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There was once
a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters;
being a man of sense, he spared no cost for their education, but gave them
all kinds of masters. His daughters were extremely handsome, especially
the youngest. When she was little everybody admired her, and called
her "The little Beauty;" so that, as she grew up, she still went by the
name of Beauty, which made her sisters very jealous.
The youngest,
as she was handsomer, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest
had a great deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves
ridiculous airs, and would not visit other merchants' daughters, nor keep
company with any but persons of quality. They went out every day to parties
of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, and so forth, and they laughed at
their youngest sister, because she spent the greatest part of her time
in reading good books.
As it was known
that they were great fortunes, several eminent merchants made their addresses
to them; but the two eldest said, they would never marry, unless they could
meet with a duke, or an earl at least. Beauty very civilly thanked them
that courted her, and told them she was too young yet to marry, but chose
to stay with her father a few years longer.
All at once the
merchant lost his whole fortune, excepting a small country house at a great
distance from town, and told his children with tears in his eyes, they
must go there and work for their living. The two eldest answered, that
they would not leave the town, for they had several lovers, who they were
sure would be glad to have them, though they had no fortune; but the good
ladies were mistaken, for their lovers slighted and forsook them in their
poverty. As they were not beloved on account of their pride, everybody
said; they do not deserve to be pitied, we are very glad to see their pride
humbled, let them go and give themselves quality airs in milking the cows
and minding their dairy. But, added they, we are extremely concerned for
Beauty, she was such a charming, sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly
to poor people, and was of such an affable, obliging behavior. Nay, several
gentlemen would have married her, though they knew she had not a penny;
but she told them she could not think of leaving her poor father in his
misfortunes, but was determined to go along with him into the country to
comfort and attend him. Poor Beauty at first was sadly grieved at the loss
of her fortune; "but," said she to herself, "were I to cry ever so much,
that would not make things better, I must try to make myself happy without
a fortune."
When they came
to their country house, the merchant and his three sons applied themselves
to husbandry and tillage; and Beauty rose at four in the morning, and made
haste to have the house clean, and dinner ready for the family. In the
beginning she found it very difficult, for she had not been used to work
as a servant, but in less than two months she grew stronger and healthier
than ever. After she had done her work, she read, played on the harpsichord,
or else sung whilst she spun.
On the contrary,
her two sisters did not know how to spend their time; they got up at ten,
and did nothing but saunter about the whole day, lamenting the loss of
their fine clothes and acquaintance. "Do but see our youngest sister,"
said they, one to the other, "what a poor, stupid, mean-spirited creature
she is, to be contented with such an unhappy dismal situation."
The good merchant
was of quite a different opinion; he knew very well that Beauty outshone
her sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired her humility
and industry, but above all her humility and patience; for her sisters
not only left her all the work of the house to do, but insulted her every
moment.
The family had
lived about a year in this retirement, when the merchant received a letter
with an account that a vessel, on board of which he had effects, was safely
arrived. This news had liked to have turned the heads of the two eldest
daughters, who immediately flattered themselves with the hopes of returning
to town, for they were quite weary of a country life; and when they saw
their father ready to set out, they begged of him to buy them new gowns,
headdresses, ribbons, and all manner of trifles; but Beauty asked for nothing
for she thought to herself, that all the money her father was going to
receive, would scarce be sufficient to purchase everything her sisters
wanted.
"What will you
have, Beauty?" said her father.
"Since you have
the goodness to think of me," answered she, "be so kind to bring me a rose,
for as none grows hereabouts, they are a kind of rarity." Not that Beauty
cared for a rose, but she asked for something, lest she should seem by
her example to condemn her sisters' conduct, who would have said she did
it only to look particular.
The good man went
on his journey, but when he came there, they went to law with him about
the merchandise, and after a great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose,
he came back as poor as before.
He was within
thirty miles of his own house, thinking on the pleasure he should have
in seeing his children again, when going through a large forest he lost
himself. It rained and snowed terribly; besides, the wind was so high,
that it threw him twice off his horse, and night coming on, he began to
apprehend being either starved to death with cold and hunger, or else devoured
by the wolves, whom he heard howling all round him, when, on a sudden,
looking through a long walk of trees, he saw a light at some distance,
and going on a little farther perceived it came from a place illuminated
from top to bottom. The merchant returned God thanks for this happy discovery,
and hastened to the place, but was greatly surprised at not meeting with
any one in the outer courts. His horse followed him, and seeing a large
stable open, went in, and finding both hay and oats, the poor beast, who
was almost famished, fell to eating very heartily; the merchant tied him
up to the manger, and walking towards the house, where he saw no one, but
entering into a large hall, he found a good fire, and a table plentifully
set out with but one cover laid. As he was wet quite through with the rain
and snow, he drew near the fire to dry himself. "I hope," said he,"the
master of the house, or his servants will excuse the liberty I take; I
suppose it will not be long before some of them appear."
He waited a considerable
time, until it struck eleven, and still nobody came. At last he was so
hungry that he could stay no longer, but took a chicken, and ate it in
two mouthfuls, trembling all the while. After this he drank a few glasses
of wine, and growing more courageous he went out of the hall, and crossed
through several grand apartments with magnificent furniture, until he came
into a chamber, which had an exceeding good bed in it, and as he was very
much fatigued, and it was past midnight, he concluded it was best to shut
the door, and go to bed.
It was ten the
next morning before the merchant waked, and as he was going to rise he
was astonished to see a good suit of clothes in the room of his own, which
were quite spoiled; certainly, said he, this palace belongs to some kind
fairy, who has seen and pitied my distress. He looked through a window,
but instead of snow saw the most delightful arbors, interwoven with the
beautifullest flowers that were ever beheld. He then returned to the great
hall, where he had supped the night before, and found some chocolate ready
made on a little table. "Thank you, good Madam Fairy," said he aloud, "for
being so careful, as to provide me a breakfast; I am extremely obliged
to you for all your favors."
The good man drank
his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse, but passing through
an arbor of roses he remembered Beauty's request to him, and gathered a
branch on which were several; immediately he heard a great noise, and saw
such a frightful Beast coming towards him, that he was ready to faint away.
"You are very
ungrateful," said the Beast to him, in a terrible voice; "I have saved
your life by receiving you into my castle, and, in return, you steal my
roses, which I value beyond any thing in the universe, but you shall die
for it; I give you but a quarter of an hour to prepare yourself, and say
your prayers."
The merchant fell
on his knees, and lifted up both his hands, "My lord," said he, "I beseech
you to forgive me, indeed I had no intention to offend in gathering a rose
for one of my daughters, who desired me to bring her one."
"My name is not
My Lord," replied the monster, "but Beast; I don't love compliments, not
I. I like people to speak as they think; and so do not imagine, I am to
be moved by any of your flattering speeches. But you say you have got daughters.
I will forgive you, on condition that one of them come willingly, and suffer
for you. Let me have no words, but go about your business, and swear that
if your daughter refuse to die in your stead, you will return within three
months."
The merchant had
no mind to sacrifice his daughters to the ugly monster, but he thought,
in obtaining this respite, he should have the satisfaction of seeing them
once more, so he promised, upon oath, he would return, and the Beast told
him he might set out when he pleased, "but," added he, "you shall not depart
empty handed; go back to the room where you lay, and you will see a great
empty chest; fill it with whatever you like best, and I will send it to
your home," and at the same time Beast withdrew.
"Well," said the
good man to himself, "if I must die, I shall have the comfort, at least,
of leaving something to my poor children." He returned to the bedchamber,
and finding a great quantity of broad pieces of gold, he filled the great
chest the Beast had mentioned, locked it, and afterwards took his horse
out of the stable, leaving the palace with as much grief as he had entered
it with joy. The horse, of his own accord, took one of the roads of the
forest, and in a few hours the good man was at home.
His children came
round him, but instead of receiving their embraces with pleasure, he looked
on them, and holding up the branch he had in his hands, he burst into tears.
"Here, Beauty," said he, "take these roses, but little do you think how
dear they are like to cost your unhappy father," and then related his fatal
adventure. Immediately the two eldest set up lamentable outcries, and said
all manner of ill-natured things to Beauty, who did not cry at all.
"Do but see the
pride of that little wretch," said they; "she would not ask for fine clothes,
as we did; but no truly, Miss wanted to distinguish herself, so now she
will be the death of our poor father, and yet she does not so much as shed
a tear."
"Why should I,"
answered Beauty, "it would be very needless, for my father shall not suffer
upon my account, since the monster will accept of one of his daughters,
I will deliver myself up to all his fury, and I am very happy in thinking
that my death will save my father's life, and be a proof of my tender love
for him."
"No, sister,"
said her three brothers, "that shall not be, we will go find the monster,
and either kill him, or perish in the attempt."
"Do not imagine
any such thing, my sons," said the merchant, "Beast's power is so great,
that I have no hopes of your overcoming him. I am charmed with Beauty's
kind and generous offer, but I cannot yield to it. I am old, and have not
long to live, so can only loose a few years, which I regret for your sakes
alone, my dear children."
"Indeed father,"
said Beauty, "you shall not go to the palace without me, you cannot hinder
me from following you." It was to no purpose all they could say. Beauty
still insisted on setting out for the fine palace, and her sisters were
delighted at it, for her virtue and amiable qualities made them envious
and jealous.
The merchant was
so afflicted at the thoughts of losing his daughter, that he had quite
forgot the chest full of gold, but at night when he retired to rest, no
sooner had he shut his chamber door, than, to his great astonishment, he
found it by his bedside; he was determined, however, not to tell his children,
that he was grown rich, because they would have wanted to return to town,
and he was resolved not to leave the country; but he trusted Beauty with
the secret, who informed him, that two gentlemen came in his absence, and
courted her sisters; she begged her father to consent to their marriage,
and give them fortunes, for she was so good, that she loved them and forgave
heartily all their ill usage. These wicked creatures rubbed their eyes
with an onion to force some tears when they parted with their sister, but
her brothers were really concerned. Beauty was the only one who did not
shed tears at parting, because she would not increase their uneasiness.
The horse took
the direct road to the palace, and towards evening they perceived it illuminated
as at first. The horse went of himself into the stable, and the good man
and his daughter came into the great hall, where they found a table splendidly
served up, and two covers. The merchant had no heart to eat, but Beauty,
endeavoring to appear cheerful, sat down to table, and helped him. "Afterwards,"
thought she to herself, "Beast surely has a mind to fatten me before he
eats me, since he provides such plentiful entertainment." When they had
supped they heard a great noise, and the merchant, all in tears, bid his
poor child, farewell, for he thought Beast was coming. Beauty was sadly
terrified at his horrid form, but she took courage as well as she could,
and the monster having asked her if she came willingly; "ye -- e -- es,"
said she, trembling.
The beast responded,
"You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest man, go your
ways tomorrow morning, but never think of coming here again."
"Farewell Beauty,
farewell Beast," answered he, and immediately the monster withdrew. "Oh,
daughter," said the merchant, embracing Beauty, "I am almost frightened
to death, believe me, you had better go back, and let me stay here."
"No, father,"
said Beauty, in a resolute tone, "you shall set out tomorrow morning, and
leave me to the care and protection of providence." They went to bed, and
thought they should not close their eyes all night; but scarce were they
laid down, than they fell fast asleep, and Beauty dreamed, a fine lady
came, and said to her, "I am content, Beauty, with your good will, this
good action of yours in giving up your own life to save your father's shall
not go unrewarded." Beauty waked, and told her father her dream, and though
it helped to comfort him a little, yet he could not help crying bitterly,
when he took leave of his dear child.
As soon as he
was gone, Beauty sat down in the great hall, and fell a crying likewise;
but as she was mistress of a great deal of resolution, she recommended
herself to God, and resolved not to be uneasy the little time she had to
live; for she firmly believed Beast would eat her up that night.
However, she thought
she might as well walk about until then, and view this fine castle, which
she could not help admiring; it was a delightful pleasant place, and she
was extremely surprised at seeing a door, over which was written, "Beauty's
Apartment." She opened it hastily, and was quite dazzled with the magnificence
that reigned throughout; but what chiefly took up her attention, was a
large library, a harpsichord, and several music books. "Well," said she
to herself, "I see they will not let my time hang heavy upon my hands for
want of amusement." Then she reflected, "Were I but to stay here a day,
there would not have been all these preparations." This consideration inspired
her with fresh courage; and opening the library she took a book, and read
these words, in letters of gold:
Welcome Beauty, banish fear,
You are queen and mistress here.
Speak your wishes, speak your will,
Swift obedience meets them still.
"Alas," said she,
with a sigh, "there is nothing I desire so much as to see my poor father,
and know what he is doing." She had no sooner said this, when casting her
eyes on a great looking glass, to her great amazement, she saw her own
home, where her father arrived with a very dejected countenance. Her sisters
went to meet him, and notwithstanding their endeavors to appear sorrowful,
their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in every
feature. A moment after, everything disappeared, and Beauty's apprehensions
at this proof of Beast's complaisance.
At noon she found
dinner
ready, and while at table, was entertained with an excellent concert of
music, though without seeing anybody. But at night, as she was going to
sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast made, and could not help
being sadly terrified. "Beauty," said the monster, "will you give me leave
to see you sup?"
"That is as you
please," answered Beauty trembling.
"No," replied
the Beast, "you alone are mistress here; you need only bid me gone, if
my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw. But, tell
me, do not you think me very ugly?"
"That is true,"
said Beauty, "for I cannot tell a lie, but I believe you are very good
natured."
"So I am," said
the monster, "but then, besides my ugliness, I have no sense; I know very
well, that I am a poor, silly, stupid creature."
" 'Tis no sign
of folly to think so," replied Beauty, "for never did fool know this, or
had so humble a conceit of his own understanding."
"Eat then, Beauty,"
said the monster, "and endeavor to amuse yourself in your palace, for everything
here is yours, and I should be very uneasy, if you were not happy."
"You are very
obliging," answered Beauty, "I own I am pleased with your kindness, and
when I consider that, your deformity scarce appears."
"Yes, yes," said
the Beast, "my heart is good, but still I am a monster."
"Among mankind,"
says Beauty, "there are many that deserve that name more than you, and
I prefer you, just as you are, to those, who, under a human form, hide
a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart."
"If I had sense
enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you,
but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."
Beauty ate a hearty
supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the monster; but she had
like to have fainted away, when he said to her, "Beauty, will you be my
wife?"
She was some time
before she dared answer, for she was afraid of making him angry, if she
refused. At last, however, she said trembling, "no Beast." Immediately
the poor monster went to sigh, and hissed so frightfully, that the whole
palace echoed. But Beauty soon recovered her fright, for Beast having said,
in a mournful voice, "then farewell, Beauty," left the room; and only turned
back, now and then, to look at her as he went out.
When Beauty was
alone, she felt a great deal of compassion for poor Beast. "Alas," said
she, "'tis thousand pities, anything so good natured should be so ugly."
Beauty spent three
months very contentedly in the palace. Every evening Beast paid her a visit,
and talked to her, during supper, very rationally, with plain good common
sense, but never with what the world calls wit; and Beauty daily discovered
some valuable qualifications in the monster, and seeing him often had so
accustomed her to his deformity, that, far from dreading the time of his
visit, she would often look on her watch to see when it would be nine,
for the Beast never missed coming at that hour. There was but one thing
that gave Beauty any concern, which was, that every night, before she went
to bed, the monster always asked her, if she would be his wife. One day
she said to him, "Beast, you make me very uneasy, I wish I could consent
to marry you, but I am too sincere to make you believe that will ever happen;
I shall always esteem you as a friend, endeavor to be satisfied with this."
"I must," said
the Beast, "for, alas! I know too well my own misfortune, but then I love
you with the tenderest affection. However, I ought to think myself happy,
that you will stay here; promise me never to leave me."
Beauty blushed
at these words; she had seen in her glass, that her father had pined himself
sick for the loss of her, and she longed to see him again. "I could," answered
she, "indeed, promise never to leave you entirely, but I have so great
a desire to see my father, that I shall fret to death, if you refuse me
that satisfaction."
"I had rather
die myself," said the monster, "than give you the least uneasiness. I will
send you to your father, you shall remain with him, and poor Beast will
die with grief."
"No," said Beauty,
weeping, "I love you too well to be the cause of your death. I give you
my promise to return in a week. You have shown me that my sisters are married,
and my brothers gone to the army; only let me stay a week with my father,
as he is alone."
"You shall be
there tomorrow morning," said the Beast, "but remember your promise. You
need only lay your ring on a table before you go to bed, when you have
a mind to come back. Farewell Beauty." Beast sighed, as usual, bidding
her good night, and Beauty went to bed very sad at seeing him so afflicted.
When she waked the next morning, she found herself at her father's, and
having rung a little bell, that was by her bedside, she saw the maid come,
who, the moment she saw her, gave a loud shriek, at which the good man
ran up stairs, and thought he should have died with joy to see his dear
daughter again. He held her fast locked in his arms above a quarter of
an hour. As soon as the first transports were over, Beauty began to think
of rising, and was afraid she had no clothes to put on; but the maid told
her, that she had just found, in the next room, a large trunk full of gowns,
covered with gold and diamonds. Beauty thanked good Beast for his kind
care, and taking one of the plainest of them, she intended to make a present
of the others to her sisters. She scarce had said so when the trunk disappeared.
Her father told her, that Beast insisted on her keeping them herself, and
immediately both gowns and trunk came back again.
Beauty dressed
herself, and in the meantime they sent to her sisters who hastened thither
with their husbands. They were both of them very unhappy. The eldest had
married a gentleman, extremely handsome indeed, but so fond of his own
person, that he was full of nothing but his own dear self, and neglected
his wife. The second had married a man of wit, but he only made use of
it to plague and torment everybody, and his wife most of all. Beauty's
sisters sickened with envy, when they saw her dressed like a princess,
and more beautiful than ever, nor could all her obliging affectionate behavior
stifle their jealousy, which was ready to burst when she told them how
happy she was. They went down into the garden to vent it in tears; and
said one to the other, in what way is this little creature better than
us, that she should be so much happier? "Sister," said the oldest, "a thought
just strikes my mind; let us endeavor to detain her above a week, and perhaps
the silly monster will be so enraged at her for breaking her word, that
he will devour her."
"Right, sister,"
answered the other, "therefore we must show her as much kindness as possible."
After they had taken this resolution, they went up, and behaved so affectionately
to their sister, that poor Beauty wept for joy. When the week was expired,
they cried and tore their hair, and seemed so sorry to part with her, that
she promised to stay a week longer.
In the meantime,
Beauty could not help reflecting on herself, for the uneasiness she was
likely to cause poor Beast, whom she sincerely loved, and really longed
to see again. The tenth night she spent at her father's, she dreamed she
was in the palace garden, and that she saw Beast extended on the grass
plat, who seemed just expiring, and, in a dying voice, reproached her with
her ingratitude. Beauty started out of her sleep, and bursting into tears.
"Am I not very wicked," said she, "to act so unkindly to Beast, that has
studied so much, to please me in everything? Is it his fault if he is so
ugly, and has so little sense? He is kind and good, and that is sufficient.
Why did I refuse to marry him? I should be happier with the monster than
my sisters are with their husbands; it is neither wit, nor a fine person,
in a husband, that makes a woman happy, but virtue, sweetness of temper,
and complaisance, and Beast has all these valuable qualifications. It is
true, I do not feel the tenderness of affection for him, but I find I have
the highest gratitude, esteem, and friendship; I will not make him miserable,
were I to be so ungrateful I should never forgive myself." Beauty having
said this, rose, put her ring on the table, and then laid down again; scarce
was she in bed before she fell asleep, and when she waked the next morning,
she was overjoyed to find herself in the Beast's palace.
She put on one
of her richest suits to please him, and waited for evening with the utmost
impatience, at last the wished-for hour came, the clock struck nine, yet
no Beast appeared. Beauty then feared she had been the cause of his death;
she ran crying and wringing her hands all about the palace, like one in
despair; after having sought for him everywhere, she recollected her dream,
and flew to the canal in the garden, where she dreamed she saw him. There
she found poor Beast stretched out, quite senseless, and, as she imagined,
dead. She threw herself upon him without any dread, and finding his heart
beat still, she fetched some water from the canal, and poured it on his
head. Beast opened his eyes, and said to Beauty, "You forgot your promise,
and I was so afflicted for having lost you, that I resolved to starve myself,
but since I have the happiness of seeing you once more, I die satisfied."
"No, dear Beast,"
said Beauty, "you must not die. Live to be my husband; from this moment
I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours. Alas! I thought I had
only a friendship for you, but the grief I now feel convinces me, that
I cannot live without you." Beauty scarce had pronounced these words, when
she saw the palace sparkle with light; and fireworks, instruments of music,
everything seemed to give notice of some great event. But nothing could
fix her attention; she turned to her dear Beast, for whom she trembled
with fear; but how great was her surprise! Beast was disappeared, and she
saw, at her feet, one of the loveliest princes that eye ever beheld; who
returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm, under which he
had so long resembled a Beast. Though this prince was worthy of all her
attention, she could not forbear asking where Beast was.
"You see him at
your feet, said the prince. A wicked fairy had condemned me to remain under
that shape until a beautiful virgin should consent to marry me. The fairy
likewise enjoined me to conceal my understanding. There was only you in
the world generous enough to be won by the goodness of my temper, and in
offering you my crown I can't discharge the obligations I have to you."
Beauty, agreeably
surprised, gave the charming prince her hand to rise; they went together
into the castle, and Beauty was overjoyed to find, in the great hall, her
father and his whole family, whom the beautiful lady, that appeared to
her in her dream, had conveyed thither.
"Beauty," said
this lady, "come and receive the reward of your judicious choice; you have
preferred virtue before either wit or beauty, and deserve to find a person
in whom all these qualifications are united. You are going to be a great
queen. I hope the throne will not lessen your virtue, or make you forget
yourself. As to you, ladies," said the fairy to Beauty's two sisters, "I
know your hearts, and all the malice they contain. Become two statues,
but, under this transformation, still retain your reason. You shall stand
before your sister's palace gate, and be it your punishment to behold her
happiness; and it will not be in your power to return to your former state,
until you own your faults, but I am very much afraid that you will always
remain statues. Pride, anger, gluttony, and idleness are sometimes conquered,
but the conversion of a malicious and envious mind is a kind of miracle."
Immediately the
fairy gave a stroke with her wand, and in a moment all that were in the
hall were transported into the prince's dominions. His subjects received
him with joy. He married Beauty, and lived with her many years, and their
happiness -- as it was founded on virtue -- was complete.
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