High above the , on a tall column, stood the of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red glowed on his sword-hilt.
He was very much indeed. "He is as beautiful as a weathercock," one of the Town Councillors who wished to a reputation for having artistic tastes; "only not quite so useful," he added, fearing lest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not.
"Why can't you be like the Happy Prince?" asked a mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon. "The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything."
"I am glad there is some one in the world who is happy," muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the statue.
"He looks just like an angel," said the Charity Children as they came out of the cathedral in their bright cloaks and their white pinafores.
"How do you ?" said the Mathematical Master, "you have never seen one."
"Ah! but we have, in our dreams," the children; and the Mathematical Master and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming.