SotheNightingalepressedcloseragainstthethorn, andthethorntouchedherheart, , bitterwasthepain, andwilderandwildergrewhersong, forshesangoftheLovethatisperfectedbyDeath, , , ’svoicegrewfainter, andherlittlewingsbegantobeat, , , andsheforgotthedawn, , andittrembledalloverwithecstasy, , , andtheycarrieditsmessagetothesea.“Look, look!” criedtheTree, “theroseisfinishednow;” buttheNightingalemadenoanswer, forshewaslyingdeadinthelonggrass,.“Why, whatawonderfulpieceofluck!” hecried; “hereisaredrose! ;” , andranuptotheProfessor’, andherlittledogwaslyingatherfeet.“YousaidthatyouwoulddancewithmeifIbroughtyouaredrose,” criedtheStudent.“, andaswedancetogetheritwilltellyouhowIloveyou.”
Butthegirlfrowned.“Iamafraiditwillnotgowithmydress,” sheanswered; “and, besides, theChamberlain’snephewhassentmesomerealjewels, andeverybodyknowsthatjewelscostfarmorethanflowers.”
“Well, uponmyword, youareveryungrateful,” saidtheStudentangrily; andhethrewtheroseintothestreet, whereitfellintothegutter, andacart-wheelwentoverit.“Ungrateful!” saidthegirl.“Itellyouwhat, youareveryrude; and, afterall, whoareyou? , Idon’tbelieveyouhaveevengotsilverbucklestoyourshoesastheChamberlain’snephewhas;” andshegotupfromherchairandwentintothehouse.“WhatasillythingLoveis!” saidtheStudentashewalkedaway.“ItisnothalfasusefulasLogic, foritdoesnotproveanything, anditisalwaystellingoneofthingsthatarenotgoingtohappen, , itisquiteunpractical, and, asinthisagetobepracticaliseverything, IshallgobacktoPhilosophyandstudyMetaphysics.”
Sohereturnedtohisroomandpulledoutagreatdustybook, andbegantoread.
