《快乐王子童话集(英文版)》

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快乐王子童话集(英文版)- 第11部分


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whatever he did; everybody cried out; 〃Charming! charming!〃 
    The last item on the programme was a grand display of fireworks; to 
be let off exactly at midnight。 The little Princess had never seen a 
firework in her life; so the King had given orders that the Royal 
Pyrotechnist should be in attendance on the day of her marriage。 
    〃What are fireworks like?〃 she had asked the Prince; one morning; as 
she was walking on the terrace。 
    〃They are like the Aurora Borealis;〃 said the King; who always 
answered questions that were addressed to other people; 〃only much more 
natural。 I prefer them to stars myself; as you always know when they are 
going to appear; and they are as delightful as my own flute…playing。 You 
must certainly see them。〃 
    So at the end of the King's garden a great stand had been set up; and as 
soon as the Royal Pyrotechnist had put everything in its proper place; the 
fireworks began to talk to each other。 
    〃The world is certainly very beautiful;〃 cried a little Squib。 〃Just look 
at those yellow tulips。 Why! if they were real crackers they could not be 
lovelier。 I am very glad I have travelled。 Travel improves the mind 
wonderfully; and does away with all one's prejudices。〃 
    〃The King's garden is not the world; you foolish squib;〃 said a big 
Roman Candle; 〃the world is an enormous place; and it would take you 
three days to see it thoroughly。〃 

                                           37 

                           The Happy Prince and Other Tales 




    〃Any place you love is the world to you;〃 exclaimed a pensive 
Catherine Wheel; who had been attached to an old deal box in early life; 
and prided herself on her broken heart; 〃but love is not fashionable any 
more; the poets have killed it。 They wrote so much about it that nobody 
believed them; and I am not surprised。 True love suffers; and is silent。 I 
remember myself once … But it is no matter now。 Romance is a thing of 
the past。〃 
    〃Nonsense!〃 said the Roman Candle; 〃Romance never dies。 It is like 
the moon; and lives for ever。 The bride and bridegroom; for instance; 
love each other very dearly。 I heard all about them this morning from a 
brown…paper cartridge; who happened to be staying in the same drawer as 
myself; and knew the latest Court news。〃 But the Catherine Wheel shook 
her head。 〃Romance is dead; Romance is dead; Romance is dead;〃 she 
murmured。 She was one of those people who think that; if you say the 
same thing over and over a great many times; it bees true in the end。 
    Suddenly; a sharp; dry cough was heard; and they all looked round。 
    It came from a tall; supercilious…looking Rocket; who was tied to the 
end of a long stick。 He always coughed before he made any observation; 
so as to attract attention。 
    〃Ahem! ahem!〃 he said; and everybody listened except the poor 
Catherine Wheel; who was still shaking her head; and murmuring; 
〃Romance is dead。〃 
    〃Order! order!〃 cried out a Cracker。 He was something of a politician; 
and had always taken a prominent part in the local elections; so he knew 
the proper Parliamentary expressions to use。 
    〃Quite dead;〃 whispered the Catherine Wheel; and she went off to 
sleep。 
    As soon as there was perfect silence; the Rocket coughed a third time 
and began。 He spoke with a very slow; distinct voice; as if he was 
dictating his memoirs; and always looked over the shoulder of the person 
to whom he was talking。 In fact; he had a most distinguished manner。 
    〃How fortunate it is for the King's son;〃 he remarked; 〃that he is to be 

                                         38 

                            The Happy Prince and Other Tales 




married on the very day on which I am to be let off。 Really; if it had been 
arranged beforehand; it could not have turned out better for him; but; 
Princes are always lucky。〃 
    〃Dear me!〃 said the little Squib; 〃I thought it was quite the other way; 
and that we were to be let off in the Prince's honour。〃 
    〃It may be so with you;〃 he answered; 〃indeed; I have no doubt that it 
is; but with me it is different。 I am a very remarkable Rocket; and e 
of remarkable parents。 My mother was the most celebrated Catherine 
Wheel of her day; and was renowned for her graceful dancing。 When she 
made her great public appearance she spun round nieen times before 
she went out; and each time that she did so she threw into the air seven 
pink stars。 She was three feet and a half in diameter; and made of the 
very best gunpowder。 My father was a Rocket like myself; and of French 
extraction。 He flew so high that the people were afraid that he would 
never e down again。 He did; though; for he was of a kindly 
disposition; and he made a most brilliant descent in a shower of golden 
rain。 The newspapers wrote about his performance in very flattering 
terms。 Indeed; the Court Gazette called him a triumph of Pylotechnic art。〃 
    〃Pyrotechnic; Pyrotechnic; you mean;〃 said a Bengal Light; 〃I know it 
is Pyrotechnic; for I saw it written on my own canister。〃 
    〃Well; I said Pylotechnic;〃 answered the Rocket; in a severe tone of 
voice; and the Bengal Light felt so crushed that he began at once to bully 
the little squibs; in order to show that he was still a person of some 
importance。 
    〃I was saying;〃 continued the Rocket; 〃I was saying … What was I 
saying?〃 
    〃You were talking about yourself;〃 replied the Roman Candle。 
    〃Of course; I knew I was discussing some interesting subject when I 
was so rudely interrupted。 I hate rudeness and bad manners of every kind; 
for I am extremely sensitive。 No one in the whole world is so sensitive 
as I am; I am quite sure of that。〃 
    〃What is a sensitive person?〃 said the Cracker to the Roman Candle。 

                                          39 

                            The Happy Prince and Other Tales 




    〃A person who; because he has corns himself; always treads on other 
people's toes;〃 answered the Roman Candle in a low whisper; and the 
Cracker nearly exploded with laughter。 
    〃Pray; what are you laughing at?〃 inquired the Rocket; 〃I am not 
laughing。〃 
    〃I am laughing because I am happy;〃 replied the Cracker。 
    〃That is a very selfish reason;〃 said the Rocket angrily。 〃What right 
have you to be happy? You should be thinking about others。 In fact; you 
should be thinking about me。 I am always thinking about myself; and I 
expect everybody else to do the same。 That is what is called sympathy。 
It is a beautiful virtue; and I possess it in a high degree。 Suppose; for 
instance; anything happened to me to…night; what a misfortune that would 
be for every one! The Prince and Princess would never be happy again; 
their whole married life would be spoiled; and as for the King; I know he 
would not get over it。 Really; when I begin to reflect on the importance 
of my position; I am almost moved to tears。〃 
    〃If you want to give pleasure to others;〃 cried the Roman Candle; 〃you 
had better keep yourself dry。〃 
    〃Certainly;〃 exclaimed the Bengal Light; who was now in better spirits; 
〃that is only mon sense。〃 
    〃

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