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, every body 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 handsome, 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 upon parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, etc. and
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 to have 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
most 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 in this they were
mistaken, for their lovers slighted and forsook them in their poverty. As they
were not beloved on account of their pride, every body said, "they do not
deserve to be pitied, we are 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 disposition." 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, (she said 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 breakfast 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 situation." The good merchant was
of a quite different opinion; he knew very well that Beauty out-shone her
sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired her humility, industry,
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, caps, rings,
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 every thing her sisters wanted. "What will you
have, Beauty?" said her father. "Since you are so kind as to think of
me, (answered she,) be so kind as to bring me a rose, for as none grow
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 merchandize, 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 around 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 palace illuminated from top to bottom. The merchant
returned God thanks for this happy discovery, and hasted to the palace; but was
greatly surprised at not meeting with anyone in the out-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 walked 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, till 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, till 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 arbours, interwoven with
the most beautiful flowers that ever were 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 favours."
The
good man drank his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse; but passing
through an arbour 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, to 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 should 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 bed-chamber, 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 around 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 lose a few years, which I regret for your sake 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 them 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 endeavoured 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 a 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; "y—e—s," said
she, trembling. "You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you;
honest man, go your ways tomorrow morning, but never think of returning here
again. Farewell, Beauty." "Farewell, Beast," answered she; 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 till 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 wrote, "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 on 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 to 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 endeavours to appear
sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in
every feature: a moment after, every thing 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 any body: 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 be 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 endeavour
to amuse yourself in your palace; for every thing 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 your 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 liked to have fainted
away, when he said to her, "Beauty, will you be my wife?" She was
some time before she durst answer; for she was afraid of making him angry, if
she refused. At last, however, she said, trembling, "No, Beast." Immediately
the poor monster began 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 a thousand pities any thing 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; endeavour 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 shewn 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 the 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 rang a little bell, that was by her bed-side, 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 mean time they sent to her sisters, who hasted 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
every body, 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 behaviour 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 is this little
creature better than us, that she should be so much happier?"
"Sister, said the eldest, a thought just strikes my mind; let us endeavour
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 shew 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 mean time, 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-plot, 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
not I very wicked, (said she) to act so unkindly to Beast, that has studied so
much to please me in every thing? Is it his fault that 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; and 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 every where, 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 scarcely had
pronounced these words, when she saw the palace sparkle with light; and
fireworks, instruments of music, every thing, 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 had
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 till 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 till 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 palace. 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.
