Beauty and the Beast

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Madame (Jeanne-Marie) Leprince De Beaumont

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Project Gutenberg's Beauty and the Beast, by Marie Le Prince de BeaumontCopyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloadingor redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do notchange or edit the header without written permission.Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of thisfile. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can alsofind out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts****eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971*******These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****Title: Beauty and the BeastAuthor: Marie Le Prince de BeaumontRelease Date: December, 2004 [EBook #7074] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was firstposted on March 6, 2003]Edition: 10Language: English*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ***This eBook provided by Kim Pickett and The Hockliffe ProjectBEAUTY AND THE BEAST.A TALEFOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OFJUVENILE READERS.Ornamented with Elegant Engravings.by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE The Beast ...

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Project Gutenberg's Beauty and the Beast, byMarie Le Prince de BeaumontsCuorpey triog chth leacwk st haer ec ocphyarniggihnt gl aawll so fvoerr ytohuer wcooruldn.t rByebefore downloading or redistributing this or anyother Project Gutenberg eBook.vTiheiws inhge atdhiesr Psrhoojeulcdt bGeu ttehne bfierrsgt tfihlien. gP lseeaesne wdho ennotremove it. Do not change or edit the headerwithout written permission.Please read the "legal small print," and otherinformation about the eBook and ProjectGutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included isimportant information about your specific rights andrestrictions in how the file may be used. You canalso find out about how to make a donation toProject Gutenberg, and how to get involved.**Welcome To The World of Free Plain VanillaElectronic Texts****eBooks Readable By Both Humans and ByComputers, Since 1971*******These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousandsof Volunteers!*****Title: Beauty and the Beast

Author: Marie Le Prince de Beaumont[RYeelse,a swee Darate e:m Doreec tehmabn eor,n 2e 0y0e4a r[ EaBhoeoakd #o7f074]schedule] [This file was first posted on March 6,]3002Edition: 10Language: English*E*B* OSTOAK RBTE OAFU TTYH EA NPDR TOHJEE CBTE GASUTT E**N*BERGThis eBook provided by Kim Pickett and TheHockliffe Project

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.A TALEFOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OFJUVENILE READERS.Ornamented with Elegant Engravings.by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE The Beast Attackingthe Merchant]BEAUTYDNATHE BEAST.* * * * *cThhiledrree nw,a tsh roenec es oan vs,e rayn rdi cthh remee rdcahuagnht,t ewrsh;o bheaind gs iax

man of sense, he spared no cost for theireducation, but gave them all kinds of masters. Hisdaughters were extremely handsome, especiallythe youngest; when she was little, every bodyadmired her, and called her <i>The littleBeauty</i>; so that, as she grew up, she still wentby the name of <i>Beauty</i>, which made hersisters very jealous. The youngest, as she washandsome, was also better than her sisters. Thetwo eldest had a great deal of pride, because theywere rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs,and would not visit other merchants' daughters, norkeep company with any but persons of quality.They went out every day upon parties of pleasure,balls, plays, concerts, etc. and laughed at theiryoungest sister, because she spent the greatestpart of her time in reading good books. As it wasknown that they were to have great fortunes,several eminent merchants made their addressesto them; but the two eldest said they would nevermarry, unless they could meet with a Duke, or anEarl at least. Beauty very civilly thanked them thatcourted her, and told them she was too young yetto marry, but chose to stay with her father a fewyears longer.All at once the merchant lost his whole fortune,excepting a small country-house at a greatdistance from town, and told his children, with tearsin his eyes, they most go there and work for theirliving. The two eldest answered, that they wouldnot 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 themin their poverty. As they were not beloved onaccount of their pride, every body said, "they donot deserve to be pitied, we are glad to see theirpride humbled, let them go and give themselvesquality airs in milking the cows and minding theirdairy. But, (added they,) we are extremelyconcerned for Beauty, she was such a charming,sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poorpeople, and was of such an affable, obligingdisposition." Nay, several gentlemen would havemarried her, though they knew she had not apenny; but she told them she could not think ofleaving her poor father in his misfortunes, but wasdetermined to go along with him into the country tocomfort and attend him. Poor Beauty at first wassadly grieved at the loss of her fortune; "but, (shesaid to herself,) were I to cry ever so much, thatwould not make things better, I must try to makemyself happy without a fortune." When they cameto their country-house, the merchant and his threesons applied themselves to husbandry and tillage;and Beauty rose at four in the morning, and madehaste to have the house clean, and breakfastready for the family. In the beginning she found itvery difficult, for she had not been used to work asa servant; but in less than two months she grewstronger and healthier than ever. After she haddone her work, she read, played on theharpsichord, or else sung whilst she spun. On thecontrary, her two sisters did not know how tospend their time; they got up at ten, and didnothing but saunter about the whole day, lamentingthe loss of their fine clothes and acquaintance. "Do

but see our youngest sister, (said they one to theother,) what a poor, stupid mean-spirited creatureshe is, to be contented with such an unhappysituation." The good merchant was of a quitedifferent opinion; he knew very well that Beautyout-shone her sisters, in her person as well as hermind, and admired her humility, industry, andpatience; for her sisters not only left her all thework of the house to do, but insulted her everymoment.[Illustration: Beauty Making the Family's Breakfast]The family had lived about a year in this retirement,when the merchant received a letter, with anaccount that a vessel, on board of which he hadeffects, was safely arrived. This news had liked tohave turned the heads of the two eldest daughters,who immediately flattered themselves with thehopes of returning to town; for they were quiteweary of a country life; and when they saw theirfather ready to set out, they begged of him to buythem new gowns, caps, rings, and all manner oftrifles; but Beauty asked for nothing, for shethought to herself, that all the money her fatherwas going to receive would scarce be sufficient topurchase every thing her sisters wanted. "What willyou have, Beauty?" said her father. "Since you areso kind as to think of me, (answered she,) be sokind as to bring me a rose, for as none growhereabouts, they are a kind of rarity." Not thatBeauty cared for a rose, but she asked forsomething, lest she should seem by her exampleto condemn her sisters' conduct, who would have

said she did it only to look particular. The goodman 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 nopurpose, he came back as poor as before.He was within thirty miles of his own house,thinking on the pleasure he should have in seeinghis children again, when going through a largeforest he lost himself. It rained and snowed terribly,besides, the wind was so high, that it threw himtwice off his horse; and night coming on, he beganto apprehend being either starved to death withcold and hunger, or else devoured by the wolves,whom he heard howling all around him, when, on asudden, looking through a long walk of trees, hesaw a light at some distance, and going on a littlefarther, perceived it came from a palace illuminatedfrom top to bottom. The merchant returned Godthanks for this happy discovery, and hasted to thepalace; but was greatly surprised at not meetingwith anyone in the out-courts. His horse followedhim, and seeing a large stable open, went in, andfinding both hay and oats, the poor beast, who wasalmost famished, fell to eating very heartily. Themerchant tied him up to the manger, and walkedtowards the house, where he saw no one, butentering into a large hall, he found a good fire, anda table plentifully set out, with but one cover laid.As he was wet quite through with the rain andsnow, 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 belong before some of them appear."

He waited a considerable time, till it struck eleven,and still nobody came: at last he was so hungrythat he could stay no longer, but took a chickenand ate it in two mouthfuls, trembling all the while.After this, he drank a few glasses of wine, andgrowing more courageous, he went out of the hall,and crossed through several grand apartmentswith magnificent furniture, till he came into achamber, which had an exceeding good bed in it,and as he was very much fatigued, and it was pastmidnight, he concluded it was best to shut thedoor, and go to bed.It was ten the next morning before the merchantwaked, and as he was going to rise, he wasastonished to see a good suit of clothes in theroom of his own, which were quite spoiled."Certainly, (said he,) this palace belongs to somekind fairy, who has seen and pitied my distress."He looked through a window, but instead of snowsaw the most delightful arbours, interwoven withthe most beautiful flowers that ever were beheld.He then returned to the great hall, where he hadsupped the night before, and found somechocolate ready made on a little table. "Thank you,good Madam Fairy, (said he aloud,) for being socareful as to provide me a breakfast; I amextremely obliged to you for all your favours."The good man drank his chocolate, and then wentto look for his horse; but passing through an arbourof 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 wasready to faint away. "You are very ungrateful, (saidthe beast to him, in a terrible voice) I have savedyour life by receiving you into my castle, and, inreturn, you steal my roses, which I value beyondany thing in the universe; but you shall die for it; Igive you but a quarter of an hour to prepareyourself, to say your prayers." The merchant fell onhis knees, and lifted up both his hands: "My Lord(said he,) I beseech you to forgive me, indeed Ihad no intention to offend in gathering a rose forone of my daughters, who desired me to bring herone." "My name is not My Lord, (replied themonster,) but Beast; I don't love compliments, notI; I like people should speak as they think; and sodo not imagine I am to be moved by any of yourflattering speeches; but you say you have gotdaughters; I will forgive you, on condition that oneof them come willingly, and suffer for you. Let mehave no words, but go about your business, andswear that if your daughter refuse to die in yourstead, you will return within three months." Themerchant had no mind to sacrifice his daughters tothe ugly monster, but he thought, in obtaining thisrespite, he should have the satisfaction of seeingthem once more; so he promised upon oath, hewould return, and the Beast told him he might setout when he pleased; "but, (added he,) you shallnot depart empty handed; go back to the roomwhere you lay, and you will see a great emptychest; fill it with whatever you like best, and I willsend it to your home," and at the same time Beastwithdrew. "Well (said the good man to himself) if Imust die, I shall have the comfort, at least, of

leaving something to my poor children."He returned to the bed-chamber, and finding agreat quantity of broad pieces of gold, he filled thegreat 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 hadentered it with joy. The horse, of his own accord,took one of the roads of the forest; and in a fewhours the good man was at home. His childrencame around him, but, instead of receiving theirembraces with pleasure, he looked on them, and,holding up the branch he had in his hands, he burstinto tears. "Here, Beauty, (said he,) take theseroses; but little do you think how dear they are liketo cost your unhappy father; and then related hisfatal adventure: immediately the two eldest set uplamentable 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, (saidthey); she would not ask for fine clothes, as we did;but no, truly, Miss wanted to distinguish herself; sonow she will be the death of our poor father, andyet she does not so much as shed a tear." "Whyshould I, (answered Beauty,) it would be veryneedless, for my father shall not suffer upon myaccount, since the monster will accept of one of hisdaughters, I will deliver myself up to all his fury,and I am very happy in thinking that my death willsave my father's life, and be a proof of my tenderlove for him." "No, sister, (said her three brothers,)that shall not be, we will go find the monster, andeither kill him, or perish in the attempt." "Do notimagine any such thing, my sons, (said the

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