Page:Writings of Oscar Wilde - Volume 03.djvu/140

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114 THE WRITINGS OF OSCAR WILDE.

from my city. The half that is mine shall be thine also.' "And I did a strange thing, but what I did matters not, for in a cave that is but a day's journey from this place have I hidden the Ring of Riches. It is but a day's journey from this place, and it waits for thy coming. He who has this Ring is richer than all the kings of the world. Come therefore and take it, and the world's riches shall be thine. " But the young Fisherman laughed. "Love is better than Riches," he cried, "and the little Mermaid loves me." "Nay, but there is nothing better than Riches," said the Soul. "Love is better," answered the young Fisherman, and he plunged into the deep, and the Soul went weeping away over the marshes. And after the third year was over the Soul came down to the shore of the sea, and called to the young Fisherman, and he rose out of the deep and said, "Why dost thou call to me?" And the Soul answered, "Come nearer, that I may speak with thee, for I have seen marvellous things."

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