` 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 Nightingale sat . The whole Court was there , and the little kitchenmaid was allowed to stand behind the door , now that she was a Court-cook . Everyone was dressed in his best , and everyone was looking towards the little grey bird to whom the Emperor nodded . The Nightingale sang so gloriously that the tears came into the Emperor 's eyes and ran down his cheeks . Then the Nightingale sang even more beautifully ; it went straight to all hearts . The Emperor was so delighted that he said she should wear his gold slipper round her neck . But the Nightingale thanked him , and said she had had enough reward already . ' I have seen tears in the Emperor 's eyes -- that is a great reward . An Emperor 's tears have such power ! ' Then she sang again with her gloriously sweet voice . ` That is the most charming coquetry I have ever seen ! ' said all the ladies round . And they all took to holding water in their mouths that they might gurgle whenever anyone spoke to them . Then they thought themselves nightingales . Yes , the lackeys and chambermaids announced that they were pleased ; which means a great deal , for they are the most difficult people of all to satisfy .
In short , the XXXXX was a real success .
Nightingale anyone draught hall lackeys nightingales perch tears water wood