BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont

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There 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, every

body admired her, and called her <i>The little Beauty</i>; so that, as

she grew up, she still went by the name of <i>Beauty</i>, which made her

sisters very jealous. The youngest, as she was handsome, 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 upon parties of pleasure,

balls, plays, concerts, etc. and 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 to have 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 most 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 in this they were mistaken, for their lovers

slighted and forsook them in their poverty. As they were not beloved on

account of their pride, every body said, "they do not deserve to be

pitied, we are 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 disposition." 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, (she said 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 breakfast 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 situation." The good merchant was of a

quite different opinion; he knew very well that Beauty out-shone her

sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired her humility,

industry, and patience; for her sisters not only left her all the work

of the house to do, but insulted her every moment.

[Illustration: Beauty Making the Family's Breakfast]

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

country life; and when they saw their father ready to set out, they

begged of him to buy them new gowns, caps, rings, 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 every thing her sisters wanted. "What will you have,

Beauty?" said her father. "Since you are so kind as to think of me,

(answered she,) be so kind as to bring me a rose, for as none grow

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 merchandize, 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
around 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 palace illuminated from top to bottom. The merchant

returned God thanks for this happy discovery, and hasted to the palace;

but was greatly surprised at not meeting with anyone in the out-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

walked 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, till 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, till 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 fairy, who has seen and pitied my distress."

He looked through a window, but instead of snow saw the most delightful

arbours, interwoven with the most beautiful flowers that ever were

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 Fairy, (said he aloud,) for being so careful as

to provide me a breakfast; I am extremely obliged to you for all your

favours."

The good man drank his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse;

but passing through an arbour 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, to 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 should 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 bed-chamber, 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 around 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."

"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 lose 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.

[Illustration: Beauty Delivered up to the Beast]

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 them 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 endeavoured 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 a 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; "y--e--s," said she,

trembling. "You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest

man, go your ways tomorrow morning, but never think of returning here

again. Farewell, Beauty." "Farewell, Beast," answered she; and

immediately the monster withdrew. "Oh, daughter, (said the merchant,

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.

However, she thought she might as well walk about till 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 wrote, "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 on 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 to 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 endeavours to appear sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid

of their sister, was visible in every feature: a moment after, every

thing disappeared, and Beauty's apprehensions at this proof of Beast's

complaisance.
[Illustration: Beauty Looking in the Glass]

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table, was entertained with

an excellent concert of music, though without seeing any body: 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 be 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." "Eat then, Beauty, (said the

monster,) and endeavour to amuse yourself in your palace; for every

thing 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 your are, to those,

who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful

heart." "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 liked to have fainted

away, when he said to her, "Beauty, will you be my wife?" She was some

time before she durst answer; for she was afraid of making him angry, if

she refused. At last, however, she said, trembling, "No, Beast."

Immediately the poor monster began 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 a thousand pities any thing 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; endeavour 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 shewn 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 the 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 rang a little

bell, that was by her bed-side, 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.

[Illustration: Beauty at Supper with the Beast]

who hasted 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 every body, 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 behaviour stifle their jealousy, which was ready

to burst when she told them how happy she was. They went down into the

garden to vent it in tears; and said one to the other, "In what is this

little creature better than us, that she should be so much happier?"

"Sister, said the eldest, a thought just strikes my mind; let us

endeavour 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 shew 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 mean time, 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-plot, 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 not I very wicked, (said she) to

act so unkindly to Beast, that has studied so much to please me in every

thing? Is it his fault that 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; and 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 every where, 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."

"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 scarcely had

pronounced these words, when she saw the palace sparkle with light; and

fireworks, instruments of music, every thing, 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! Beast had 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 fairy had condemned me to remain under that shape

till a beautiful virgin should consent to marry me: the fairy 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 yourself. As to you, ladies, (said the

Fairy 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

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 fairy gave a stroke with her wand, and in a moment all

that were in the hall were transported into the Prince's palace. 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.

The End.