第 3 节
作者:敏儿不觉      更新:2022-11-23 12:13      字数:3584
  asking; and; having turned me into a frog; they ordered me to say
  to the first person who came to the fountain exactly what I
  repeated to you。  But; my lord; when you stood before me; it was
  agony to my heart; filled as it was with thoughts of you; to
  appear to your eyes under so monstrous a form。  However; there
  was no help for it; and; painful as it was; I had to submit。  I
  desired your success with all my soul; not only for your own
  sake; but also for my own; because I could not get back my proper
  shape till you had become master of the beautiful bird; though I
  am quite ignorant as to your reason for seeking it。'
  On this Saphir explained about the state of his father's health;
  and all that has been told before。
  On hearing this story Serpentine grew very sad; and her lovely
  eyes filled with tears。
  'Ah; my lord;' she said; 'you know nothing of me but what you
  have seen in the mirror; and I; who cannot even name my parents;
  learn that you are a king's son。'
  In vain Saphir declared that love made them equal; Serpentine
  would only reply: 'I love you too much to allow you to marry
  beneath your rank。  I shall be very unhappy; of course; but I
  shall never alter my mind。  If I do not find from the fairies
  that my birth is worthy of you; then; whatever be my feelings; I
  will never accept your hand。'
  The conversation was at this point; and bid fair to last some
  time longer; when one of the fairies appeared in her ivory car;
  accompanied by a beautiful woman past her early youth。  At this
  moment the bird suddenly awakened; and; flying on to Saphir's
  shoulder (which it never afterwards left); began fondling him as
  well as a bird can do。  The fairy told Serpentine that she was
  quite satisfied with her conduct; and made herself very agreeable
  to Saphir; whom she presented to the lady she had brought with
  her; explaining that the lady was no other than his Aunt
  Aglantine; widow of Diamantino。
  Then they all fell into each other's arms; till the fairy mounted
  her chariot; placed Aglantine by her side; and Saphir and
  Serpentine on the front seat。  She also sent a message to the
  Prince's attendants that they might travel slowly back to the
  Court of King Peridor; and that the beautiful bird had really
  been found。  This matter being comfortably arranged; she started
  off her chariot。  But in spite of the swiftness with which they
  flew through the air; the time passed even quicker for Saphir and
  Serpentine; who had so much to think about。
  They were still quite confused with the pleasure of seeing each
  other; when the chariot arrived at King Peridor's palace。  He had
  had himself carried to a room on the roof; where his nurses
  thought that he would die at any moment。  Directly the chariot
  drew within sight of the castle the beautiful bird took flight;
  and; making straight for the dying King; at once cured him of his
  sickness。  Then she resumed her natural shape; and he found that
  the bird was no other than the Queen Constance; whom he had long
  believed to be dead。  Peridor was rejoiced to embrace his wife
  and his son once more; and with the help of the fairies began to
  make preparations for the marriage of Saphir and Serpentine; who
  turned out to be the daughter of Aglantine and Diamantino; and as
  much a princess as he was a prince。  The people of the kingdom
  were delighted; and everybody lived happy and contented to the
  end of their lives。