--- title: Opening, part 1 — The Happy Prince, and Other Tales · full text with trees description: Opening, part 1, «The Happy Prince, and Other Tales» by Oscar Wilde: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The Happy Prince And Other Tales --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/) [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/) / [The Happy Prince, and Other Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/) / Opening, part 1 # Opening, part 1 Opening, part 1 of «The Happy Prince, and Other Tales» by Oscar Wilde: the whole text, 162 sentences and 2529 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/1/) — The Happy Prince And Other Tales - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/2/) — BY OSCAR WILDE - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/3/) — ILLUSTRATED BY WALTER CRANE AND JACOMB HOOD - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/4/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/5/) — SEVENTH IMPRESSION - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/6/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/7/) — LONDON DAVID NUTT, 57–59 LONG ACRE 1910 - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/8/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/9/) — \_First Edition\_ \_May\_ 1888 \_Second Impression\_ \_January\_ 1889 \_Third Impression\_ \_February\_ 1902 \_Fourth Impression\_ \_September\_ 1905 \_Fifth Impression\_ \_February\_ 1907 \_Sixth Impression\_ \_March\_ 1908 \_Seventh Impression\_ \_March\_ 1910 - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/10/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/11/) — \_TO\_ \_CARLOS BLACKER\_ - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/12/) — \* \* \* \* \* - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/13/) — Contents. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/14/) — Page The Happy Prince 1 The Nightingale and the Rose 25 The Selfish Giant 43 The Devoted Friend 57 The Remarkable Rocket 87 - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/15/) — The Happy Prince. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/16/) — HIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/17/) — He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/18/) — He was very much admired indeed. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/19/) — “He is as beautiful as a weathercock,” remarked one of the Town Councillors who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes; “only not quite so useful,” he added, fearing lest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/20/) — “Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince?” asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/21/) — “The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything.” - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/22/) — “I am glad there is some one in the world who is quite happy,” muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/23/) — “He looks just like an angel,” said the Charity Children as they came out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white pinafores. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/24/) — “How do you know?” said the Mathematical Master, “you have never seen one.” - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/25/) — “Ah! but we have, in our dreams,” answered the children; and the Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/26/) — One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/27/) — His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/28/) — He had met her early in the spring as he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had been so attracted by her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/29/) — “Shall I love you?” said the Swallow, who liked to come to the point at once, and the Reed made him a low bow. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/30/) — So he flew round and round her, touching the water with his wings, and making silver ripples. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/31/) — This was his courtship, and it lasted all through the summer. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/32/) — “It is a ridiculous attachment,” twittered the other Swallows; “she has no money, and far too many relations”; and indeed the river was quite full of Reeds. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/33/) — Then, when the autumn came they all flew away. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/34/) — After they had gone he felt lonely, and began to tire of his lady-love. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/35/) — “She has no conversation,” he said, “and I am afraid that she is a coquette, for she is always flirting with the wind.” - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/36/) — And certainly, whenever the wind blew, the Reed made the most graceful curtseys. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/37/) — “I admit that she is domestic,” he continued, “but I love travelling, and my wife, consequently, should love travelling also.” - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/38/) — “Will you come away with me?” he said finally to her; but the Reed shook her head, she was so attached to her home. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/39/) — “You have been trifling with me,” he cried. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/40/) — “I am off to the Pyramids. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/41/) — Good-bye!” and he flew away. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/42/) — All day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/43/) — “Where shall I put up?” he said; “I hope the town has made preparations.” - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/44/) — Then he saw the statue on the tall column. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/45/) — “I will put up there,” he cried; “it is a fine position, with plenty of fresh air.” - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/46/) — So he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/47/) — “I have a golden bedroom,” he said softly to himself as he looked round, and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head under his wing a large drop of water fell on him. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/48/) — “What a curious thing!” he cried; “there is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clear and bright, and yet it is raining. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/49/) — The climate in the north of Europe is really dreadful. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/50/) — The Reed used to like the rain, but that was merely her selfishness.” - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/51/) — Then another drop fell. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/52/) — “What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep the rain off?” he said; “I must look for a good chimney-pot,” and he determined to fly away. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/53/) — But before he had opened his wings, a third drop fell, and he looked up, and saw—Ah! what did he see? - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/54/) — The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears, and tears were running down his golden cheeks. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/55/) — His face was so beautiful in the moonlight that the little Swallow was filled with pity. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/56/) — “Who are you?” he said. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/57/) — “I am the Happy Prince.” - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/58/) — “Why are you weeping then?” asked the Swallow; “you have quite drenched me.” - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/59/) — “When I was alive and had a human heart,” answered the statue, “I did not know what tears were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, where sorrow is not allowed to enter. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/60/) — In the daytime I played with my companions in the garden, and in the evening I led the dance in the Great Hall. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/61/) — Round the garden ran a very lofty wall, but I never cared to ask what lay beyond it, everything about me was so beautiful. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/62/) — My courtiers called me the Happy Prince, and happy indeed I was, if pleasure be happiness. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/63/) — So I lived, and so I died. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/64/) — And now that I am dead they have set me up here so high that I can see all the ugliness and all the misery of my city, and though my heart is made of lead yet I cannot chose but weep.” - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/65/) — “What! is he not solid gold?” said the Swallow to himself. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/66/) — He was too polite to make any personal remarks out loud. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/67/) — “Far away,” continued the statue in a low musical voice, “far away in a little street there is a poor house. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/68/) — One of the windows is open, and through it I can see a woman seated at a table. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/69/) — Her face is thin and worn, and she has coarse, red hands, all pricked by the needle, for she is a seamstress. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/70/) — She is embroidering passion-flowers on a satin gown for the loveliest of the Queen’s maids-of-honour to wear at the next Court-ball. - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/71/) — In a bed in the corner of the room her little boy is lying ill. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/72/) — He has a fever, and is asking for oranges. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/73/) — His mother has nothing to give him but river water, so he is crying. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/74/) — Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow, will you not bring her the ruby out of my sword-hilt? - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/75/) — My feet are fastened to this pedestal and I cannot move.” - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/76/) — “I am waited for in Egypt,” said the Swallow. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/77/) — “My friends are flying up and down the Nile, and talking to the large lotus-flowers. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/78/) — Soon they will go to sleep in the tomb of the great King. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/79/) — The King is there himself in his painted coffin. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/80/) — He is wrapped in yellow linen, and embalmed with spices. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/81/) — Round his neck is a chain of pale green jade, and his hands are like withered leaves.” - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/82/) — “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “will you not stay with me for one night, and be my messenger? - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/83/) — The boy is so thirsty, and the mother so sad.” - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/84/) — “I don’t think I like boys,” answered the Swallow. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/85/) — “Last summer, when I was staying on the river, there were two rude boys, the miller’s sons, who were always throwing stones at me. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/86/) — They never hit me, of course; we swallows fly far too well for that, and besides, I come of a family famous for its agility; but still, it was a mark of disrespect.” - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/87/) — But the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little Swallow was sorry. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/88/) — “It is very cold here,” he said; “but I will stay with you for one night, and be your messenger.” - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/89/) — “Thank you, little Swallow,” said the Prince. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/90/) — So the Swallow picked out the great ruby from the Prince’s sword, and flew away with it in his beak over the roofs of the town. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/91/) — He passed by the cathedral tower, where the white marble angels were sculptured. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/92/) — He passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/93/) — A beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/94/) — “How wonderful the stars are,” he said to her, “and how wonderful is the power of love!” - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/95/) — “I hope my dress will be ready in time for the State-ball,” she answered; “I have ordered passion-flowers to be embroidered on it; but the seamstresses are so lazy.” - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/96/) — He passed over the river, and saw the lanterns hanging to the masts of the ships. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/97/) — He passed over the Ghetto, and saw the old Jews bargaining with each other, and weighing out money in copper scales. - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/98/) — At last he came to the poor house and looked in. - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/99/) — The boy was tossing feverishly on his bed, and the mother had fallen asleep, she was so tired. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/100/) — In he hopped, and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman’s thimble. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/1/page/2/) - next →: [Opening, part 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/2/) - ↑ back to [The Happy Prince, and Other Tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg902/)