Page:Fairytales00auln.djvu/387

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THE PRINCESS CARPILLON.
341

returned him to Sublime. "Good old man," said she to him, "you are not unknown to me; do not disdain to take care of this child; teach him to have a contempt for the pomps of the world, and to be above the frowns of fortune—he is, perhaps, born to a very brilliant one; but I maintain, that wisdom will make him happier than power. Man's happiness ought not to consist of outward grandeur; to be happy, one must be wise, and to be wise one must know oneself—be able to limit one's desires, be content in poverty as in opulence, seek the esteem of men of merit, despise no one, and be always prepared to quit the riches of this wretched life without sorrow. But what am I thinking about, venerable shepherd? I talk to you of matters you are much better acquainted with than I am; but, it is also true, I am speaking more to the other shepherds, who are listening to me, than to you. Adieu, herdsmen; adieu, shepherds; call me in your need; this same lance and hand, which have just exterminated the Blue Centaur, will be always ready to protect you." Sublime and all who were with him, as much astonished as delighted, could make no answer to the obliging words of the Fairy Amazon; in their excitement and joy they humbly prostrated themselves before her; and while they were in that position, the globe of fire gently rising to the regions above, disappeared with the Amazon and the chariot.

The timid shepherds dared not at first approach the Centaur, for dead as he was, they were afraid of him; by degrees they became accustomed to him, and agreed among themselves, that they must make a great pile, and burn him to ashes, for fear his brothers, aware of what had happened, should come and avenge his death upon them. This opinion having been adopted, they lost not a moment in setting about it, and ridding themselves of the odious carcass.

Sublime carried the little Prince to his hut; his wife was at home ill, and his two daughters had not been able to leave her to attend the ceremony. "Here, shepherdess," said he, "here is a child, cherished by the gods, and protected by a Fairy Amazon; we must look on him for the future as our son, and give him an education that may render him happy." The shepherdess was delighted with the present he made her; she took the Prince on her bed. "At least," said she, "if I cannot give him such good lessons as you can, I shall bring