安徒生童话英文阅读(3)

　　“Have you the tinder-box?” asked the witch .

　　“Plague on it ! ” exclaimed the soldier, “I had clean forgotten that . ” And he went and brought it .

　　The witch drew him up, and he stood on the high road again , with pockets , boots , knapsack , and cap full of gold .

　　“What are you going to do with the tinder-box?” asked the soldier.

　　“That's nothing to you , ” retorted the witch . “You've had your money ---- just give me the tinder-box . ”

　　“Nonsense!” said the soldier. “Tell me directly what you're going to do with it , or I'll draw my sword and cut off your head .”

　　“No ! ” cried the witch .

　　So the soldier cut off her head . There she lay ! But he tied up all his money in her apron, took it on his back like a bundle, put the tinder-box in his pocket, and went straight off towards the town.

　　That was a splendid town ! He put up at the very best inn, asked for the finest rooms, and ordered his favourite dishes, for now he was rich, having got so much money. The servant who had to clean his boots certainly thought them a remarkably old pair for such a rich gentleman; but he had not bought any new ones yet . The next day he procured proper boots and handsome clothes . Now our soldier had become a fine gentleman; and the people told him of all the splendid things which were in their city, and about the king, and what a pretty princess the king's daughter was.

　　“Where can one get to see her?” asked the soldier.

　　“She is not to be seen at all , ” said they all together; “ she lives in a great copper castle, with a great many walls and towers round about it; no one but the king may go in and out there , for it has been proph esied that she shall marry a common soldier, and the king can' t bear that . ”

　　“I should like to see her,” thought the soldier; but he could not get leave to do so. Now he lived merrily, went to the theatre, drove in the king's garden, and gave much money to the poor; and this was very kind of him, for he knew from old times how hard it is when one has not a shilling. Now he was rich, had fine clothes, and gained many friends , who all said he was a rare one , a true cavalier; and that pleased the soldier welt . But as he spent money every day and never earned any, he had at last only two shillings left ; and he was obliged to turn out of the fine moms in which he had dwelt, and had to live in a little garret under the roof, and clean his boots for himself, and mend them with a darning-needle . None of his friends came to see him, for there were too many stairs to climb.