saidshe.
AndGerdatoldherall;andtheoldwomanshookherheadandsaid,"A-hem!a-hem!"andwhenGerdahadtoldhereverything,andaskedherifshehadnotseenlittleKay,thewomanansweredthathehadnotpassedthere,buthenodoubtwouldcome;andshetoldhernottobecastdown,buttastehercherries,andlookatherflowers,whichwerefinerthananyinapicture-book,eachofwhichcouldtellawholestory.ShethentookGerdabythehand,ledherintothelittlecottage,andlockedthedoor.
Thewindowswereveryhighup;theglasswasred,blue,andgreen,andthesunlightshonethroughquitewondrouslyinallsortsofcolors.Onthetablestoodthemostexquisitecherries,andGerdaateasmanyasshechose,forshehadpermissiontodoso.Whileshewaseating,theoldwomancombedherhairwithagoldencomb,andherhaircurledandshonewithalovelygoldencoloraroundthatsweetlittleface,whichwassoroundandsolikearose.
"Ihaveoftenlongedforsuchadearlittlegirl,"saidtheoldwoman."Nowyoushallseehowwellweagreetogether";andwhileshecombedlittleGerda'shair,thechildforgotherfoster-brotherKaymoreandmore,fortheoldwomanunderstoodmagic;butshewasnoevilbeing,sheonlypractisedwitchcraftalittleforherownprivateamusement,andnowshewantedverymuchtokeeplittleGerda.Shethereforewentoutinthegarden,stretchedouthercrookedsticktowardstherose-bushes,which,beautifullyastheywereblowing,allsankintotheearthandnoonecouldtellwheretheyhadstood.TheoldwomanfearedthatifGerdashouldseetheroses,shewouldthenthinkofherown,wouldrememberlittleKay,andrunawayfromher.
ShenowledGerdaintotheflower-garden.Oh,whatodourandwhatlovelinesswasthere!Everyflowerthatonecouldthinkof,andofeveryseason,stoodthereinfullestbloom;nopicture-bookcouldbegayerormorebeautiful.Gerdajumpedforjoy,andplayedtillthesunsetbehindthetallcherry-tree;shethenhadaprettybed,witharedsilkencoverletfilledwithblueviolets.Shefellasleep,andhadaspleasantdreamsaseveraqueenonherwedding-day.
Thenextmorningshewenttoplaywiththeflowersinthewarmsunshine,andthuspassedawayaday.Gerdakneweveryflower;and,numerousastheywere,itstillseemedtoGerdathatonewaswanting,thoughshedidnotknowwhich.Onedaywhileshewaslookingatthehatoftheoldwomanpaintedwithflowers,themostbeautifulofthemallseemedtohertobearose.Theoldwomanhadforgottentotakeitfromherhatwhenshemadetheothersvanishintheearth.Butsoitiswhenone'sthoughtsarenotcollected."What!"saidGerda."Aretherenoroseshere"andsheranaboutamongsttheflowerbeds,andlooked,andlooked,buttherewasnotonetobefound.Shethensatdownandwept;butherhottearsfelljustwherearose-bushhadsunk;andwhenherwarmtearswateredtheground,thetreeshotupsuddenlyasfreshandbloomingaswhenithadbeenswallowedup.Gerdakissedtheroses,thoughtofherowndearrosesathome,andwiththemoflittleKay.
"Oh,howlongIhavestayed!"saidthelittlegirl."IintendedtolookforKay!Don'tyouknowwhereheis"sheaskedoftheroses."Doyouthinkheisdeadandgone"
"Deadhecertainlyisnot,"saidtheRoses."Wehavebeenintheearthwhereallthedeadare,butKaywasnotthere."
"Manythanks!"saidlittleGerda;andshewenttotheotherflowers,lookedintotheircups,andasked,"Don'tyouknowwherelittleKayis"
Buteveryflowerstoodinthesunshine,anddreameditsownfairytaleoritsownstory:andtheyalltoldherverymanythings,butnotoneknewanythingofKay.
Well,whatdidtheTiger-Lilysay
"HearestthounotthedrumBum!Bum!Thosearetheonlytwotones.Alwaysbum!Bum!Harktotheplaintivesongoftheoldwoman,tothecallofthepriests!TheHindoowomaninherlongrobestandsuponthefuneralpile;theflamesrisearoundherandherdeadhusband,buttheHindoowomanthinksonthelivingoneinthesurroundingcircle;onhimwhoseeyesburnhotterthantheflames--onhim,thefireofwhoseeyespiercesherheartmorethantheflameswhichsoonwillburnherbodytoashes.Cantheheart'sflamedieintheflameofthefuneralpile"
"Idon'tunderstandthatatall,"saidlittleGerda.
"Thatismystory,"saidtheLily.
WhatdidtheConvolvulussay
"Projectingoveranarrowmountain-paththerehangsanoldfeudalcastle.Thickevergreensgrowonthedilapidatedwalls,andaroundthealtar,wherealovelymaidenisstanding:shebendsovertherailingandlooksoutupontherose.Nofresherrosehangsonthebranchesthanshe;noappleblossomcarriedawaybythewindismorebuoyant!Howhersilkenrobeisrustling!
"'Ishenotyetcome'"
"IsitKaythatyoumean"askedlittleGerda.
"Iamspeakingaboutmystory--aboutmydream,"answeredtheConvolvulus.
WhatdidtheSnowdropssay
"Betweenthetreesalongboardishanging--itisaswing.Twolittlegirlsaresittinginit,andswingthemselvesbackwardsandforwards;theirfrocksareaswhiteassnow,andlonggreensilkribandsflutterfromtheirbonnets.Theirbrother,whoisolderthantheyare,standsupintheswing;hetwineshisarmsroundthecordstoholdhimselffast,forinonehandhehasalittlecup,andintheotheraclay-pipe.Heisblowingsoap-bubbles.Theswingmoves,andthebubblesfloatincharmingchangingcolors:thelastisstillhangingtotheendofthepipe,androcksinthebreeze.Theswingmoves.Thelittleblackdog,aslightasasoap-bubble,jumpsuponhishindlegstotrytogetintotheswing.Itmoves,thedogfallsdown,barks,andisangry.Theyteasehim;thebubblebursts!Aswing,aburstingbubble--suchismysong!"
"Whatyourelatemaybeverypretty,butyoutellitinsomelancholyamanner,anddonotmentionKay."
WhatdotheHyacinthssay
"Therewereonceuponatimethreesisters,quitetransparent,andverybeautiful.Therobeoftheonewasred,thatofthesecondblue,andthatofthethirdwhite.Theydancedhandinhandbesidethecalmlakeintheclearmoonshine.Theywerenotelfinmaidens,butmortalchildren.Asweetfragrancewassmelt,andthemaidensvanishedinthewood;thefragrancegrewstronger--threecoffins,andinthemthreelovelymaidens,glidedoutoftheforestandacrossthelake:theshiningglow-wormsflewaroundlikelittlefloatinglights.Dothedancingmaidenssleep,oraretheydeadTheodouroftheflowerssaystheyarecorpses;theeveningbelltollsforthedead!"
"Youmakemequitesad,"saidlittleGerda."Icannothelpthinkingofthedeadmaidens.Oh!islittleKayreallydeadTheRoseshavebeenintheearth,andtheysayno."
"Ding,dong!"soundedtheHyacinthbells."WedonottollforlittleKay;wedonotknowhim.Thatisourwayofsinging,theonlyonewehave."
AndGerdawenttotheRanunculuses,thatlookedforthfromamongtheshininggreenleaves.
"Youarealittlebrightsun!"saidGerda."TellmeifyouknowwhereIcanfindmyplayfellow."
AndtheRanunculusshonebrightly,andlookedagainatGerda.WhatsongcouldtheRanunculussingItwasonethatsaidnothingaboutKayeither.
"Inasmallcourtthebrightsunwasshininginthefirstdaysofspring.Thebeamsglideddownthewhitewallsofaneighbor'shouse,andclosebythefreshyellowflowersweregrowing,shininglikegoldinthewarmsun-rays.Anoldgrandmotherwassittingintheair;hergrand-daughter,thepoorandlovelyservantjustcomeforashortvisit.Sheknowshergrandmother.Therewasgold,purevirgingoldinthatblessedkiss.There,thatismylittlestory,"saidtheRanunculus.
"Mypooroldgrandmother!"sighedGerda."Yes,sheislongingforme,nodoubt:sheissorrowingforme,asshedidforlittleKay.ButIwillsooncomehome,andthenIwillbringKaywithme.Itisofnouseaskingtheflowers;theyonlyknowtheirownoldrhymes,andcantellmenothing."Andshetuckedupherfrock,toenablehertorunquicker;buttheNarcissusgaveheraknockontheleg,justasshewasgoingtojumpoverit.Soshestoodstill,lookedatthelongyellowflower,andasked,"Youperhapsknowsomething"andshebentdowntotheNarcissus.Andwhatdiditsay
"Icanseemyself--Icanseemyself!Oh,howodorousIam!Upinthelittlegarrettherestands,half-dressed,alittleDancer.Shestandsnowononeleg,nowonboth;shedespisesthewholeworld;yetshelivesonlyinimagination.Shepourswateroutoftheteapotoverapieceofstuffwhichsheholdsinherhand;itisthebodice;cleanlinessisafinething.Thewhitedressishangingonthehook;itwaswashedintheteapot,anddriedontheroof.Sheputsiton,tiesasaffron-coloredkerchiefroundherneck,andthenthegownlookswhiter.Icanseemyself--Icanseemyself!"
"That'snothingtome,"saidlittleGerda."Thatdoesnotconcernme."Andthenoffsherantothefurtherendofthegarden.
Thegatewaslocked,butsheshooktherustedbolttillitwasloosened,andthegateopened;andlittleGerdaranoffbarefootedintothewideworld.Shelookedroundherthrice,butnoonefollowedher.Atlastshecouldrunnolonger;shesatdownonalargestone,andwhenshelookedabouther,shesawthatthesummerhadpassed;itwaslateintheautumn,butthatonecouldnotremarkinthebeautifulgarden,wheretherewasalwayssunshine,andwheretherewereflowersthewholeyearround.
"Dearme,howlongIhavestaid!"saidGerda."Autumniscome.Imustnotrestanylonger."Andshegotuptogofurther.
Oh,howtenderandweariedherlittlefeetwere!Allarounditlookedsocoldandraw:thelongwillow-leaveswerequiteyellow,andthefogdrippedfromthemlikewater;oneleaffellaftertheother:thesloesonlystoodfulloffruit,whichsetone'steethonedge.Oh,howdarkandcomfortlessitwasinthedrearyworld!
FOURTHSTORY.ThePrinceandPrincess
Gerdawasobligedtorestherselfagain,when,exactlyoppositetoher,alargeRavencamehoppingoverthewhitesnow.HehadlongbeenlookingatGerdaandshakinghishead;andnowhesaid,"Caw!Caw!"Goodday!Goodday!Hecouldnotsayitbetter;buthefeltasympathyforthelittlegirl,andaskedherwhereshewasgoingallalone.Theword"alone"Gerdaunderstoodquitewell,andfelthowmuchwasexpressedbyit;soshetoldtheRavenherwholehistory,andaskedifhehadnotseenKay.
TheRavennoddedverygravely,andsaid,"Itmaybe--itmaybe!"
"What,doyoureallythinkso"criedthelittlegirl;andshenearlysqueezedtheRaventodeath,somuchdidshekisshim.
"Gently,gently,"saidtheRaven."IthinkIknow;IthinkthatitmaybelittleKay.ButnowhehasforgottenyouforthePrincess."
"DoeshelivewithaPrincess"askedGerda.
"Yes--listen,"saidtheRaven;"butitwillbedifficultformetospeakyourlanguage.IfyouunderstandtheRavenlanguageIcantellyoubetter."
"No,Ihavenotlearntit,"saidGerda;"butmygrandmotherunderstandsit,andshecanspeakgibberishtoo.IwishIhadlearntit."
"Nomatter,"saidtheRaven;"IwilltellyouaswellasIcan;however,itwillbebadenough."Andthenhetoldallheknew.
"InthekingdomwherewenowaretherelivesaPrincess,whoisextraordinarilyclever;forshehasreadallthenewspapersinthewholeworld,andhasforgottenthemagain--socleverisshe.Shewaslately,itissaid,sittingonherthrone--whichisnotveryamusingafterall--whenshebeganhumminganoldtune,anditwasjust,'Oh,whyshouldInotbemarried''Thatsongisnotwithoutitsmeaning,'saidshe,andsothenshewasdeterminedtomarry;butshewouldhaveahusbandwhoknewhowtogiveananswerwhenhewasspokento--notonewholookedonlyasifhewereagreatpersonage,forthatissotiresome.Shethenhadalltheladiesofthecourtdrummedtogether;andwhentheyheardherintention,allwereverypleased,andsaid,'Weareverygladtohearit;itistheverythingwewerethinkingof.'YoumaybelieveeverywordIsay,"saidtheRaven;"forIhaveatamesweetheartthathopsaboutinthepalacequitefree,anditwasshewhotoldmeallthis.
"ThenewspapersappearedforthwithwithaborderofheartsandtheinitialsofthePrincess;andthereinyoumightreadthateverygood-lookingyoungmanwasatlibertytocometothepalaceandspeaktothePrincess;andhewhospokeinsuchwiseasshowedhefelthimselfathomethere,thatonethePrincesswouldchooseforherhusband.
"ButKay--littleKay,"saidGerda,"whendidhecomeWasheamongthenumber"
"Patience,patience;wearejustcometohim.Itwasonthethirddaywhenalittlepersonagewithouthorseorequipage,camemarchingrightboldlyuptothepalace;hiseyesshonelikeyours,hehadbeautifullonghair,buthisclotheswereveryshabby."
"ThatwasKay,"criedGerda,withavoiceofdelight."Oh,nowI'vefoundhim!"andsheclappedherhandsforjoy.
"Hehadalittleknapsackathisback,"saidtheRaven.
"No,thatwascertainlyhissledge,"saidGerda;"forwhenhewentawayhetookhissledgewithhim."
"Thatmaybe,"saidtheRaven;"Ididnotexaminehimsominutely;butIknowfrommytamesweetheart,thatwhenhecameintothecourt-yardofthepalace,andsawthebody-guardinsilver,thelackeysonthestaircase,hewasnottheleastabashed;henodded,andsaidtothem,'Itmustbeverytiresometostandonthestairs;formypart,Ishallgoin.'Thesaloonsweregleamingwithlustres--privycouncillorsandexcellencieswerewalkingaboutbarefooted,andworegoldkeys;itwasenoughtomakeanyonefeeluncomfortable.Hisbootscreaked,too,soloudly,butstillhewasnotatallafraid."
"That'sKayforcertain,"saidGerda."Iknowhehadonnewboots;Ihaveheardthemcreakingingrandmama'sroom."
"Yes,theycreaked,"saidtheRaven."AndonhewentboldlyuptothePrincess,whowassittingonapearlaslargeasaspinning-wheel.Alltheladiesofthecourt,withtheirattendantsandattendants'attendants,andallthecavaliers,withtheirgentlemenandgentlemen'sgentlemen,stoodround;andthenearertheystoodtothedoor,theproudertheylooked.Itwashardlypossibletolookatthegentleman'sgentleman,soveryhaughtilydidhestandinthedoorway."
"Itmusthavebeenterrible,"saidlittleGerda."AnddidKaygetthePrincess"
"WereInotaRaven,IshouldhavetakenthePrincessmyself,althoughIampromised.ItissaidhespokeaswellasIspeakwhenItalkRavenlanguage;thisIlearnedfrommytamesweetheart.Hewasboldandnicelybehaved;hehadnotcometowoothePrincess,butonlytohearherwisdom.Shepleasedhim,andhepleasedher."
"Yes,yes;forcertainthatwasKay,"saidGerda."Hewassoclever;hecouldreckonfractionsinhishead.Oh,won'tyoutakemetothepalace"
"Thatisveryeasilysaid,"answeredtheRaven."ButhowarewetomanageitI'llspeaktomytamesweetheartaboutit:shemustadviseus;forsomuchImusttellyou,suchalittlegirlasyouarewillnevergetpermissiontoenter."
"Oh,yesIshall,"saidGerda;"whenKayhearsthatIamhere,hewillcomeoutdirectlytofetchme."
"Waitformehereonthesesteps,"saidtheRaven.Hemovedhisheadbackwardsandforwardsandflewaway.
TheeveningwasclosinginwhentheRavenreturned."Caw--caw!"saidhe."Shesendsyouhercompliments;andhereisarollforyou.Shetookitoutofthekitchen,wherethereisbreadenough.Youarehungry,nodoubt.Itisnotpossibleforyoutoenterthepalace,foryouarebarefooted:theguardsinsilver,andthelackeysingold,wouldnotallowit;butdonotcry,youshallcomeinstill.Mysweetheartknowsalittlebackstairthatleadstothebedchamber,andsheknowswhereshecangetthekeyofit."
Andtheywentintothegardeninthelargeavenue,whereoneleafwasfallingaftertheother;andwhenthelightsinthepalacehadallgraduallydisappeared,theRavenledlittleGerdatothebackdoor,whichstoodhalfopen.
Oh,howGerda'sheartbeatwithanxietyandlonging!Itwasjustasifshehadbeenabouttodosomethingwrong;andyetsheonlywantedtoknowiflittleKaywasthere.Yes,hemustbethere.Shecalledtomindhisintelligenteyes,andhislonghair,sovividly,shecouldquiteseehimasheusedtolaughwhentheyweresittingundertherosesathome."Hewill,nodoubt,begladtoseeyou--tohearwhatalongwayyouhavecomeforhissake;toknowhowunhappyallathomewerewhenhedidnotcomeback."
Oh,whatafrightandajoyitwas!
Theywerenowonthestairs.Asinglelampwasburningthere;andonthefloorstoodthetameRaven,turningherheadoneverysideandlookingatGerda,whobowedashergrandmotherhadtaughthertodo.
"Myintendedhastoldmesomuchgoodofyou,mydearyounglady,"saidthetameRaven."Yourtaleisveryaffecting.Ifyouwilltakethelamp,Iwillgobefore.Wewillgostraighton,forweshallmeetnoone."
"Ithinkthereissomebodyjustbehindus,"saidGerda;andsomethingrushedpast:itwaslikeshadowyfiguresonthewall;horseswithflowingmanesandthinlegs,huntsmen,ladiesandgentlemenonhorseback.
"Theyareonlydreams,"saidtheRaven."Theycometofetchthethoughtsofthehighpersonagestothechase;'tiswell,fornowyoucanobservetheminbedallthebetter.Butletmefind,whenyouenjoyhonoranddistinction,thatyoupossessagratefulheart."
"Tut!That'snotworthtalkingabout,"saidtheRavenofthewoods.
Theynowenteredthefirstsaloon,whichwasofrose-coloredsatin,withartificialflowersonthewall.Herethedreamswererushingpast,buttheyhastenedbysoquicklythatGerdacouldnotseethehighpersonages.Onehallwasmoremagnificentthantheother;onemightindeedwellbeabashed;andatlasttheycameintothebedchamber.Theceilingoftheroomresembledalargepalm-treewithleavesofglass,ofcostlyglass;andinthemiddle,fromathickgoldenstem,hungtwobeds,eachofwhichresembledalily.Onewaswhite,andinthislaythePrincess;theotherwasred,anditwasherethatGerdawastolookforlittleKay.Shebentbackoneoftheredleaves,andsawabrownneck.Oh!thatwasKay!Shecalledhimquiteloudbyname,heldthelamptowardshim--thedreamsrushedbackagainintothechamber--heawoke,turnedhishead,and--itwasnotlittleKay!
ThePrincewasonlylikehimabouttheneck;buthewasyoungandhandsome.AndoutofthewhitelilyleavesthePrincesspeeped,too,andaskedwhatwasthematter.ThenlittleGerdacried,andtoldherherwholehistory,andallthattheRavenshaddoneforher.
"Poorlittlething!"saidthePrinceandthePrincess.TheypraisedtheRavensverymuch,andtoldthemtheywerenotatallangrywiththem,buttheywerenottodosoagain.However,theyshouldhaveareward."Willyouflyabouthereatliberty,"askedthePrincess;"orwouldyouliketohaveafixedappointmentascourtravens,withallthebrokenbitsfromthekitchen"
AndboththeRavensnodded,andbeggedforafixedappointment;fortheythoughtoftheiroldage,andsaid,"Itisagoodthingtohaveaprovisionforourolddays."
AndthePrincegotupandletGerdasleepinhisbed,andmorethanthishecouldnotdo.Shefoldedherlittlehandsandthought,"Howgoodmenandanimalsare!"andshethenfellasleepandsleptsoundly.Allthedreamsflewinagain,andtheynowlookedliketheangels;theydrewalittlesledge,inwhichlittleKaysatandnoddedhishead;butthewholewasonlyadream,andthereforeitallvanishedassoonassheawoke.
Thenextdayshewasdressedfromheadtofootinsilkandvelvet.Theyofferedtoletherstayatthepalace,andleadahappylife;butshebeggedtohavealittlecarriagewithahorseinfront,andforasmallpairofshoes;then,shesaid,shewouldagaingoforthinthewideworldandlookforKay.
Shoesandamuffweregivenher;shewas,too,dressedverynicely;andwhenshewasabouttosetoff,anewcarriagestoppedbeforethedoor.Itwasofpuregold,andthearmsofthePrinceandPrincessshonelikeastaruponit;thecoachman,thefootmen,andtheoutriders,foroutriderswerethere,too,allworegoldencrowns.ThePrinceandthePrincessassistedherintothecarriagethemselves,andwishedherallsuccess.TheRavenofthewoods,whowasnowmarried,accompaniedherforthefirstthreemiles.HesatbesideGerda,forhecouldnotbearridingbackwards;theotherRavenstoodinthedoorway,andflappedherwings;shecouldnotaccompanyGerda,becauseshesufferedfromheadachesinceshehadhadafixedappointmentandatesomuch.Thecarriagewaslinedinsidewithsugar-plums,andintheseatswerefruitsandgingerbread.
"Farewell!Farewell!"criedPrinceandPrincess;andGerdawept,andtheRavenwept.Thuspassedthefirstmiles;andthentheRavenbadeherfarewell,andthiswasthemostpainfulseparationofall.Heflewintoatree,andbeathisblackwingsaslongashecouldseethecarriage,thatshonefromafarlikeasunbeam.
FIFTHSTORY.TheLittleRobberMaiden
Theydrovethroughthedarkwood;butthecarriageshonelikeatorch,anditdazzledtheeyesoftherobbers,sothattheycouldnotbeartolookatit.
"'Tisgold!'Tisgold!"theycried;andtheyrushedforward,seizedthehorses,knockeddownthelittlepostilion,thecoachman,andtheservants,andpulledlittleGerdaoutofthecarriage.
"Howplump,howbeautifulsheis!Shemusthavebeenfedonnut-kernels,"saidtheoldfemalerobber,whohadalong,scrubbybeard,andbushyeyebrowsthathungdownoverhereyes."Sheisasgoodasafattedlamb!Howniceshewillbe!"Andthenshedrewoutaknife,thebladeofwhichshonesothatitwasquitedreadfultobehold.
"Oh!"criedthewomanatthesamemoment.Shehadbeenbittenintheearbyherownlittledaughter,whohungatherback;andwhowassowildandunmanageable,thatitwasquiteamusingtoseeher."Younaughtychild!"saidthemother:andnowshehadnottimetokillGerda.
"Sheshallplaywithme,"saidthelittlerobberchild."Sheshallgivemehermuff,andherprettyfrock;sheshallsleepinmybed!"Andthenshegavehermotheranotherbite,sothatshejumped,andranroundwiththepain;andtheRobberslaughed,andsaid,"Look,howsheisdancingwiththelittleone!"
"Iwillgointothecarriage,"saidthelittlerobbermaiden;andshewouldhaveherwill,forshewasveryspoiledandveryheadstrong.SheandGerdagotin;andthenawaytheydroveoverthestumpsoffelledtrees,deeperanddeeperintothewoods.ThelittlerobbermaidenwasastallasGerda,butstronger,broader-shouldered,andofdarkcomplexion;hereyeswerequiteblack;theylookedalmostmelancholy.SheembracedlittleGerda,andsaid,"TheyshallnotkillyouaslongasIamnotdispleasedwithyou.Youare,doubtless,aPrincess"
"No,"saidlittleGerda;whothenrelatedallthathadhappenedtoher,andhowmuchshecaredaboutlittleKay.
Thelittlerobbermaidenlookedatherwithaseriousair,noddedherheadslightly,andsaid,"Theyshallnotkillyou,evenifIamangrywithyou:thenIwilldoitmyself";andshedriedGerda'seyes,andputbothherhandsinthehandsomemuff,whichwassosoftandwarm.
Atlengththecarriagestopped.Theywereinthemidstofthecourt-yardofarobber'scastle.Itwasfullofcracksfromtoptobottom;andoutoftheopeningsmagpiesandrookswereflying;andthegreatbull-dogs,eachofwhichlookedasifhecouldswallowaman,jumpedup,buttheydidnotbark,forthatwasforbidden.
Inthemidstofthelarge,old,smokinghallburntagreatfireonthestonefloor.Thesmokedisappearedunderthestones,andhadtoseekitsownegress.Inanimmensecaldronsoupwasboiling;andrabbitsandhareswerebeingroastedonaspit.
"Doyouintendtokeepyourknifewhileyousleep"askedGerda;lookingatitratherfearfully.
"Ialwayssleepwiththeknife,"saidthelittlerobbermaiden."Thereisnoknowingwhatmayhappen.Buttellmenow,oncemore,allaboutlittleKay;andwhyyouhavestartedoffinthewideworldalone."AndGerdarelatedall,fromtheverybeginning:theWood-pigeonscooedaboveintheircage,andtheothersslept.ThelittlerobbermaidenwoundherarmroundGerda'sneck,heldtheknifeintheotherhand,andsnoredsoloudthateverybodycouldhearher;butGerdacouldnotclosehereyes,forshedidnotknowwhethershewastoliveordie.Therobberssatroundthefire,sanganddrank;andtheoldfemalerobberjumpedaboutso,thatitwasquitedreadfulforGerdatoseeher.
ThentheWood-pigeonssaid,"Coo!Coo!WehaveseenlittleKay!Awhitehencarrieshissledge;hehimselfsatinthecarriageoftheSnowQueen,whopassedhere,downjustoverthewood,aswelayinournest.Sheblewuponusyoungones;andalldiedexceptwetwo.Coo!Coo!"
"Whatisthatyousayupthere"criedlittleGerda."WheredidtheSnowQueengotoDoyouknowanythingaboutit"
"SheisnodoubtgonetoLapland;forthereisalwayssnowandicethere.OnlyasktheReindeer,whoistetheredthere."
"Iceandsnowisthere!Thereitis,gloriousandbeautiful!"saidtheReindeer."Onecanspringaboutinthelargeshiningvalleys!TheSnowQueenhashersummer-tentthere;butherfixedabodeishighuptowardstheNorthPole,ontheIslandcalledSpitzbergen."
"Oh,Kay!PoorlittleKay!"sighedGerda.
"Doyouchoosetobequiet"saidtherobbermaiden."Ifyoudon't,Ishallmakeyou."
InthemorningGerdatoldherallthattheWood-pigeonshadsaid;andthelittlemaidenlookedveryserious,butshenoddedherhead,andsaid,"That'snomatter--that'snomatter.DoyouknowwhereLaplandlies!"sheaskedoftheReindeer.
"WhoshouldknowbetterthanI"saidtheanimal;andhiseyesrolledinhishead."Iwasbornandbredthere--thereIleaptaboutonthefieldsofsnow."
"Listen,"saidtherobbermaidentoGerda."Youseethatthemenaregone;butmymotherisstillhere,andwillremain.However,towardsmorningshetakesadraughtoutofthelargeflask,andthenshesleepsalittle:thenIwilldosomethingforyou."Shenowjumpedoutofbed,flewtohermother;withherarmsroundherneck,andpullingherbythebeard,said,"Goodmorrow,myownsweetnanny-goatofamother."Andhermothertookholdofhernose,andpinchedittillitwasredandblue;butthiswasalldoneoutofpurelove.
Whenthemotherhadtakenasupatherflask,andwashavinganap,thelittlerobbermaidenwenttotheReindeer,andsaid,"Ishouldverymuchliketogiveyoustillmanyaticklingwiththesharpknife,forthenyouaresoamusing;however,Iwilluntetheryou,andhelpyouout,sothatyoumaygobacktoLapland.Butyoumustmakegooduseofyourlegs;andtakethislittlegirlformetothepalaceoftheSnowQueen,whereherplayfellowis.Youhaveheard,Isuppose,allshesaid;forshespokeloudenough,andyouwerelistening."
TheReindeergaveaboundforjoy.TherobbermaidenlifteduplittleGerda,andtooktheprecautiontobindherfastontheReindeer'sback;sheevengaveherasmallcushiontositon."Hereareyourworstedleggins,foritwillbecold;butthemuffIshallkeepformyself,foritissoverypretty.ButIdonotwishyoutobecold.Hereisapairoflinedglovesofmymother's;theyjustreachuptoyourelbow.Onwiththem!Nowyoulookaboutthehandsjustlikemyuglyoldmother!"
AndGerdaweptforjoy.
"Ican'tbeartoseeyoufretting,"saidthelittlerobbermaiden."Thisisjustthetimewhenyououghttolookpleased.Herearetwoloavesandahamforyou,sothatyouwon'tstarve."ThebreadandthemeatwerefastenedtotheReindeer'sback;thelittlemaidenopenedthedoor,calledinallthedogs,andthenwithherknifecuttheropethatfastenedtheanimal,andsaidtohim,"Now,offwithyou;buttakegoodcareofthelittlegirl!"
AndGerdastretchedoutherhandswiththelargewaddedglovestowardstherobbermaiden,andsaid,"Farewell!"andtheReindeerflewonoverbushandbramblethroughthegreatwood,overmoorandheath,asfastashecouldgo.
"Ddsa!Ddsa!"washeardinthesky.Itwasjustasifsomebodywassneezing.
"Thesearemyoldnorthern-lights,"saidtheReindeer,"lookhowtheygleam!"Andonhenowspedstillquicker--dayandnightonhewent:theloaveswereconsumed,andthehamtoo;andnowtheywereinLapland.
SIXTHSTORY.TheLaplandWomanandtheFinlandWoman
Suddenlytheystoppedbeforealittlehouse,whichlookedverymiserable.Theroofreachedtotheground;andthedoorwassolow,thatthefamilywereobligedtocreepupontheirstomachswhentheywentinorout.NobodywasathomeexceptanoldLaplandwoman,whowasdressingfishbythelightofanoillamp.AndtheReindeertoldherthewholeofGerda'shistory,butfirstofallhisown;forthatseemedtohimofmuchgreaterimportance.Gerdawassochilledthatshecouldnotspeak.
"Poorthing,"saidtheLaplandwoman,"youhavefartorunstill.YouhavemorethanahundredmilestogobeforeyougettoFinland;theretheSnowQueenhashercountry-house,andburnsbluelightseveryevening.Iwillgiveyouafewwordsfromme,whichIwillwriteonadriedhaberdine,forpaperIhavenone;thisyoucantakewithyoutotheFinlandwoman,andshewillbeabletogiveyoumoreinformationthanIcan."
WhenGerdahadwarmedherself,andhadeatenanddrunk,theLaplandwomanwroteafewwordsonadriedhaberdine,beggedGerdatotakecareofthem,putherontheReindeer,boundherfast,andawaysprangtheanimal."Ddsa!Ddsa!"wasagainheardintheair;themostcharmingbluelightsburnedthewholenightinthesky,andatlasttheycametoFinland.TheyknockedatthechimneyoftheFinlandwoman;forastoadoor,shehadnone.
TherewassuchaheatinsidethattheFinlandwomanherselfwentaboutalmostnaked.Shewasdiminutiveanddirty.SheimmediatelyloosenedlittleGerda'sclothes,pulledoffherthickglovesandboots;forotherwisetheheatwouldhavebeentoogreat--andafterlayingapieceoficeontheReindeer'shead,readwhatwaswrittenonthefish-skin.Shereaditthreetimes:shethenknewitbyheart;sosheputthefishintothecupboard--foritmightverywellbeeaten,andsheneverthrewanythingaway.
ThentheReindeerrelatedhisownstoryfirst,andafterwardsthatoflittleGerda;andtheFinlandwomanwinkedhereyes,butsaidnothing.
"Youaresoclever,"saidtheReindeer;"youcan,Iknow,twistallthewindsoftheworldtogetherinaknot.Iftheseamanloosensoneknot,thenhehasagoodwind;ifasecond,thenitblowsprettystiffly;ifheundoesthethirdandfourth,thenitragessothattheforestsareupturned.Willyougivethelittlemaidenapotion,thatshemaypossessthestrengthoftwelvemen,andvanquishtheSnowQueen"
"Thestrengthoftwelvemen!"saidtheFinlandwoman."Muchgoodthatwouldbe!"Thenshewenttoacupboard,anddrewoutalargeskinrolledup.Whenshehadunrolledit,strangecharactersweretobeseenwrittenthereon;andtheFinlandwomanreadatsucharatethattheperspirationtrickleddownherforehead.
ButtheReindeerbeggedsohardforlittleGerda,andGerdalookedsoimploringlywithtearfuleyesattheFinlandwoman,thatshewinked,anddrewtheReindeerasideintoacorner,wheretheywhisperedtogether,whiletheanimalgotsomefreshiceputonhishead.
"'TistruelittleKayisattheSnowQueen's,andfindseverythingtherequitetohistaste;andhethinksittheverybestplaceintheworld;butthereasonofthatis,hehasasplinterofglassinhiseye,andinhisheart.Thesemustbegotoutfirst;otherwisehewillnevergobacktomankind,andtheSnowQueenwillretainherpoweroverhim."
"ButcanyougivelittleGerdanothingtotakewhichwillendueherwithpoweroverthewhole"
"Icangivehernomorepowerthanwhatshehasalready.Don'tyouseehowgreatitisDon'tyouseehowmenandanimalsareforcedtoserveher;howwellshegetsthroughtheworldbarefootedShemustnothearofherpowerfromus;thatpowerliesinherheart,becausesheisasweetandinnocentchild!IfshecannotgettotheSnowQueenbyherself,andridlittleKayoftheglass,wecannothelpher.TwomileshencethegardenoftheSnowQueenbegins;thitheryoumaycarrythelittlegirl.Setherdownbythelargebushwithredberries,standinginthesnow;don'tstaytalking,buthastenbackasfastaspossible."AndnowtheFinlandwomanplacedlittleGerdaontheReindeer'sback,andoffheranwithallimaginablespeed.
"Oh!Ihavenotgotmyboots!Ihavenotbroughtmygloves!"criedlittleGerda.Sheremarkedshewaswithoutthemfromthecuttingfrost;buttheReindeerdarednotstandstill;onherantillhecametothegreatbushwiththeredberries,andtherehesetGerdadown,kissedhermouth,whilelargebrighttearsflowedfromtheanimal'seyes,andthenbackhewentasfastaspossible.TherestoodpoorGerdanow,withoutshoesorgloves,intheverymiddleofdreadfulicyFinland.
Sheranonasfastasshecould.Therethencameawholeregimentofsnow-flakes,buttheydidnotfallfromabove,andtheywerequitebrightandshiningfromtheAuroraBorealis.Theflakesranalongtheground,andthenearertheycamethelargertheygrew.Gerdawellrememberedhowlargeandstrangethesnow-flakesappearedwhensheoncesawthemthroughamagnifying-glass;butnowtheywerelargeandterrificinanothermanner--theywereallalive.TheyweretheoutpostsoftheSnowQueen.Theyhadthemostwondrousshapes;somelookedlikelargeuglyporcupines;otherslikesnakesknottedtogether,withtheirheadsstickingout;andothers,again,likesmallfatbears,withthehairstandingonend:allwereofdazzlingwhiteness--allwerelivingsnow-flakes.
LittleGerdarepeatedtheLord'sPrayer.Thecoldwassointensethatshecouldseeherownbreath,whichcamelikesmokeoutofhermouth.Itgrewthickerandthicker,andtooktheformoflittleangels,thatgrewmoreandmorewhentheytouchedtheearth.Allhadhelmsontheirheads,andlancesandshieldsintheirhands;theyincreasedinnumbers;andwhenGerdahadfinishedtheLord'sPrayer,shewassurroundedbyawholelegion.Theythrustatthehorridsnow-flakeswiththeirspears,sothattheyflewintoathousandpieces;andlittleGerdawalkedonbravelyandinsecurity.Theangelspattedherhandsandfeet;andthenshefeltthecoldless,andwentonquicklytowardsthepalaceoftheSnowQueen.
ButnowweshallseehowKayfared.HeneverthoughtofGerda,andleastofallthatshewasstandingbeforethepalace.
SEVENTHSTORY.WhatTookPlaceinthePalaceoftheSnowQueen,andwhatHappenedAfterward
Thewallsofthepalacewereofdrivingsnow,andthewindowsanddoorsofcuttingwinds.Thereweremorethanahundredhallsthere,accordingasthesnowwasdrivenbythewinds.Thelargestwasmanymilesinextent;allwerelightedupbythepowerfulAuroraBorealis,andallweresolarge,soempty,soicycold,andsoresplendent!Mirthneverreignedthere;therewasneverevenalittlebear-ball,withthestormformusic,whilethepolarbearswentontheirhindlegsandshowedofftheirsteps.Neveralittletea-partyofwhiteyoungladyfoxes;vast,cold,andemptywerethehallsoftheSnowQueen.Thenorthern-lightsshonewithsuchprecisionthatonecouldtellexactlywhentheywereattheirhighestorlowestdegreeofbrightness.Inthemiddleoftheempty,endlesshallofsnow,wasafrozenlake;itwascrackedinathousandpieces,buteachpiecewassoliketheother,thatitseemedtheworkofacunningartificer.InthemiddleofthislakesattheSnowQueenwhenshewasathome;andthenshesaidshewassittingintheMirrorofUnderstanding,andthatthiswastheonlyoneandthebestthingintheworld.
LittleKaywasquiteblue,yesnearlyblackwithcold;buthedidnotobserveit,forshehadkissedawayallfeelingofcoldfromhisbody,andhisheartwasalumpofice.Hewasdraggingalongsomepointedflatpiecesofice,whichhelaidtogetherinallpossibleways,forhewantedtomakesomethingwiththem;justaswehavelittleflatpiecesofwoodtomakegeometricalfigureswith,calledtheChinesePuzzle.Kaymadeallsortsoffigures,themostcomplicated,foritwasanice-puzzlefortheunderstanding.Inhiseyesthefigureswereextraordinarilybeautiful,andoftheutmostimportance;forthebitofglasswhichwasinhiseyecausedthis.Hefoundwholefigureswhichrepresentedawrittenword;buthenevercouldmanagetorepresentjustthewordhewanted--thatwordwas"eternity";andtheSnowQueenhadsaid,"Ifyoucandiscoverthatfigure,youshallbeyourownmaster,andIwillmakeyouapresentofthewholeworldandapairofnewskates."Buthecouldnotfinditout.
"Iamgoingnowtowarmlands,"saidtheSnowQueen."Imusthavealookdownintotheblackcaldrons."ItwasthevolcanoesVesuviusandEtnathatshemeant."Iwilljustgivethemacoatingofwhite,forthatisasitoughttobe;besides,itisgoodfortheorangesandthegrapes."Andthenawaysheflew,andKaysatquitealoneintheemptyhallsoficethatweremileslong,andlookedattheblocksofice,andthoughtandthoughttillhisskullwasalmostcracked.Therehesatquitebenumbedandmotionless;onewouldhaveimaginedhewasfrozentodeath.
SuddenlylittleGerdasteppedthroughthegreatportalintothepalace.Thegatewasformedofcuttingwinds;butGerdarepeatedhereveningprayer,andthewindswerelaidasthoughtheyslept;andthelittlemaidenenteredthevast,empty,coldhalls.ThereshebeheldKay:sherecognisedhim,flewtoembracehim,andcriedout,herarmsfirmlyholdinghimthewhile,"Kay,sweetlittleKay!HaveIthenfoundyouatlast"
Buthesatquitestill,benumbedandcold.ThenlittleGerdashedburningtears;andtheyfellonhisbosom,theypenetratedtohisheart,theythawedthelumpsofice,andconsumedthesplintersofthelooking-glass;helookedather,andshesangthehymn:
HereuponKayburstintotears;heweptsomuchthatthesplinterrolledoutofhiseye,andherecognisedher,andshouted,"Gerda,sweetlittleGerda!WherehaveyoubeensolongAndwherehaveIbeen"Helookedroundhim."Howcolditishere!"saidhe."Howemptyandcold!"AndheheldfastbyGerda,wholaughedandweptforjoy.Itwassobeautiful,thateventheblocksoficedancedaboutforjoy;andwhentheyweretiredandlaidthemselvesdown,theyformedexactlytheletterswhichtheSnowQueenhadtoldhimtofindout;sonowhewashisownmaster,andhewouldhavethewholeworldandapairofnewskatesintothebargain.
Gerdakissedhischeeks,andtheygrewquiteblooming;shekissedhiseyes,andtheyshonelikeherown;shekissedhishandsandfeet,andhewasagainwellandmerry.TheSnowQueenmightcomebackassoonassheliked;therestoodhisdischargewritteninresplendentmassesofice.
Theytookeachotherbythehand,andwanderedforthoutofthelargehall;theytalkedoftheiroldgrandmother,andoftherosesupontheroof;andwherevertheywent,thewindsceasedraging,andthesunburstforth.Andwhentheyreachedthebushwiththeredberries,theyfoundtheReindeerwaitingforthem.Hehadbroughtanother,ayoungone,withhim,whoseudderwasfilledwithmilk,whichhegavetothelittleones,andkissedtheirlips.TheythencarriedKayandGerda--firsttotheFinlandwoman,wheretheywarmedthemselvesinthewarmroom,andlearnedwhattheyweretodoontheirjourneyhome;andtheywenttotheLaplandwoman,whomadesomenewclothesforthemandrepairedtheirsledges.
TheReindeerandtheyounghindleapedalongbesidethem,andaccompaniedthemtotheboundaryofthecountry.Herethefirstvegetationpeepedforth;hereKayandGerdatookleaveoftheLaplandwoman."Farewell!Farewell!"theyallsaid.Andthefirstgreenbudsappeared,thefirstlittlebirdsbegantochirrup;andoutofthewoodcame,ridingonamagnificenthorse,whichGerdaknew(itwasoneoftheleadersinthegoldencarriage),ayoungdamselwithabright-redcaponherhead,andarmedwithpistols.Itwasthelittlerobbermaiden,who,tiredofbeingathome,haddeterminedtomakeajourneytothenorth;andafterwardsinanotherdirection,ifthatdidnotpleaseher.SherecognisedGerdaimmediately,andGerdaknewhertoo.Itwasajoyfulmeeting.
"Youareafinefellowfortrampingabout,"saidshetolittleKay;"Ishouldliketoknow,faith,ifyoudeservethatoneshouldrunfromoneendoftheworldtotheotherforyoursake"
ButGerdapattedhercheeks,andinquiredforthePrinceandPrincess.
"Theyaregoneabroad,"saidtheother.
"ButtheRaven"askedlittleGerda.
"Oh!TheRavenisdead,"sheanswered."Histamesweetheartisawidow,andwearsabitofblackworstedroundherleg;shelamentsmostpiteously,butit'sallmeretalkandstuff!Nowtellmewhatyou'vebeendoingandhowyoumanagedtocatchhim."
AndGerdaandKaybothtoldtheirstory.
And"Schnipp-schnapp-schnurre-basselurre,"saidtherobbermaiden;andshetookthehandsofeach,andpromisedthatifsheshouldsomedaypassthroughthetownwheretheylived,shewouldcomeandvisitthem;andthenawaysherode.KayandGerdatookeachother'shand:itwaslovelyspringweather,withabundanceofflowersandofverdure.Thechurch-bellsrang,andthechildrenrecognisedthehightowers,andthelargetown;itwasthatinwhichtheydwelt.Theyenteredandhasteneduptotheirgrandmother'sroom,whereeverythingwasstandingasformerly.Theclocksaid"tick!tack!"andthefingermovedround;butastheyentered,theyremarkedthattheywerenowgrownup.Therosesontheleadshungbloominginattheopenwindow;therestoodthelittlechildren'schairs,andKayandGerdasatdownonthem,holdingeachotherbythehand;theybothhadforgottenthecoldemptysplendoroftheSnowQueen,asthoughithadbeenadream.Thegrandmothersatinthebrightsunshine,andreadaloudfromtheBible:"Unlessyebecomeaslittlechildren,yecannotenterthekingdomofheaven."
AndKayandGerdalookedineachother'seyes,andallatoncetheyunderstoodtheoldhymn:
Theresatthetwogrown-uppersons;grown-up,andyetchildren;childrenatleastinheart;anditwassummer-time;summer,glorioussummer!