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书虫4级《红字》9.逃亡

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2022年10月02日

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9.Escape

On the morning of Election Day, when the townspeople came together to meet their newly elected Governor, Hester Prynne came into the market-place in her usual dress of grey cloth, with the scarlet letter on her bosom. The quiet, sad look on her face hid the excitement deep inside her. Who in the crowd could guess her thoughts that day?

Look for the last time at the scarlet letter and its wearer! In a little while I will be beyond your reach! I will be free, and the scarlet letter of shame, which has burned on my bosom for seven long years, will lie for ever at the bottom of the sea!

Little Pearl, sensitive to her mother's excitement without knowing the reason for it, was dancing along at Hester's side, singing or giving happy little shouts.

Why are the people not working today, Mother?' she asked, when she saw the crowd in the market-place. 'And look how many strangers there are here today—Indians and sailors among them. What is everyone waiting for?'

They are waiting to see the new Governor go past,' answered Hester. 'And the magistrates and the priests, and all the great and good people, with the soldiers marching in front of them to the music.'

Will Mr Dimmesdale be there?' asked Pearl. 'Will he hold out both his hands to me, as he did that day in the forest?'

He will be there, child,' said Hester. 'But he will not speak to you today, and you must not speak to him.'

What a strange, sad man he is,' said the child. 'He held your hand and mine at night on the scaffold, and again in the forest. But here on this sunny day, among all the people, he does not know us, and we must not speak to him. What a strange, sad man, with his hand always over his heart.'

Be quiet, Pearl!' said Hester. 'You don't understand these things. Don't think about the priest. Look around, and see how happy everyone is today, on this holiday.'

And it was true. Most people were smiling, and there was a lot of talk and laughter. The sailors from the Spanish ship, with their sunburnt faces and long beards, were noisier than most. They shouted and laughed, and drank wine from bottles. Sailors in those days obeyed only the laws of the sea, and were allowed to do much as they liked on land. Even the Puritans smiled at their noisy ways.

So it was no surprise to anyone to see a respectable man like old Roger Chillingworth come into the market-place, speaking with the captain of the ship.

Moments later, when the two men went their separate ways, the captain walked across to Hester Prynne. As usual, people avoided standing near her, which meant that she and the captain could talk privately.

So, mistress,' said the captain, 'another one to join you! And with two doctors—our own ship's doctor and this other doctor—we need not fear ship-fever on this voyage!'

What do you mean?' said Hester, alarmed. 'You have another passenger?'

Didn't you know that this doctor—Chillingworth, he calls himself—has decided to travel with you?' said the captain. 'Oh, but you must know! He told me he's a good friend of the gentleman you spoke about.'

They—they know each other well,' agreed Hester, trying desperately to look calm. 'They live in the same house.'

No more words were spoken between them, but at that moment she saw old Roger Chillingworth, standing in a far corner of the market-place. He was smiling at her—a smile which, even across the wide and busy square, carried secret and fearful meaning.

Before she could think clearly again, there was the sound of music, and a moment later she saw the band coming, followed by soldiers. Little Pearl laughed and jumped up and down excitedly. Next came the magistrates, and then the priests. Mr Dimmesdale was among them, but although his feet marched with the music, it is doubtful whether he actually heard it, as he seemed to be deep in thought.

Hester watched him, and her heart was heavy. Was this the same man who had sat with her in the forest, holding her hand? He looked so different now, walking proudly, with his head held high, and without a single look at her.

It was a dream,' she thought. 'There can be no real love between us. How can there be? A man in his position.'

Pearl noticed the sadness which had suddenly come over her mother, and became worried and uncomfortable. When the priests had gone by, she looked into her mother's face and said, 'Is that the same priest who kissed me in the forest?'

Be quiet, little Pearl!' whispered her mother. 'We must not talk in the market-place about the things that happen to us in the forest!'

Then she heard her name spoken, and turned to see Mistress Hibbins behind her.

Now, who would believe it?' the old lady whispered to Hester. 'Look at our priest, Mr Dimmesdale! He looks so godly today! And only a little while since he went from his study to walk in the forest! Ah! And we know what that means, Hester Prynne! Can you be sure, Hester, that he is the same man that you met among the trees?'

Mistress Hibbins, I don't know what you are talking about,' said Hester. Was the old woman as mad as she seemed? Did she really dance in the forest with the Evil One, the Devil himself?

Come, come, Hester! The Dark One knows those who have signed their names in his book!' And laughing crazily, Mistress Hibbins walked on.

By this time, the first prayers had been said in the church meeting-house, and Hester could hear Mr Dimmesdale beginning his sermon. She stood close to the scaffold platform where she could hear most of his words.

His voice was strong and clear and sweet. Sometimes he spoke quietly, and at other times with great passion. But Hester, who knew the guilt and misery in his heart, could hear in his voice a cry of pain. A cry from the very soul of the man! She listened, unable to move from the scaffold, that place of public shame which she knew so well.

Little Pearl, meanwhile, had moved away and was playing and dancing about in the market-place. Whenever she saw something which interested her, she ran across to it. She ran to stare at a group of Indians, then ran into the centre of a group of sailors, who laughed and tried to join in her game, but she would not let them.

The captain tried to kiss her, but she danced away. Then he called to her.

Your mother is the woman with the scarlet letter, isn't she?' he said. 'Will you give her a message? Tell her that I spoke with the old doctor, and he will bring the other gentleman to the ship with him. She need only take herself and you. Will you tell her that?'

Pearl ran through the crowd to her mother, and repeated the captain's words. Hester listened with a growing misery. The plan for herself and the priest now seemed hopeless.

And even as she suffered this great disappointment, a crowd was coming together around Hester, mostly people from the countryside who had heard about but not seen 'the woman with the scarlet letter' and wanted to stare at her. The Indians, too, came to look.

And while Hester stood in the centre of that circle of shame, Mr Arthur Dimmesdale stood in the church and received the love and respect of all who listened to him.

When he finished his sermon, there was silence inside the meeting-house. A minute later, the crowd began to leave the church, all talking at once. How beautifully their good Mr Dimmesdale had spoken, they said! What a wise and godly man he was!

There was a sadness too, not in the words themselves but in the way he spoke them. A sadness of someone who is about to die. Yes, their priest, whom they loved, and who loved them, had the sound of a man who would not be in this world for much longer.

And Mr Dimmesdale? It was his proudest moment.

Now the band began to play again, and the soldiers got ready to lead everyone to the town hall. The people stepped back to make room for the Governor, the magistrates, the officers of the town, and the priests. They shouted and waved, but the noise began to die away as the crowd saw their young priest, Mr Dimmesdale.

How weak and pale he looked, suddenly! Where was the proud man who had marched to the church earlier; the man who had spoken with such passion in the meeting-house? His face was the face of a man already half-dead.

One of the other priests, old Mr Wilson, stepped forward to offer his help, but Mr Dimmesdale waved him away. They were near the scaffold now, and there stood Hester Prynne, holding little Pearl's hand. And there was the scarlet letter on her bosom. Arthur Dimmesdale stopped, unable to go on. And then he turned to the scaffold and held out his arms.

Hester,' he said, 'come here! Come, my little Pearl!'

His face had the look of a man, both sad and joyful, who has finally won a battle inside himself.

The child ran to him and threw her arms around his knees. Hester Prynne, moving slowly like a woman in a dream, also came near, but paused before she reached him. At that moment, Roger Chillingworth pushed through the crowd and caught hold of the priest's arm.

Stop!' he whispered to Mr Dimmesdale. 'What are you doing? Wave back that woman! Push away that child! All will be well. Do not do this! I can still save you!'

You are too late!' answered the priest. 'With God's help, I shall escape you now!' He put out his hand to Hester.

Hester Prynne! God has made me strong enough, at this last moment, to do the thing that I failed to do seven years ago. Come now, and be strong with me. Come and stand with me on the scaffold!'

There was great excitement in the crowd, but the priests and magistrates could not believe what they were seeing, and they remained silent. They saw the young priest with Hester's arm around him, and his hand holding little Pearl's hand. The three of them climbed the steps of the scaffold, and were followed by old Roger Chillingworth.

Is this the only place that you could find to escape from me?' whispered Chillingworth. 'The scaffold!'

It is God who led me here!' said Mr Dimmesdale, 'and I thank Him for it.' But he trembled as he turned to Hester. 'Is this not better than what we planned in the forest?'

I don't know!' she replied hurriedly. 'Better? We may both die, and little Pearl may die with us!'

God will decide, but He is merciful,' said the priest. 'Let me do now what God has told me to do. I am a dying man, Hester. Let me accept my shame before I die.'

He turned and looked down at the crowd.

People of New England!' he cried. 'You who have loved me! Look at me now, as I stand here with this woman. For seven long years you have called her a sinner and hated her. You have seen the scarlet letter on her bosom, and have crossed the street to avoid her. But there has been someone living among you whose sin and shame you have not known!' He stepped forward, away from Hester and the child. 'God knew him! The Devil knew him! And now, at the hour of his death, you shall know him! He stands in front of you! Look again at Hester's scarlet letter. With all its mysterious horror, it is only a shadow of what is on my own bosom! Look! Look! See for yourselves!'

And he pulled open his shirt for them to see his chest!

Cries of horror came from the crowd. For a moment, the priest stood proudly—a man who has won a battle over his own pain and fear. Then he fell to the ground.

Hester lifted him, and held his head against her bosom. Chillingworth knelt down beside him, an empty, dull look on his face.

You have escaped me!' Chillingworth repeated again and again. 'You have escaped me!'

May God forgive you,' the young priest said to him. 'You, too, have sinned deeply.' He turned his dying eyes towards Hester and the child. 'My little Pearl!' he said, his voice almost a whisper. 'Will you kiss me now?'

Pearl kissed him, and her tears fell on her father's face.

Hester!' said the priest. 'Goodbye!'

Won't we meet again?' she whispered, her face close to his. 'Won't we meet in heaven, and be together for ever?'

Hester, Hester, I don't know,' he said. 'But God is merciful! He has proved his mercy. He gave me this burning pain to suffer on my bosom! He sent me that dark and terrible old man, to keep the pain always red-hot! He has brought me here, to die a death of shame, in front of the people! Without all this, I would be lost for ever! For this I thank Him. I thank God! Goodbye...!'

The final word came with the priest's dying breath.

* * *

sensitive adj. able to understand other people's feelings and problems 能理解(别人的感情和问题)的

sunburnt adj. having skin that is red and painful, as a result of spending too much time in the sun 晒伤的

desperately adv. very much 非常地

come over if a strong feeling comes over some one, they suddenly experience it 突然感觉……

meeting-house n. a building where you worship 聚会所

make room for make space for 腾出地方

die away if a sound dies away, it becomes gradually weaker and finally stops (声音)慢慢变弱,逐渐消失

dull adj. not bright 暗淡的

9.逃亡

选举日那天早晨,当镇上的居民都聚集起来,迎接新当选的总督时,赫斯特·普林也来到市场。和往常一样,她仍然穿着那身灰色的衣服,胸前戴着红字。她脸上那种平静而忧伤的表情深深隐藏了心底里的激动。熙熙攘攘的人群中,又有谁知道她的想法呢?

最后看一眼这红字和佩戴红字的人吧!再过一小会儿,我就会远走高飞了!我要自由了,这个在我胸前灼烧了七年的代表耻辱的红字,将永远埋葬在海底。

小珍珠敏感地觉察到母亲的兴奋,尽管她并不知道原因。她在母亲身旁边跳边唱,快乐地轻声叫喊着。

“为什么今天每个人都不干活儿了呢,妈妈?”当她看到聚集在市场上的人群时,这样问道,“看,今天在这儿有很多陌生人,其中还有印第安人和水手。大家都在等谁呢?”

“他们在等新任的总督经过。”赫斯特说,“官员和牧师们也要从这里走过去,还有所有的大人物和好心人,前面要有士兵踩着音乐的拍子开路呢。”

“丁梅斯代尔先生会来吗?”珍珠问,“他会朝我伸出双手,就像那天在树林里那样吗?”

“他会来的,孩子。”她母亲回答,“但是他今天不会跟你说话,你也不能招呼他。”

“他真是个忧伤的怪人!”孩子说,“那天夜里,他握住你和我的手,一起站在绞刑台上。在树林里,他也这样做了。可是今天阳光这么明媚,又有这么多人,他却不认识我们,我们也不能和他说话!他真是个忧伤的怪人,总是用手捂着心口!”

“别作声,珍珠!”赫斯特说,“你不明白这些事情。别想着牧师了,往周围看看吧,看看大伙在今天这个节日有多高兴。”

赫斯特说的不错。多数人脸上都带着笑意,四周都是聊天声和笑声。从西班牙的船上下来的水手闹得最欢,他们的脸都被太阳晒伤了,胡子老长。他们又叫又笑,拿着酒瓶子喝酒。那个时代的水手只遵循海上的法令,一旦上了陆地,就可以为所欲为。甚至连清教徒都对他们这种闹哄哄的方式表示宽容。

所以,当人们看到老罗杰·奇林沃思这样一位可敬的人走进市场,和那艘船的船长交谈时,也并不感到惊讶。

一会儿工夫,二人各自走开了。船长踱过市场,来到赫斯特·普林站的地方。和往常一样,人们避免离赫斯特太近,所以赫斯特能够同船长私下里交谈。

“是这样,女士,”船长说,“还有一个人要加入你们!有了两位医生——我们自己船上的医生和这位医生——在这次航行中,我们不必担心会发生船热病了。”

“你是什么意思?”赫斯特警惕地问,“你还有一位乘客?”

“怎么,你还不知道?那位医生——他说他叫奇林沃思——打算和你们一起走。”船长说,“你肯定知道的吧!因为他告诉我,他还是你提到的那位先生的密友呢。”

“他们——彼此是很熟悉。”赫斯特尽量不动声色地回答说,“他们住在同一所房子中。”

船长和赫斯特·普林没有再说什么。但就在此时,她注意到老罗杰·奇林沃思正站在市场远远的一个角落里朝她微笑。虽然隔着宽阔喧闹的广场,那笑容竟也透出诡秘而可怕的含义。

赫斯特·普林还没来得及好好想想,一阵音乐声就传了过来。过了一会儿,她看到乐队走过来,士兵们紧随其后。小珍珠笑着,兴奋地跳上跳下。紧随卫队而来的是官员们,然后是牧师们。丁梅斯代尔先生就在他们当中。虽然他的脚步随着音乐在前进,但他是否真的听到了那音乐声却值得怀疑,因为他似乎是在沉思。

赫斯特看着她,心情十分沉重。这就是那个和她一起坐在树林中,握住她的手的那个男人吗?他现在好像变了一个人,高昂着头,骄傲地走着,看都没看她一眼。

“那是一个梦吧。”她想,“我们之间不可能有真爱。怎么可能会有呢?和一个处在他那种地位的人。”

珍珠注意到母亲突然悲伤起来,于是也变得忧虑不安了。当牧师走过她们身边的时候,她望着母亲的脸问:“这就是那个在树林里亲我的牧师吗?”

“别出声,小珍珠!”她母亲悄悄说,“我们在市场这儿可不准谈起树林里的事。”

接着她听到有人叫她的名字。转头一看,是希宾斯太太在她身后。

“现在,谁会相信?”那个老女人对赫斯特低声说,“看看我们的牧师,丁梅斯代尔先生!今天他看上去多么神圣啊!就在不久之前,他还走出书房,到树林里去散步呢!啊!我们清楚那意味着什么,赫斯特·普林!不过,赫斯特,你能确定他就是你在树林里遇到的那个人么?”

“希宾斯太太,我不明白你在说什么。”赫斯特说,这个老女人真像看上去那样疯癫吗?她真的曾在树林中和那个邪恶的家伙,也就是魔鬼共舞吗?

“行了,行了,赫斯特!魔鬼知道谁在他的册子上签了名!”希宾斯太太狂笑着走开了。

此时,教堂聚会所中已经做完场前祈祷,赫斯特听到丁梅斯代尔先生开始布道了。她紧靠绞刑台站定,这里几乎能听到他说的每个字。

他洪亮的声音清晰甜美,时而平静,时而饱含激情。但是赫斯特了解他心中的负疚与痛苦,因而可以听出他声音中痛苦的呼号。那是这个男人灵魂深处的呼号!她倾听着,无法从绞刑台旁边移开——这个令人当众受辱的地方她再熟悉不过了。

与此同时,小珍珠早已跑开了,在市场里四处玩耍。不论看到什么有趣的东西,她都会跑过去。她跑去盯着一群印第安人看,又跑到水手们当中,但当他们笑着想和她一起玩的时候,她却不让了。

船长想亲她一下,她却跑开了。于是船长对她喊道:

“你妈妈就是那个戴着红字的女人,是不是?”他说,“你给她带个信儿吧?告诉她我和那个老医生说好了,他会带另外那位先生跟他一起上船。你妈妈只要带着你来就行了。你能转告她吗?”

珍珠跑着穿过人群去找母亲,向她重复了船长的话。赫斯特听着,心头越发沉重起来。现在看来她和牧师的计划无望实现了。

她正承受着巨大的失望时,一群人向她围了过来,大都是从附近乡下来的人。他们早就听说过“戴着红字的女人”,但没见过,都想亲眼看看。连那些印第安人也都围过来看。

就在赫斯特站在那耻辱的包围圈中时,阿瑟·丁梅斯代尔先生正站在教堂里,接受听众的爱戴与崇拜。

当他结束布道的时候,聚会所里一片肃然。片刻过后,人们走出教堂,马上开始谈论起来。丁梅斯代尔先生讲得多好啊!他是多么睿智、多么神圣啊!

他的布道带着一种哀伤——不在他的词句当中,而是在他讲话的方式里——那是一种人之将死的哀伤。是啊,受到他们爱戴、也同样爱着他们的牧师,听起来仿佛行将离世。

而丁梅斯代尔先生呢?这是他一生中最自豪的时刻。

这时乐队又开始演奏了。士兵们准备带领所有人走到市政厅。人群纷纷后退,给总督、治安官、镇上的其他官员还有牧师们让出地方。人们欢呼着,挥着手。但是看到年轻的牧师丁梅斯代尔先生时,他们的声音渐渐静了下来。

突然之间,他看上去是那么虚弱、那么苍白!刚才那个自豪地走向教堂的人哪里去了?那个热情洋溢地在聚会所布道的人哪里去了?他看起来就像一个垂死的人。

另一位牧师,年长的威尔逊先生迈步上前,要来搀扶他。丁梅斯代尔先生却挥手叫他走开。他们现在到了绞刑台附近,赫斯特就站在那儿,拉着小珍珠的手!而红字就在她胸前!阿瑟·丁梅斯代尔走到这里停下了脚步,再也不能前进了。他转过身面对着绞刑台,伸出了双臂。

“赫斯特,”他说,“到这里来!过来,我的小珍珠!”

他的脸上的神情悲喜交集,那是终于战胜了自己的神情。

那孩子朝他跑去,伸出双臂搂住了他的双膝。赫斯特·普林像梦游一样,也缓缓向前走去,只是没到他的身边就站住了。就在此刻,罗杰·奇林沃思从人群中挤出来,一把抓住了牧师的胳臂。

“别这样!”他低声对丁梅斯代尔先生说,“你在干什么?让那女人回去!把孩子推开!一切都会没事的!别这么做!我还能拯救你!”

“你来得太迟了!”牧师回答说,“有了上帝的帮助,我现在要逃脱你了!”他向赫斯特伸出了手。

“赫斯特·普林!上帝让我在这最后的时刻变得坚强,让我来完成七年前没能做的事情。现在过来吧,和我一起坚强面对吧。来,和我一起站到这绞刑台上!”

人群一片哗然。可是牧师们和官员们无法相信眼前所见的,只好保持沉默。他们看到赫斯特用手臂挽着年轻的牧师,他的手紧握着珍珠的小手,三个人一起登上了绞刑台。老罗杰·奇林沃思紧随在后。

“这是你能找到的唯一一处可以摆脱我的地方吗?”奇林沃思低声道,“就是这座绞刑台!”

“是上帝引领我到这里来的!”丁梅斯代尔先生说,“我为此感谢上帝。”然而他转身面对赫斯特时发抖了。“这样做不是比我们在树林中计划的更好吗?”

“我不知道!”她急切地回答,“会更好吗?我们俩也许都会死,还有小珍珠陪葬!”

“上帝会判定一切,而上帝是仁慈的!”牧师说,“让我按上帝的指示去做吧。我已经是个垂死的人了。赫斯特,那就让我在临死前承担起我的耻辱吧!”

他转过身俯看人群。

“新英格兰的人们!”他喊道,“你们一直热爱着我!现在请看着我,我和这个女人一起站在这里。在过去漫长的七年里,你们称她为罪人,并且憎恨她。你们看到她胸前的红字,也曾穿过街道躲避她。但是就在你们中间,却有一个人,他的罪孽和耻辱却不为你们所知!”他向前迈了一步,离开了母女二人。“可上帝知道他的所做所为,魔鬼也知道!如今,在他濒死之际,你们也应该知道他是谁!他就站在你们面前!你们再看看赫斯特的红字,它虽然神秘、可怕,但只不过是我胸前这东西的影子而已,看吧!看吧!你们自己看看吧!”

他猛地扯开衬衣,向人们露出胸膛。

人群中发出惊恐的叫声。这一刻,牧师自豪地站在那里——就像一个终于战胜了痛苦与恐惧的人。随后,他就瘫倒在了地上!

赫斯特托起他,让他的头靠在自己胸前。奇林沃思跪在他身旁,表情空洞呆滞。

“你总算逃脱了我!”奇林沃思一再地重复说,“你总算逃脱了我!”

“愿上帝饶恕你吧!”牧师说,“你,同样罪孽深重!”他将失神的目光转向赫斯特和孩子。“我的小珍珠,”他的声音低得如同耳语一般,“你现在愿意亲吻我吗?”

珍珠亲吻了他,她的泪珠滑落在父亲的脸上。

“赫斯特!”牧师说,“别了!”

“我们难道不能再相会了吗?”她把脸贴近他的脸悄声说,“我们难道不能在天堂相聚吗?永远地在一起?”

“赫斯特,赫斯特,我不知道。”他说,“但上帝是仁慈的!他证明了他的仁慈。他给了我胸前这灼烧的痛楚!他派来那个阴森可怖的老人,使那痛楚灼烧不停!他把我带到这里,让我在众人面前,死在耻辱之中!如果没有这些,我就要永世沉沦了!为此我感激他,我感激上帝!别了!”

说完这最后一句话,牧师也停止了呼吸。

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