--- title: The Nightingale — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen · full text with trees · page 2 description: The Nightingale, «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: In China, you know, the emperor is a Chinese, and all those about him are Chinamen also. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/) / The Nightingale # The Nightingale · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/) **2** - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/101/) — The street-boys sang, "Zi-zi-zi, cluck, cluck, cluck," and the emperor himself could sing it also. - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/102/) — It was really most amusing. - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/103/) — One evening, when the artificial bird was singing its best, and the emperor lay in bed listening to it, something inside the bird sounded "whizz." - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/104/) — Then a spring cracked. " - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/105/) — Whir-r-r-r" went all the wheels, running round, and then the music stopped. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/106/) — The emperor immediately sprang out of bed, and called for his physician; but what could he do? - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/107/) — Then they sent for a watchmaker; and, after a great deal of talking and examination, the bird was put into something like order; but he said that it must be used very carefully, as the barrels were worn, and it would be impossible to put in new ones without injuring the music. - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/108/) — Now there was great sorrow, as the bird could only be allowed to play once a year; and even that was dangerous for the works inside it. - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/109/) — Then the music-master made a little speech, full of hard words, and declared that the bird was as good as ever; and, of course no one contradicted him. - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/110/) — Five years passed, and then a real grief came upon the land. - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/111/) — The Chinese really were fond of their emperor, and he now lay so ill that he was not expected to live. - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/112/) — Already a new emperor had been chosen and the people who stood in the street asked the lord-in-waiting how the old emperor was; but he only said, "Pooh!" and shook his head. - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/113/) — Cold and pale lay the emperor in his royal bed; the whole court thought he was dead, and every one ran away to pay homage to his successor. - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/114/) — The chamberlains went out to have a talk on the matter, and the ladies'-maids invited company to take coffee. - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/115/) — Cloth had been laid down on the halls and passages, so that not a footstep should be heard, and all was silent and still. - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/116/) — But the emperor was not yet dead, although he lay white and stiff on his gorgeous bed, with the long velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels. - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/117/) — A window stood open, and the moon shone in upon the emperor and the artificial bird. - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/118/) — The poor emperor, finding he could scarcely breathe with a strange weight on his chest, opened his eyes, and saw Death sitting there. - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/119/) — He had put on the emperor's golden crown, and held in one hand his sword of state, and in the other his beautiful banner. - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/120/) — All around the bed and peeping through the long velvet curtains, were a number of strange heads, some very ugly, and others lovely and gentle-looking. - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/121/) — These were the emperor's good and bad deeds, which stared him in the face now Death sat at his heart. - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/122/) — "Do you remember this?" " - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/123/) — Do you recollect that?" they asked one after another, thus bringing to his remembrance circumstances that made the perspiration stand on his brow. - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/124/) — "I know nothing about it," said the emperor. " - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/125/) — Music! music!" he cried; "the large Chinese drum! that I may not hear what they say." - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/126/) — But they still went on, and Death nodded like a Chinaman to all they said. " - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/127/) — Music! music!" shouted the emperor. " - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/128/) — You little precious golden bird, sing, pray sing! - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/129/) — I have given you gold and costly presents; I have even hung my golden slipper round your neck. - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/130/) — Sing! sing!" - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/131/) — But the bird remained silent. - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/132/) — There was no one to wind it up, and therefore it could not sing a note. - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/133/) — Death continued to stare at the emperor with his cold, hollow eyes, and the room was fearfully still. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/134/) — Suddenly there came through the open window the sound of sweet music. - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/135/) — Outside, on the bough of a tree, sat the living nightingale. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/136/) — She had heard of the emperor's illness, and was therefore come to sing to him of hope and trust. - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/137/) — And as she sung, the shadows grew paler and paler; the blood in the emperor's veins flowed more rapidly, and gave life to his weak limbs; and even Death himself listened, and said, "Go on, little nightingale, go on." - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/138/) — "Then will you give me the beautiful golden sword and that rich banner? and will you give me the emperor's crown?" said the bird. - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/139/) — So Death gave up each of these treasures for a song; and the nightingale continued her singing. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/140/) — She sung of the quiet churchyard, where the white roses grow, where the elder-tree wafts its perfume on the breeze, and the fresh, sweet grass is moistened by the mourners' tears. - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/141/) — Then Death longed to go and see his garden, and floated out through the window in the form of a cold, white mist. - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/142/) — "Thanks, thanks, you heavenly little bird. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/143/) — I know you well. - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/144/) — I banished you from my kingdom once, and yet you have charmed away the evil faces from my bed, and banished Death from my heart, with your sweet song. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/145/) — How can I reward you?" - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/146/) — "You have already rewarded me," said the nightingale. " - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/147/) — I shall never forget that I drew tears from your eyes the first time I sang to you. - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/148/) — These are the jewels that rejoice a singer's heart. - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/149/) — But now sleep, and grow strong and well again. - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/150/) — I will sing to you again." - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/151/) — And as she sung, the emperor fell into a sweet sleep; and how mild and refreshing that slumber was! - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/152/) — When he awoke, strengthened and restored, the sun shone brightly through the window; but not one of his servants had returned--they all believed he was dead; only the nightingale still sat beside him, and sang. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/153/) — "You must always remain with me," said the emperor. " - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/154/) — You shall sing only when it pleases you; and I will break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces." - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/155/) — "No; do not do that," replied the nightingale; "the bird did very well as long as it could. - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/156/) — Keep it here still. - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/157/) — I cannot live in the palace, and build my nest; but let me come when I like. - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/158/) — I will sit on a bough outside your window, in the evening, and sing to you, so that you may be happy, and have thoughts full of joy. - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/159/) — I will sing to you of those who are happy, and those who suffer; of the good and the evil, who are hidden around you. - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/160/) — The little singing bird flies far from you and your court to the home of the fisherman and the peasant's cot. - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/161/) — I love your heart better than your crown; and yet something holy lingers round that also. - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/162/) — I will come, I will sing to you; but you must promise me one thing." - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/163/) — "Everything," said the emperor, who, having dressed himself in his imperial robes, stood with the hand that held the heavy golden sword pressed to his heart. - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/164/) — "I only ask one thing," she replied; "let no one know that you have a little bird who tells you everything. - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/165/) — It will be best to conceal it." - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/166/) — So saying, the nightingale flew away. - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/167/) — The servants now came in to look after the dead emperor; when, lo! there he stood, and, to their astonishment, said, "Good morning." [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/125/) **2** - ← previous: [The Neighbouring Families](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/124/) - next →: [There Is No Doubt About It](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/126/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/)