“Hetookmebythehand, , , theirkneesshookandtheyfelluponthegroundinfear.“Thereisachamberinthepalacethathaseightwallsofredporphyry, , , andagranitedoorswungbackonasecretspring, andheputhishandsbeforehisfacelesthiseyesshouldbedazzled.“-shellsfullofpearls, -hide, , theformerincupsofcrystal, , andinonecornerweresilkbagsfilled, somewithturquoise-stones, , , whichwereofcedar, ,.“AndwhentheEmperorhadtakenawayhishandsfrombeforehisfacehesaidtome: “Thisismyhouseoftreasure, andhalfthatisinitisthine, , -night, forIwouldnotthattheSun, whoismyfather, shouldseethatthereisinmycityamanwhomIcannotslay.”
“ButIansweredhim, “Thegoldthatishereisthine, andthesilveralsoisthine, ,.”
“AndtheEmperorfrowned.“Itisbutaringoflead,” hecried, “.”
“Nay,” Ianswered, “butIwilltakenoughtbutthatleadenring, forIknowwhatiswrittenwithinit, andforwhatpurpose.”
“AndtheEmperortrembled, andbesoughtmeandsaid, “.”
“AndIdidastrangething, butwhatIdidmattersnot, forinacavethatisbutaday’sjourneyfromthisplacehave, ’sjourneyfromthisplace, , andtheworld’srichesshallbethine.”
ButtheyoungFishermanlaughed.“LoveisbetterthanRiches,” hecried, “andthelittleMermaidlovesme.”
“Nay, butthereisnothingbetterthanRiches,” saidtheSoul.“Loveisbetter,” answeredtheyoungFisherman, andheplungedintothedeep, , theSoulcamedowntotheshoreofthesea, andcalledtotheyoungFisherman, andheroseoutofthedeepandsaid, “Whydostthoucalltome?”
AndtheSoulanswered, “Comenearer, thatImayspeakwiththee, forIhaveseenmarvellousthings.”
