`` Swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , '' said the Prince , `` far away across the city I see a young man in a garret . He is leaning over a desk covered with papers , and in a tumbler by his side there is a bunch of withered violets . His hair is brown and crisp , and his lips are red as a pomegranate , and he has large and dreamy eyes . He is trying to finish a play for the Director of the Theatre , but he is too cold to write any more . There is no fire in the grate , and hunger has made him faint . '' `` I will wait with you one night longer , '' said the Swallow , who really had a good heart . `` Shall I take him another ruby ? '' `` Alas ! I have no ruby now , '' said the Prince ; `` my eyes are all that I have left . They are made of rare sapphires , which were brought out of India a thousand years ago . Pluck out one of them and take it to him . He will sell it to the jeweller , and buy food and firewood , and finish his play . '' `` Dear Prince , '' said the Swallow , `` I can not do that '' ; and he began to weep . `` Swallow , Swallow , little Swallow , '' said the Prince , `` do as I command you . '' So the Swallow plucked out the Prince 's eye , and flew away to the student 's garret . It was easy enough to get in , as there was a hole in the roof . Through this he darted , and came into the room . The young man had his head buried in his hands , so he did not hear the flutter of the bird 's wings , and when he looked up he found the beautiful sapphire lying on the withered violets . `` I am beginning to be appreciated , '' he cried ; `` this is from some great admirer . Now I can finish my play , '' and he looked quite happy .
The next day the XXXXX flew down to the harbour .
Prince Swallow fire firewood garret jeweller left pomegranate ruby sapphires