Page 129 - Demo

129%u201cBut I must be paid also,%u201d said the witch, %u201cand it is not a trifle that I ask. You have the sweetest voice of any who dwell here in the depths of the sea, and you believe that you will be able to charm the prince with it also, but this voice you must give to me; the best thing you possess will I have for the price of my draught. My own blood must be mixed with it, that it may be as sharp as a two-edged sword.%u201d%u201cBut if you take away my voice,%u201d said the little mermaid, %u201cwhat is left for me?%u201d%u201cYour beautiful form, your graceful walk, and your expressive eyes; surely with these you can enchain a man%u2019s heart. Well, have you lost your courage? Put out your little tongue that I may cut it off as my payment; then you shall have the powerful draught.%u201d%u201cIt shall be,%u201d%u2022 said the little mermaid.Then the witch placed her cauldron on the fire, to prepare the magic draught.%u201cCleanliness is a good thing,%u201d%u2022 said she, scouring the vessel with snakes, which she had tied together in a large knot; then she pricked herself in the breast, and let the black blood drop into it. The steam that rose formed itself into such horrible shapes that no one could look at them without fear. Every moment the witch threw something else The seawitch makes her brew.