tant　thing。〃

〃Very　important　for　you；　I　have　no　doubt；〃　answered　the　Rocket；　〃but　I

shall　weep　if　I　choose〃；　and　he　actually　burst　into　real　tears；　which　flowed

down　his　stick　like　rain…drops；　and　nearly　drowned　two　little　beetles；　who

were　just　thinking　of　setting　up　house　together；　and　were　looking　for　a

41

The　Happy　Prince　and　Other　Tales

nice　dry　spot　to　live　in。

〃He　must　have　a　truly　romantic　nature；〃　said　the　Catherine　Wheel；　〃for

he　weeps　when　there　is　nothing　at　all　to　weep　about〃；　and　she　heaved　a

deep　sigh；　and　thought　about　the　deal　box。

But　the　Roman　Candle　and　the　Bengal　Light　were　quite　indignant；　and

kept　saying；　〃Humbug！　humbug！〃　at　the　top　of　their　voices。　They　were

extremely　practical；　and　whenever　they　objected　to　anything　they　called　it

humbug。

Then　the　moon　rose　like　a　wonderful　silver　shield；　and　the　stars　began

to　shine；　and　a　sound　of　music　came　from　the　palace。

The　Prince　and　Princess　were　leading　the　dance。　They　danced　so

beautifully　that　the　tall　white　lilies　peeped　in　at　the　window　and　watched

them；　and　the　great　red　poppies　nodded　their　heads　and　beat　time。

Then　ten　o'clock　struck；　and　then　eleven；　and　then　twelve；　and　at　the

last　stroke　of　midnight　every　one　came　out　on　the　terrace；　and　the　King

sent　for　the　Royal　Pyrotechnist。

〃Let　the　fireworks　begin；〃　said　the　King；　and　the　Royal　Pyrot