"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 cannot 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 Swallow flew down to the harbour. He sat on the
mast of a large vessel and watched the sailors hauling big chests
out of the hold with ropes. "Heave a-hoy!" they shouted as each
chest came up. "I am going to Egypt"! cried the Swallow, but
nobody minded, and when the moon rose he flew back to the Happy
Prince.