Then he flew back and told the prince what he had seen.
“I am covered with fine gold,” said the prince,“you must take it off,leaf by leaf,and give it to my poor;the living always think that gold can make them happy.”
Leaf after leaf of the fine gold the swallow picked off,till the Happy Prince looked quite dull and grey.Leaf after leaf of the fine gold he brought to the poor,and the children’s faces grew rosier,and they laughed and played games in the street.“We have bread now!” they cried.