NUTCRACKER IS BETROTHED TO THE PRINCESS OF ROOT-VALLEY, AND
TAKES POSSESSION OF THE NUTFIELD.--THE BIRDS
DEPART.--WHAT ILL COMES OF IT.--WEDDING AND PARTING.
Prince Nutcracker and his followers were received in the most
friendly manner by the good King of Root-Valley. The Princess was
in a sea of rapture at the brilliant appearance of the bright,
varnished, wooden Prince, who in a formal and well-turned speech
declared his love for her, together with his other wishes, in a
pleasing and appropriate manner. The old King even was so moved by
his words, that without more ado he gave him his daughter to wife,
and the whole Nutfield as her dowry. And now, when the old man
tenderly embraced his future son-in-law, all the people around
shouted with joy, and all the thousands of little birds joined in
the general jubilee, piping and singing, and clapping their wings,
amidst shouts of "Long live Prince Nutcracker and his Bride!" Then
it was arranged that the whole procession of the Puppet-people
should take possession of their new land, the Nutfield, before the
eyes of the assembled Rootmen, which immediately took place.
As often happens in life, that dear old friends are forgotten and
put aside for new ones, so it fell out in this instance. The
migrating Birds, who had formerly been treated with the greatest
attention and respect, and who on this occasion testified their
sympathy and joy at the union of the two Peoples, had in the course
of this day to experience the mortification of seeing their old
friends turn their backs upon them. The little Root-mannikins, in
eager curiosity, pushed them back on all sides, and gave them
pretty clearly to understand that they might take to flight, and
remain away for ever.
Indignant at such treatment, the Birds rose all together upon the
wing, like one, hovered an instant over the heads of the two
Peoples with a loud noise, and then disappeared with rapid flight
in the blue distance.
Oh horror and alarm! What happened then? The sudden flight of these
thousands of Birds created such a rush of air, like a whirlwind,
that scarcely a man of the newly-arrived guests could keep himself
on his feet. Whole ranks of tin soldiers fell one upon another; the
cardpaper heroes, actors, and huntsmen were swept far away over the
fields; and even Prince Nutcracker himself, who was at that instant
just going in a polite manner to kiss the hand of his beloved
Princess, was so shaken that he staggered and fell, rolled down
the molehill, and lay sprawling at the foot of it with open mouth.
An ill omen this for the power of the new Government! The great
admiration which the Rootmen had hitherto felt for their new
friends quickly turned into disdain at this catastrophe. The good
King and the fair Princess alone did not allow themselves to be
carried away by their astonishment; they instantly descended from
their throne, and helped the fallen Prince to regain his legs. But
Nutcracker broke out into bitter reproaches; he called the Birds,
who had upset him, silly high-flying fools, who set themselves
above the whole world, and overturned all rule and order. His anger
was not to be softened, until his future father-in-law promised
that, to prevent the recurrence of any similar disaster, he would
allow nothing flying to enter his kingdom, not even flying leaves.
One by one all the little people got up on their legs again, and
the rest of the day was passed in merriment and feasting. On the
morrow the wedding of Prince Nutcracker and his fair Bride was
celebrated with the grandest solemnities; after which the two
Peoples took leave of one another in the most friendly manner; the
Root-mannikins returned to their own Valley, and the Puppet-folks
remained on the Nutfield.
[Illustration: Fifth Chapter.]