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Beauty and the Beast
By Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, 1783
Spelling and punctuation revised by D. L. Ashliman
Copyright 1998
Used by permission.
Modified by Judith Bronte
(Replaced "fairy" with "Angel")
here 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.
"We glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope."
~ Romans 5:3, 4 ~
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 [Angel], 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
[Angel]," said he aloud, "for being so careful, as to provide me a breakfast;
I am extremely obliged to you for all your favors."
"He shall give His angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
~ Psalm 91:11,12 ~
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."
"Greater love hath no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friends."
~ John 15:13 ~
"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.
"Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit."
~ Luke 23:46 ~
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."
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:
but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
~ Proverbs 12:15 ~
"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."
"The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
~ Proverbs 12:10 ~
"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.
"Better is little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure and trouble therewith."
~ Proverbs 15:16 ~
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."
~ Proverbs 15:17 ~
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."
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
~ Proverbs 17:22 ~
"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!
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth
up their wounds."
~ Psalm 147:3 ~
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 [angel] had condemned me
to remain under that shape until a beautiful virgin should consent to marry me. The
[angel] 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. As to you,
ladies," said the [Angel] 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 [Angel] 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.
"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the
foundation on a Rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that
house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a Rock."
~ Luke 6:48 ~
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