` Is it possible ! ' said the First Lord . ' I should never have thought it ! How ordinary she looks ! She must surely have lost her feathers because she sees so many distinguished men round her ! ' ` Little Nightingale , ' called out the little kitchenmaid , ` our Gracious Emperor wants you to sing before him ! ' ` With the greatest of pleasure ! ' said the Nightingale ; and she sang so gloriously that it was a pleasure to listen . ` It sounds like glass bells ! ' said the First Lord . ` And look how her little throat works ! It is wonderful that we have never heard her before ! She will be a great success at Court . ' ` Shall I sing once more for the Emperor ? ' asked the Nightingale , thinking that the Emperor was there . ` My esteemed little Nightingale , ' said the First Lord , ' I have the great pleasure to invite you to Court this evening , where His Gracious Imperial Highness will be enchanted with your charming song ! ' ` It sounds best in the green wood , ' said the Nightingale ; but still , she came gladly when she heard that the Emperor wished it . At the Palace everything was splendidly prepared . The porcelain walls and floors glittered in the light of many thousand gold lamps ; the most gorgeous flowers which tinkled out well were placed in the corridors . There was such a hurrying and draught that all the bells jingled so much that one could not hear oneself speak .
In the centre of the great hall where the Emperor sat was a golden perch , on which the XXXXX sat .
Court Gracious Nightingale draught feathers men pleasure success throat wood