` He did his work as long as he could . Keep him as you have done ! I can not build my nest in the Palace and live here ; but let me come whenever I like . I will sit in the evening on the bough outside the window , and I will sing you something that will make you feel happy and grateful . I will sing of joy , and of sorrow ; I will sing of the evil and the good which lies hidden from you . The little singing-bird flies all around , to the poor fisherman 's hut , to the farmer 's cottage , to all those who are far away from you and your Court . I love your heart more than your crown , though that has about it a brightness as of something holy . Now I will sing to you again ; but you must promise me one thing -- ' ` Anything ! ' said the Emperor , standing up in his Imperial robes , which he had himself put on , and fastening on his sword richly embossed with gold . ` One thing I beg of you ! Do n't tell anyone that you have a little bird who tells you everything . It will be much better not to ! ' Then the Nightingale flew away . The servants came in to look at their dead Emperor . The Emperor said , ` Good-morning ! ' HERMOD AND HADVOR -LRB- 32 -RRB- -LRB- 32 -RRB- From the Icelandic . Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who had an only daughter , called Hadvor , who was fair and beautiful , and being an only child , was heir to the kingdom . The King and Queen had also a foster son , named Hermod , who was just about the same age as Hadvor , and was good-looking , as well as clever at most things . Hermod and Hadvor often played together while they were children , and liked each other so much that while they were still young they secretly plighted their troth to each other . As time went on the Queen fell sick , and suspecting that it was her last illness , sent for the King to come to her .
When he came she told him XXXXX she had no long time to live , and therefore wished to ask one thing of him , which was , that if he married another wife he should promise to take no other one than the Queen of Hetland the Good .
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