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双语《小约翰》 二

所属教程:译林版·小约翰

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2022年06月17日

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II

It was a warm evening,and the pool lay perfectly still.The sun, red and tired with its day's work,seemed to pause for a moment on the edge of the world,before going down.Its glowing face was reflected,almost perfect,in the glassy water.The leaves of the beech-tree which overhung the lake took advantage of the stillness to gaze at themselves meditatively in the mirror.The solitary heron, standing on one leg among the broad leaves of the water-lilies, forgot that he had come out to catch frogs,and looked down his long nose,lost in thought.
池边是闷热和死静。太阳因为白天的工作,显得通红而疲倦了,当未落以前,暂时在远处的冈头休息。光滑的水面,几乎全映出它炽烈的面貌来。垂在池上的山毛榉树的叶子,趁着平静,在镜中留神地端相着自己。孤寂的苍鹭,那用一足站在睡莲的阔叶之间的,也忘却了它曾经出去捉过虾蟆,只沉在遐想中凝视着前面。

Then Johannes came to the meadow to look into the cloud-cavern.Splash,dash!the frogs went plump off the bank.The mirror was rippled,the reflection of the sun was broken up into broad bands,and the beech-leaves rustled indignantly,for they were not yet tired of looking at themselves.
这时约翰来到草地上了,为的是看看云彩的洞府。扑通,扑通!虾蟆从岸上跳下去了。水镜起了波纹,太阳的象裂成宽阔的绦带,山毛榉树的叶子也不高兴地颤动,因为他的观察还没有完。

A little old boat lay tied up to the bare roots of the beech-tree.Johannes was strictly forbidden ever to get into it.Oh!how strong was the temptation this evening!The clouds were parting into a grand gateway,through which the sun would sink to rest.Shining ranks of small clouds gathered on each side like life-guards in golden armour.The pool glowed back at them,and red rays flashed like arrows between the water-reeds.
山毛榉树的露出的根上系着一只旧的、小小的船。约翰自己上去坐,是被严厉地禁止的。唉!今晚的诱惑是多么强呵!云彩已经造成一个很大的门,太阳一定是要到那后面去安息。辉煌的小云排列成行,像一队全甲的卫士。水面也发出光闪,红的火星在芦苇间飞射,箭也似的。

Johannes very slowly untied the rope that moored the boat to the beech-root.Oh,to float out there in the midst of that glory! Presto had already jumped into the boat;and before his master knew what he was doing,the reeds had pushed it out,and they were drifting away together towards the setting sun.
约翰慢慢地从山毛榉树的根上解开船缆来。浮到那里去,那光怪陆离的中间!普烈斯多当它的主人还未准备之先,已经跳上船去了,芦苇的干子便分头弯曲,将他们俩徐徐赶出,到那用了它最末的光照射着他们的夕阳那里去。

Johannes lay in the bows staring into the heart of the cavern of light.“Wings!”thought he.“Oh,for wings now,and I should be there!”The sun was gone.The clouds were of fire.The sky in the east was deep blue.A row of willows grew on the bank.Their tiny silvery leaves stood motionless in the still air,looking like pale green lace against the dark background.
约翰倚在前舱,观览那光的洞府的深处——“翅子!”他想,“现在,翅子,往那边去!”——太阳消失了。云彩还在发光。东方的天作深蓝色。柳树沿着岸站立成行。它们不动地将那狭的、白色的叶子伸在空气里。这垂着,由暗色的后面的衬托,如同华美的浅绿的花边。

Hark!What was that? A breath flew over the surface of the pool—like a faint gust of wind making a little groove in the water.It came from the sand-hills,from the cloud-cavern.
静着!这是什么呢?水面上像是起了一个吹动——像是将水劈成一道深沟的微风的一触。这是来自沙冈,来自云的洞府的。

When Johannes looked round he saw a large blue dragon-fly sitting on the edge of the boat.He had never seen one so large.It settled there,but its wings quivered in a large circle;it seemed to Johannes that the tips of them made a ring of light.
当约翰四顾的时候,船沿上坐着一个大的蓝色的水蜻蜓。这么大的一个是他向来没有见过的。它安静地坐着,但它的翅子抖成一个大的圈。这在约翰,似乎它的翅子的尖端形成了一枚发光的戒指。

“It must be a glow-worm dragon-fly,”thought he,“and they are very seldom seen.”
“这是一个蛾儿罢,”他想,“这是很少见的。”

But the circle grew wider and wider,and the wings fluttered so fast that Johannes saw them only as a mist.And by degrees he saw out of the mist two dark eyes gleaming,and a slender,shining figure in a pale blue dress sat in the place where the dragon-fly had been.Its fair hair was crowned with a garland of white convolvulus, and on its shoulders were gauzy insect-wings glittering like a soap-bubble,with a thousand colours.A shiver of delight tingled through Johannes.Here was a miracle!
指环只是增大起来,它的翅子又抖得这样快,至使约翰只能看见一片雾。而且慢慢地觉得它,仿佛从雾中亮出两个漆黑的眼睛来,并且一个娇小的、苗条的身躯,穿着浅蓝的衣裳,坐在大蜻蜓的处所。白的旋花的冠戴在金黄的头发上,肩旁还垂着透明的翅子,肥皂泡似的千色地发光。约翰战栗了。这是一个奇迹!

“Will you be my friend?”he whispered.
“你要做我的朋友么?”他低声说。

It was an odd way of addressing a stranger,but this was not a common case.And he had a feeling as though he had always known this strange sky-blue creature.
对生客讲话,这虽是一种异样的仪节,但此地一切是全不寻常的。他又觉得,似乎这陌生的蓝东西在他是早就熟识的了。

“Yes,Johannes!”he heard,and the voice sounded like the rustling of the sedges in the evening breeze,or the whisper of rain on the leaves in the wood.
“是的,约翰!”他这样地听到,那声音如芦苇在晚风中作响,或是淅沥地洒在树林的叶上的雨声。

“What is your name?”asked Johannes.
“我怎样称呼你呢?”约翰问道。

“I was born in the bell of a bindweed flower.Call me Winde-kind.”
“我生在一朵旋花的花托里,叫我旋儿罢!”

And Windekind laughed and looked so kindly into Johannes' eyes that he felt strangely happy.
旋儿微笑着,并且很相信地看着约翰的眼睛,致使他心情觉得异样地安乐。

“To-day is my birthday,”Windekind went on,“I was born close to this spot.The last rays of the sun and the first beams of the moon are my father and mother.People in Holland call the sun she,but that is not right.The sun is my father.”
“今天是我的生日,”旋儿说,“我就生在这处所,从月亮的最初的光线和太阳的最末的。人说,太阳是女性的,但他并不是,他是我的父亲!”

Johannes made up his mind to call the sun he in school tomorrow.
约翰便慨诺,明天在学校里去说太阳是男性的。

“And look!There comes my mother's round shining face.Good-day,mother!Oh,oh!But she looks very sad!”
“看哪!母亲的圆圆的白的脸已经出来了。——谢天,母亲!唉!不,她怎么又晦暗了呢!”

He pointed to the eastern horizon.The moon was rising,broad and bright in the grey heavens,behind the lace-work of willow-twigs which stood out black against the silver disc.It really had a melancholy face.
旋儿指着东方。在灰色的天际,在柳树的暗黑地垂在晴明的空中的尖叶之后,月亮大而灿烂地上升,并且装着一副很不高兴的脸。

“Come,come,mother.There is nothing wrong.I can trust him.”
“唉,唉,母亲!——这不要紧。我能够相信他!”

The fair being fluttered his gauzy wings gleefully,and tapped Johannes on the cheek with an iris flower he had in his hand.
那美丽的东西高兴地颤动着翅子,还用他捏在手里的燕子花来打约翰,轻轻地在面庞上。

“She does not like my having come to talk to you.You are the first,you see;but I trust you,Johannes.You must never,never mention my name to any human being,nor speak of me at all.Will you promise me this?”
“我到你这里来,在她是不以为然的。你是第一个。但我相信你,约翰。你永不可在谁的面前提起我的名字,或者讲说我。你允许么?”

“Yes,Windekind,”said Johannes.It was still very strange to him.He felt happy beyond words,but feared lest his happiness should vanish.Was he dreaming? By his side,on the seat,lay Presto, sleeping quietly.His dog's warm breath reassured him.The gnats crept over the surface of the water and danced in the sultry air,just as usual.Everything about him was quite clear and real.It must be true.And he felt all the time that Windekind's trustful look was on him.Then again he heard the sweet low voice:—
“可以,旋儿。”约翰说。这一切于他还很生疏。他感到莫可名言的幸福,然而怕,他的幸福是笑话。他做梦么?靠近他在船沿上躺着普烈斯多,安静地睡着。他的小狗的温暖的呼吸使他宁帖。蚊虻们盘旋水面上,并且在菩提树空气中跳舞,也如平日一般。周围的一切都这样清楚而且分明。这应该是真实的。他又总觉得旋儿的深信的眼光,怎样地停留在他这里。于是那腴润的声音又发响了:

“I have often seen you here,Johannes.Do you know where I was? Sometimes I sat on the sand at the bottom of the pool among the thicket of water-plants,and looked up at you when you bent over to drink,or to catch the water-beetles or the efts.But you did not see me.Then again I would hide near you among the reeds.There I was very comfortable;I sleep there most times when it is warm,in an empty reed-warbler's nest.And that is deliciously soft!”
“我时常在这里看见你,约翰。你知道我在什么地方么?——我大抵坐在池的沙地上,繁密的水草之间,而且仰视你,当你为了喝水或者来看水甲虫和鲵鱼,在水上弯腰的时候。然而你永是看不见我。我也往往从茂密的芦苇中窥见你。我是常在那里的。天一热,我总在那里睡觉,在一个空的鸟巢中。是呵,这是很柔软的。”

Windekind rocked himself contentedly on the edge of the boat, hitting at the gnats with his flower.
旋儿高兴地在船沿上摇晃,还用他的花去扑飞蚊。

“Now I have come to keep you company.Your life is too dull.We shall be good friends,and I will tell you a great many things—much better things than the schoolmaster teaches you.He knows nothing about them.And if you do not believe me I will let you see and hear for yourself.I will take you with me.”
“现在我要和你作一个小聚会。你平常的生活是这么简单。我们要做好朋友,我还要讲给你许多事,比学校教师给你捆上去的好得多。他们什么都不知道。我有好得远远的来源,比书本子好得远。你倘若不信我,我就教你自己去看,去听去。我要携带你。”

“Oh,Windekind!Dear Windekind!Can you take me with you out there?”cried Johannes,pointing to the spot where the purple rays of the vanished sun had streamed out of the golden gate of clouds.The glorious structure was already fading into grey mist,but the rosy light still could be seen in the farthest depths.
“阿,旋儿,爱的旋儿!你能带我往那里去么?”约翰嚷着,一面指着那边,是落日的紫光正在黄金的云门里放光的处所。——这华美的巨象已经怕要散作苍黄的烟雾了。但从最深处,总还是冲出淡红的光来。

Windekind looked at the glow,which tinged his delicate face and fair hair,and he gently shook his head.
旋儿凝视着那光,那将他美丽的脸和他的金黄的头发镀上金色的,并且慢慢地摇头。

“Not now,not now.You must not ask too much at once, Johannes.I myself have never been to my father's home.”
“现在不!现在不,约翰。你不可立刻要求得太多。我自己就从来没有到过父亲那里哩。”

“I am always at my father's,”said Johannes.
“我是总在我的父亲那里的。”约翰说。

“No;he is not your father.We are brothers.My father is your father too.But the earth is your mother and so we are very different.And you were born in a house among men,and I in a bindweed flower;and that is much better.But we shall get on very well together nevertheless.”
“不!那不是你的父亲。我们是弟兄,我的父亲也是你的。但你的母亲是地,我们因此就很各别了。你又生在一个家庭里,在人类中,而我是在一朵旋花的花托上。这自然是好得多。然而我们仍然能够很谅解。”

Then Windekind sprang lightly into the boat,which did not rock under his weight,and kissed Johannes on the forehead.
于是旋儿轻轻一跳,到了在轻装之下毫不摇动的船的那边,一吻约翰的额。

What a strange change then came over Johannes!Everything about him seemed different.He saw everything better and more clearly,as he fancied.He saw the moon look down with a kinder glance,and he saw that the water-lilies had faces,and gazed at him in pensive amazement.He now suddenly understood why the gnats danced so merrily up and down,and round and round each other, touching the water with the tips of their long legs.He had often wondered and thought about it,but now he understood it at once.
但这于约翰是一种奇特的感觉。这时,似乎周围一切完全改变了。他觉得,这时他看得一切都更好、更分明。他看见,月亮现在怎样更加友爱地向他看;他又看见,睡莲怎样地有着面目,这都在诧异地沉思地观察他。现在他顿然懂得,蚊虻们为什么这样欢乐地上下跳舞,总是互相环绕,高高低低,直到它们用它们的长腿触着水面。他于此早就仔细地思量过,但这时却自然懂得了。

He heard too what the reeds whispered to the trees on the bank, softly complaining that the sun had gone down.
他又听得,芦苇絮语些什么,岸边的树木如何低声叹息,说是太阳下去了。

“Oh!Windekind,thank you,this is glorious.Yes;we shall be very happy together!”
“阿,旋儿!我感谢你,这确是可观。是的,我们将要很了解了。”

“Give me your hand,”said Windekind,spreading his many-coloured wings.Then he drew Johannes in the boat over the pool through the splashing leaves which glistened in the moonlight.
“将你的手交给我。”旋儿说,一面展开彩色的翅子来。他于是拉着船里的约翰,经过了在月光下发亮的水蔷薇的叶子,走到水上去。

Here and there a frog was sitting on a leaf;but he did not now leap into the water when Johannes came by.He only made a little bow and said,“Quaak.”Johannes politely bowed in return;above all,he would not seem ill-bred.
处处有一匹虾蟆坐在叶子上。但这时它已不像约翰来的时候似的跳下水去了。它只向他略略鞠躬,并且说:“阁阁!”约翰也用了同等的鞠躬,回报这敬礼。他毫不愿意显出一点傲慢来。

Then they came to the reeds;they grew so far out into the water that the whole boat was swallowed up in them without touching the shore.But Johannes held fast to his leader and they scrambled to land between the tall stems.
于是他们到了芦苇旁——这很广阔,他们还未到岸的时候,全船就隐没在那里面了。但约翰却紧牵着他的同伴,他们就从高大的干子之间爬到陆地上。

It seemed to Johannes that he had grown quite small and light, but perhaps that was fancy.Still,he could not remember that he had ever before been able to climb up a sedge.
约翰很明白,他变为很小而轻了,然而这大概不过是想象。他能够在一枝芦干上爬上去,他却是未曾想到的。

“Now,keep your eyes open,”said Windekind,“and you shall see something pretty.”
“留神罢,”旋儿说,“你就要看见好看的事了。”

They walked on among the tall grass and under dark brushwood which here and there let through a bright narrow streak of moonlight.
他们在偶然透过几条明亮的月光的、昏暗的丛莽之下,穿着丰草前行。

“Did you ever hear the crickets of an evening out on the sand-hills,Johannes? It is as if they were giving a concert,isn't it? And you can never find out exactly where the sound comes from.Now they do not sing for pleasure:the voices come from the crickets' school,where hundreds of little crickets are learning their lessons.Be quite still,for we are near them now.”
“你晚上曾在冈子上听到过蟋蟀么,约翰?是不是呢,它们像是在合奏,而你总不能听出,那声音是从什么地方来的。唔,它们唱,并非为了快乐,你所听到的那声音,是来自蟋蟀学校的,成百的蟋蟀们就在那里练习它们的功课。静静的罢,我们就要到了。”

Shurr!Shurr!
嘶尔尔!嘶尔尔!

The bushes were thinner here,and when Windekind pushed the grass stems aside with his flower,Johannes saw a beautiful open glade where,among the fine spiky grass of the down,the crickets were busy reading their lessons.
丛莽露出光来了,当旋儿用花推开草茎的时候,约翰看见一片明亮的、开阔的地面,小蟋蟀们就在那里做着那些事,在薄的、狭的冈草上练习它们的功课。

Shurr!Shurr!
嘶尔尔!嘶尔尔!

A great stout cricket was master and teacher.One after another the pupils skipped up to him with one leap forward and one leap back again.The cricket who missed his leap had to stand on a toadstool.
一个大的,肥胖的蟋蟀是教员,监视着学课。学生们一个跟着一个的,向它跳过去,总是一跳就到,又一跳回到原地方。有谁跳错了,便该站在地菌上受罚。

“Now listen,Johannes,”said Windekind;“you too may perhaps learn something.”
“好好地听着罢,约翰!你也许能在这里学一点。”旋儿说。

Johannes could understand what the little crickets said.But it was not at all the same as the master at his school taught him.First came geography:they knew nothing of the quarters of the world.They only knew twenty-six sand-hills at most,and two ponds.No one could know of anything beyond,said the master,and what was told of it was mere idle fancy.
蟋蟀怎样地回答,约翰很懂得。但那和教员在学校里的讲说,是全不相同的。最先是地理。它们不知道世界的各部分。它们只要熟悉二十六个沙冈和两个池。凡有较远的,就没有人能够知道一点点。那教师说,凡讲起这些的,不过是一种幻想罢了。

Then came the botany lesson.They were all very sharp at this, and many prizes were given,consisting of the youngest and sweetest blades of grass of various length.But the zoology was what most puzzled Johannes.The animals were classified as leaping,flying, and creeping.The crickets could leap and fly,and thus stood at the head of all;next to them the frogs.Birds were mentioned with every sign of horror,as most malignant and dangerous creatures.Finally man was spoken of.He was a huge useless and mischievous being, very low in the scale,as he could neither leap nor fly;but happily he was very rarely met with.A very tiny cricket,who had never yet seen a man,had three blows with a reed for including man among the harmless beasts.
这回轮到植物学了。它们于此都学得不错,并且分给了许多奖赏:各样长的、特别嫩的、脆的草干子。但约翰最为惊奇的是动物学。动物被区分为跳的、飞的和爬的。蟋蟀能够跳和飞,就站在最高位,其次是虾蟆。鸟类被它们用了种种愤激的表示,说成最大的祸害和危险。最末也讲到人类。那是一种大的、无用而有害的动物,是站在进化的很低的阶级上的,因为这既不能跳,也不能飞,但幸而还少见。一个小蟋蟀,还没有见过一个人,误将人类数在无害的动物里面了,就得了草干子的三下责打。

Johannes had never heard anything like this before.
约翰从来没有听到过这等事!

Then the master called out:“Silence!Leaping exercise!”
教师忽然高呼道:“静着!练跳!”

And the little crickets immediately ceased conning their lessons, and began to play leap-frog,in the cleverest and nimblest way,the big teacher at their head.
一切蟋蟀们便立刻停了学习,很敏捷很勤快地翻起筋斗来。胖教员带领着。

It was such a merry sight that Johannes clapped his hands with glee;but at that sound,the whole school vanished in an instant into the sand-hills,and the grass plot was as still as death.
这是很滑稽的美观,致使约翰愉快得拍手。它们一听到,全校便骤然在冈上迸散,草地上也即成了死静了。

“There,that is your doing,Johannes!You must not behave so roughly.It is easy enough to see that you were born among men.”
“唉,这是你呀,约翰!你举动不要这么粗蛮!大家会看出,你是生在人类中的。”

“I am so sorry!I will do my best.But it was so funny!”
“我很难过,下回我要好好地留心,但那也实在太滑稽了。”

“It will be still funnier,”said Windekind.
“滑稽的还多哩。”旋儿说。

They crossed the grass plot and went up the down on the other side.Oof!it was hard walking in the heavy sand;but as soon as Johannes held on to the pale-blue robe he flew upwards,lightly and swiftly.Half-way up there was a rabbit-burrow.The rabbit who lived there was lying with his head and forepaws over the edge.The wild roses were still in bloom,and their sweet,delicate fragrance mingled with that of the thyme which grew on the sand-hill.
他们经过草地,就从那一边走到冈上。呸!这是厚的沙土里面的工作!——但待到约翰抓住旋儿的透明的蓝衣,他便轻易地、迅速地飞上去了。冈头的中途是一匹野兔的窠。在那里住家的兔子,用头和爪躺在洞口,以享受这佳美的夜气。冈蔷薇还在蓓蕾,而它那细腻的、娇柔的香气,是混和着生在冈上的麝香草的花香。

Johannes had often seen rabbits pop into their holes,and had wondered what the burrows looked like inside,and how they sat there together,and would they not be stifled?
约翰常看见野兔躲进它的洞里去,一面就自己问:“那里面是什么情形呢?能有多少聚在那里呢?它们不担心么?”

So he was very glad when he heard his companion ask the rabbit whether they might step in.
待到他听见他的同伴在问野兔,是否可以参观一回洞穴,他就非常高兴了。

“So far as I am concerned,and welcome,”said the rabbit.“But it most unfortunately happens that I have this very evening lent my burrow for a charitable entertainment,and so am not properly master in my own house.”
“在我是可以的,”那兔说,“但适值不凑巧,我今晚正把我的洞穴交出,去开一个慈善事业的典礼了,因此在自己的家里便并不是主人。”

“Dear,dear!Has some disaster occurred?”
“哦,哦,是出了不幸的事么?”

“Oh,yes!”said the rabbit sadly—“a terrible misfortune!It will take us years to get over it.About a dozen jumps from here,a man's house has been built,so big,so big!And its men are come to live there with dogs.Seven members of my family have already perished,and three times as many holes have been robbed.The mouse family and the mole tribe have fared no better.Even the toads have suffered.So now we are giving an entertainment for the benefit of the survivors.Every one does what he can;I have lent my burrow.One must find something to spare for one's fellow-creatures.”
“唉,是呵!”野兔伤感地说,“一个大大的打击,我们要几年痛不完。从这里一千跳之外,造起一所人类的住所来了。这么大,这么大!——人们便搬到那里去了,带着狗。我家的七个分子,就在那里被祸,而无家可归的还有三倍之多。于老鼠这一伙和土拨鼠的家属尤为不利。癞虾蟆也大受侵害了。于是我们便为着遗族们开一个会,各人能什么,他就做什么。我是交出我的洞来。大家总该给它们的同类留下一点什么的。”

The polite rabbit sighed and passed his long ear over his face with his right forepaw,as though to wipe a tear from his eye.It was his pocket-handkerchief.
富于同情的野兔叹息着,并且用它的右前爪将长耳朵从头上拉过来,来拭干一滴泪。这样的是它的手巾。

There was a rustling sound in the grass and a fat,heavy body came shuffling up to the hole.
冈草里索索地响起来,一个肥胖的、笨重的身躯来到洞穴。

“Look,”said Windekind,“here comes daddy toad too,all humped up.Well,how are you getting on,old fellow?”
“看哪!”旋儿大声说,“硕鼠伯伯来了。”

The toad made no reply.He carefully laid an ear of corn neatly wrapped in a dry leaf close to the entrance,and nimbly climbed over the rabbit's back into the hole.
那硕鼠并不留心旋儿的话,将一枝用干叶包好的整谷穗,安详地放在洞口,就灵敏地跳过野兔的脊梁,进洞去了。

“May we go in?”said Johannes,who was excessively inquisitive.“I will give something.”
“我们可以进去么?”实在好奇的约翰问,“我也愿意捐一点东西。”

He remembered that he still had a biscuit in his pocket—a little round biscuit,from Huntley and Palmer's.When he took it out he at once observed how much smaller he had grown.He could scarcely grasp it with both hands,and could not understand how his breeches pocket had still held it.
他记得衣袋里还有一个饼干。当他拿了出来时,这才确实觉到,他变得怎样地小了。他用了两只手才能将这捧起来,还诧异在他的衣袋里怎么会容得下。

“That is most rare and precious!”cried the rabbit.“That is a princely donation!”
“这是很少见,很宝贵的!”野兔嚷着,“好阔绰的礼物!”

And he respectfully made way for them to pass.It was dark in the burrow,and Johannes let Windekind lead the way.Soon they saw a pale-green light approaching them.It was a glow-worm,who obligingly offered to light them.
它十分恭敬地允许两个进门。洞里很黑暗,约翰愿意使旋儿在前面走。但即刻他们看见一点淡绿的小光,向他们近来了。这是一个火萤,为要使他们满意,来照他们的。

“It promises to be a delightful evening,”said the glow-worm as they went forward.“There are a great number of guests.You are elves as it seems to me—are you not?”And the glow-worm glanced doubtfully at Johannes as he spoke.
“今天晚上看来是要极其漂亮的,”火萤前导着说,“这里早有许多来客了。我觉得你们是妖精,对不对?”那火萤一面看定了约翰,有些怀疑。

“You may announce us as elves,”replied Windekind.
“你将我们当作妖精去禀报就是了。”旋儿回答说。

“Do you know that your king is of the party?”the glow-worm went on.
“你们可知道,你们的王也在赴会么?”火萤接着道。

“Is Oberon here? Well,I am pleased indeed,”cried Windekind.“He is a personal friend of mine.”
“上首在这里么?这使我非常喜欢!”旋儿大声说,“我本身和他认识的。”

“Oh!”said the glow-worm.“I did not know that I had the honour—”and his light almost went out with alarm.“Yes,his Majesty prefers the outer air as a rule,but he is always to be seen at a beneficent meeting.It will be really a most brilliant affair.”
“阿呀!”火萤说,“我不知道我有光荣。”因为惊讶,它的小光几乎消灭了。“是呵,陛下平时最爱的是自由空气,但为了慈善的目的,他倒是什么都可以的。这要成为一个很有光彩的会罢。”

And so indeed it was.The chief apartment in the rabbit-burrow was beautifully decorated;the floor was patted flat and strewn with scented thyme,and over the entrance a bat hung head downwards.He called out the names of the guests,and at the same time his wings served as curtains—a most economical arrangement.The walls were tastefully lined with dry leaves,cobwebs,and tiny hanging bats.Glowworms innumerable crept between them and over the ceiling, forming a very pretty and twinkling illumination.At the end of this hall stood a throne made of fragments of decayed wood which gave a light of themselves.That was a very pretty sight.
那也的确。鬼子建筑里的大堂,是辉煌地装饰了。地面踏得很坚实,还撒上含香的麝香草;进口的前面用后脚斜挂着一只蝙蝠;它禀报来客,同时又当着帘幕的差。这是一种节省的办法。大堂的墙上都用了枯叶、蛛网以及小小的、挂着的小蝙蝠极有趣致地装璜着。无数的火萤往来其间,还在顶上盘旋,造成一个动心的活动的照耀。大堂上面是朽烂的树干所做的宝座,放着光,弄出金刚石一般的结果来。这是一个辉煌的情景!

There were a great many guests.Johannes felt very shy in this crowd of strangers,and clung closely to Windekind.He saw wonderful things there.A mole was talking to a field-mouse of the charming effect of the lighting and decorations.Two fat toads sat together in a corner,shaking their heads and lamenting over the persistent drought.A frog tried to walk round the room arm in arm with a lizard;but this was a failure,for he was embarrassed and excited,and now and then made too long a leap,whereby he somewhat damaged the wall decorations.
早有了许多来客了。约翰在这生疏的环境中,觉得只像在家里的一半,惟有紧紧地靠着旋儿。他看见稀奇的东西。一匹土拨鼠极有兴会地和野鼠议论着美观的灯和装饰。一个角落里坐着两个肥胖的癞虾蟆,还摇着头诉说长久的旱天。一个虾蟆想挽着手引一个蝎虎穿过大堂去,这于它很为难,因为它是略有些神经兴奋和躁急的,所以它每一回总将墙上的装饰弄得非常凌乱了。

On the throne sat Oberon,the Elfin King,surrounded by his little train of elves who looked down on the rest of the company with some contempt.The King himself was full of royal condescension, and conversed in the most friendly way with several of the company.He had just arrived from a journey in the East,and wore a strange garment of brightly coloured flower-petals.“Such flowers do not grow here,”thought Johannes.On his head he had a dark blue flower-cup which still shed a fresh perfume as though it had but just been plucked.In his hand he carried the stamen of a lotus-flower as a sceptre.
宝座上坐着上首,妖的王,围绕着一小群妖精的侍从,有几个轻蔑地俯视着周围。王本身是照着王模样,出格地和蔼,并且和各种来客亲睦地交谈。他是从东方旅行来的,穿一件奇特的衣服,用美观的、各色的花叶制成。这里并不生长这样的花,约翰想。他头上戴一个深蓝的花托,散出新鲜的香气,像新折一般。在手里他拿着莲花的一条花须,当作御杖。

All the company were struck with silent admiration of his condescension.He had praised the moonlight over the downs,and had said that the glow-worms here were as beautiful as the fire-flies in the East.He had also glanced with approval at the decorations, and a mole had observed that he had nodded his head very graciously.
一切与会的都受着他的恩泽。他称赞这里的月光,还说,本地的火萤也美丽,几乎和东方的飞萤相同。他又很合意地看了墙上的装饰,一个土拨鼠还看出陛下曾经休憩,惬意地点着头。

“Come along,”said Windekind to Johannes.“I will present you.”And they made their way to the King's throne.
“同我走,”旋儿对约翰说,“我要引见你。”于是他们直冲到王的座前。

Oberon opened his arms with joy when he saw Windekind, and embraced him.There was a murmur among the guests,and unfriendly glances from the Elfin court.The two fat toads in the corner muttered something about“flattery”and“servility”and“it would not last”—and nodded significantly to each other.Windekind talked to Oberon for a long time in an unknown language,and then beckoned to Johannes to come forward.
上首一认出旋儿,便高兴地伸开两臂,并且和他接吻。这在宾客之间搅起了私语,妖精的侍从中是嫉妒的眼光。那在角落里的两个肥胖的癞虾蟆,絮说些“谄媚者”、“乞怜者”和“不会长久的”,而且别有用意地点头。旋儿和上首谈得很久,用了异样的话,于是就将约翰招过去。

“Shake hands,Johannes,”said the King.“Windekind's friends are my friends.So far as I can,I will gladly serve you.I will give you a token of our alliance.”
“给我手,约翰!”那王说,“旋儿的朋友就是我的朋友。凡我能够的,我都愿意帮助你。我要给你我们这一党的表记。”

Oberon took a tiny gold key from the chain he wore about his neck and gave it to Johannes,who received it with great respect and clasped it tightly in his hand.
上首从他的项链上解下一个小小的金的锁匙来,递给约翰。他十分恭敬地接受了,紧紧地捏在手里。

“That key may bring you luck,”the King went on.“It opens a golden casket which contains a priceless treasure.But where that is I cannot tell you;you must search for it diligently.If you remain good friends with me,and with Windekind,and are steadfast and true,you may very likely succeed.”
“这匙儿能是你的幸福,”王接着说,“这能开一个金的小箱,藏些高贵的至宝的。然而谁有这箱,我却不能告诉你。你只要热心地寻求。倘使你和我和旋儿长做好朋友而且忠实,那于你就要成功了。”

The Elfin King nodded his handsome head with hearty kindness, and Johannes thanked him,greatly delighted.
妖王于是和蔼地点着他美丽的头,约翰喜出望外地向他致谢。

Hereupon three frogs,who sat perched on a little cushion of moist moss,began to sing the prelude to a slow waltz,and the couples stood up.Those who did not dance were requested by a green lizard—who acted as master of the ceremonies and who rushed hither and thither very busily—to move into the corners;to the great indignation of the two toads,who complained that they could not see;and then the dancing began.
坐在湿的莓苔的略高处的三个虾蟆,联成慢圆舞的领导,对偶也配搭起来了。有谁不跳舞,便被一个绿色的蜥蜴,这是充当司仪,并且奔忙于职务的,推到旁边去,那两个癞虾蟆就大烦恼,一齐诉苦,说它们不能看见了。这时跳舞已经开头。

It was very droll at first.Each one danced after his own fashion and naturally imagined that he did it better than any one else.The mice and frogs leaped as high as they could on their hind legs;an old rat spun round so roughly that all the rest had to keep out of his way;and even a fat slug ventured to take a turn with a mole,but soon gave it up,excusing herself by saying that she had a stitch in her side—the real reason was that she could not do it well.
但这确是可笑!各个都用了它的本相跳舞,并且自然地摆出那一种态度,以为它所做的比别个好得多。老鼠和虾蟆站起后脚高高地跳着,一个年老的硕鼠旋得如此粗野,使所有跳舞者都从它的前面躲向旁边,还有一匹惟一的肥胖的树蜗牛,敢于和土拨鼠来转一圈,但不久便被抛弃了,在前墙之下,以致她(译者按:蜗牛)因此得了腰胁痛,那实在的原因,倒是因为她不很懂得那些事。

However,the dance went on very gravely and ceremoniously.Every one regarded it as a matter of conscience,and glanced anxiously at the King to see some token of approval on his countenance.But the King was afraid of causing jealousies,and looked quite unmoved.His suite thought it beneath them to dance with the rest.
然而一切都做得很诚实而庄严。大家很有几分将这些看作荣耀,并且惴惴地窥伺王,想在他的脸上看出一点赞赏的表示。王却怕惹起不满,只是凝视着前方。他的侍从人等,那看重它们的技艺的品格,来参与跳舞的,是高傲地旁观着。

Johannes had stood among them quite quietly for a long time;but he saw a little toad waltzing with a tall lizard who sometimes lifted the hapless toad so-high above the ground that she described a semicircle in the air,and his amusement burst out in a hearty laugh.
约翰熬得很久了。待到他看见,一匹大的蜥蜴怎样地抡着一个小小的癞虾蟆,时常将这可怜的癞虾蟆从地面高高举起,并且在空中抡一个半圆,便在响亮的哄笑里,发泄出他的兴致来了。

What an excitement it caused!The music ceased.The King looked angrily about him.The master of the ceremonies flew in all haste to implore Johannes to behave less frivolously.
这惹起了一个激动。音乐喑哑了。王严厉地四顾。司仪员向笑者飞奔过去,并且严重地申斥他,举动须要合礼。

“Dancing is a very serious thing,”said he,“and certainly no subject for laughter.This is a very distinguished party,where people do not dance for amusement.Every one is doing his best and no one expects to be laughed at.It is extremely rude.Besides,this is a mourning feast,on a very melancholy occasion.You must behave suitably,and not as if you were among men and women.”
“跳舞是一件最庄重的事,”它说,“毫没有什么可笑的。这里是一个高尚的集会,大家在这里跳舞并非单为了游戏。各显各的特长,没有一个会希望被笑的。这是大不敬。除此之外,大家在这里是一个悲哀的仪节,为了重大的原因。在这里举动务须合礼,也不要做在人类里面似的事!”

Johannes was quite alarmed.On every side he met disapproving looks;his intimacy with the King had already made him some enemies.Windekind led him aside.
这使约翰害怕起来了。他到处看见仇视的眼光。他和王的亲密给他招了许多的仇敌。旋儿将他拉在旁边:

“We shall do better to go,Johannes,”he whispered.“You have spoilt it all.Yes,yes;that comes of having been brought up among men.”
“我们还是走的好罢,约翰!”他低声说,“你将这又闹坏了。是呵,是呵,如果从人类中教育出来的,就那样!”

They hastily slipped out under the wings of the porter bat,into the dark passage.The glow-worm in waiting attended them to the door.“Have you been amused?”he asked.“Did King Oberon speak to you?”
他们慌忙从蝙蝠门房的翅子下潜行,走到黑暗的路上。恭敬的火萤等着他们。“你们好好地行乐了么?”它问,“你们和上首大王扳谈了么?”

“Oh,yes;it was a beautiful party,”replied Johannes.“Must you stay here in the dark passage all the time?”
“唉,是的!那是一个有趣的会,”约翰说,“你必须永站在这暗路上么?”

“It is my own free choice,”said the glow-worm in a tone of bitter melancholy.“I have given up all such vanities.”
“这是本身的自由的选择,”火萤用了悲苦的声音说,“我再不能参与这样无聊的集会了。”

“Come,”said Windekind;“you do not mean that.”
“去罢!”旋儿说,“你并不这样想。”

“Indeed I do.Formerly—formerly—there was a time when I too went to banquets,and danced and cared for such frivolities.But now I am crushed by suffering—now—”And he was so much overcome that his light went out.
“然而这是实情。早先——早先有一时,我也曾参与过各种的会,跳舞,徘徊。但现在我是被忧愁扫荡了,现在……”它还这样的激动,至于消失了它的光。

Fortunately they were close to the opening,and the rabbit,who heard them coming,stood a little on one side so that the moonlight shone in.
幸而他们已近洞口,野兔听得他们临近,略向旁边一躲,放进月光来。

As soon as they were outside with the rabbit,Johannes said—“Tell us your history,Glow-worm.”
他们一到外面野兔的旁边,约翰说:“那么,就给我讲你的故事罢,火萤!”

“Alas!”sighed the glow-worm,“it is simple and sad.It will not amuse you.”
“唉!”火萤叹息,“这事是简单而且悲伤。这不使你们高兴。”

“Tell it,tell it all the same,”they all cried.
“讲罢,讲它就是!”大家都嚷起来。

“Well—you all know of course,that we glow-worms are very remarkable creatures.Yes,I believe that no one will venture to dispute that we are the most gifted creatures in existence.”
“那么,你们都知道,我们火萤是极其异乎寻常的东西。是呵,我觉得,谁也不能否认,我们火萤是一切生物中最有天禀的。”

“Pray why? I do not see that!”said the rabbit.
“何以呢?这我却愿意知道。”野兔说。

“Can you give light?”asked the glow-worm contemptuously.
火萤渺视地回答道:“你们能发光么?”

“No,certainly not,”the rabbit was forced to admit.
“不,这正不然。”野兔只得赞成。

“Well,we give light!all of us.And we can let it shine or extinguish it at will.Light is the best of nature's gifts,and to give light is the highest function to which a living creature can attain.Can any one now doubt our pre-eminence? Besides,we,the males, have wings and can fly for miles.”
“那么,我们发光,我们大家!我们还能够随意发光或者熄灭。光是最高的天赋,而一个生物能发最高的光。还有谁要和我们竞争前列么?我们男的此外还有翅子,并且能够飞到几里远。”

“That I cannot do,”the rabbit humbly owned.
“这我也不能。”野兔谦逊地自白。

“For the divine gift of light which we possess,all other creatures look up to us;no bird may attack us.One animal alone,the lowest of them all,seeks us out and carries us off.That is man—the vilest monster in creation!”
“就因为我们有发光的天赋,”火萤接着说,“别的动物也哀矜我们,没有鸟来攻击我们。只有一种动物,是一切中最低级的那个,搜寻我们,还捉了我们去。那就是人,是造物的最蛮横的出产。”

At this Johannes looked round at Windekind as though he did not understand the meaning of it.But Windekind smiled and nodded to him to say nothing.
说到这里,约翰注视着旋儿,似乎不懂它。旋儿只微笑,并且示意他,教他不开口。

“Once I flew gaily about the world like a bright will-o'-the-wisp among the dark bushes.And in a lonely damp meadow,on the bank of a stream,dwelt she whose existence was inseparably bound up with my happiness.She glittered in exquisite emerald green light as she crept among the grass stems,and she entirely possessed my youthful heart.I fluttered round her and did my utmost to attract her attention by changing my light.I gladly perceived that she noticed my salutation and eclipsed her own light.Tremulous with devotion, I was about to fold my wings and drop in ecstasy at the side of my radiant and adored one,when a tremendous noise filled the air.Dark figures were approaching:they were men.I fled in terror.They rushed after me and struck at me with great black tilings,but my wings were swifter than their clumsy legs.—When I returned—”
“有一回,我也往来飞翔,一个明亮的迷光,高兴地在黑暗的丛莽里,在寂寞的潮湿的草上,在沟的岸边。这里生活着她,她的存在,和我的幸福是分不开的。她华美地在蓝的碧玉光中灿烂着,当她顺着草爬行的时候,很强烈地蛊惑了我的少年的心。我绕着她飞翔,还竭力用了颜色的变换来牵引她的注意。幸而我看出,她已经怎样地收受了我的敬礼,腼腆地将她的光儿韬晦了。因为感动而发着抖,我知道收敛起我的翅子,降到我的爱者那里去,其时正有一种强大的声响弥满着空中。暗黑的形体近来了。那是人类。我骇怕得奔逃。他们追赶我,还用一种沉重的、乌黑的东西照着我打。但我的翅子担着我是比他们的笨重的腿要快一点的。待到我回来的时候……”

Here the narrator's voice failed him.It was only after a pause of silent meditation,while his three hearers reverently kept silence,that he went on:
讲故事的至此停止说话了。先是寂静的刺激一刹那——这时三个听的都惴惴地沉默着——它才接着说:

“You have guessed the rest.My gentle bride,the brightest and most sparkling of her kind,had disappeared,carried away by cruel men.The peaceful,moist grass plot was trodden down,and her favourite place by the stream was dark and desolate.I was alone in the world.”
“你们早经料到了。我的娇嫩的未婚妻——一切中最灿烂和最光明的——她是消失了,给恶意的人们捉去了。闲静的、潮湿的小草地是踏坏了,而她那在沟沿的心爱的住所是惨淡和荒凉。我在世界上是孤独了。”

Here the tender-hearted rabbit again used his ear to wipe a tear from his eyes.
多感的野兔仍旧拉过耳朵来,从眼里拭去一滴泪。

“From that night I am an altered creature.I have a horror of all vain amusements.I think only of her whom I have lost,and of the time when I may see her again.”
“从此以后我就改变了。一切轻浮的娱乐我都反对。我只记得我所失掉的她,还想着我和她再会的时候。”

“What,have you still a hope?”asked the rabbit in surprise.
“这样么?你还有这样的希望么?”野兔高兴地问。

“I have more than hope;I have assurance.Up there I shall see my beloved once more.”
“比希望还要切实,我有把握的。在那上面我将再会我的爱者。”

“But—”the rabbit put in.
“然而……”野兔想反驳。

“Rab,”said the glow-worm solemnly,“I can understand the doubts of those who must feel their way in the dark.But to those who can see with their own eyes!—then all doubt is to me incomprehensible.There!”cried the glow-worm,looking reverently up at the twinkling,starry sky,“I see them there!All my ancestors, all my friends,—and she among them—they shine up there in still greater radiance than here on earth.Ah!when shall I be released from this lower life and fly to her who twinkles at me so tenderly.When,ah!when?”
“兔儿,”火萤严肃地说,“我知道,只有应该在昏暗里彷徨的,才会怀疑。然而如果是看得见的,如果是用自己的眼来看的,那就凡有不确的事于我是一个疑案。那边!”光虫说,并且敬畏地仰看着种满星星的天空,“我在那边看见她!一切我的祖先,一切我的朋友,以及她,我看见较之在这地上,更其分明地发着威严的光辉。唉唉,什么时候我才能蓦地离于这空虚的生活,飞到那诱引着招致我的她那里去呢?唉唉!什么时候,什么时候……?”

The glow-worm turned away with a sigh,and crept back into the dark again.
光虫叹息着,离开它的听者,又爬进黑暗的洞里去了。

“Poor fellow!”said the rabbit,“I hope he may be right.”
“可怜的东西!”野兔说,“我盼望,它不错。”

“I hope so too,”added Johannes.
“我也盼望。”约翰赞同着。

“I have my fears,”said Windekind.“But it was very interesting.”
“我以为未必,”旋儿说,“然而那倒很动人。”

“Dear Windekind,”Johannes began,“I am very tired and sleepy.”
“爱的旋儿,”约翰说,“我很疲倦,也要睡了。”

“Come close to me,then,and I will cover you with my cloak.”
“那么来罢,你躺在这里我的旁边,我要用我的氅衣盖着你。”

Windekind took off his blue mantle and spread it over Johannes and himself.So they lay down together in the sweet moss on the down,their arms round each other's necks.
旋儿取了他的蓝色的小氅衣,盖了约翰和自己。他们就这样躺在冈坡的发香的草上,彼此紧紧地拥抱着。

“Your heads lie rather low,”cried the rabbit.“Will you rest them against me?”And so they did.
“你们将头放得这么平,”野兔大声说,“你们愿意枕着我么?”这一个贡献他们不能拒绝。

“Good-night,mother!”said Windekind to the Moon.
“好晚上,母亲。”旋儿对月亮说。

And Johannes shut his hand tight on the little golden key,laid his head on the downy fur of the good-natured rabbit,and slept soundly.
于是约翰将金的小锁匙紧握在手中,将头靠在好心的野兔的蒙茸的毛上,静静地酣睡了。


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