王子与贫儿(外研社双语读库)(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：Mark Twain 马克·吐温

出版社：外语教学与研究出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

王子与贫儿(外研社双语读库)试读：

CHAPTER I The Birth of the Prince and the Pauper

第一章 王子和贫儿的诞生

In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name of Canty, who did not want him. On the same day another English child was born to a rich family of the name of Tudor, who did want him. All England wanted him too. England had so longed for him, and hoped for him, and prayed God for him, that, now that he was really come, the people went nearly mad for joy. Mere acquaintances hugged and kissed each other and cried. Everybody took a holiday, and high and low, rich and poor, feasted and danced and sang, and got very mellow; and they kept this up for days and nights together. By day, London was a sight to see, with gay banners waving from every balcony and housetop, and splendid pageants marching along. By night, it was again a sight to see, with its great bonfires at every corner, and its troops of revellers making merry around them. There was no talk in all England but of the new baby, Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, who lay lapped in silks and satins, unconscious of all this fuss, and not knowing that great lords and ladies were tending him and watching over him—and not caring, either. But there was no talk about the other baby, Tom Canty, lapped in his poor rags, except among the family of paupers whom he had just come to trouble with his presence.

在十六世纪上半叶后期的某个秋天，古城伦敦里，有一户姓坎蒂的贫穷人家生下了一个男婴，但这家人并不想要他。同一天，在一户姓都铎的富裕人家里诞生了另一个英国婴儿，这家人确实想要他。所有英国人也都盼着他呢。英国人早已盼着他的诞生，期待着他的诞生，为他向上帝祷告。如今, 他真的诞生了，人们高兴得几近疯狂。仅仅是泛泛之交的人也相互拥抱、亲吻，大声欢呼着。不管高低贵贱，不论富裕贫穷，人人都放假了。大家举行宴会，跳舞唱歌，喝得醉醺醺的，不分昼夜地聚会狂欢。白天的伦敦蔚为奇观，家家户户的阳台和屋顶上飘舞着色彩鲜艳的国旗，还有壮观的游行队伍沿街而过。夜晚，伦敦仍是一番胜景，每个角落里都燃着熊熊篝火，狂欢的人群围着火堆尽情欢乐。整个英国都在谈论这个新生的婴儿——威尔士王子爱德华·都铎。他被裹在绫罗绸缎里，没有觉察到这些大惊小怪，也不知道尊贵的贵族老爷和太太们在照料和看守着他，而他对此也并不在意。但是，除了在那个穷人的家里，没人会谈论起另一个婴儿——那裹在破衣烂衫里的汤姆·坎蒂，因为他的出生对这家人来说就是个麻烦。

CHAPTER II Tom's Early Life

第二章 汤姆的早期生活

Let us skip a number of years.

让我们略过去几年吧。

London was fifteen hundred years old, and was a great town—for that day. It had a hundred thousand inhabitants—some think double as many. The streets were very narrow, and crooked, and dirty, especially in the part where Tom Canty lived, which was not far from London Bridge. The houses were of wood, with the second story projecting over the first, and the third sticking its elbows out beyond the second. The higher the houses grew, the broader they grew. They were skeletons of strong criss-cross beams, with solid material between, coated with plaster. The beams were painted red or blue or black, according to the owner's taste, and this gave the houses a very picturesque look. The windows were small, glazed with little diamond-shaped panes, and they opened outward, on hinges, like doors.

伦敦有一千五百年的历史，是个大都市——对那个时代来说。它有十万居民，还有人则认为有二十万之多。街道极为狭窄，弯弯曲曲的，而且脏乱不堪，尤其是汤姆·坎蒂住的地区。那儿离伦敦桥不远。那里的房子是木制的，第二层楼从第一层上方突出来，而第三层又伸展到了第二层的外边。房子越高，上面就越宽。房子的骨架是纵横交错的结实的房梁，中间填上固体材料，外面涂上灰泥。根据房主的喜好，屋梁被漆成了红色、蓝色或黑色，使得屋子看起来非常别具一格。窗户很小，装着菱形的小窗格，窗上安着铰链，像门一样朝外开。

The house which Tom's father lived in was up a foul little pocket called Offal Court, out of Pudding Lane. It was small, decayed, and rickety, but it was packed full of wretchedly poor families. Canty's tribe occupied a room on the third floor. The mother and father had a sort of bedstead in the corner; but Tom, his grandmother, and his two sisters, Bet and Nan, were not restricted—they had all the floor to themselves, and might sleep where they chose. There were the remains of a blanket or two, and some bundles of ancient and dirty straw, but these could not rightly be called beds, for they were not organised; they were kicked into a general pile, mornings, and selections made from the mass at night, for service.

汤姆的父亲住的房子坐落在布丁小巷外一块肮脏的、名叫垃圾大院的小地方。房子狭小而破烂，摇摇欲坠，可里面挤满了可怜的穷苦人家。坎蒂一家住在三层的一间屋子里。母亲和父亲睡在屋角那类似床架的东西上，而汤姆、他祖母，以及两个姐姐贝特和娜恩，则不受什么约束——整个地板都归他们，他们想睡在哪儿都可以。地上有一两块残破的毛毯，几捆又老又脏的稻草。但准确地讲，这都不能称为床铺，因为没人整理。早上，他们把这些东西踢成大大的一堆，晚上就从这一堆中挑一些出来睡。

Bet and Nan were fifteen years old—twins. They were good-hearted girls, unclean, clothed in rags, and profoundly ignorant. Their mother was like them. But the father and the grandmother were a couple of fiends. They got drunk whenever they could; then they fought each other or anybody else who came in the way; they cursed and swore always, drunk or sober; John Canty was a thief, and his mother a beggar. They made beggars of the children, but failed to make thieves of them. Among, but not of, the dreadful rabble that inhabited the house, was a good old priest whom the King had turned out of house and home with a pension of a few farthings, and he used to get the children aside and teach them right ways secretly. Father Andrew also taught Tom a little Latin, and how to read and write; and would have done the same with the girls, but they were afraid of the jeers of their friends, who could not have endured such a queer accomplishment in them.

贝特和娜恩十五岁了，她们是一对双胞胎。她们是好心肠的姑娘，但脏兮兮的，穿着破旧的衣服，而且极其愚昧无知。母亲和她们一样。而父亲和奶奶则是一对恶魔。他们一有机会就喝醉酒，然后互相打架，或跟任何挡了他们路的人打架。不管醉着还是醒着，他们总是在诅咒着，叫骂着。约翰·坎蒂是个小偷，而他母亲是个乞丐。他们让孩子们做了乞丐，却没能让他们变成小偷。在这所房子里的这群可怕的下层民众中间，住着一位独善其身的好心的老牧师。他被国王赶出了家门，只拿几个法寻的养老金。他过去常常把孩子们叫到一边，偷偷地教他们正道。安德鲁神父也教汤姆学些拉丁文，还有怎么读写。他本来还想教女孩子们学这些，但是她们害怕朋友们的讥笑，因为朋友们不能容忍她们有这样奇怪的才能。

All Offal Court was just such another hive as Canty's house. Drunkenness, riot and brawling were the order, there, every night and nearly all night long. Broken heads were as common as hunger in that place. Yet little Tom was not unhappy. He had a hard time of it, but did not know it. It was the sort of time that all the Offal Court boys had; therefore he supposed it was the correct and comfortable thing. When he came home empty-handed at night, he knew his father would curse him and thrash him first, and that when he was done the awful grandmother would do it all over again and improve on it; and that away in the night his starving mother would slip to him stealthily with any miserable scrap or crust she had been able to save for him by going hungry herself, notwithstanding she was often caught in that sort of treason and soundly beaten for it by her husband.

整个垃圾大院就是另一个像坎蒂家的房子一样的蜂窝。在那里，酗酒、暴乱和喧嚷就是生活的常态，夜夜如此，而且几乎持续整晚。在那个地方，被打破头与挨饿一样都是常事。但是，小汤姆并没有不高兴。他曾有一段艰难的时光，但他对此却浑然不觉。那是垃圾大院里所有的男孩子都经历过的时光，因此，他觉得那是正确的、自然而然的事。每当晚上他空手回家时，他知道自己首先面对的会是父亲的一顿臭骂和痛打，随后又是可怕的祖母的新一轮臭骂和痛打，程度有过之而无不及。深夜里，饥饿的母亲会偷偷地把自己挨饿省下来的少得可怜的面包碎片和面包皮塞给他，然而她的这种背叛行为常会被发现，并为此遭到丈夫的一顿毒打。

No, Tom's life went along well enough, especially in summer. He only begged just enough to save himself, for the laws against mendicancy were stringent, and the penalties heavy; so he put in a good deal of his time listening to good Father Andrew's charming old tales and legends about giants and fairies, dwarfs and genii, and enchanted castles, and gorgeous kings and princes. His head grew to be full of these wonderful things, and many a night as he lay in the dark on his scant and offensive straw, tired, hungry, and smarting from a thrashing, he unleashed his imagination and soon forgot his aches and pains in delicious picturings to himself of the charmed life of a petted prince in a regal palace. One desire came in time to haunt him day and night: it was to see a real prince, with his own eyes. He spoke of it once to some of his Offal Court comrades; but they jeered him and scoffed him so unmercifully that he was glad to keep his dream to himself after that.

不，汤姆的生活已经算是好的了，尤其是夏天的时候。他只需讨到够自己活命的东西就可以了，因为反对乞讨的法律很严格，惩罚也很严重。因此，很多时间里，他都去听好心的安德鲁神父讲迷人的老故事和传说，关于巨人和仙女啦，小矮人和鬼怪啦，还有被施了魔法的城堡、风度翩翩的国王和王子。他脑瓜里开始装满了这些精彩的事情。很多个夜晚，当他躺在他那薄薄的、有些扎人的稻草上，又累又饿，还忍受着挨打后的刺痛时，他就放开想象的缰绳，想象着皇宫里受宠的王子那种无忧无虑的生活。在这种甜美的想象中，他很快就忘了自己的疼痛。有个愿望时常整天整夜地萦绕着他，那就是亲眼见到一位真正的王子。有一次，他把这个愿望告诉了垃圾大院的伙伴们，但却遭到了他们无情的讥笑和嘲弄。从那之后，他宁愿把自己的梦想藏在心里。

He often read the priest's old books and got him to explain and enlarge upon them. His dreamings and readings worked certain changes in him, by-and-by. His dream-people were so fine that he grew to lament his shabby clothing and his dirt, and to wish to be clean and better clad. He went on playing in the mud just the same and enjoying it, too; but, instead of splashing around in the Thames solely for the fun of it, he began to find an added value in it because of the washings and cleansings it afforded.

他经常读牧师的旧书，还让牧师给他讲解、详述书中的内容。久而久之，他做的梦和读的书使他产生了某些变化。他梦里的人们是那么优雅，以至于他开始为自己的衣衫褴褛和肮脏而悲叹，希望自己能变得干净些，穿得更体面些。他照旧在泥沟里玩耍，玩得也很快乐，但他在泰晤士河里胡乱泼水可不仅是为了好玩，他开始发现其中的附加价值，因为水可以清洗去污。

Tom could always find something going on around the Maypole in Cheapside, and at the fairs; and now and then he and the rest of London had a chance to see a military parade when some famous unfortunate was carried prisoner to the Tower, by land or boat. One summer's day he saw poor Anne Askew and three men burned at the stake in Smithfield, and heard an ex-Bishop preach a sermon to them which did not interest him. Yes, Tom's life was varied and pleasant enough, on the whole.

汤姆总能发现齐普赛街的五朔节花柱周围和集市上有事发生。而且时不时地，会有某个有名的倒霉蛋通过陆路或水路被押往伦敦塔坐牢。这时，他和其他伦敦人就有机会看一场军队游行。夏日的一天，他看见可怜的安妮·艾斯丘和三个男人在史密斯菲尔德的刑柱上被烧死，还听到一位前主教对他们布道。而他对那布道并不感兴趣。是的，总的说来，汤姆的生活还是丰富多样、相当愉快的。

By-and-by Tom's reading and dreaming about princely life wrought such a strong effect upon him that he began to ACT the prince, unconsciously. His speech and manners became curiously ceremonious and courtly, to the vast admiration and amusement of his intimates. But Tom's influence among these young people began to grow now, day by day; and in time he came to be looked up to, by them, with a sort of wondering awe, as a superior being. He seemed to know so much! And he could do and say such marvellous things! And withal, he was so deep and wise! Tom's remarks, and Tom's performances, were reported by the boys to their elders; and these, also, presently began to discuss Tom Canty, and to regard him as a most gifted and extraordinary creature. Full-grown people brought their perplexities to Tom for solution, and were often astonished at the wit and wisdom of his decisions. In fact he was become a hero to all who knew him except his own family—these, only, saw nothing in him.

日复一日，汤姆读的书和他有关王子的生活的梦对他产生了强烈的影响，他不知不觉开始扮演起王子来。他的讲话和仪态变得出奇地正式而有威严，他亲密的伙伴对此感到无限钦佩，而且又觉得好笑。但现在，汤姆在这些年轻人中的影响开始一天天增强，最后,他们都怀着一种好奇的敬畏仰视他，认为他高人一等。他好像知道很多事情！他可以做出和讲出这么不可思议的事情！而且，他是那么深刻而有智慧！汤姆的语言、汤姆的行为，都被男孩子们说给了家里的大人听。不久，这些大人也开始谈论汤姆·坎蒂，把他视为最有天赋、不同寻常的人。成人们向汤姆请教疑难问题的解决方法，并常常惊讶于他决策的机智和巧妙。其实，所有认识他的人都把他当成英雄，除了他自己的家人——只有他们没看出他有什么了不起的。

Privately, after a while, Tom organised a royal court! He was the prince; his special comrades were guards, chamberlains, equerries, lords and ladies in waiting, and the royal family. Daily the mock prince was received with elaborate ceremonials borrowed by Tom from his romantic readings; daily the great affairs of the mimic kingdom were discussed in the royal council, and daily his mimic highness issued decrees to his imaginary armies, navies, and viceroyalties.

不久以后，汤姆秘密地组织了一个宫廷！他扮王子，他亲密的伙伴们有的扮侍卫，有的扮内臣，有的扮武官，有的扮勋爵，有的扮宫女，还有的扮皇族。每天，他们都用复杂的仪式接待这位假王子，这些仪式都是汤姆从传奇书上学的。每天，皇家议会上都要讨论假王国的大事,假王子阁下每日都会给他想象中的军队、海军和总督颁布命令。

After which, he would go forth in his rags and beg a few farthings, eat his poor crust, take his customary cuffs and abuse, and then stretch himself upon his handful of foul straw, and resume his empty grandeurs in his dreams.

随后，他就衣衫褴褛地出去讨几个法寻，吃些可怜的面包皮，照例挨几巴掌打和几句骂，然后舒展地躺在他那把肮脏的稻草上，继续做他那空洞而富丽堂皇的梦。

And still his desire to look just once upon a real prince, in the flesh, grew upon him, day by day, and week by week, until at last it absorbed all other desires, and became the one passion of his life.

他想见见活生生的真正的王子，哪怕就一次。他的这种愿望还是一天天、一周周地愈加强烈，直到它终于完全吞噬了别的愿望，成为他生命中唯一的心愿。

One January day, on his usual begging tour, he tramped despondently up and down the region round about Mincing Lane and Little East Cheap, hour after hour, bare-footed and cold, looking in at cook-shop windows and longing for the dreadful pork-pies and other deadly inventions displayed there—for to him these were dainties fit for the angels; that is, judging by the smell, they were—for it had never been his good luck to own and eat one. There was a cold drizzle of rain; the atmosphere was murky; it was a melancholy day. At night Tom reached home so wet and tired and hungry that it was not possible for his father and grandmother not to observe his forlorn condition and not be moved—after their fashion; wherefore they gave him a brisk cuffing at once and sent him to bed. For a long time his pain and hunger, and the swearing and fighting going on in the building, kept him awake; but at last his thoughts drifted away to far, romantic lands, and he fell asleep in the company of jewelled and gilded princelings who live in vast palaces, and had servants salaaming before them or flying to execute their orders. And then, as usual, he dreamed that he was a princeling himself.

一月份的某天，他像往常一样沿街乞讨，在民辛巷和小东便宜街周围一带沮丧地走来走去。几个小时过去了，他光着脚，冻得冰冷。他朝小餐馆的窗户里望去，向往着摆在那儿的那些可怕的猪肉馅饼和其它那些要命的菜——因为对他来说，这些都是给天使享用的美味，更确切地说，它们闻起来如此——他还从没有福气拥有和品尝过。天下着冰冷的蒙蒙细雨，空气阴沉——那是让人忧郁的一天。晚上，汤姆回到家，浑身湿透了，又累又饿。他父亲和奶奶不可能察觉不到他悲惨的状况，不可能不可怜他——用他们的方式可怜他。于是，他们立刻轻轻打了他几下，让他睡觉去了。疼痛、饥饿，还有楼里不断的打骂声让他好半天睡不着。但最后，他的思绪飘到了远处浪漫的王国，在年轻王子们的陪伴下睡着了。王子们穿金戴银，住在宽敞的宫殿里，有仆人向他们请安，或快速地执行他们下达的命令。然后，像往常一样，他梦见自己是位小王子。

All night long the glories of his royal estate shone upon him; he moved among great lords and ladies, in a blaze of light, breathing perfumes, drinking in delicious music, and answering the reverent obeisances of the glittering throng as it parted to make way for him, with here a smile, and there a nod of his princely head.

整个晚上，他都沉浸在他的王国的荣耀里：灯火通明中，他走在许多贵族与小姐之间，呼吸着芳香，尽情地倾听着怡人的音乐。闪亮的人群分开来给他让路，恭敬地向他行礼。他一会儿微笑，一会儿点一点他高贵的头。

And when he awoke in the morning and looked upon the wretchedness about him, his dream had had its usual effect—it had intensified the sordidness of his surroundings a thousand fold. Then came bitterness, and heart-break, and tears.

可是，当他早上醒来，看着自己周围恶劣的环境时，他的梦产生了与往常一样的影响——它把他所处环境的肮脏放大了一千倍。随后,痛苦、心碎和眼泪一一袭来。

CHAPTER III Tom's Meeting with the Prince

第三章 汤姆面见王子

Tom got up hungry, and sauntered hungry away, but with his thoughts busy with the shadowy splendours of his night's dreams. He wandered here and there in the city, hardly noticing where he was going, or what was happening around him. People jostled him, and some gave him rough speech; but it was all lost on the musing boy. By-and-by he found himself at Temple Bar, the farthest from home he had ever travelled in that direction. He stopped and considered a moment, then fell into his imaginings again, and passed on outside the walls of London. The Strand had ceased to be a country-road then, and regarded itself as a street, but by a strained construction; for, though there was a tolerably compact row of houses on one side of it, there were only some scattered great buildings on the other, these being palaces of rich nobles, with ample and beautiful grounds stretching to the river—grounds that are now closely packed with grim acres of brick and stone.

汤姆起床时还很饿。他悠闲地走着，将饥饿赶跑了，但他脑子里全是晚上梦境里那些模模糊糊的辉煌景象。他在城里到处闲逛，几乎没注意走到了哪里，也没注意周围正发生的事情。人们推挤他，还有人对他恶言恶语，但这个正在沉思的男孩丝毫没注意。过了一会儿，他发现自己到了神庙酒吧，那是他朝那个方向走过的、离他家最远的地方。他停下脚步，思索了片刻，然后又陷入了幻想，走到了伦敦城墙的外面。路已经不再是乡村的小路，由于路旁有些不怎么协调的建筑而应被称为街道。因为，虽然路的一边是一排相当紧凑的房子，另一边却只有几座分散的宏伟建筑。那是富裕的贵族住的宫殿，有很大很美的庄园延伸至河边——这些庄园现在堆满了许多亩冷冰冰的砖块和石头。

Tom discovered Charing Village presently, and rested himself at the beautiful cross built there by a bereaved king of earlier days; then idled down a quiet, lovely road, past the great cardinal's stately palace, toward a far more mighty and majestic palace beyond—Westminster. Tom stared in glad wonder at the vast pile of masonry, the wide-spreading wings, the frowning bastions and turrets, the huge stone gateway, with its gilded bars and its magnificent array of colossal granite lions, and other the signs and symbols of English royalty. Was the desire of his soul to be satisfied at last? Here, indeed, was a king's palace. Might he not hope to see a prince now—a prince of flesh and blood, if Heaven were willing?

不一会儿，汤姆发现了查林庄园。他在一位早已过世的国王在那里修建的美丽的十字街歇息了一下，然后又沿着一条安静、美丽的路溜达，经过红衣大主教那庄严的宫殿，走向了远处一座威严、雄伟得多的宫殿——威斯敏斯特。汤姆又惊又喜地望着这巨大的石制建筑，望着那展开的配楼、褶皱的棱堡和角楼，还有那庞大的石门。门口有镀金的栅栏和一排壮观的大花岗岩狮子，还有其他英国皇室的标志和象征。他內心的愿望终于要实现了吗？这里确实是国王的宫殿。如果老天乐意的话，他怎么会不希望现在就能见到王子——活生生的王子？

At each side of the gilded gate stood a living statue—that is to say, an erect and stately and motionless man-at-arms, clad from head to heel in shining steel armour. At a respectful distance were many country folk, and people from the city, waiting for any chance glimpse of royalty that might offer. Splendid carriages, with splendid people in them and splendid servants outside, were arriving and departing by several other noble gateways that pierced the royal enclosure.

镀金大门的两侧各立着一尊活雕像——也就是说，一个站得笔直的、威严的、一动不动的守卫，从头到脚都穿戴着闪光的钢盔铁甲。许多乡村百姓和城里人都恭敬地站在远处，他们在等机会看一眼可能出来的皇室成员。华丽的马车从皇家院墙上的另外几个雄伟的大门中进进出出，马车里坐着华丽的人们，外面是华丽的仆人。

Poor little Tom, in his rags, approached, and was moving slowly and timidly past the sentinels, with a beating heart and a rising hope, when all at once he caught sight through the golden bars of a spectacle that almost made him shout for joy. Within was a comely boy, tanned and brown with sturdy outdoor sports and exercises, whose clothing was all of lovely silks and satins, shining with jewels; at his hip a little jewelled sword and dagger; dainty buskins on his feet, with red heels; and on his head a jaunty crimson cap, with drooping plumes fastened with a great sparkling gem. Several gorgeous gentlemen stood near—his servants, without a doubt. Oh! He was a prince—a prince, a living prince, a real prince—without the shadow of a question; and the prayer of the pauper-boy's heart was answered at last.

可怜的小汤姆穿着破衣烂衫往前走，慢慢地、怯怯地走过那些守卫，心砰砰地跳着，心中浮起希望。忽然，他透过金栅栏看到了一幕景象，差点高兴得叫出声来。里面有个英俊的男孩子，由于户外健身运动和锻炼，他的皮肤晒成了棕褐色；全身穿着美丽的绸缎衣服，配有闪光的珠宝；臀部系着一把镶嵌宝石的小刀剑；脚上穿着精致的、红色鞋跟的半高筒靴；头上戴着一顶活泼的深红帽子，帽子上一颗硕大而耀眼的宝石上系着往下垂的羽毛。几位衣着华丽的绅士在一旁站着——是他的仆人，这毫无疑问。啊！他是一位王子——一位王子，一位活生生的王子，一位真正的王子——一点儿疑问都没有。这个贫儿心里的祈祷终于有了回应。

Tom's breath came quick and short with excitement, and his eyes grew big with wonder and delight. Everything gave way in his mind instantly to one desire: that was to get close to the prince, and have a good, devouring look at him. Before he knew what he was about, he had his face against the gate-bars. The next instant one of the soldiers snatched him rudely away, and sent him spinning among the gaping crowd of country gawks and London idlers. The soldier said,—

汤姆激动得呼吸急促，既惊奇又高兴地睁大了眼睛。他的脑瓜里立刻只剩下了一个愿望，那就是接近王子，好好地、尽情地看他。还没反应过来是怎么回事，他的脸就已经贴到门栅栏上了。一瞬间，一名士兵已经粗鲁地把他抓起来扔了出去。他落在那群目瞪口呆地观看着的乡巴佬和伦敦闲人中，只觉得天旋地转。这士兵说：

"Mind thy manners, thou young beggar!"“小心点，你这小叫花子！”

The crowd jeered and laughed; but the young prince sprang to the gate with his face flushed, and his eyes flashing with indignation, and cried out,—"How dar'st thou use a poor lad like that? How dar'st thou use the King my father's meanest subject so? Open the gates, and let him in!"

人群发出了讥讽和嘲笑声，但是年轻的王子跑到大门口，脸涨得通红，眼中闪着愤怒，大声喊道：“你怎么敢这样对待一个可怜的小伙子？你怎么敢这样对待我父王最卑微的国民？打开门，让他进来！”

You should have seen that fickle crowd snatch off their hats then. You should have heard them cheer, and shout, "Long lives the Prince of Wales!"

您真应该看看那些善变的人们拽下帽子时的样子。您真应该听听他们欢呼：“威尔士王子万岁！”

The soldiers presented arms with their halberds, opened the gates, and presented again as the little Prince of Poverty passed in, in his fluttering rags, to join hands with the Prince of Limitless Plenty.

士兵们举戟致敬，打开了大门，小贫儿王子进门时，他们又举戟致敬。贫儿王子走了进去，与无限富足的王子牵手，身上的破衣烂衫飘动着。

Edward Tudor said—

爱德华·都铎说：

"Thou lookest tired and hungry: thou'st been treated ill. Come with me."“你看上去又累又饿，你受虐待了。跟我来。”

Half a dozen attendants sprang forward to—I don't know what; interfere, no doubt. But they were waved aside with a right royal gesture, and they stopped stock still where they were, like so many statues. Edward took Tom to a rich apartment in the palace, which he called his cabinet. By his command a repast was brought such as Tom had never encountered before except in books. The prince, with princely delicacy and breeding, sent away the servants, so that his humble guest might not be embarrassed by their critical presence; then he sat near by, and asked questions while Tom ate.

有六个随从冲上前去——我不知道怎么说，但毫无疑问，他们是去干涉的。但是,王子适时高贵地挥了挥手让他们退下，他们便一动不动地停在原地，像很多尊雕像一样。爱德华将汤姆带到宫殿里一间富丽堂皇的厅堂，他管它叫他的内阁。王子一道命令，于是，一桌汤姆除了在书上外从未见过的饭菜端了上来。王子以皇家的优雅而有教养的方式打发了仆人，好让他卑微的客人不会因为他们的评头论足而尴尬。然后，王子坐在一旁，在汤姆吃饭的时候问了他几个问题。

"What is thy name, lad?"“你叫什么名字，伙伴？”

"Tom Canty, an' it please thee, sir."“汤姆·坎蒂，回禀王子殿下。”

"'Tis an odd one.“这是个奇怪的名字。

Where dost live?”

你住哪儿？”

"In the city, please thee, sir. Offal Court, out of Pudding Lane."“住城里，回禀王子殿下。布丁巷外的垃圾大院。”

"Offal Court! Truly 'tis another odd one. Hast parents?"“垃圾大院！真是又一个奇怪的名字。有父母吗？”

"Parents have I, sir, and a grand-dam likewise that is but indifferently precious to me, God forgive me if it be offence to say it—also twin sisters, Nan and Bet.”“我有父母，殿下，还有一个对我漠不关心又矫揉造作的祖母，如果这么说很无礼，请上帝原谅——还有一对双胞胎姐姐，娜恩和贝特。”

"Then is thy grand-dam not over kind to thee, I take it?”“那么我想，你祖母对你不太好吧？”

"Neither to any other is she, so please your worship. She hath a wicked heart, and worketh evil all her days."“她对任何人都不好，禀告王子。她内心狠毒，整天作恶多端。”

"Doth she mistreat thee?"“她虐待你了吗？”

"There be times that she stayeth her hand, being asleep or overcome with drink; but when she hath her judgment clear again, she maketh it up to me with goodly beatings."“她睡觉或醉得不省人事的时候不会打我，但她醒了之后又会补上，好好揍我一顿。”

A fierce look came into the little prince's eyes, and he cried out—

小王子的眼睛里闪现出愤怒的神情，他大喊道：

"What! Beatings?"“什么！打你？”

"Oh, indeed, yes, please you, sir."“啊，的确，是，禀告王子殿下。”

"BEATINGS!—and thou so frail and little. Hark ye: before the night come, she shall hie her to the Tower. The King my father”—“打你！——你这样又弱又小。你听着：晚上之前，她就会被送进伦敦塔。我父王——”

"In sooth, you forget, sir, her low degree. The Tower is for the great alone."“其实，您忘了，殿下，她地位低微。只有地位高的人能进伦敦塔。”

"True, indeed. I had not thought of that. I will consider of her punishment. Is thy father kind to thee?"“对，确实。我没想到这个。我会考虑她的处罚方式的。你父亲对你好吗？”

"Not more than Gammer Canty, sir."“跟坎蒂奶奶差不多，殿下。”

"Fathers be alike, mayhap. Mine hath not a doll's temper. He smiteth with a heavy hand, yet spareth me:ehe spareth me not always with his tongue, though, sooth to say. How doth thy mother use thee?”“也许，父亲们都一样。我父亲可没有什么好脾气。他打起人来手很重，但舍不得打我：可说真的，他也不是每次都能说几句就饶了我的。你母亲对你怎么样？”

"She is good, sir, and giveth me neither sorrow nor pain of any sort. And Nan and Bet are like to her in this."“她人很好，殿下，没给我任何伤心或疼痛。这一点上，娜恩和贝特跟她一样。”

"How old be these?"“这两个姐姐几岁了？”

"Fifteen an' it please you, sir."“十五，回禀王子殿下。”

"The Lady Elizabeth, my sister, is fourteen, and the Lady Jane Grey, my cousin, is of mine own age, and comely and gracious withal; but my sister the Lady Mary, with her gloomy mien and—Look you: do thy sisters forbid their servants to smile, lest the sin destroy their souls?”“我姐姐伊丽莎白公主十四岁了，我堂妹简·格雷郡主和我同年，又好看又亲切。但是我妹妹玛丽公主就一幅阴郁的样子——你呢，你的姐姐们是不是禁止自己的仆人笑，唯恐罪恶毁灭她们的灵魂？”

"They? Oh, dost think, sir, that they have servants?"“她们？哦，殿下，您以为她们有仆人啊？”

The little prince contemplated the little pauper gravely a moment, then said—

小王子神情严肃地凝视了小贫儿一会儿，然后说：

"And prithee, why not? Who helpeth them undress at night? Who attireth them when they rise?"“请问，为什么没有呢？晚上谁帮她们脱衣服呢？起床时,谁给她们穿衣服呢？”

"None, sir. Would'st have them take off their garment, and sleep without—like the beasts?”“没有人，殿下。难道要她们脱掉那件衣服睡觉——像野兽一样吗？”

"Their garment! Have they but one?"“她们的那件衣服！她们只有一件吗？”

"Ah, good your worship, what would they do with more? Truly they have not two bodies each."“哦，尊敬的殿下，她们要那么多衣服有什么用？真的，她们一个人可没有两个身体。”

"It is a quaint and marvellous thought! Thy pardon, I had not meant to laugh. But thy good Nan and thy Bet shall have raiment and lackeys enow, and that soon, too: my cofferer shall look to it. cofferer查不到，coffer意为“保险箱，（存放金钱的）箱子、柜子”，可否引申为“理财大臣”？No, thank me not; 'tis nothing. Thou speakest well; thou hast an easy grace in it. Art learned?"“真是古怪又不可思议的想法！请原谅，我不是有意笑的。但是你善良的娜恩和贝特将会有足够的衣服和仆人，而且马上就会有，我的侍从大臣会办理这件事的。不，不用谢我，小事一桩。你很会讲话，言语间有种自然而然的优雅。上过学吗？”

"I know not if I am or not, sir. The good priest that is called Father Andrew taught me, of his kindness, from his books."“我不知道算不算学过，殿下。是那位好心的安德鲁神父教我的，他出于善意教我他书里的东西。”

"Know'st thou the Latin?"“你懂拉丁文吧？”

"But scantly, sir, I doubt."“恐怕只懂一点点，殿下。”

"Learn it, lad: 'tis hard only at first. The Greek is harder; but neither these nor any tongues else, I think, are hard to the Lady Elizabeth and my cousin. Thou should'st hear those damsels at it! But tell me of thy Offal Court. Hast thou a pleasant life there?"“学吧，伙伴，只是开始学的时候难而已。希腊文更难，但是我想，对伊丽莎白公主和我堂妹来说，这些语言或任何其他语言都不难。你应该听听那些小姐们说那些语言！不过，跟我讲讲你的垃圾大院吧。你在那儿过得快乐吗？”

"In truth, yes, so please you, sir, save when one is hungry. There be Punch-and-Judy shows, and monkeys—oh such antic creatures! and so bravely dressed!—and there be plays wherein they that play do shout and fight till all are slain, and 'tis so fine to see, and costeth but a farthing—albeit 'tis main hard to get the farthing, please your worship."“说真的，是快乐的，回禀王子殿下，除了饿肚子的时候。那里有木偶表演啦，猴子表演啦——哦，真是些滑稽的东西！还穿得那么华丽！——有些表演里，它们真的是又喊又打直到大家都被杀死，那么好看，却只需要花一个法寻——不过，讨一个法寻是非常难的，尊敬的殿下。”

"Tell me more."“再多讲些。”

"We lads of Offal Court do strive against each other with the cudgel, like to the fashion of the 'prentices, sometimes."“我们垃圾大院的孩子们真的会拿着棍棒互打，有时像那些学徒似的。”

The prince's eyes flashed. Said he—

王子的眼睛眨了眨。他说：

"Marry, that would not I mislike. Tell me more."“哎呀，我怎么会不喜欢。再多讲些。”

"We strive in races, sir, to see who of us shall be fleetest."“我们赛跑，殿下，看我们中谁跑的最快。”

"That would I like also. Speak on."“我也喜欢这个。接着讲。”

"In summer, sir, we wade and swim in the canals and in the river, and each doth duck his neighbour, and splatter him with water, and dive and shout and tumble and—”“殿下，夏天时，我们在渠里和河里蹚水、游泳，每个人都躲着旁边的伙伴，朝他泼水，还潜水、喊叫、摔跤——”

"'Twould be worth my father's kingdom but to enjoy it once! Prithee go on."“要是能这么玩一次，要献出我父亲的王国都值得！请接着讲。”

"We dance and sing about the Maypole in Cheapside; we play in the sand, each covering his neighbour up; and times we make mud pastry—oh the lovely mud, it hath not its like for delightfulness in all the world!—we do fairly wallow in the mud, sir, saving your worship's presence."“我们在齐普塞街五朔节花柱旁唱歌跳舞；我们在沙子里玩，大家都往边上的伙伴身上堆沙子；有时候我们做泥糕点——啊，可爱的泥巴，它的样子并不能讨世界上所有人的喜欢！——我们确实会快活地在泥沼中打滚，殿下，恕我冒昧。”

"Oh, prithee, say no more, 'tis glorious! If that I could but clothe me in raiment like to thine, and strip my feet, and revel in the mud once, just once, with none to rebuke me or forbid, meseemeth I could forego the crown!"“啊，请不用多讲了，这已经非常好了！如果我能穿上你这样的衣服，光着脚在泥沼里放肆玩一回，哪怕就一回，而没人责备或禁止我的行为的话，我甚至可以放弃王冠！”

"And if that I could clothe me once, sweet sir, as thou art clad—just once—”“如果我能有一回穿上，亲爱的殿下，像您穿的那样——就一回——”

"Oho, would'st like it? Then so shall it be. Doff thy rags, and don these splendours, lad! It is a brief happiness, but will be not less keen for that. We will have it while we may, and change again before any come to molest."“啊，你喜欢这样吗？那我们就换换吧。脱掉你的破衣烂衫，穿上这些华丽的衣服，伙伴！虽然这是暂时的快乐，但我的热情丝毫不会减少。我们只是暂时调换，在任何麻烦出现之前再换回来。”

A few minutes later the little Prince of Wales was garlanded with Tom's fluttering odds and ends, and the little Prince of Pauperdom was tricked out in the gaudy plumage of royalty. The two went and stood side by side before a great mirror, and lo, a miracle: there did not seem to have been any change made! They stared at each other, then at the glass, then at each other again. At last the puzzled princeling said—

几分钟后，小威尔士王子穿上了汤姆那飘动的破衣服，小贫儿王子则换上了皇家华贵的羽毛装束。两个人一块儿站到大镜子前，瞧，真是奇迹啊，看起来似乎一点儿变化都没有！他们盯着对方看，照照镜子，又望望对方。终于，迷惑的小王子开口道：

"What dost thou make of this?"“你觉得怎么样？”

"Ah, good your worship, require me not to answer. It is not meet that one of my degrees should utter the thing."“啊，尊敬的殿下，不要叫我回答。我这种地位的人不适合讲这种话的。”

"Then will – I – utter it. 此处原文I应为斜体，没有横线，应如何处理？Thou hast the same hair, the same eyes, the same voice and manner, the same form and stature, the same face and countenance that I bear. Fared we forth naked, there is none could say which was you, and which the Prince of Wales. And, now that I am clothed as thou wert clothed, it seemeth I should be able the more nearly to feel as thou didst when the brute soldier—Hark ye, is not this a bruise upon your hand?”“那么——我——来说。你的头发、眼睛、声音和举止、身形和身高、脸蛋和神情都和我一模一样。如果我们不穿衣服，没有人能分得清哪个是你，哪个是威尔士王子。而且，因为我穿上了你原先穿的衣服，我似乎应该能够更深切地体会刚才你被那粗暴的士兵——哎呀，你手上那个是不是伤痕？”

"Yes; but it is a slight thing, and your worship knoweth that the poor man-at-arms—”“是的。不过这没什么，殿下您知道，那可怜的士兵——”

"Peace! It was a shameful thing and a cruel!" cried the little prince, stamping his bare foot. "If the King—Stir not a step till I come again! It is a command!”“住嘴！那是件可耻的、残酷的事情！”小王子跺着光脚丫喊道，“如果国王——你一步都别动，等我回来！这是命令！”

In a moment he had snatched up and put away an article of national importance that lay upon a table, and was out at the door and flying through the palace grounds in his bannered rags, with a hot face and glowing eyes. As soon as he reached the great gate, he seized the bars, and tried to shake them, shouting—

他立刻抓起放在桌子上的一件对国家至关重要的东西收了起来，然后穿着旗子般的破旧衣服跑出门外，飞奔着穿过宫殿院子。他脸上发热，两眼放光。一跑到那扇巨大的门前，他就抓住栅栏使劲摇晃，并喊道：

"Open! Unbar the gates!"“开门！把大门打开！”

The soldier that had maltreated Tom obeyed promptly; and as the prince burst through the portal, half-smothered with royal wrath, the soldier fetched him a sounding box on the ear that sent him whirling to the roadway, and said—

先前虐待汤姆的守卫立刻遵从了命令。王子刚冲出大门，憋了王子一肚子气的守卫就给了他一记响亮的耳光，打得他晕乎乎地退到了路面上。那守卫还说：

"Take that, thou beggar's spawn, for what thou got'st me from his Highness!"“活该，你这小叫花子，全是因为你，我才被殿下训了一顿！”

The crowd roared with laughter. The prince picked himself out of the mud, and made fiercely at the sentry, shouting—

人群哄堂大笑。王子从泥沟里爬出来，愤怒地朝守卫走去，大声道：

"I am the Prince of Wales, my person is sacred; and thou shalt hang for laying thy hand upon me!"“我是威尔士王子，我本人是神圣不可冒犯的。你竟敢出手打我，你要被绞死的！”

The soldier brought his halberd to a present-arms and said mockingly—

这位士兵举戟致敬，讽刺地说：

"I salute your gracious Highness."Then angrily—"Be off, thou crazy rubbish!"“向仁慈的殿下致敬。”又转而怒道，“滚开，你这个发了疯的废物！”

Here the jeering crowd closed round the poor little prince, and hustled him far down the road, hooting him, and shouting—"Way for his Royal Highness! Way for the Prince of Wales!"

此时，讥笑的人群向可怜的小王子凑过来，沿路把他推向远处，一边驱赶着他，一边喊：“给王子殿下让路！给威尔士王子让路！”

CHAPTER IV The Prince's Troubles Begin

第四章 王子开始遇到麻烦

After hours of persistent pursuit and persecution, the little prince was at last deserted by the rabble and left to himself. As long as he had been able to rage against the mob, and threaten it royally, and royally utter commands that were good stuff to laugh at, he was very entertaining; but when weariness finally forced him to be silent, he was no longer of use to his tormentors, and they sought amusement elsewhere. He looked about him, now, but could not recognise the locality. He was within the city of London—that was all he knew. He moved on, aimlessly, and in a little while the houses thinned, and the passers-by were infrequent. He bathed his bleeding feet in the brook which flowed then where Farringdon Street now is; rested a few moments, then passed on, and presently came upon a great space with only a few scattered houses in it, and a prodigious church. He recognised this church. Scaffoldings were about, everywhere, and swarms of workmen; for it was undergoing elaborate repairs. The prince took heart at once—he felt that his troubles were at an end, now. He said to himself, "It is the ancient Grey Friars' Church, which the king my father hath taken from the monks and given for a home for ever for poor and forsaken children, and new-named it Christ's Church. Right gladly will they serve the son of him who hath done so generously by them—and the more that that son is himself as poor and as forlorn as any that be sheltered here this day, or ever shall be.”

这帮乌合之众数小时来一直追赶小王子，找他麻烦。最后，他们终于离去，剩下了他自己。只要他还能够冲这群暴徒发火，还能够王子般地威胁他们，向他们下达那些在他们看来很好笑的命令，他就显得很有趣。但当他终于累得说不出话时，他对折磨他的人群就再也没用处了，于是他们就到其他地方寻乐子去了。现在，他四下环顾，却无法认出这是什么地方。他在伦敦城里——他只知道这些。他漫无目的地继续走，不一会儿，房子变窄了，行人少了。王子在小溪里洗了洗流血的脚，当时那条小溪流过的地方如今成了法灵顿街。他休息了片刻，然后继续走，不一会儿，他来到一块空旷的地方，只有几所房子和一座宏伟的教堂分散其间。他认出了这座教堂。周围到处都是脚手架，还有一大群工人——教堂正在进行大规模的修缮。王子立刻振作了起来——他觉得现在他的麻烦结束了。他心想：“这是古老的格雷弗利尔斯教堂，是我父王从修道士那里要过来，供那些贫穷的、被遗弃的孩子们永久居住的，还给它起了个新名字，叫救世主教堂。他们一定会十分高兴地招待曾经对他们如此大方的人的儿子，而且会更加热情，因为这个儿子本人正与今天、或今后都永远住在这里的人一样可怜和无助。”

He was soon in the midst of a crowd of boys who were running, jumping, playing at ball and leap-frog, and otherwise disporting themselves, and right noisily, too. They were all dressed alike, and in the fashion which in that day prevailed among serving-men and 'prentices—that is to say, each had on the crown of his head a flat black cap about the size of a saucer, which was not useful as a covering, it being of such scanty dimensions, neither was it ornamental; from beneath it the hair fell, unparted, to the middle of the forehead, and was cropped straight around; a clerical band at the neck; a blue gown that fitted closely and hung as low as the knees or lower; full sleeves; a broad red belt; bright yellow stockings, gartered above the knees; low shoes with large metal buckles. It was a sufficiently ugly costume.

他很快到了一群男孩子中间，他们有的在跑着，跳着，玩着球或者青蛙跳，还有的在独自玩耍，也一样吵吵闹闹。他们穿着相同的衣服，是那种当时在仆人和学徒中流行的打扮——人人头上都戴着一顶茶碟大小的扁平的黑帽，帽子非常小，不能用来遮挡，也算不上装饰品。头发从帽子下方成片垂下，直到额头中间，参差不齐地直剪了一圈。脖子上系着教士领带，贴身的蓝色长外衣一直垂到了膝盖或更下面。袖子肥大，腰间一条红色宽腰带，亮黄色的长筒袜用吊袜带拉到膝盖上方，脚上是带大金属扣子的短筒靴。这身衣服真是丑得可以。

The boys stopped their play and flocked about the prince, who said with native dignity—

男孩子们停下不玩了，都围到王子旁边。王子用天生的庄严的语气说道：

"Good lads, say to your master that Edward Prince of Wales desireth speech with him."“好伙伴们，通报你们院长一声，就说威尔士王子爱德华想与他会谈。”

A great shout went up at this, and one rude fellow said—

这引起了一片叫喊声，一个粗鲁的家伙说道：

"Marry, art thou his grace's messenger, beggar?"“哎呀，你是殿下的信使吗，乞丐？”

The prince's face flushed with anger, and his ready hand flew to his hip, but there was nothing there. There was a storm of laughter, and one boy said—

王子气得涨红了脸，迅速地把他敏捷的手伸向臀后，可那边什么也没有。接着是一阵哄笑，一个男孩说道：

"Didst mark that? He fancied he had a sword—belike he is the prince himself.”“你们看到了吗？他以为他有剑呢，好像自己真是王子似的。”

This sally brought more laughter. Poor Edward drew himself up proudly and said—

这句俏皮话引来了更多的笑声。可怜的爱德华骄傲地挺直身子，说道：

"I am the prince; and it ill beseemeth you that feed upon the king my father's bounty to use me so."“我是王子。你们靠着我父王的慷慨生存，这样对我是不合适的。”

This was vastly enjoyed, as the laughter testified. The youth who had first spoken, shouted to his comrades—

这真是太有趣了，听听笑声就能知道。第一个说话的小伙子向他同伴们喊道：

"Ho, swine, slaves, pensioners of his grace's princely father, where be your manners? Down on your marrow bones, all of ye, and do reverence to his kingly port and royal rags!"“哦，小鬼们、奴隶们、领取尊敬的殿下的父亲的抚恤金的人们，你们的礼仪呢？大家都弯腰下跪，向他的高贵姿态和皇家的破旧衣服敬礼！”

With boisterous mirth they dropped upon their knees in a body and did mock homage to their prey. The prince spurned the nearest boy with his foot, and said fiercely—

在一片喧闹的欢笑声中，他们全体跪下，真的朝着他们的猎物装模作样地敬礼。王子将最近处的男孩踢到一边，怒斥道：

"Take thou that, till the morrow come and I build thee a gibbet!"“去你们的，等着明天，我把你们送上绞刑架！”

Ah, but this was not a joke—this was going beyond fun. The laughter ceased on the instant, and fury took its place. A dozen shouted—

啊，这可不是开玩笑，这可不是好玩的。笑声立刻停止了，愤怒取而代之。十几个孩子喊道：

"Hale him forth! To the horse-pond, to the horse-pond! Where be the dogs? Ho, there, Lion! Ho, Fangs!”“把他拉过来！拉到饮马池去，拉到饮马池去！狗群在哪儿呢？嘿，那里，狮子！嘿，犬牙！”

Then followed such a thing as England had never seen before—the sacred person of the heir to the throne rudely buffeted by plebeian hands, and set upon and torn by dogs.

接着是英国人以前从来没见过的一幕——不可冒犯的王位继承人被一群平民百姓猛打，扔到狗群里，被狗撕咬。

As night drew to a close that day, the prince found himself far down in the close-built portion of the city. His body was bruised, his hands were bleeding, and his rags were all besmirched with mud. He wandered on and on, and grew more and more bewildered, and so tired and faint he could hardly drag one foot after the other. He had ceased to ask questions of anyone, since they brought him only insult instead of information. He kept muttering to himself, "Offal Court—that is the name; if I can but find it before my strength is wholly spent and I drop, then am I saved—for his people will take me to the palace and prove that I am none of theirs, but the true prince, and I shall have mine own again.”And now and then his mind reverted to his treatment by those rude Christ's Hospital boys, and he said, "When I am king, they shall not have bread and shelter only, but also teachings out of books; for a full belly is little worth where the mind is starved, and the heart. I will keep this diligently in my remembrance, that this day's lesson be not lost upon me, and my people suffer thereby; for learning softeneth the heart and breedeth gentleness and charity."

那天夜幕降临的时候，王子发现自己已到了远远的城里建筑密集的区域。他遍体鳞伤，双手在流血，破衣服上沾满了泥。他漫无目的地走啊走，越来越迷茫，他十分疲倦和虚弱，几乎再也拖不动腿了。他不再问任何问题，因为那些人给他的不是信息，而只是羞辱。他不停地自言自语：“垃圾大院——是这个名字。如果我能在力气耗尽倒下之前找到这个地方，那就得救了，因为他的家人会把我送到宫殿，证明我不是他们那里的人，而是真的王子，那我就能回到属于自己的生活。”时不时地，他会想起救世主孤儿院那些粗鲁的男孩们怎么对待他，便说：“等我做了国王，他们不仅会得到面包和住处，我还要让他们学习书上的知识，因为如果头脑和心灵都在挨饿，只是填饱肚子几乎毫无价值。我会时时刻刻想着，不能忘记今天的教训，以免我的百姓受苦，因为知识能让心灵变得温柔，孕育文雅与仁爱。”

The lights began to twinkle, it came on to rain, the wind rose, and a raw and gusty night set in. The houseless prince, the homeless heir to the throne of England, still moved on, drifting deeper into the maze of squalid alleys where the swarming hives of poverty and misery were massed together.

华灯初上，天下起了雨，起了风，一个阴冷的、疾风凛凛的夜晚来了。这位无处可去的王子，无家可归的英国王位继承人继续走着，游荡到肮脏的巷子迷宫的深处。在那里，贫穷和苦难的蜂群聚集在一起。

Suddenly a great drunken ruffian collared him and said—

突然，一个高大的醉汉抓住了他的衣领，说道：

"Out to this time of night again, and hast not brought a farthing home, I warrant me! If it be so, an' I do not break all the bones in thy lean body, then am I not John Canty, but some other."“又这么晚才回来，而且我敢说，肯定一个法寻也没带回家！要真是这样，如果我不打断你那小身板上所有的骨头，我就不是约翰·坎蒂，而是其他人了。”

The prince twisted himself loose, unconsciously brushed his profaned shoulder, and eagerly said—

王子挣开了，下意识地掸了掸弄脏了的肩膀，迫不及待地问：

"Oh, art his father, truly? Sweet heaven grant it be so—then wilt thou fetch him away and restore me!”“啊，你是他的父亲，真的吗？亲爱的上帝，保佑是这样吧——那么你就把他要回来，把我还回去！”

"His father? I know not what thou mean'st; I but know I am thy father, as thou shalt soon have cause to—”“他的父亲？我不懂你是什么意思，但是我知道我是你父亲，因为你等会儿要有大事——”

"Oh, jest not, palter not, delay not! —I am worn, I am wounded, I can bear no more. Take me to the king my father, and he will make thee rich beyond thy wildest dreams. Believe me, man, believe me! —I speak no lie, but only the truth!—put forth thy hand and save me! I am indeed the Prince of Wales!”“啊，别开玩笑，别含糊其词，别等会儿！——我累了，我受伤了，我再也受不了了。送我到我父王那里去，他会让你富裕，在你最荒诞的梦里都想象不到的富裕。您相信我，相信我！——我没说谎，都是实话！——伸出你的手，救救我吧！我确实是威尔士王子！”

The man stared down, stupefied, upon the lad, then shook his head and muttered—

这个男人低头盯着他，目瞪口呆，然后摇摇头，咕哝道：

"Gone stark mad as any Tom o' Bedlam!"—then collared him once more, and said with a coarse laugh and an oath, "But mad or no mad, I and thy Gammer Canty will soon find where the soft places in thy bones lie, or I'm no true man!"“完全疯了，成了疯人院里的汤姆了！”说完又揪起他的衣领，粗声粗气地笑骂道，“但是不管疯了还是没疯，我和你的坎蒂奶奶很快就会找到你骨头最软的地方，否则我就不是真正的男人！”

With this he dragged the frantic and struggling prince away, and disappeared up a front court followed by a delighted and noisy swarm of human vermin.

说着，他把发疯似地挣扎的王子拖走了，消失在一个院子前，留下身后一群兴致勃勃、喧闹嘈杂的暴徒。

CHAPTER V Tom as a Patrician

第五章 汤姆做了贵族

Tom Canty, left alone in the prince's cabinet, made good use of his opportunity. He turned himself this way and that before the great mirror, admiring his finery; then walked away, imitating the prince's high-bred carriage, and still observing results in the glass. Next he drew the beautiful sword, and bowed, kissing the blade, and laying it across his breast, as he had seen a noble knight do, by way of salute to the lieutenant of the Tower, five or six weeks before, when delivering the great lords of Norfolk and Surrey into his hands for captivity. Tom played with the jewelled dagger that hung upon his thigh; he examined the costly and exquisite ornaments of the room; he tried each of the sumptuous chairs, and thought how proud he would be if the Offal Court herd could only peep in and see him in his grandeur. He wondered if they would believe the marvellous tale he should tell when he got home, or if they would shake their heads, and say his overtaxed imagination had at last upset his reason.

王子的内阁里只剩下汤姆·坎蒂一个人，他好好地利用了这个机会。他在大镜子前面左照右照，欣赏着他华丽的服饰，然后走开，模仿着王子有教养的举止，又在镜子里观察效果。随后，他拔出那把美丽的剑，鞠一躬，亲吻了刀刃，将它横在自己的胸前，就像他见过的一个高贵的骑士向伦敦塔的上尉致敬时那样。那是在五六个星期前，骑士把诺福克和萨里郡的伯爵交给上尉囚禁的时候。汤姆玩了一会儿挂在他大腿上的那把镶珠宝的匕首，又仔细观察着房间里昂贵而精美的装饰。他试坐了每一把豪华的椅子，心里想，如果垃圾大院的人能偷看一眼他的荣光，他该多自豪啊。他心里想，如果他回到家告诉他们这个奇妙的故事，他们会不会相信，又或者他们会摇摇头，说他幻想过度，结果丧失了理智。

At the end of half an hour it suddenly occurred to him that the prince was gone a long time; then right away he began to feel lonely; very soon he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to toy with the pretty things about him; he grew uneasy, then restless, then distressed. Suppose some one should come, and catch him in the prince's clothes, and the prince not there to explain. Might they not hang him at once, and inquire into his case afterward? He had heard that the great were prompt about small matters. His fear rose higher and higher; and trembling he softly opened the door to the antechamber, resolved to fly and seek the prince, and, through him, protection and release. Six gorgeous gentlemen-servants and two young pages of high degree, clothed like butterflies, sprang to their feet and bowed low before him. He stepped quickly back and shut the door. He said—

半个小时过去了，他忽然意识到王子出去好长时间了，于是他马上开始感到孤独。很快，他开始听着，期待着，不再玩周围这些漂亮的东西，而是变得不自在，接着坐立不安，随后觉得十分痛苦。如果有人进来抓住了穿着王子衣服的他，而王子又不在场帮他解释。他们会不会立刻绞死他，过后再调查这个案件呢？他早听说大人物处理小事情是很迅速的。他越来越害怕，颤抖着轻轻打开前厅的门，决心要飞跑着去寻找王子，有了王子，就有了保护和解脱。六个衣着华丽的男仆和两个穿得像蝴蝶似的高级侍从霍地站起身来，向他深深地鞠躬。他马上退回了脚步，关上了门。他说：

"Oh, they mock at me! They will go and tell. Oh! Why came I here to cast away my life?"“啊，他们嘲笑我！他们会去告密的。啊！我为什么舍弃了自己的生活，到这里来？”

He walked up and down the floor, filled with nameless fears, listening, starting at every trifling sound. Presently the door swung open, and a silken page said—

他在地板上踱来踱去，心中充满了莫名的恐惧。他侧耳聆听，一点点动静都让他心惊胆战。不一会儿，门打开了，一个身穿绫罗的侍从说：

"The Lady Jane Grey."“简·格雷郡主来了。”

The door closed and a sweet young girl, richly clad, bounded toward him. But she stopped suddenly, and said in a distressed voice—

门关了，一个穿着华丽、年轻甜美的姑娘跳着朝他走来。但是她忽然停住了，声音忧虑地说：

"Oh, what aileth thee, my lord?"“啊，您有什么烦恼，我的殿下？”

Tom's breath was nearly failing him; but he made shift to stammer out—

汤姆几乎喘不过气来了，但他还是努力结结巴巴地说出：

"Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom Canty of Offal Court in the city. Prithee let me see the prince, and he will of his grace restore to me my rags, and let me hence unhurt. Oh, be thou merciful, and save me!"“啊，请您仁慈些吧！我真的不是殿下，只是城里垃圾大院的可怜的汤姆·坎蒂。请让我见见王子，尊敬的殿下会把我的破旧衣服还给我，好让我不受伤害。啊，您仁慈些吧，救救我！”

By this time the boy was on his knees, and supplicating with his eyes and uplifted hands as well as with his tongue. The young girl seemed horror-stricken. She cried out—

这时，这个男孩已经跪下，他的眼神、高举的手，还有言语里都充满了哀求。年轻的姑娘好像被吓坏了。她叫喊道：

"O my lord, on thy knees?—and to ME!”“噢，我的殿下，您跪下？——朝我跪！”

Then she fled away in fright; and Tom, smitten with despair, sank down, murmuring—

然后她惊恐地逃走了。汤姆彻底绝望了，无力地坐下，嘴里咕哝：

"There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take me."“没人帮我，没有希望了。现在他们要来抓我了吧。”

Whilst he lay there benumbed with terror, dreadful tidings were speeding through the palace. The whisper—for it was whispered always—flew from menial to menial, from lord to lady, down all the long corridors, from story to story, from saloon to saloon, "The prince hath gone mad, the prince hath gone mad!"Soon every saloon, every marble hall, had its groups of glittering lords and ladies, and other groups of dazzling lesser folk, talking earnestly together in whispers, and every face had in it dismay. Presently a splendid official came marching by these groups, making solemn proclamation—

就在他吓得瘫坐在那里时，可怕的消息迅速传遍了宫殿。耳语——因为总是耳语——从一个家仆传到另一个家仆耳朵里，从贵族老爷传到贵族太太那里，穿过长长的走廊，从一个故事到另一个故事，从一个大厅到另一个大厅，说：“王子疯了，王子疯了！”很快，每个大厅和每个大理石会堂里的一群群闪闪发光的贵族老爷和太太们，还有一群群耀眼的地位低些的大臣，都在一起认真地窃窃私语，人人脸上都是惊慌的神色。没多久，一个华丽的官员过来把这些人召集起来，庄严地宣布：

"IN THE NAME OF THE KING!“以国王的名义！

Let none list to this false and foolish matter, upon pain of death, nor discuss the same, nor carry it abroad. In the name of the King!”

大家都不可听信这种伪造的愚蠢的谣言，违令者死，不可谈论此事，也不可使谣言外传。以国王的名义！”

The whisperings ceased as suddenly as if the whisperers had been stricken dumb.

窃窃私语声倏地停止了，好像这些人都被打成了哑巴。

Soon there was a general buzz along the corridors, of "The prince! See, the prince comes!"

不久，走廊里响起一阵嗡嗡声：“王子！看，王子来了！”

Poor Tom came slowly walking past the low-bowing groups, trying to bow in return, and meekly gazing upon his strange surroundings with bewildered and pathetic eyes. Great nobles walked upon each side of him, making him lean upon them, and so steady his steps. Behind him followed the court-physicians and some servants.

可怜的汤姆慢慢地穿过深深鞠躬的人群，一边努力弯腰还礼，一边谦顺地看着周围陌生的环境，眼里充满了迷茫和凄惨。几个大贵族走在他两边，让他靠着他们走，好让他的步子平稳。他后面跟着御医们和一些仆人。

Presently Tom found himself in a noble apartment of the palace and heard the door close behind him. Around him stood those who had come with him. Before him, at a little distance, reclined a very large and very fat man, with a wide, pulpy face, and a stern expression. His large head was very grey; and his whiskers, which he wore only around his face, like a frame, were grey also. His clothing was of rich stuff, but old, and slightly frayed in places. One of his swollen legs had a pillow under it, and was wrapped in bandages. There was silence now; and there was no head there but was bent in reverence, except this man's. This stern-countenanced invalid was the dread Henry VIII. He said—and his face grew gentle as he began to speak—

很快，汤姆到了宫殿里一间宏伟的屋子里，听到身后门关上的声音。身边站的是随他来的那些人。他面前不远处斜躺着一个很大很胖的人，脸庞宽阔柔软，表情严肃。他大大的头上头发灰白，他那像相框一样绕在脸颊周围的络腮胡子也是灰白的。他衣着华贵，但是很旧，有些地方稍有磨损。他那一条肿起的腿用绷带包扎着，下面垫了个枕头。此刻一片沉寂，所有人的脑袋都不见了，全都恭敬地低垂着，除了这个人的。这个表情严肃的病人正是令人敬畏的亨利八世。他开口说话时，脸色和缓了下来。他说道：

"How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen me, the good King thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth thee, with a sorry jest?"“现在怎么样，我的爱德华殿下，我的王子？你是不是存心开个令人伤心的玩笑来哄我——你仁慈的父王，这个爱你并对你好的人呢？”

Poor Tom was listening, as well as his dazed faculties would let him, to the beginning of this speech; but when the words 'me, the good King' fell upon his ear, his face blanched, and he dropped as instantly upon his knees as if a shot had brought him there. Lifting up his hands, he exclaimed—

开头讲的时候，可怜的汤姆还在听着，虽然头昏目眩，他还是尽力听着。但是当他听到“我——你仁慈的父王”几个字时，他的脸一下子变得煞白，立刻双膝跪下，好像挨了一枪似的。他举起双手，大声喊道：

"Thou the King? Then am I undone indeed!"“您是国王？那我真的完蛋了！”

This speech seemed to stun the King. His eyes wandered from face to face aimlessly, then rested, bewildered, upon the boy before him. Then he said in a tone of deep disappointment—

国王听了这话，似乎大吃了一惊。他的眼睛漫无目的地扫了扫众人的脸，然后茫然地落在了面前这个男孩子身上。他用非常失望的语气说道：

"Alack, I had believed the rumour disproportioned to the truth; but I fear me 'tis not so."He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in a gentle voice, "Come to thy father, child: thou art not well.”“呜呼，我原相信传言与事实不符，但恐怕不是这样了。”他深深叹了口气，用温柔的语气说：“到父王这里来，孩子，你生病了。”

Tom was assisted to his feet, and approached the Majesty of England, humble and trembling. The King took the frightened face between his hands, and gazed earnestly and lovingly into it awhile, as if seeking some grateful sign of returning reason there, then pressed the curly head against his breast, and patted it tenderly. Presently he said—

汤姆被扶了起来，走近英国国王陛下。他很谦卑，还发着抖。国王两手托住那惊恐的脸，认真地、慈爱地凝视了一会儿，好像在寻找一丝令人欣喜的恢复神志的迹象，然后他把汤姆那满头卷发的脑袋贴在胸口上，轻柔地拍了拍。过了会儿，他说：

"Dost not know thy father, child? Break not mine old heart; say thou know'st me. Thou DOST know me, dost thou not?"“你不认得你父王了吗，孩子？不要让我这个老人伤心，说你认得我。你确实认得我，是不是？”

"Yea:thou art my dread lord the King, whom God preserve!”“是，您是我令人敬畏的国王陛下，深得上帝保佑！”

"True, true—that is well—be comforted, tremble not so; there is none here would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee. Thou art better now; thy ill dream passeth—is't not so? Thou wilt not miscall thyself again, as they say thou didst a little while agone?"“对，对——很好——放松，不要这样直打哆嗦。这里没人会伤害你，这里所有人都只会爱你。你现在好多了，你的噩梦过去了——是不是这样？你不会再叫错自己了吧，他们说刚才你就错了？”

"I pray thee of thy grace believe me, I did but speak the truth, most dread lord; for I am the meanest among thy subjects, being a pauper born, and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here, albeit I was therein nothing blameful. I am but young to die, and thou canst save me with one little word. Oh speak it, sir!"“我求仁慈的陛下您相信我，我说的都是实话，最令人敬畏的陛下，因为我是您最卑微的臣民，生来是个贫儿，我来到这儿是因为一件非常偶然的意外，虽然这不是我的错。我现在死还太年轻了，而您只要一句话就能救了我。啊，救救我，陛下！”

"Die? Talk not so, sweet prince—peace, peace, to thy troubled heart—thou shalt not die!”“死？别说这个，亲爱的王子——安心，安心，你那烦燥不安的心灵——你不会死的！”

Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry—

汤姆扑通跪在地上，高兴地哭喊道：

"God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy land!"Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two lords in waiting, and exclaimed, "Thou heard'st it! I am not to die: the King hath said it!”There was no movement, save that all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused, then turned timidly toward the King, saying, "I may go now?"“上帝会报答您的仁慈的，哦，我的国王，上帝会保您长寿，并赐福于您的领土的！”然后，他跳起来，转身面对两位侍臣，神情愉悦地大声说：“你们听见了！我不会死的，国王说过了！”没有人动，都只是严肃而恭敬地鞠着躬，却没一个人说话。他犹豫了一下，有点困惑，然后怯怯地转向国王，说：“我现在可以走了吗？”

"Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither would'st go?"“走？当然可以，如果你想走。不过为什么不再呆一会儿？你要去哪儿？”

Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly—

汤姆垂下眼睛，谦卑地回答道：

"Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to misery, yet which harboureth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me; whereas these pomps and splendours whereunto I am not used—oh, please you, sir, to let me go!”“我可能误解了，不过我确实以为我自由了，以为可以再回到我的狗窝。我在那里出生、成长，饱尝悲苦，不过，那里也有我的母亲和姐姐们，那里才是我的家。而这些华贵光彩的东西，是我不能习惯的——啊，陛下，请您放我走吧！”

The King was silent and thoughtful a while, and his face betrayed a growing distress and uneasiness. Presently he said, with something of hope in his voice—

国王沉默着思索了片刻，他的神情无法掩饰地越来越悲痛和不安。过了会儿，他用带着某种希望的声音说道：

"Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits unmarred as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We will make trial."“没准他只是这方面失去了神志，在其他事情上心智尚存。上帝保佑是这样吧！我们来试试。”

Then he asked Tom a question in Latin, and Tom answered him lamely in the same tongue. The lords and doctors manifested their gratification also. The King said—

然后他用拉丁文问了汤姆一个问题，汤姆也用拉丁文勉勉强强地回答了。大臣们和医生们也都表示满意。国王说道：

"'Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but showeth that his mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you, sir?"“这与他所受的教育和能力并不符合，但这说明他的脑袋只是生病了，并未受到致命的打击。你说呢，先生？”

The physician addressed bowed low, and replied—

被问的那个医生深深地鞠了一躬，回答道：

"It jumpeth with my own conviction, sire that thou hast divined aright."“我与您的看法一样，陛下，您推断得对。”

The King looked pleased with this encouragement, coming as it did from so excellent authority, and continued with good heart—

国王听了这句鼓励后，看起来很高兴，因为那是如此优秀的御医说的。他心情舒畅，继续说道：

"Now mark ye all: we will try him further.”“现在你们都听着，我们还要进一步试他。”

He put a question to Tom in French. Tom stood silent a moment, embarrassed by having so many eyes centred upon him, then said diffidently—

他用法文问了汤姆一个问题。汤姆站着沉默了片刻，落在他身上的那么多双眼睛让他很是尴尬。他羞怯地说：

"I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty."“我不懂这种语言，回禀陛下。”

The King fell back upon his couch. The attendants flew to his assistance; but he put them aside, and said—

国王向后一倒，靠在了椅子上。侍者快步过去扶他，而他把他们撇到一边，说道：

"Trouble me not—it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me! There, 'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor troubled head upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt soon be well: 'tis but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt soon be well."Then he turned toward the company: his gentle manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his eyes. He said—“不要管我——只是一点儿眩晕，没什么。扶我起来！好了，可以了。到这边来，孩子。好了，把你可怜的、忧虑的脑袋靠在你父王的心口上，安安心心的。你很快就会好的，这只不过是暂时的幻觉。不要害怕，你很快就会好的。”然后他转向众随从。他温和的态度变了，眼睛里闪现了威严的光芒。他说道：

"List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Over-study hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away with his books and teachers! See ye to it. Pleasure him with sports; beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health comes again.”He raised himself higher still, and went on with energy, "He is mad; but he is my son, and England's heir; and, mad or sane, still shall he reign! And hear ye further, and proclaim it: whoso speaketh of this his distemper worketh against the peace and order of these realms, and shall to the gallows!... Give me to drink—I burn: this sorrow sappeth my strength.... There, take away the cup.... Support me. There, that is well. Mad, is he? Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he Prince of Wales and I the King will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in his princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order for it, my lord Hertford.”“你们都听着！我的儿子疯了，但这不是永久的。功课太多害他成了这个样子，还有限制也太多了些。别让他读书了，别让老师们教导他了！你们负责这件事情。让他运动，保持心情愉快，用有益健康的办法使他过得开心，好让他恢复健康。”他又坐高了些，活力十足地继续说道：“他疯了，但他是我儿子，是英国王位的继承人。而且，无论疯还是正常，他都要继位！你们再听着，传令下去，不管谁泄露他的疯病，都是扰乱国家的和平与秩序，要处以绞刑！……给我拿杯水——我渴了，悲伤耗尽了我的气力……好了，拿走水杯……扶我一下。好了，这样可以了。疯了，他疯了？即便他疯一千倍，他仍然是威尔士王子，国王我确信。明天就用应有的古老仪式举行正式册立他为王子的典礼。马上准备吧，我的赫特福德伯爵。”

One of the nobles knelt at the royal couch, and said—

一个贵族跪在王座旁，说道：

"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted—”“国王陛下知道，英国掌管世代典礼的大司仪正被关押在伦敦塔里。这是不合适的，被关押的人——”

"Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to live for ever? Am I to be baulked of my will? Is the prince to tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an Earl Marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honours? No, by the splendour of God! Warn my Parliament to bring me Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer for it grievously!"“住嘴！别拿那个可恶的人的名字玷污了我的耳朵。这个人要永远活着吗？让我无法按着自己的意愿行事？难道王子的册立典礼要推迟，就因为全国真的找不到一个没有背叛污点的典礼大臣来当司仪？不可能，万能的上帝！传令给国会，明天太阳升起之前就判诺福克死刑，否则，他们就要为此付出惨重的代价！”

Lord Hertford said—

赫特福德伯爵说道：

"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former place.“国王的意愿就是法律。”于是，他起身回到了原来的位置。

Gradually the wrath faded out of the old King's face, and he said—

老国王脸上的怒气渐渐消散，他说道：

"Kiss me, my prince. There... what fearest thou? Am I not thy loving father?"“吻我，我的王子。好了……你害怕什么呀？我不是你慈爱的父王吗？”

"Thou art good to me that am unworthy, O mighty and gracious lord: that in truth I know. But—but—it grieveth me to think of him that is to die, and—”“您对我很好，但这不值得。啊，万能的、仁慈的陛下，我真的知道。可是——可是——想到他要被处死，我就觉得悲伤，而且——”

"Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee! I know thy heart is still the same, even though thy mind hath suffered hurt, for thou wert ever of a gentle spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and thine honours:eI will have another in his stead that shall bring no taint to his great office. Comfort thee, my prince: trouble not thy poor head with this matter.”“啊，这像你，这像你！我就知道，虽然你的头脑受了伤，你的心还是一样，因为你一直都有一副慈悲心肠。但是这个公爵阻挡了你接受你的荣誉，我会另找个人代替他，不要玷污册立的重任。安心吧，我的王子，别为这个事情让你可怜的脑袋烦恼了。”

"But is it not I that speed him hence, my liege? How long might he not live, but for me?"“可那不就是因为我，他才会更快地被处死了吗，我的陛下？只是因为我，他少活了多长时间啊？”

"Take no thought of him, my prince: he is not worthy. Kiss me once again, and go to thy trifles and amusements; for my malady distresseth me. I am aweary, and would rest. Go with thine uncle Hertford and thy people, and come again when my body is refreshed.”“不要想他了，我的王子，他不值得。再吻我一回，就去玩乐吧，因为我的病使我难受。我累了，我要歇息了。跟你的舅舅赫特福德和你的侍从们去吧，等我的身体缓过来了再来。”

Tom, heavy-hearted, was conducted from the presence, for this last sentence was a death-blow to the hope he had cherished that now he would be set free. Once more he heard the buzz of low voices exclaiming, "The prince, the prince comes!"

汤姆被带走了。他心情沉重，因为这最后一句话对他所抱的现在就被放走的希望来说是致命的打击。他又听到了嗡嗡的低低的惊呼声：“王子，王子来了！”

His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the glittering files of bowing courtiers; for he recognised that he was indeed a captive now, and might remain for ever shut up in this gilded cage, a forlorn and friendless prince, except God in his mercy take pity on him and set him free.

他走过一列列闪闪发光的鞠着躬的大臣时，心情越来越沉重，因为他明白，他现在真的成了囚徒，也许要永远关在这个黄金铸造的囚笼里，做个孤独、没有朋友的王子，除非慈悲为怀的上帝可怜他，将他放走。

And, turn where he would, he seemed to see floating in the air the severed head and the remembered face of the great Duke of Norfolk, the eyes fixed on him reproachfully.

而且，不管他走到哪儿，他好像都能看到诺福克大伯爵的断头和忘不掉的脸悬浮在空中，他那双眼睛责备地盯着汤姆。

His old dreams had been so pleasant; but this reality was so dreary!

他以前做的梦都是非常愉快的，可现实却这么可怕！

CHAPTER VI Tom Receives Instructions

第六章 汤姆接受指导

Tom was conducted to the principal apartment of a noble suite, and made to sit down—a thing which he was loth to do, since there were elderly men and men of high degree about him. He begged them to be seated also, but they only bowed their thanks or murmured them, and remained standing. He would have insisted, but his 'uncle' the Earl of Hertford whispered in his ear—

汤姆被引至一处宏伟套房的主房，被服侍着坐下。他很不情愿地坐了，因为周围站的是些年纪大的人和地位很高的人。他请求他们也坐下，但是他们只是鞠躬示谢或者低声道谢，却仍旧站着。他本来要坚持劝他们坐下，但是他的“舅舅”赫特福德伯爵在他耳边低声说：

"Prithee, insist not, my lord; it is not meet that they sit in thy presence."The Lord St. John was announced, and after making obeisance to Tom, he said—“请不要劝了，我的殿下，他们在您面前坐下是不合适的。”有人通告说大臣圣约翰勋爵来了。他向汤姆敬礼，然后说道：

"I come upon the King's errand, concerning a matter which requireth privacy. Will it please your royal highness to dismiss all that attend you here, save my lord the Earl of Hertford?"“我奉了国王之命，有机密之事禀告殿下。除赫特福德伯爵可留下来，请高贵的殿下命随您来的所有人退下吧？”

Observing that Tom did not seem to know how to proceed, Hertford whispered him to make a sign with his hand, and not trouble himself to speak unless he chose. When the waiting gentlemen had retired, Lord St. John said—

赫特福德发现汤姆不知道该怎么做，就在耳边悄悄告诉他摆手示意他们退下，还告诉他，除非觉得有必要，他不用说什么话。等侍从退下之后，圣约翰勋爵说：

"His majesty commandeth, that for due and weighty reasons of state, the prince's grace shall hide his infirmity in all ways that be within his power, till it be passed and he be as he was before. To wit, that he shall deny to none that he is the true prince, and heir to England's greatness; that he shall uphold his princely dignity, and shall receive, without word or sign of protest, that reverence and observance which unto it do appertain of right and ancient usage;that he shall cease to speak to any of that lowly birth and life his malady hath conjured out of the unwholesome imaginings of o'er-wrought fancy; that he shall strive with diligence to bring unto his memory again those faces which he was wont to know—and where he faileth he shall hold his peace, neither betraying by semblance of surprise or other sign that he hath forgot;that upon occasions of state, whensoever any matter shall perplex him as to the thing he should do or the utterance he should make, he shall show nought of unrest to the curious that look on, but take advice in that matter of the Lord Hertford, or my humble self, which are commanded of the King to be upon this service and close at call, till this commandment be dissolved. Thus saith the King's majesty, who sendeth greeting to your royal highness, and prayeth that God will of His mercy quickly heal you and have you now and ever in His holy keeping."“陛下的旨意，是考虑到国家正当的和重大的利益，王子殿下需尽其所能掩饰病情，直到病情消失，恢复到以前的样子。也就是说，他应不再跟任何人否认自己是真正的王子，伟大的英国的继承人；他要保持王子的尊贵，要接受正确而古老的传统所规定的礼仪和仪式，不能有语言和行为上的反抗；他不得再讲卑微的身世和生活，那是他的疾病引起的幻觉所导致的不益健康的想象；他要努力再记起那些他过去熟悉的面孔——而且即使他错了，也要保持平静，不要表现出惊讶的表情或其他行为，让人知道他忘了；在国事场合，如果有什么事情让他迷惑，他不知道应该做什么或说什么时，他不要对好奇的眼睛感到不安，只需按照赫特福德伯爵或是鄙人的建议去做。鄙人奉国王的旨意来侍候您，随叫随到，直到国王收回旨意。国王陛下这么说的，他问候尊贵的殿下，并祈求仁慈的上帝让您快快康复，现在以及永远都庇护您。”

The Lord St. John made reverence and stood aside. Tom replied resignedly—

圣约翰勋爵敬了礼，站到一旁。汤姆只好温顺地回答道：

"The King hath said it. None may palter with the King's command, or fit it to his ease, where it doth chafe, with deft evasions. The King shall be obeyed."“国王已经下旨了。有什么不合意的，谁也不能以巧妙的托辞违抗国王的命令，或者随意更改。遵从国王的旨意。”

Lord Hertford said—

赫特福德伯爵说道：

"Touching the King's majesty's ordainment concerning books and such like serious matters, it may peradventure please your highness to ease your time with lightsome entertainment, lest you go wearied to the banquet and suffer harm thereby."“说到国王陛下关于读书和此类严肃事务方面的命令，悠闲地做些轻快的娱乐活动也许能让殿下欢喜，以免您宴会上精神疲倦，因此而使健康受到损害。”

Tom's face showed inquiring surprise; and a blush followed when he saw Lord St. John's eyes bent sorrowfully upon him. His lordship said—

汤姆流露出惊疑的表情。当他看到圣约翰勋爵眼含悲伤地看着他时，他脸红了。他说道：

"Thy memory still wrongeth thee, and thou hast shown surprise—but suffer it not to trouble thee, for 'tis a matter that will not bide, but depart with thy mending malady. My Lord of Hertford speaketh of the city's banquet which the King's majesty did promise, some two months flown, your highness should attend. Thou recallest it now?"“您的记忆还有障碍，您刚刚表现出了惊讶——但是您不要为此不安，因为不会总这样，等病情好转就不会了。赫特福德伯爵提到了国王陛下允诺的城市宴会将在大概两个月之后举行，殿下应该参加。您现在想起来了吗？”

"It grieves me to confess it had indeed escaped me," said Tom, in a hesitating voice; and blushed again.“我很伤心地承认，我确实忘记了。”汤姆犹豫地说，脸又红了。

At this moment the Lady Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey were announced. The two lords exchanged significant glances, and Hertford stepped quickly toward the door. As the young girls passed him, he said in a low voice—

此时，有人通报伊丽莎白公主和简·格雷郡主来了。两位伯爵意味深长地交换了眼神，然后赫特福德快速走向门口。两位年轻的姑娘走过他身旁时，他低声地说：

"I pray ye, ladies, seem not to observe his humours, nor show surprise when his memory doth lapse—it will grieve you to note how it doth stick at every trifle.”“小姐们，请你们假装看不出他有什么不对劲的，他丧失记忆时，也别表现出惊讶——如果看到这疾病是如何渗透到每件小事时，你们会伤心的。”

Meantime Lord St. John was saying in Tom's ear—

同时，圣约翰勋爵在对汤姆耳语：

"Please you, sir, keep diligently in mind his majesty's desire. Remember all thou canst—seem to remember all else. Let them not perceive that thou art much changed from thy wont, for thou knowest how tenderly thy old play-fellows bear thee in their hearts and how 'twould grieve them. Art willing, sir, that I remain?—and thine uncle?”“殿下，请您将陛下的心意常记于心。记住您能记住的，假装记住您忘了的。不要让她们看出您与往常有很大变化，因为您知道您以前的玩伴心里对您是多么温柔，这该令她们多么伤心啊。殿下，您愿意我留下吗？——还有您的舅舅？”

Tom signified assent with a gesture and a murmured word, for he was already learning, and in his simple heart was resolved to acquit himself as best he might, according to the King's command.

汤姆打了手势，还低语一句，表示同意，因为他已经在学习。在他淳朴的心里，他立志自己要按照国王的旨意，尽力表现得最好。

In spite of every precaution, the conversation among the young people became a little embarrassing at times. More than once, in truth, Tom was near to breaking down and confessing himself unequal to his tremendous part; but the tact of the Princess Elizabeth saved him, or a word from one or the other of the vigilant lords, thrown in apparently by chance, had the same happy effect. Once the little Lady Jane turned to Tom and dismayed him with this question,—

尽管小心谨慎，但这几个年轻人的谈话仍时不时变得有些尴尬。说实话，汤姆不止一次地差点失控，几乎要供认他配不上这个伟大的角色，但伊丽莎白公主的机敏救了他，或者机警的大人们有意无意地插句话，也产生了同样令人高兴的效果。一回，简小郡主问了汤姆个问题，使他焦虑不安。

"Hast paid thy duty to the Queen's majesty to-day, my lord?”“您今天向王后请安了吗，殿下？”

Tom hesitated, looked distressed, and was about to stammer out something at hazard, when Lord St. John took the word and answered for him with the easy grace of a courtier accustomed to encounter delicate difficulties and to be ready for them—

汤姆犹豫了，脸色忧伤，危急之中正欲结巴地说些什么，圣约翰伯爵此时接了话。作为朝臣会常常遇到微妙的难题，要能够随时回答，于是他从容不迫地替王子回答道：

"He hath indeed, madam, and she did greatly hearten him, as touching his majesty's condition; is it not so, your highness?"“他去过了，郡主。看到殿下的状况，她大大地鼓励他。不是这样吗，殿下？”

Tom mumbled something that stood for assent, but felt that he was getting upon dangerous ground. Somewhat later it was mentioned that Tom was to study no more at present, whereupon her little ladyship exclaimed—

汤姆喃喃地说了句什么表示同意，却觉着自己踏入了危险的境地。大概过了一会儿，有人提到目前汤姆不再学习，对此小郡主大声说道：

"'Tis a pity, 'tis a pity! Thou wert proceeding bravely. But bide thy time in patience: it will not be for long. Thou'lt yet be graced with learning like thy father, and make thy tongue master of as many languages as his, good my prince."“太可惜了，太可惜了！您原来一直很勇敢地向前冲。但是，耐心等待吧，很快就好了。您很快就能够荣幸地像您父王一样有学识，学会和他一样多的语言，我善良的王子。”

"My father!" cried Tom, off his guard for the moment. "I trow he cannot speak his own so that any but the swine that kennel in the styes may tell his meaning; and as for learning of any sort soever—”“我父亲！”汤姆一时失去警觉，叫喊道，“我相信他连自己的语言都说不好，只有住在猪窝里的那些下等人能明白他的意思。至于说什么学识——”

He looked up and encountered a solemn warning in my Lord St. John's eyes.

他抬头一看，遇上了圣约翰勋爵严肃的警告的眼神。

He stopped, blushed, and then continued low and sadly: "Ah, my malady persecuteth me again, and my mind wandereth. I meant the King's grace no irreverence."

他停住，红了脸，然后悲伤地低声说：“啊，又是我的病害的，我的思想迷了路。我不是有意冒犯国王陛下的。”

"We know it, sir," said the Princess Elizabeth, taking her 'brother's' hand between her two palms, respectfully but caressingly; "trouble not thyself as to that. The fault is none of thine, but thy distemper's."“我们知道，殿下，”伊丽莎白公主说道，一面很恭敬却也很亲切地将她“弟弟”的手放在自己手掌中间，“别这样烦自己。这不是您的错，不过是您的病的原因。”

"Thou'rt a gentle comforter, sweet lady," said Tom, gratefully, "and my heart moveth me to thank thee for't, an' I may be so bold."“您是个温柔的安慰者，亲爱的公主，”汤姆感激地说，“我大着胆子说，是我的心让我感谢您的。”

Once the giddy little Lady Jane fired a simple Greek phrase at Tom. The Princess Elizabeth's quick eye saw by the serene blankness of the target's front that the shaft was overshot; so she tranquilly delivered a return volley of sounding Greek on Tom's behalf, and then straightway changed the talk to other matters.

还有一回，冒失的简小郡主用个简单的希腊词语向汤姆开火。伊丽莎白公主非常敏锐地从那个靶子的沉默和茫然中看出这一枪过了火，所以她平静地用希腊语替汤姆回了一弹，然后马上转移了话题。

Time wore on pleasantly, and likewise smoothly, on the whole. Snags and sandbars grew less and less frequent, and Tom grew more and more at his ease, seeing that all were so lovingly bent upon helping him and overlooking his mistakes. When it came out that the little ladies were to accompany him to the Lord Mayor's banquet in the evening, his heart gave a bound of relief and delight, for he felt that he should not be friendless, now, among that multitude of strangers; whereas, an hour earlier, the idea of their going with him would have been an insupportable terror to him.

大体上，时间愉快又同样顺利地过去了。障碍和隔阂越来越少，而汤姆看到所有人都亲切而努力帮助他，不在意他的错误，也变得越来越泰然自若。当获知这两位小姐会陪他参加晚上市长的宴会，他如释重负，满心欢喜，因为他觉得，现在要面对那么多的陌生人，他身边不能没有朋友。可是，如果是在一小时前，想到她们要陪他一块儿去，对他来说真是一件不堪忍受的恐怖事件啊。

Tom's guardian angels, the two lords, had had less comfort in the interview than the other parties to it. They felt much as if they were piloting a great ship through a dangerous channel; they were on the alert constantly, and found their office no child's play. Wherefore, at last, when the ladies' visit was drawing to a close and the Lord Guilford Dudley was announced, they not only felt that their charge had been sufficiently taxed for the present, but also that they themselves were not in the best condition to take their ship back and make their anxious voyage all over again. So they respectfully advised Tom to excuse himself, which he was very glad to do, although a slight shade of disappointment might have been observed upon my Lady Jane's face when she heard the splendid stripling denied admittance.

在这次会见中，汤姆的守护天使——那两位大臣并没有其他人那么愉快。他们更觉得自己像是在驾驶一艘大船穿过危险的海峡。他们一直保持着警惕，也明白自己的职责不可儿戏。因此，当公主们的拜访终于临近尾声，又有人通报说吉尔福德·达德利勋爵来见时，他们不仅觉得这次谈话耗尽了他们的精力，而且感觉自己状态不佳，无力再把船驶回来，把这危险的航行重新来过。因此他们很恭敬地建议汤姆推托，汤姆也很高兴地这么做了。但当简郡主听到这位出色的小伙子推掉会见时，脸上闪现了一丝失望。

There was a pause now, a sort of waiting silence which Tom could not understand. He glanced at Lord Hertford, who gave him a sign—but he failed to understand that also. The ready Elizabeth came to the rescue with her usual easy grace. She made reverence and said—

此刻出现了一阵沉默，似乎是在等待着什么，而汤姆不明白这是什么意思。赫特福德伯爵给他示意，他看了一眼，但是仍然没明白什么意思。素有准备的伊丽莎白像往常一样从容地救了他。她行了礼，然后说道：

"Have we leave of the prince's grace my brother to go?"“我们可以离开我的弟弟王子殿下了吗？”

Tom said—

汤姆说：

"Indeed your ladyships can have whatsoever of me they will, for the asking; yet would I rather give them any other thing that in my poor power lieth, than leave to take the light and blessing of their presence hence. Give ye good den, and God be with ye!"Then he smiled inwardly at the thought, "'Tis not for nought I have dwelt but among princes in my reading, and taught my tongue some slight trick of their broidered and gracious speech withal!"“其实，公主们需要我做什么，只要问一声就行。我还希望能在我的权利之内为她们做些别的什么，而不只是让她们陪着我，让我轻松愉悦呢。你们好好休息，上帝与你们同在！”他暗自一笑，想着：“在我读的书里，我只住在王子们中，看来这不是没有用的，我学会了些说话的小窍门，像他们一样精致而优雅地讲话。”

When the illustrious maidens were gone, Tom turned wearily to his keepers and said—

出色的公主们走后，汤姆疲倦地转向他的看护人，说道：

"May it please your lordships to grant me leave to go into some corner and rest me?"“可否请伯爵允许我找个安静处休息？”

Lord Hertford said—

赫特福德伯爵说道：

"So please your highness, it is for you to command, it is for us to obey. That thou should'st rest is indeed a needful thing, since thou must journey to the city presently."He touched a bell, and a page appeared, who was ordered to desire the presence of Sir William Herbert. This gentleman came straightway, and conducted Tom to an inner apartment. Tom's first movement there was to reach for a cup of water; but a silk-and-velvet servitor seized it, dropped upon one knee, and offered it to him on a golden salver.“回禀殿下，殿下您吩咐，我们就遵从。您确实需要休息了，因为您过会儿要到城里去。”他按下铃召来一个仆人，命他去把威廉·赫伯特爵士叫过来。这位绅士径直过来了，把汤姆引到一间内室。汤姆一进去就要拿杯水喝，但一个穿着丝绸和天鹅绒衣服的仆人抓住了杯子，单腿跪下，用一个黄金托盘托住杯子递给他。

Next the tired captive sat down and was going to take off his buskins, timidly asking leave with his eye, but another silk-and-velvet discomforter went down upon his knees and took the office from him. He made two or three further efforts to help himself, but being promptly forestalled each time, he finally gave up, with a sigh of resignation and a murmured "Beshrew me, but I marvel they do not require to breathe for me also!"Slippered, and wrapped in a sumptuous robe, he laid himself down at last to rest, but not to sleep, for his head was too full of thoughts and the room too full of people. He could not dismiss the former, so they stayed; he did not know enough to dismiss the latter, so they stayed also, to his vast regret—and theirs.

接着，这位疲倦的囚徒坐下来，正要脱掉自己的短筒靴，眼睛怯怯地示意他们退下。但这时，另一个穿丝绸和天鹅绒衣服的讨厌鬼跪下来，帮他脱掉了。他又两三次试图自己来，但每次都很快被阻止了。他最终放弃了，顺从地叹了口气，喃喃自语道：“该死，他们也不让我喘口气，真奇怪！”他穿了拖鞋，裹上一件华丽的睡袍，终于躺下休息了。但是他睡不着，因为他脑袋里的思绪纷繁复杂，而且屋里满是人。他不能让前面那些人退下，所以他们留下来了；他不知道怎么让后面的人退下，所以他们也留下来了。他为此感到非常失望，而他们也是。

Tom's departure had left his two noble guardians alone. They mused a while, with much head-shaking and walking the floor, then Lord St. John said—

汤姆离开了，只留下了他那两个贵族守护者。他们沉思了一会儿，不停地摇头，在地板上踱来踱去，然后，圣约翰勋爵开口道：

"Plainly, what dost thou think?"“老实说，您怎么想的？”

"Plainly, then, this. The King is near his end; my nephew is mad—mad will mount the throne, and mad remain. God protect England, since she will need it!”“那么，老实说，这个。国王年事已高，而我的侄子疯了——他将疯着登上皇位，然后继续疯着。上帝保护英国，因为她将需要上帝的保护！”

"Verily it promiseth so, indeed. But ... have you no misgivings as to ... as to ..."“真的是会这样的，确实。但是……你不奇怪……奇怪……”

The speaker hesitated, and finally stopped. He evidently felt that he was upon delicate ground. Lord Hertford stopped before him, looked into his face with a clear, frank eye, and said—

说话者犹豫着，最后停住了。显然，他觉得他遇到了棘手的问题。赫特福德伯爵停在他面前，用清澈、直率的目光看着他的脸，说道：

"Speak on—there is none to hear but me. Misgivings as to what?”“接着说——只有我能听到。奇怪什么？”

"I am full loth to word the thing that is in my mind, and thou so near to him in blood, my lord. But craving pardon if I do offend, seemeth it not strange that madness could so change his port and manner?—not but that his port and speech are princely still, but that they differ, in one unweighty trifle or another, from what his custom was aforetime. Seemeth it not strange that madness should filch from his memory his father's very lineaments; the customs and observances that are his due from such as be about him; and, leaving him his Latin, strip him of his Greek and French? My lord, be not offended, but ease my mind of its disquiet and receive my grateful thanks. It haunteth me, his saying he was not the prince, and so—”“我是很不愿意讲出我的想法的，而且您与他有血缘关系，伯爵。但是，如果我真有所冒犯，希望您原谅。精神失常让殿下的行为举止变化如此之大，不是很奇怪吗？虽然他的举止和言语还是像王子的样儿，但是在许多无足轻重的琐事上，却跟以前的习惯不一样。精神失常使他完全忘记他父王的容貌，忘记了历来做惯了的王室仪式和礼节，记得拉丁文，却忘了希腊文和法文，这不是很奇怪吗？伯爵，不要生气，请让我减少心中的忧虑，并接受我感激的道谢吧。我总在想，他说他不是王子，所以——”

"Peace, my lord, thou utterest treason! Hast forgot the King's command? Remember I am party to thy crime if I but listen."“住嘴，先生，你说这话真是大不敬！你难道忘了国王的圣旨？别忘了，如果我听了，我就与你一样是在犯罪。”

St. John paled, and hastened to say—

圣约翰脸色苍白，连忙说道：

"I was in fault, I do confess it. Betray me not, grant me this grace out of thy courtesy, and I will neither think nor speak of this thing more. Deal not hardly with me, sir, else am I ruined."“我错了，我真的承认我错了。请您替我保守秘密，高抬贵手，我再也不会想或者讲这件事情了。您放过我吧，先生，不然我就毁了。”

"I am content, my lord. So thou offend not again, here or in the ears of others, it shall be as though thou hadst not spoken. But thou need'st not have misgivings. He is my sister's son; are not his voice, his face, his form, familiar to me from his cradle? Madness can do all the odd conflicting things thou seest in him, and more. Dost not recall how that the old Baron Marley, being mad, forgot the favour of his own countenance that he had known for sixty years, and held it was another's; nay, even claimed he was the son of Mary Magdalene, and that his head was made of Spanish glass; and, sooth to say, he suffered none to touch it, lest by mischance some heedless hand might shiver it? Give thy misgivings easement, good my lord. This is the very prince—I know him well—and soon will be thy king; it may advantage thee to bear this in mind, and more dwell upon it than the other.”“我还好，先生。您别再对我或其他人胡言乱语了，就当您刚才什么都没说。但是您不需要疑虑。他是我妹妹的儿子，我不是从他还在摇篮里时就熟悉他的声音、脸蛋、体形了吗？精神失常能导致所有您在他身上看到的这些奇怪矛盾的事情，而且还不止这些呢。您不记得啦，那位疯了的马利男爵是如何忘了他六十年来一直熟识的自己的那张喜爱的脸，还以为那是别人的。而且，他竟然声称自己是玛丽·玛格达莱妮的儿子，还说自己的脑袋是西班牙玻璃做的。因此，老实说，王子的病不容许受到任何影响，以免有些不注意的仆人不幸加重他的病情。不要忧虑了，我好心的先生。这就是王子——我很熟悉他——而且，他很快就会成为您的国王的。记着这一点对您有好处，多想想这个，不要再想那些。”

After some further talk, in which the Lord St. John covered up his mistake as well as he could by repeated protests that his faith was thoroughly grounded now, and could not be assailed by doubts again, the Lord Hertford relieved his fellow-keeper, and sat down to keep watch and ward alone. He was soon deep in meditation, and evidently the longer he thought, the more he was bothered. By-and-by he began to pace the floor and mutter.

二人又深入地谈了一阵子，圣约翰勋爵尽力掩饰他的错误，一个劲儿地说现在自己的信念坚定了，不会再有所怀疑。赫特福德伯爵让同是看护人的圣约翰勋爵走了，自己一个人坐下来守卫。他很快陷入了沉思，而且很显然，他越想越觉得烦恼。不久，他开始在地板上踱来踱去，喃喃自语。

"Tush, he MUST be the prince! Will any be in all the land maintains there can be two, not of one blood and birth, so marvellously twinned? And even were it so, 'twere yet a stranger miracle that chance should cast the one into the other's place. Nay, 'tis folly, folly, folly!"“呸！他肯定是王子！全世界会存在这样血统和出身完全不同、却如此神奇地相似的两个人吗？而且即使有这样的事，而碰巧一个替换了另一个的位置，那就更称得上是奇迹了。不，这太荒唐了，荒唐，荒唐！”

Presently he said—

不一会儿，他说道：

"Now were he impostor and called himself prince, look you that would be natural; that would be reasonable. But lived ever an impostor yet, who, being called prince by the king, prince by the court, prince by all, DENIED his dignity and pleaded against his exaltation? NO! By the soul of St. Swithin, no! This is the true prince, gone mad!"“如果他是冒充的，正常情况下应该自称为王子才是。你看看，这才是合理的。但是，有没有这么一个冒充者，当国王称他王子，朝廷大臣称他王子，所有人都称他王子，而他自己却否认自己是王子，还要求降低身份的呢？不！看在圣斯威森的灵魂的份儿上，不！这是真正的王子，他疯了！”

CHAPTER VII Tom's First Royal Dinner

第七章 汤姆的初次御餐

Somewhat after one in the afternoon, Tom resignedly underwent the ordeal of being dressed for dinner. He found himself as finely clothed as before, but everything different, everything changed, from his ruff to his stockings. He was presently conducted with much state to a spacious and ornate apartment, where a table was already set for one. Its furniture was all of massy gold, and beautified with designs which well-nigh made it priceless, since they were the work of Benvenuto. The room was half-filled with noble servitors. A chaplain said grace, and Tom was about to fall to, for hunger had long been constitutional with him, but was interrupted by my lord the Earl of Berkeley, who fastened a napkin about his neck; for the great post of Diaperers to the Prince of Wales was hereditary in this nobleman's family. Tom's cupbearer was present, and forestalled all his attempts to help himself to wine. The Taster to his highness the Prince of Wales was there also, prepared to taste any suspicious dish upon requirement, and run the risk of being poisoned. He was only an ornamental appendage at this time, and was seldom called upon to exercise his function; but there had been times, not many generations past, when the office of taster had its perils, and was not a grandeur to be desired. Why they did not use a dog or a plumber seems strange; but all the ways of royalty are strange. My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was—let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook, who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants beside these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them; neither was Tom aware yet that they existed.

大概下午一点钟之后，汤姆虽不自在，却顺从地让侍臣们给他穿好衣服，准备享用御餐。他看到自己如之前一样穿着华丽，只是这一次，从领口的飞边到长筒袜，每样东西都不同了，每样东西都换了。不一会儿，他被郑重地引至一处宽敞华丽的房间，里面已经摆好了一张单人用的桌子。房里的家具都是由厚重的黄金铸造而成的，精美的设计更是使之可谓价值连城，因为那些是本韦努托的作品。高贵的仆人们占了房间的一半。一位牧师祷告完毕，汤姆正要吃——长久以来，饥饿对他是常事——但这时，伯克利伯爵打断了他，在他脖子上系了一条餐巾。该贵族世世代代都是威尔士王子的餐巾官。汤姆的斟酒人在场，汤姆多次想自己倒酒都他被阻止了。威尔士王子殿下的品菜官也在场，冒着中毒的危险，随时奉命品尝任何可疑菜肴。这时，他只是装饰性的附属品，很少有机会发挥自己的作用。但若往回倒几辈人，当品菜官曾经非常危险，这并不是个令人向往的高位。有点奇怪，他们为什么不用狗或水管工？不过，皇家所有的事情都怪怪的。寓所第一男仆达西大人在场，天知道他在那儿做什么。但是他在那儿——这就够了。总管大人在场，他站在汤姆的椅子后面，遵照站在旁边的大膳务官和大厨官的命令，监督这庄重的用膳仪式。除了这些，汤姆还有三百八十四个仆人。不过当然，他们并不全在房里面，房里的人还不到总人数的四分之一，而汤姆也不知道他们的存在。

All those that were present had been well drilled within the hour to remember that the prince was temporarily out of his head, and to be careful to show no surprise at his vagaries. These 'vagaries' were soon on exhibition before them; but they only moved their compassion and their sorrow, not their mirth. It was a heavy affliction to them to see the beloved prince so stricken.

那些在场的仆人这会儿已经被仔细训过话：要记住王子暂时有点神志不清，对他反常的行为要小心应付，不能表现出惊讶来。他们很快就见识了这些“反常的行为”，但这些行为勾起的只是他们的同情和悲伤，而不是欢笑。他们看到心爱的王子病成这样，非常苦恼。

Poor Tom ate with his fingers mainly; but no one smiled at it, or even seemed to observe it. He inspected his napkin curiously, and with deep interest, for it was of a very dainty and beautiful fabric, then said with simplicity—

可怜的汤姆基本用手抓着吃，但是没人笑他，甚至好像谁都没注意到。他好奇地、饶有兴趣地审视着自己的餐巾，因为它织得非常讲究、漂亮，然后，他天真地说：

"Prithee, take it away, lest in mine unheedfulness it be soiled."“请把它收起来，以免我不小心把它弄脏了。”

The Hereditary Diaperer took it away with reverent manner, and without word or protest of any sort.

世袭的餐巾官恭恭敬敬地将它收起来，没说一句话，没有任何反抗。

Tom examined the turnips and the lettuce with interest, and asked what they were, and if they were to be eaten; for it was only recently that men had begun to raise these things in England in place of importing them as luxuries from Holland. His question was answered with grave respect, and no surprise manifested. When he had finished his dessert, he filled his pockets with nuts; but nobody appeared to be aware of it, or disturbed by it. But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing. At that moment the muscles of his nose began to twitch, and the end of that organ to lift and wrinkle. This continued, and Tom began to evince a growing distress. He looked appealingly, first at one and then another of the lords about him, and tears came into his eyes. They sprang forward with dismay in their faces, and begged to know his trouble. Tom said with genuine anguish—

汤姆饶有兴趣地瞧着芜菁和莴苣，问这些是什么，能不能吃，因为英国人最近才开始种这些菜，以前这些菜都是从荷兰进口的奢侈品。仆人们毕恭毕敬地回答了他的问题，没显出任何惊讶来。他吃完了甜品，又在口袋里装满了坚果，但似乎没人注意到，也没人因此不自在。但下一刻，他自己觉着不好意思了，露出不安的神色，因为这是整顿御膳中他能自己动手做的唯一一件事，他相信自己做了一件最不合适、最不像王子的事情。这时，他鼻子上的肌肉开始抽搐，鼻尖直向上皱起。鼻子还在抽搐，汤姆显得越来越痛苦。他哀求地看着周围一个又一个的大臣，眼中泛起了泪花。他们快步走上前来，脸上神情忧伤，问他怎么了。汤姆表情非常痛苦地说：

"I crave your indulgence: my nose itcheth cruelly. What is the custom and usage in this emergence? Prithee, speed, for 'tis but a little time that I can bear it."“我请求你们的宽容：我的鼻子痒得厉害。这种危急情况下，有什么习俗和惯例呢？请快点，因为我马上就忍不住了。”

None smiled; but all were sore perplexed, and looked one to the other in deep tribulation for counsel. But behold, here was a dead wall, and nothing in English history to tell how to get over it. The Master of Ceremonies was not present:ethere was no one who felt safe to venture upon this uncharted sea, or risk the attempt to solve this solemn problem. Alas! There was no Hereditary Scratcher. Meantime the tears had overflowed their banks, and begun to trickle down Tom's cheeks. His twitching nose was pleading more urgently than ever for relief. At last nature broke down the barriers of etiquette: Tom lifted up an inward prayer for pardon if he was doing wrong, and brought relief to the burdened hearts of his court by scratching his nose himself.

没有人笑，所有人都痛苦得不知所措，忧虑地面面相觑，希望有人能拿个主意。可是瞧啊，这次是走到死胡同了，英国历史上没说怎么处理这种事。礼节大师不在，没人敢冒险驶进这片未知海域，或者冒然解决这个严重的问题。哎呀！没有世袭的抓痒官。与此同时，汤姆的眼泪夺眶而出，开始顺着脸颊流下来了。他抽搐的鼻子比刚才更需要抓挠了。最终，天性打破了礼节的束缚。汤姆在心中祈祷，如果他做错了，请求得到原谅。然后，他自己挠了鼻子，让心情沉重的仆人们都松了一口气。

His meal being ended, a lord came and held before him a broad, shallow, golden dish with fragrant rosewater in it, to cleanse his mouth and fingers with; and my lord the Hereditary Diaperer stood by with a napkin for his use. Tom gazed at the dish a puzzled moment or two, then raised it to his lips, and gravely took a draught. Then he returned it to the waiting lord, and said—

他用毕御膳，一位大臣来了，将一只又大又浅的黄金盘子拿到他面前，盆子里盛着芳香的玫瑰水，用来清洗嘴巴和手指。世袭的餐巾官站在一旁，拿着餐巾备用。汤姆疑惑地凝视了一会儿这个盆子，然后端到唇边，喝了一大口。然后，他把它还给了侍臣，说道：

"Nay, it likes me not, my lord: it hath a pretty flavour, but it wanteth strength.”“不要，我不喜欢喝这个，大人。它闻着是挺香的，但是一点儿味道都没有。”

This new eccentricity of the prince's ruined mind made all the hearts about him ache; but the sad sight moved none to merriment.

看到疯了的王子这种新的古怪行为，周围所有人都心疼了，但没人被这令人心酸的场景逗笑。

Tom's next unconscious blunder was to get up and leave the table just when the chaplain had taken his stand behind his chair, and with uplifted hands, and closed, uplifted eyes, was in the act of beginning the blessing. Still nobody seemed to perceive that the prince had done a thing unusual.

接着，汤姆又无意犯了个大错。他站起来就要离开饭桌，而这时，牧师正站在他椅子后面，举起双手，闭上眼抬起头，欲祈求上帝赐福。似乎仍旧没人注意到王子做了一件反常的事情。

By his own request our small friend was now conducted to his private cabinet, and left there alone to his own devices. Hanging upon hooks in the oaken wainscoting were the several pieces of a suit of shining steel armour, covered all over with beautiful designs exquisitely inlaid in gold. This martial panoply belonged to the true prince—a recent present from Madam Parr the Queen. Tom put on the greaves, the gauntlets, the plumed helmet, and such other pieces as he could do without assistance, and for a while was minded to call for help and complete the matter, but bethought him of the nuts he had brought away from dinner, and the joy it would be to eat them with no crowd to eye him, and no Grand Hereditaries to pester him with undesired services; so he restored the pretty things to their several places, and soon was cracking nuts, and feeling almost naturally happy for the first time since God for his sins had made him a prince. When the nuts were all gone, he stumbled upon some inviting books in a closet, among them one about the etiquette of the English court. This was a prize. He lay down upon a sumptuous divan, and proceeded to instruct himself with honest zeal. Let us leave him there for the present.

应汤姆自己的请求，我们的小朋友现在被引至他的私人内阁，独自一人在那里自行其是。橡木的壁板上面有几个钩子，钩子上挂着几件亮闪闪的钢盔甲胄，盔甲上用金子镶满了设计精美的图案。这套威武的钢盔甲胄属于真正的王子，是帕尔皇后刚送给他的礼物。汤姆将护胫甲和臂铠穿上，戴上羽毛钢盔，穿上其他不用别人帮助就能自己穿上的部分。有一会儿，他想叫人来帮他穿上剩下的部分，可他想起从御膳上带回来的坚果。他想，如果没有一群人盯着他，没有大世袭官们拿他不喜欢的礼节来烦他，这样吃坚果才痛快。于是，他把那些漂亮的东西放回原处，径自嗑起了坚果。自从上帝错误地使他成为王子后，这是他第一次感到近乎真正的快乐。吃完了坚果，他偶然发现书橱里有些吸引人的书，其中一本是关于英国宫廷礼节的。这真是一件奖品。他躺在一把奢华的长沙发椅上，十分热切地自学起来。我们暂且让他在那儿看吧。

CHAPTER VIII The Question of the Seal

第八章 御玺出事了

About five o'clock Henry VIII. awoke out of an unrefreshing nap, and muttered to himself, "Troublous dreams, troublous dreams! Mine end is now at hand: so say these warnings, and my failing pulses do confirm it.”Presently a wicked light flamed up in his eye, and he muttered, "Yet will not I die till HE go before."

大约五点钟，亨利八世从小睡中醒来，仍没解乏，自己咕哝着：“烦人的梦，烦人的梦！我的死亡即将到来，已经有了预兆，我越来越弱的脉搏证实了这一点。”不一会儿，他眼睛里闪过一道凶恶的光，他咕哝道：“但在他死之前，我是不会死的。”

His attendants perceiving that he was awake, one of them asked his pleasure concerning the Lord Chancellor, who was waiting without.

他的侍从们看到他醒了，有一个问他要不要让在屋外等候的大法官进来。

"Admit him, admit him!" exclaimed the King eagerly.“宣进来，宣进来！”国王急切地大声喊道。

The Lord Chancellor entered, and knelt by the King's couch, saying—

大法官进来了，在国王长榻旁跪下，说道：

"I have given order, and, according to the King's command, the peers of the realm, in their robes, do now stand at the bar of the House, where, having confirmed the Duke of Norfolk's doom, they humbly wait his majesty's further pleasure in the matter."“我已经按照国王的旨意，下令王国的贵族穿上长袍，他们现在站在议院的栅栏前，已经在那儿宣判了诺福克公爵的死刑，并谦卑地等陛下再下旨。”

The King's face lit up with a fierce joy. Said he—

国王一阵狂喜，容光焕发。他说道：

"Lift me up! In mine own person will I go before my Parliament, and with mine own hand will I seal the warrant that rids me of—”“扶我起来！我要亲自到我的国会前，亲手在决议文上盖印，这样就清除了我的——”

His voice failed; an ashen pallor swept the flush from his cheeks; and the attendants eased him back upon his pillows, and hurriedly assisted him with restoratives. Presently he said sorrowfully—

他的声音低了下去，脸色突然变得苍白，没了刚才的红晕。侍从服侍他躺在枕头上，赶紧帮助他恢复元气。不一会儿，他悲伤地说道：

"Alack, how have I longed for this sweet hour! and lo, too late it cometh, and I am robbed of this so coveted chance. But speed ye, speed ye! Let others do this happy office sith 'tis denied to me. I put my Great Seal in commission: choose thou the lords that shall compose it, and get ye to your work. Speed ye, man! Before the sun shall rise and set again, bring me his head that I may see it.”"According to the King's command, so shall it be. Will't please your majesty to order that the Seal be now restored to me, so that I may forth upon the business?"“哎呀，我是多么盼望这个美好的时刻啊！瞧，这一刻来得太晚了，我没办法去做这件我渴望的事。不过你们快去，你们快去！既然我不能去，就让别人做这件高兴的事情吧。我把我的御玺委托给你们，由你们这些大臣来办这件事。你们快去吧！太阳再次东升西落之前，把他的人头带来，也许我能看到。”“遵照国王的旨意，这就去办。能否请陛下现在下令将御玺交给我，我好去办这件事？”

"The Seal? Who keepeth the Seal but thou?"“御玺？御玺不是放在你那儿吗？”

"Please your majesty, you did take it from me two days since, saying it should no more do its office till your own royal hand should use it upon the Duke of Norfolk's warrant."“尊敬的陛下，两天前，您确实从我这儿拿走了，说要等到您亲手用它在诺福克公爵的决议书上印章，而在此之前暂时不会用。”

"Why, so in sooth I did: I do remember.... What did I with it? ... I am very feeble.... So oft these days doth my memory play the traitor with me.... 'Tis strange, strange—”“哎呀，那么我真的拿过来了，我确实记起来了……我拿它做什么了？我现在很虚弱……这些天，我的记性糟透了……奇怪，奇怪——”

The King dropped into inarticulate mumblings, shaking his grey head weakly from time to time, and gropingly trying to recollect what he had done with the Seal. At last my Lord Hertford ventured to kneel and offer information—

国王开始口齿不清地哼哼，有时微弱地摇摇灰白的头，暗自努力回忆他把御玺放在了什么地方。最后，赫特福德勋爵壮着胆子跪下来，说了点线索：

"Sire, if that I may be so bold, here be several that do remember with me how that you gave the Great Seal into the hands of his highness the Prince of Wales to keep against the day that—”“陛下，恕我斗胆，这里有几位和我都记得，那天您把御玺放在威尔士王子殿下的手里，让他保管——”

"True, most true!"interrupted the king. "Fetch it! Go: time flieth!”“对，真的是！”国王打断他，说道，“去拿吧！去，没时间了！”

Lord Hertford flew to Tom, but returned to the King before very long, troubled and empty-handed. He delivered himself to this effect—

赫特福德勋爵飞奔到汤姆那里，但他很快又忧心忡忡、两手空空地回到了国王这儿。他沉痛地说：

"It grieveth me, my lord the King, to bear so heavy and unwelcome tidings; but it is the will of God that the prince's affliction abideth still, and he cannot recall to mind that he received the Seal. So came I quickly to report, thinking it were waste of precious time, and little worth withal, that any should attempt to search the long array of chambers and saloons that belong unto his royal high—”“国王陛下，我感到非常悲伤，给您带来如此沉重而令人难过的消息，可这是上帝的意思，王子的病仍没好转，他不记得接过御玺。所以，我赶紧来报告，因为我觉得殿下有一大排的房间和大厅，在那里搜寻也只是浪费宝贵的时间，而且没什么用——”

A groan from the King interrupted the lord at this point. After a little while his majesty said, with a deep sadness in his tone—

此刻，国王一声呻吟，打断了勋爵。过了一会儿，国王语调悲伤地说：

"Trouble him no more, poor child. The hand of God lieth heavy upon him, and my heart goeth out in loving compassion for him, and sorrow that I may not bear his burden on mine old trouble-weighted shoulders, and so brings him peace.”“别再烦他了，可怜的孩子。上帝对他下那么重的手，我心里很怜爱他，我伤心自己这病入膏肓的人不能替他分担什么，那就别去烦他了。”

He closed his eyes, fell to mumbling, and presently was silent. After a time he opened his eyes again, and gazed vacantly around until his glance rested upon the kneeling Lord Chancellor. Instantly his face flushed with wrath—

他闭上双眼喃喃自语，不一会儿就不出声了。过了一会儿，他又睁开了双眼，神情茫然地环视四周，最后，目光落在了跪着的大法官身上。他的脸立刻涨得通红，怒斥道：

"What, thou here yet! By the glory of God, an' thou gettest not about that traitor's business, thy mitre shall have holiday the morrow for lack of a head to grace withal!"“什么，你还在这儿！以上帝的荣耀，你还没去办那个叛徒的事情，那么明天你的官帽就要休假了，因为戴它的脑袋没了！”

The trembling Chancellor answered—

大法官颤抖着回答道：

"Good your Majesty, I cry you mercy! I but waited for the Seal."“仁慈的陛下，我祈求您的宽恕！我只是在等着拿御玺。”

"Man, hast lost thy wits? The small Seal which aforetime I was wont to take with me abroad lieth in my treasury. And, since the Great Seal hath flown away, shall not it suffice? Hast lost thy wits? Begone! And hark ye—come no more till thou do bring his head.”“混蛋，你傻了吗？我以前常常带着出国的那个小御玺放在国库里。既然大御玺不见了，用小的不就行了？你是傻了吗？快滚！你听着，不把他人头带回来，就别来见我。”

The poor Chancellor was not long in removing himself from this dangerous vicinity; nor did the commission waste time in giving the royal assent to the work of the slavish Parliament, and appointing the morrow for the beheading of the premier peer of England, the luckless Duke of Norfolk.

可怜的大法官赶快逃离了这危险的地方。很快，卑屈的国会得到了授权，指定次日就将不幸的英国第一贵族——诺福克公爵斩首。

CHAPTER IX The River Pageant

第九章 河畔盛会

At nine in the evening the whole vast river-front of the palace was blazing with light. The river itself, as far as the eye could reach city wards, was so thickly covered with watermen's boats and with pleasure-barges, all fringed with coloured lanterns, and gently agitated by the waves, that it resembled a glowing and limitless garden of flowers stirred to soft motion by summer winds. The grand terrace of stone steps leading down to the water, spacious enough to mass the army of a German principality upon, was a picture to see, with its ranks of royal halberdiers in polished armour, and its troops of brilliantly costumed servitors flitting up and down, and to and fro, in the hurry of preparation.

晚上九点钟，整片宽阔的皇宫河畔灯火通明。河上有许多船夫的船和游艇，密密麻麻的，一直延伸到目所能及的市区。它们都挂着彩灯，随水波轻轻地摇动着。河面俨然成了一座生机勃勃、无边无际的花园，花儿随着夏日的风轻轻摆动。宏伟的石头台阶通向水面，宽敞得足以容下一个德国公国的军队。这里也是一番值得一看的景象，有一列列身穿发亮盔甲的戟兵，还有一队队穿着华丽的侍从忙上忙下，前后奔走地筹备着。

Presently a command was given, and immediately all living creatures vanished from the steps. Now the air was heavy with the hush of suspense and expectancy. As far as one's vision could carry, he might see the myriads of people in the boats rise up, and shade their eyes from the glare of lanterns and torches, and gaze toward the palace.

不一会儿，传来了一道命令，台阶上的所有人立刻消失了。此刻，空气凝重，肃静中充满悬念和期待。在目所能及的范围内，您可以看到船上的众人都站了起来，抬手挡住灯笼和火炬晃眼的光，朝宫殿的方向望去。

A file of forty or fifty state barges drew up to the steps. They were richly gilt, and their lofty prows and sterns were elaborately carved. Some of them were decorated with banners and streamers; some with cloth-of-gold and arras embroidered with coats-of-arms; others with silken flags that had numberless little silver bells fastened to them, which shook out tiny showers of joyous music whenever the breezes fluttered them; others of yet higher pretensions, since they belonged to nobles in the prince's immediate service, had their sides picturesquely fenced with shields gorgeously emblazoned with armorial bearings. Each state barge was towed by a tender. Besides the rowers, these tenders carried each a number of men-at-arms in glossy helmet and breastplate, and a company of musicians.

大约四五十只国家游艇停在了台阶旁边。它们都涂得金碧辉煌，高耸的船首和船尾都雕刻着精致的图案。其中一些装饰着小旗子和彩带，一些装饰着金线织物和绣着盾形纹章的挂毯，还有的装饰着丝制的旗子，那旗子上系着无数小银铃，微风一吹，银铃就奏起一阵细雨般的欢快的音乐。还有的装饰得更加夸张，因为那是在王子跟前做事的贵族的游艇，游艇的边上围着别致的的盾牌，上面有华丽的纹章图案。每艘国家游艇都由一个船官牵引。除了划船者，这些船官每人都领了许多戴着闪亮的头盔和胸甲的士兵和一群音乐家。

The advance-guard of the expected procession now appeared in the great gateway, a troop of halberdiers. 'They were dressed in striped hose of black and tawny, velvet caps graced at the sides with silver roses, and doublets of murrey and blue cloth, embroidered on the front and back with the three feathers, the prince's blazon, woven in gold. Their halberd staves were covered with crimson velvet, fastened with gilt nails, and ornamented with gold tassels. Filing off on the right and left, they formed two long lines, extending from the gateway of the palace to the water's edge. A thick rayed cloth or carpet was then unfolded, and laid down between them by attendants in the gold-and-crimson liveries of the prince. This done, a flourish of trumpets resounded from within. A lively prelude arose from the musicians on the water; and two ushers with white wands marched with a slow and stately pace from the portal. They were followed by an officer bearing the civic mace, after whom came another carrying the city's sword; then several sergeants of the city guard, in their full accoutrements, and with badges on their sleeves; then the Garter King-at-arms, in his tabard; then several Knights of the Bath, each with a white lace on his sleeve; then their esquires; then the judges, in their robes of scarlet and coifs; then the Lord High Chancellor of England, in a robe of scarlet, open before, and purfled with minever; then a deputation of aldermen, in their scarlet cloaks; and then the heads of the different civic companies, in their robes of state. Now came twelve French gentlemen, in splendid habiliments, consisting of pourpoints of white damask barred with gold, short mantles of crimson velvet lined with violet taffeta, and carnation coloured hauts-de-chausses, and took their way down the steps. They were of the suite of the French ambassador, and were followed by twelve cavaliers of the suite of the Spanish ambassador, clothed in black velvet, unrelieved by any ornament. Following these came several great English nobles with their attendants.

此时，马上要开始的游行的前卫队出现在大门口，那是一队持戟的士兵。“他们穿着黑色与黄褐色条纹相间的高筒袜，戴着边上饰有银色玫瑰的天鹅绒帽子，穿着黑紫色和蓝色布料的紧身衣，前后都用金线绣了三支羽毛，那是王子的纹章。他们的戟柄套着深红色的天鹅绒，那是用镀金钉子钉上去的，还有金色的流苏装饰。他们左右排成两列长队，一直从宫殿大门延伸至水边。王子的那些穿金色和深红色制服的侍从将一条厚厚的、闪光的布或地毯铺在了两列队伍中间。之后，从里面传出了高昂的小号声。水上的乐师们奏起了欢快的序曲，两个拿着白色指挥棒的引领官从大门慢慢地、庄严地走出来了。他们身后跟着一名拿着市民权杖的官员，再后面是一个拿着市剑的官员；紧接着是几个城市卫队的警官，个个全副武装，袖子上佩戴着徽章；接着是一身传令官制服的嘉德纹章院长；再接着是几位巴斯骑士，每人袖子上都饰有白色蕾丝；接着是绅士；接着是穿猩红色长袍、戴猩红色压发帽的法官；接着是英国上议院院长，他穿着猩红色长袍，前襟敞开着，两边饰有白鼬皮；然后是披着猩红色斗篷的市议员代表团；最后是穿着国服的不同市民群体的代表。现在来了十二位法国绅士，他们衣着华丽，穿着镶着金色条纹的白色锦缎紧身棉袄，间有紫色塔夫绸的深红色天鹅绒短款斗篷，脚蹬康乃馨色的高筒靴，从台阶上走下来。这些是法国大使的随从。他们后面的十二个骑手是西班牙大使的随从，他们身着黑色天鹅绒，装饰丝毫不违礼仪。紧随其后的是几位英国大贵族和他们的侍从。

There was a flourish of trumpets within; and the Prince's uncle, the future great Duke of Somerset, emerged from the gateway, arrayed in a 'doublet of black cloth-of-gold, and a cloak of crimson satin flowered with gold, and ribanded with nets of silver.'He turned, doffed his plumed cap, bent his body in a low reverence, and began to step backward, bowing at each step. A prolonged trumpet-blast followed, and a proclamation, "Way for the high and mighty the Lord Edward, Prince of Wales!"High aloft on the palace walls a long line of red tongues of flame leapt forth with a thunder-crash; the massed world on the river burst into a mighty roar of welcome; and Tom Canty, the cause and hero of it all, stepped into view and slightly bowed his princely head.

从里面传来小号齐鸣，王子的舅舅，也就是未来的萨默塞特大公爵出现在大门口。他身着金线织的黑色紧身衣，披着深红缎子斗篷，斗篷上有金线绣的花朵，系着镂空的银色丝带。他转过身，脱下插着羽毛的帽子，低低地、恭敬地弯下腰，然后又往后退，退一步一鞠躬。随后，小号声响了好一阵子，然后有人宣告：“给至高无上的威尔士王子爱德华让路！”随着一声雷鸣般的巨响，一条长长的火焰的红舌直冲到宫墙的上空。河上聚集的人群忽然大声呼喊表示欢迎，引起欢呼的人和这一切的主角正是汤姆·坎蒂。他走入了人们的视野，轻轻地点了点高贵的头。

He was 'magnificently habited in a doublet of white satin, with a front-piece of purple cloth-of-tissue, powdered with diamonds, and edged with ermine. Over this he wore a mantle of white cloth-of-gold, pounced with the triple-feathered crest, lined with blue satin, set with pearls and precious stones, and fastened with a clasp of brilliants. About his neck hung the order of the Garter, and several princely foreign orders;' and wherever light fell upon him jewels responded with a blinding flash. O Tom Canty, born in a hovel, bred in the gutters of London, familiar with rags and dirt and misery, what a spectacle is this!

他衣着华丽，身穿白色绸缎的紧身衣，紫色薄绸前衣，上面点缀了钻石，镶了貂皮边。他外面披了一件金线织的白色斗篷，斗篷上有三支羽毛的顶饰，间有蓝缎纹，镶着珠宝和宝石，用一枚闪光的扣子系在了身上。他脖子上戴着嘉德勋章，还有几枚王子的国外勋章。他身上凡是有光照到的地方，珠宝就会闪闪反光，令人目眩。啊，生在陋室、长在伦敦贫民窟的汤姆·坎蒂熟悉的是破衣烂衫、肮脏和痛苦，而眼前是怎样壮观的场景啊！

CHAPTER X The Prince in the Toils

第十章 落难的王子

We left John Canty dragging the rightful prince into Offal Court, with a noisy and delighted mob at his heels. There was but one person in it who offered a pleading word for the captive, and he was not heeded; he was hardly even heard, so great was the turmoil. The Prince continued to struggle for freedom, and to rage against the treatment he was suffering, until John Canty lost what little patience was left in him, and raised his oaken cudgel in a sudden fury over the Prince's head.

我们之前说到，约翰·坎蒂将真正的王子拽到了垃圾大院，紧跟着他的是一群喧闹、快活的暴徒。只有一个人为这个俘虏说了句好话，可没人理会。他的话几乎都没人听见，因为当时极为混乱。王子仍然挣扎着想脱身，对自己遭受的待遇大发脾气，直到约翰·坎蒂失去了他仅剩的一点耐心，突然勃然大怒，抡起橡木棍朝王子的头上打去。

The single pleader for the lad sprang to stop the man's arm, and the blow descended upon his own wrist. Canty roared out—

小伙子唯一的求情者冲上前来拦住了他的胳膊，于是，这一棍就落在了他自己的手腕上。坎蒂咆哮道：

"Thou'lt meddle, wilt thou? Then have thy reward."“你多管闲事，是吧？那就赏给你。”

His cudgel crashed down upon the meddler's head: there was a groan, a dim form sank to the ground among the feet of the crowd, and the next moment it lay there in the dark alone. The mob pressed on, their enjoyment nothing disturbed by this episode.

他的棍子朝管闲事的人头上打下去，只听见一声呻吟，一个模糊的人影倒在了地上，倒在人群的脚中间。过了会儿，黑暗中便只剩那个人孤独地躺在那儿。暴徒依旧快活地前行，丝毫没有被这个插曲影响。

Presently the Prince found himself in John Canty's abode, with the door closed against the outsiders. By the vague light of a tallow candle which was thrust into a bottle, he made out the main features of the loathsome den, and also the occupants of it. Two frowsy girls and a middle-aged woman cowered against the wall in one corner, with the aspect of animals habituated to harsh usage, and expecting and dreading it now. From another corner stole a withered hag with streaming grey hair and malignant eyes. John Canty said to this one—

不一会儿，王子发现自己到了约翰·坎蒂的住所，外人被关在了门外边。借着塞在瓶子里的牛脂蜡那微弱的光，他辨认出这个恶心的窝的大体模样，还有住在里面的人。两个脏兮兮的女孩和一位中年妇女蜷缩在屋子的一角，她们的神态就像习惯了虐待的动物，此刻正等待着、恐惧着。另一个角落里窝着一个枯槁憔悴的丑老太婆，一缕缕头发灰白，眼神恶毒。约翰·坎蒂对她说：

"Tarry! There's fine mummeries here. Mar them not till thou'st enjoyed them: then let thy hand be heavy as thou wilt. Stand forth, lad. Now say thy foolery again, an thou'st not forgot it. Name thy name. Who art thou?"“稍等！这里有出好看的表演。等你看腻了再让他停，那时随便你怎么重重地打他。站过来，小伙子。趁着还没忘记，现在再说说你那些愚蠢的话。说你的名字。你是谁？”

The insulted blood mounted to the little prince's cheek once more, and he lifted a steady and indignant gaze to the man's face and said—

被侮辱的血液又一次窜到小王子的脸颊，然后，他坚定而愤怒地瞪着这个人的脸，说道：

"'Tis but ill-breeding in such as thou to command me to speak. I tell thee now, as I told thee before, I am Edward, Prince of Wales, and none other.”“像你这样没教养的人，才会命令我开口。我现在告诉你，像我刚才告诉你的一样，我叫爱德华，威尔士王子，不是别人。”

The stunning surprise of this reply nailed the hag's feet to the floor where she stood, and almost took her breath. She stared at the Prince in stupid amazement, which so amused her ruffianly son, that he burst into a roar of laughter. But the effect upon Tom Canty's mother and sisters was different. Their dread of bodily injury gave way at once to distress of a different sort. They ran forward with woe and dismay in their faces, exclaiming—

这个令人震惊的回答使那老太婆定在了她站立的地板上，几乎一口气没喘上来。她盯着王子，惊呆了，这可逗乐了她的恶棍儿子，让他突然大笑起来。但是，汤姆·坎蒂的母亲和姐姐们的反应却不一样。她们原先害怕他挨打，现在害怕变成了某种异样的忧伤。她们带着悲哀而沮丧的表情跑上前去，大声说道：

"Oh, poor Tom, poor lad!"“啊，可怜的汤姆，可怜的孩子！”

The mother fell on her knees before the Prince, put her hands upon his shoulders, and gazed yearningly into his face through her rising tears. Then she said—

母亲跪在王子前面，双手放在他的肩膀上，怜悯地端详着他的脸，已是泪眼婆娑。她说：

"Oh, my poor boy! Thy foolish reading hath wrought its woeful work at last, and ta'en thy wit away. Ah! Why did'st thou cleave to it when I so warned thee 'gainst it? Thou'st broke thy mother's heart."“啊，我可怜的孩子！你读的那些愚蠢的书终于害了你，夺走了你的理智。啊！我苦心劝你别读那些书，你为什么就是不听话？你伤透了你母亲的心。”

The Prince looked into her face, and said gently—

王子看着她的脸，温柔地说道：

"Thy son is well, and hath not lost his wits, good dame. Comfort thee: let me to the palace where he is, and straightway will the King my father restore him to thee.”“你的儿子很好，他没有疯，善良的夫人。你放心，让我去王宫，他就在那里，我的父王立刻就会把他还给你。”

"The King thy father! Oh, my child! Unsay these words that be freighted with death for thee, and ruin for all that be near to thee. Shake of this gruesome dream. Call back thy poor wandering memory. Look upon me. Am not I thy mother that bore thee, and loveth thee?"“你的父王！啊，我的孩子！别说这些话，这是要杀头的，而且你身边的所有人都要遭殃。快从噩梦里醒过来吧。唤回你那可怜的、迷失的记忆。看着我。我不是生你、爱你的母亲吗？”

The Prince shook his head and reluctantly said—"God knoweth I am loth to grieve thy heart; but truly have I never looked upon thy face before."

王子摇了摇头，不情愿地说道：“上帝知道我不愿意伤你的心，但我真的从没见过你的脸。”

The woman sank back to a sitting posture on the floor, and, covering her eyes with her hands, gave way to heart-broken sobs and wailings.

这妇人往后一沉，坐在了地板上，然后双手捂住眼睛，心碎地抽泣、痛哭起来。

"Let the show go on!" shouted Canty. "What, Nan!—what, Bet! mannerless wenches! Will ye stand in the Prince's presence? Upon your knees, ye pauper scum, and do him reverence!"“接着演下去！”蒂坎大喊，“娜恩！贝特！真是不懂规矩的村姑！在王子面前，你们就这么站着吗？跪下，你们这些下贱的渣滓，给他敬礼！”

He followed this with another horse-laugh. The girls began to plead timidly for their brother; and Nan said—

说完，他又大声狂笑一番。女孩们开始小心翼翼地为弟弟求情。娜恩说：

"An thou wilt but let him to bed, father, rest and sleep will heal his madness: prithee, do.”“就让他去睡觉吧，爸爸，睡觉休息后，他就不会再疯癫。求您，让他去吧。”

"Do, father," said Bet; "he is more worn than is his wont. To-morrow will he be himself again, and will beg with diligence, and come not empty home again.”“让他去吧，爸爸，”贝特说，“他比往常累。明天他就又是自己了，会勤快地去乞讨，不会再空手回家了。”

This remark sobered the father's joviality, and brought his mind to business. He turned angrily upon the Prince, and said—

这话让快活的父亲清醒了，脑袋突然想起了正事来。他生气地转向王子，说道：

"The morrow must we pay two pennies to him that owns this hole; two pennies, mark ye—all this money for a half-year's rent, else out of this we go. Show what thou'st gathered with thy lazy begging."“我们明天得付两个便士给这个洞的主人。两便士，你记着，这可是半年的房租钱，否则我们就得从这儿滚蛋。给我看看你这个懒人讨了些什么。”

The Prince said—"Offend me not with thy sordid matters. I tell thee again I am the King's son."

王子说道：“别拿你那些肮脏的事情冒犯我。我再跟你说一次，我是国王的儿子。”

A sounding blow upon the Prince's shoulder from Canty's broad palm sent him staggering into goodwife Canty's arms, which clasped him to her breast, and sheltered him from a pelting rain of cuffs and slaps by interposing her own person. The frightened girls retreated to their corner; but the grandmother stepped eagerly forward to assist her son. The Prince sprang away from Mrs. Canty, exclaiming—

坎蒂硕大的手掌朝王子肩膀啪地打过去，王子踉跄一下，倒在了坎蒂那位善良的妻子的怀里。她紧紧地把他抱在胸口，用自己的身子为他挡住如倾盆大雨般的巴掌。害怕的女孩们退到了她们的墙角，而祖母急忙走上前来帮她儿子。王子从坎蒂夫人怀里挣脱出来，大声说道：

"Thou shalt not suffer for me, madam. Let these swine do their will upon me alone."“你不要为我受苦，夫人。让这些蠢猪打我一个人好了。”

This speech infuriated the swine to such a degree that they set about their work without waste of time. Between them they belaboured the boy right soundly, and then gave the girls and their mother a beating for showing sympathy for the victim.

这话大大激怒了蠢猪们，他们立刻就打了过来。他们围着这个孩子噼里啪啦地一顿毒打，接着又打了女孩子们和她们的母亲，因为她们对受害者表现出了同情。

"Now," said Canty, "to bed, all of ye. The entertainment has tired me."“现在，”坎蒂说，“睡觉去吧，你们都去。这表演把我搞累了。”

The light was put out, and the family retired. As soon as the snorings of the head of the house and his mother showed that they were asleep, the young girls crept to where the Prince lay, and covered him tenderly from the cold with straw and rags; and their mother crept to him also, and stroked his hair, and cried over him, whispering broken words of comfort and compassion in his ear the while. She had saved a morsel for him to eat, also; but the boy's pains had swept away all appetite—at least for black and tasteless crusts. He was touched by her brave and costly defence of him, and by her commiseration; and he thanked her in very noble and princely words, and begged her to go to her sleep and try to forget her sorrows. And he added that the King his father would not let her loyal kindness and devotion go unrewarded. This return to his 'madness' broke her heart anew, and she strained him to her breast again and again, and then went back, drowned in tears, to her bed.

灯熄了，这家子人歇息了。一听到一家之主和他的母亲打呼噜，明白他们睡着了，年轻的女孩们就爬到王子躺的地方，轻轻地为他盖上稻草和破衣服防寒。她们的母亲也爬过去，轻抚他的头发，一边为他哭，一边在耳边断断续续地低声说些安慰和怜惜的话。她还给他留了一口吃的，但是男孩子只觉得痛，一点胃口也没有——至少对没有味道的黑面包渣没胃口。他被她的勇敢和不顾一切地保护他和同情他的行为所感动，他用很高贵的、王子式的话向她道谢，并请求她去睡觉，忘记悲伤。他还补充说，他的父王会因为她的忠诚善良和奉献精神而奖赏她。他又说疯话，这让她的心又碎了。她反复地将他贴在胸口，然后满脸泪水地回到自己的床上。

As she lay thinking and mourning, the suggestion began to creep into her mind that there was an undefinable something about this boy that was lacking in Tom Canty, mad or sane. She could not describe it, she could not tell just what it was, and yet her sharp mother-instinct seemed to detect it and perceive it. What if the boy were really not her son, after all? Oh, absurd! She almost smiled at the idea, spite of her griefs and troubles. No matter, she found that it was an idea that would not 'down,' but persisted in haunting her. It pursued her, it harassed her, it clung to her, and refused to be put away or ignored. At last she perceived that there was not going to be any peace for her until she should devise a test that should prove, clearly and without question, whether this lad was her son or not, and so banish these wearing and worrying doubts. Ah, yes, this was plainly the right way out of the difficulty; therefore she set her wits to work at once to contrive that test. But it was an easier thing to propose than to accomplish. She turned over in her mind one promising test after another, but was obliged to relinquish them all—none of them were absolutely sure, absolutely perfect; and an imperfect one could not satisfy her. Evidently she was racking her head in vain—it seemed manifest that she must give the matter up. While this depressing thought was passing through her mind, her ear caught the regular breathing of the boy, and she knew he had fallen asleep. And while she listened, the measured breathing was broken by a soft, startled cry, such as one utters in a troubled dream. This chance occurrence furnished her instantly with a plan worth all her laboured tests combined. She at once set herself feverishly, but noiselessly, to work to relight her candle, muttering to herself, "Had I but seen him then, I should have known! Since that day, when he was little, that the powder burst in his face, he hath never been startled of a sudden out of his dreams or out of his thinkings, but he hath cast his hand before his eyes, even as he did that day; and not as others would do it, with the palm inward, but always with the palm turned outward—I have seen it a hundred times, and it hath never varied nor ever failed. Yes, I shall soon know, now!”

她躺着，一面思索，一面悲伤，慢慢地，她脑子里出现了个想法：不管是疯的还是正常的，这个男孩子有汤姆·坎蒂所没有的某种不可名状的东西。她无法形容，也说不出那到底是什么，但是凭她敏锐的母性本能，她似乎发现、察觉到了这种东西。要是这个男孩子终归真的不是她儿子，会怎么样呢?啊，太荒谬了！她虽然伤心烦恼，但想到这一点，她几乎笑了起来。无论如何，她怎么都放不下这个想法，还被它缠着。它追着她，骚扰她，粘住她，不肯退却，不甘被忽视。最后，她认识到，除非她想出一个测验方法，清楚地、毫无疑问地证明这小伙子是不是她的儿子，消除这些令人疲倦和担心的疑虑，否则自己将不得安宁。啊，是的，这就是摆脱困境的正确方法。于是，她立刻绞尽脑汁想测试的办法。可是，提出想法容易，找到解决方法就难了。她脑海里翻来覆去，想了一个又一个可能的测试，但都不得不放弃，因为它们都不绝对准确，不够完美，而她不满意有缺点的方法。显然，她费尽脑筋也无济于事，她似乎不得不放弃这件事儿了。这个灰心的念头出现在脑海中时，她听到了男孩子均匀的呼吸声，她知道他已经睡着了。她正听着，忽然，一声轻柔的惊叫打断了整齐的呼吸，那是像做恶梦时会发出的声音。这个偶然事件立马让她想到了一个计划，原来费劲想的所有计划加起来也比不了这个。她立刻就兴奋起来，悄悄地点上蜡烛，自言自语：“如果我刚刚看过他，我早知道了！自从小时候被烟灰洒到脸上那天起，他再也没有突然从梦中或思考中惊醒过，而是从那天起，他一直把手挡在眼睛上。而且，与其他人手掌向内不同，他总是手掌向外——我已经看过一百次了，从来都是这样，没有错过。是的，我马上就知道了，马上！”

By this time she had crept to the slumbering boy's side, with the candle, shaded, in her hand. She bent heedfully and warily over him, scarcely breathing in her suppressed excitement, and suddenly flashed the light in his face and struck the floor by his ear with her knuckles. The sleeper's eyes sprang wide open, and he cast a startled stare about him—but he made no special movement with his hands.

这时，她手里拿着微微发光的蜡烛，已经爬到了睡着的男孩子旁边。她小心谨慎地弯下腰，贴近他，压制住兴奋，几乎不敢呼吸，然后一下子将光照在他脸上，用指节敲了敲他耳边的地板。正在睡觉的男孩的眼睛猛然睁得大大的，惊吓地向四周看了看，但他的两只手却没有什么特别的动作。

The poor woman was smitten almost helpless with surprise and grief; but she contrived to hide her emotions and to soothe the boy to sleep again; then she crept apart and communed miserably with herself upon the disastrous result of her experiment. She tried to believe that her Tom's madness had banished this habitual gesture of his; but she could not do it. "No," she said, "his hands are not mad; they could not unlearn so old a habit in so brief a time. Oh, this is a heavy day for me!"

惊讶和悲伤让这位可怜的夫人几乎觉得无助，但是她尽力隐藏了自己的情绪，哄着男孩子入睡，然后她又爬着离开，为她那极为失败的测试结果暗自伤心。她试图去相信，她的汤姆是因为疯癫才忘记了自己的习惯动作，但是她做不到。“不，”她说，“他的手没有疯，一个人不可能在这么短的时间内忘掉那么根深蒂固的习惯。啊，真是令我痛苦的一天啊！”

Still, hope was as stubborn now as doubt had been before; she could not bring herself to accept the verdict of the test; she must try the thing again—the failure must have been only an accident; so she startled the boy out of his sleep a second and a third time, at intervals—with the same result which had marked the first test; then she dragged herself to bed, and fell sorrowfully asleep, saying, "But I cannot give him up—oh no, I cannot, I cannot—he must be my boy!”

但如今，希望像刚才的怀疑一样顽固。她无法接受这个测试结果，她必须再试一回——这次失败肯定只是个意外。所以，她过一段时间又第二次、第三次把男孩子从梦中惊醒，但结果都跟第一回一样。于是，她拖着身子回到床上，渐渐伤心地进入梦乡，嘴里还说着：“但是我不能够放弃他——啊，不，我不能，我不能——他一定是我的孩子！”

The poor mother's interruptions having ceased, and the Prince's pains having gradually lost their power to disturb him, utter weariness at last sealed his eyes in a profound and restful sleep. Hour after hour slipped away, and still he slept like the dead. Thus four or five hours passed. Then his stupor began to lighten. Presently, while half asleep and half awake, he murmured—

可怜的母亲不再打扰他，王子也渐渐地不再觉得疼痛，极度的疲倦终于让他闭上了眼睛，沉沉地、安静地睡去了。几个钟头过去了，他仍睡得像个死人似的。这样过了四五个小时。然后，他开始从昏睡中醒过来。不一会儿，他半睡半醒地咕哝道：

"Sir William!"“威廉爵士！”

After a moment—

过了会儿又说：

"Ho, Sir William Herbert! Hie thee hither, and list to the strangest dream that ever ... Sir William! Dost hear? Man, I did think me changed to a pauper, and ... Ho there! Guards! Sir William! What! Is there no groom of the chamber in waiting? Alack! It shall go hard with—”“哎，威廉·赫伯特爵士！你快过来，听听至今最奇怪的梦……威廉爵士！你在听吗？天啊，我真以为我变成了一个贫儿，而且……哎！守卫！威廉爵士！什么！房间里没有男仆伺候吗？哎呀！得受惩罚——”

"What aileth thee?" asked a whisper near him. "Who art thou calling?"“你怎么啦？”有人在他旁边耳语，问道，“你在叫谁呢？”

"Sir William Herbert. Who art thou?"“威廉·赫伯特爵士。你是谁？”

"I? Who should I be, but thy sister Nan? Oh, Tom, I had forgot! Thou'rt mad yet—poor lad, thou'rt mad yet: would I had never woke to know it again! But prithee master thy tongue, lest we be all beaten till we die!”“我？除了是你的姐姐娜恩，我还能是谁？噢，汤姆，我忘了！你已经疯了——可怜的人，你已经疯了。我宁愿自己永远不再醒过来，就不会再知道你疯了！但请你别乱说话，不然我们会被打死的！”

The startled Prince sprang partly up, but a sharp reminder from his stiffened bruises brought him to himself, and he sank back among his foul straw with a moan and the ejaculation—

王子惊得半坐起来，但他全身青肿僵硬，剧烈的疼痛猛地把他拉回了现实。他哀嚎一声，躺回了他的脏稻草上，突然呻吟道：

"Alas! It was no dream, then!"“唉！那么，不是做梦了！”

In a moment all the heavy sorrow and misery which sleep had banished were upon him again, and he realised that he was no longer a petted prince in a palace, with the adoring eyes of a nation upon him, but a pauper, an outcast, clothed in rags, prisoner in a den fit only for beasts, and consorting with beggars and thieves.

一瞬间，已经被睡眠消除的沉重的悲痛和苦恼又向他袭来，他意识到自己不再是宫殿里受宠的、接受全国人民仰慕的目光的王子了，而是一个被遗弃的、穿着破衣烂衫的贫儿，一个住在只适合野兽住的洞里、与乞丐和小偷为伴的囚徒。

In the midst of his grief he began to be conscious of hilarious noises and shoutings, apparently but a block or two away. The next moment there were several sharp raps at the door; John Canty ceased from snoring and said—

正伤心的时候，他听到欢闹的声音和叫嚷，听起来显然不过一两个街区远。紧接着，传来了几声急促的敲门声。约翰·坎蒂的鼾声停了，说道：

"Who knocketh? What wilt thou?"“谁在敲门？有什么事？”

A voice answered—

一个声音答道：

"Know'st thou who it was thou laid thy cudgel on?"“你知道你用棍子打了谁吗？”

"No. Neither know I, nor care."“不知道。我不知道，也不关心。”

"Belike thou'lt change thy note eftsoons. An thou would save thy neck, nothing but flight may stead thee. The man is this moment delivering up the ghost. 'Tis the priest, Father Andrew!"“恐怕一会儿，你就不会这么说了。你要想保住你的脑袋，就只有逃走了。这会儿，他的灵魂正在升天呢。是那个神父，安德鲁神父！”

"God-a-mercy!" excliamed Canty. He roused his family, and hoarsely commanded, "Up with ye all and fly—or bide where ye are and perish!”“上帝慈悲！”坎蒂大声叫道。他把全家叫醒，粗声粗气地命令道：“都起来逃吧，否则就呆在这里等死！”

Scarcely five minutes later were the Canty household in the street and flying for their lives. John Canty held the Prince by the wrist, and hurried him along the dark way, giving him this caution in a low voice—

不到五分钟的时间，坎蒂一家子就到了街上，开始逃命。约翰·坎蒂抓着王子的手腕在黑暗中赶路，一面催他快走，一面低声警告他说：

"Mind thy tongue, thou mad fools, and speaks not our name. I will choose me a new name, speedily, to throw the law's dogs off the scent. Mind thy tongue, I tell thee!"“不准乱说话，你这个疯子，不要说我们的名字。我得赶紧换个名字，免得让法律的看家狗们嗅到我。别乱说话，我告诉你！”

He growled these words to the rest of the family—

他又对家里其他几个人咆哮道：

"If it so chance that we be separated, let each make for London Bridge; whoso findeth himself as far as the last linen-draper's shop on the bridge, let him tarry there till the others be come, then will we flee into Southwark together."“如果我们不小心走散了，大家就去伦敦桥集合。不管谁，如果自己走到桥上最后一家亚麻布制品店那里，就在那儿等其他人到齐，然后我们再一起逃到萨瑟克。”

At this moment the party burst suddenly out of darkness into light; and not only into light, but into the midst of a multitude of singing, dancing, and shouting people, massed together on the river frontage. There was a line of bonfires stretching as far as one could see, up and down the Thames; London Bridge was illuminated; Southwark Bridge likewise; the entire river was aglow with the flash and sheen of coloured lights; and constant explosions of fireworks filled the skies with an intricate commingling of shooting splendours and a thick rain of dazzling sparks that almost turned night into day; everywhere were crowds of revellers; all London seemed to be at large.

正在此时，这一家子突然从黑暗里走进了光亮处。不仅如此，有好多人聚在河边唱歌、跳舞、叫喊，他们也混入其中了。泰晤士河上下都点着篝火，一眼望不到头。伦敦桥上灯火通明，萨瑟克桥也是如此，整条河都被彩灯的闪烁和光辉照亮了。随着阵阵连续不断的爆炸声，天空中混杂着如流星般的绚丽的烟火和多如雨点的耀眼火花，把夜晚照得如同白昼。到处都是狂欢的人群，仿佛整个伦敦都沉浸在狂欢、自由之中。

John Canty delivered himself of a furious curse and commanded a retreat; but it was too late. He and his tribe were swallowed up in that swarming hive of humanity, and hopelessly separated from each other in an instant. We are not considering that the Prince was one of his tribe; Canty still kept his grip upon him. The Prince's heart was beating high with hopes of escape, now. A burly waterman, considerably exalted with liquor, found himself rudely shoved by Canty in his efforts to plough through the crowd; he laid his great hand on Canty's shoulder and said—

约翰·坎蒂狠狠地骂了自己一句，下令撤回，但是已经太晚了。他和他的家人被那一窝蜂似的人群吞没了，立刻就被彻底拆散了。我们没把王子看成他的家人，坎蒂还在抓着他的手腕。王子现在看到了逃跑的希望，心跳得厉害。坎蒂正在人群中费力地往前挤。一个身材魁梧的船夫喝了酒十分兴奋，他觉得坎蒂无礼地撞了他，便将大手放在坎蒂的肩膀上，说：

"Nay, whither so fast, friend? Dost canker thy soul with sordid business when all that be leal men and true make holiday?"“别挤，这么着急上哪儿去啊，朋友？所有的人都很忠实，都在真正地度假，你要用肮脏的事情腐蚀你的灵魂吗？”

"Mine affairs are mine own, they concern thee not," answered Canty, roughly; "take away thy hand and let me pass."“我的事情是我自己的事，与你无关，”坎蒂粗野地说，“拿开你的手，让我过去。”

"Sith that is thy humour, thou'lt not pass, till thou'st drunk to the Prince of Wales, I tell thee that," said the waterman, barring the way resolutely.“既然你这么认为，那么我跟你说，你要为威尔士王子喝一杯才能走。”船夫坚决挡住路，说道。

"Give me the cup, then, and make speed, make speed!"“那给我杯子，快点，快点！”

Other revellers were interested by this time. They cried out—

这时，其他狂欢者有了兴致。他们叫喊道：

"The loving-cup, the loving-cup! Make the sour knave drink the loving-cup; else will we feed him to the fishes.”“拿爱杯来，爱杯！让这个酸腐的流氓用爱杯喝，否则我们就拿他喂鱼。”

So a huge loving-cup was brought; the waterman, grasping it by one of its handles, and with the other hand bearing up the end of an imaginary napkin, presented it in due and ancient form to Canty, who had to grasp the opposite handle with one of his hands and take off the lid with the other, according to ancient custom. This left the Prince hand-free for a second, of course. He wasted no time, but dived among the forest of legs about him and disappeared. In another moment he could not have been harder to find, under that tossing sea of life, if its billows had been the Atlantic's and he a lost sixpence.

于是，他们拿来了个很大的爱杯。那个船夫拿着一个杯柄，另一只手拿着一张假想的餐巾的角，按照古代的礼节和方式递给坎蒂，而坎蒂只得按照古代风俗，一只手拿住对面一个杯柄，另一只手拿下盖子。当然，这会儿，王子的手被松开了。他抓紧时间，冲到周围的人群里，消失了。一转眼，就再也找不到他了。在那样翻腾的人海中，如果将它比作大西洋的巨浪，那么他就是落入其中的一枚六便士硬币。

He very soon realised this fact, and straightway busied himself about his own affairs without further thought of John Canty. He quickly realised another thing, too. To wit, that a spurious Prince of Wales was being feasted by the city in his stead. He easily concluded that the pauper lad, Tom Canty, had deliberately taken advantage of his stupendous opportunity and become a usurper.

他很快意识到了这一事实，便不再想着约翰·坎蒂，干脆忙着考虑自己的事情。他也很快意识到了另一件事情。那就是，全市正在为一个假王子举办筵席，而不是他。他很容易地得出了结论：那个贫儿汤姆·坎蒂存心利用了这个千载难逢的机会，做了篡位者。

Therefore there was but one course to pursue—find his way to the Guildhall, make him known, and denounce the impostor. He also made up his mind that Tom should be allowed a reasonable time for spiritual preparation, and then be hanged, drawn and quartered, according to the law and usage of the day in cases of high treason.

所以，只有一条路可走，那就是去市政厅，让人们知道他，并公开指责这个冒名顶替者。他还决定给汤姆一点合理的心里准备时间，然后按照当时叛国罪的法律和惯例,对他执行绞刑、淹死，或是五马分尸。

CHAPTER XI At Guildhall

第十一章 在市政厅

The royal barge, attended by its gorgeous fleet, took its stately way down the Thames through the wilderness of illuminated boats. The air was laden with music; the river banks were beruffled with joy-flames; the distant city lay in a soft luminous glow from its countless invisible bonfires; above it rose many a slender spire into the sky, incrusted with sparkling lights, wherefore in their remoteness they seemed like jewelled lances thrust aloft; as the fleet swept along, it was greeted from the banks with a continuous hoarse roar of cheers and the ceaseless flash and boom of artillery.

王室游艇在华丽的舰队的护航下，顺着泰晤士河而下，庄严地驶过大片张灯结彩的船只。空气里弥漫着音乐，欢乐的焰火给河岸镶上了褶皱边。远处的城市沐浴在温柔的灯光中，因为那里有无数看不见的篝火。在城市上方，有许多瘦长的塔尖耸入高空，塔尖上装有闪烁的灯，从远处望去，好像是镶着珠宝的矛向上竖着。舰队驶过时，岸上不断传来嘶哑的欢呼声，还有不停的烟花的闪光和爆炸声。

To Tom Canty, half buried in his silken cushions, these sounds and this spectacle were a wonder unspeakably sublime and astonishing. To his little friends at his side, the Princess Elizabeth and the Lady Jane Grey, they were nothing.

对于半埋在丝绸坐垫里的汤姆·坎蒂来说，这些声音和这番景象真是奇观，说不出地壮丽和惊异。对于他旁边的小朋友们，伊丽莎白公主和简·格雷郡主来说，这算不上什么。

Arrived at the Dowgate, the fleet was towed up the limpid Walbrook (whose channel has now been for two centuries buried out of sight under acres of buildings) to Bucklersbury, past houses and under bridges populous with merry-makers and brilliantly lighted, and at last came to a halt in a basin where now is Barge Yard, in the centre of the ancient city of London. Tom disembarked, and he and his gallant procession crossed Cheapside and made a short march through the Old Jewry and Basinghall Street to the Guildhall.

舰队到达道格特区，驶过清澈的瓦溪(瓦溪水道已经消失，埋在几英亩大楼下有二百年了)到了巴科勒斯伯瑞街，经过住宅，穿过一座座挤满了狂欢人群的灯火辉煌的桥，最后停在一个水塘，就是现在的游艇大院，那是古伦敦城的中心。汤姆下了船，他和他华丽的队伍穿过齐普赛街，从老犹太街和贝辛哈街，再到市政厅，进行了一次短途游行。

Tom and his little ladies were received with due ceremony by the Lord Mayor and the Fathers of the City, in their gold chains and scarlet robes of state, and conducted to a rich canopy of state at the head of the great hall, preceded by heralds making proclamation, and by the Mace and the City Sword. The lords and ladies who were to attend upon Tom and his two small friends took their places behind their chairs.

市长和城邦元老戴着金链子，穿着猩红色国袍，以恰当的礼节接待了汤姆和小公主们。传令官、权杖官和市剑官走在前面，将汤姆他们引至大厅顶部一个巨大的穹顶下。服侍汤姆和他的两个小朋友的大臣和贵族夫人们站在了他们椅子后面。

At a lower table the Court grandees and other guests of noble degree were seated, with the magnates of the city; the commoners took places at a multitude of tables on the main floor of the hall. From their lofty vantage-ground the giants Gog and Magog, the ancient guardians of the city, contemplated the spectacle below them with eyes grown familiar to it in forgotten generations. There was a bugle-blast and a proclamation, and a fat butler appeared in a high perch in the leftward wall, followed by his servitors bearing with impressive solemnity a royal baron of beef, smoking hot and ready for the knife.

宫廷的大人物和其他贵族客人在低一些的桌上坐下，与城邦要人坐在了一起。下议院议员们就坐在大厅中央的许多桌子前。古代的城邦守护者戈格和梅戈格巨人高高在上，居高临下地注视着眼前的这一幕景象。早在不知多少年前，他们就已熟悉了这一幕。一阵响亮的号声和一声宣告之后，左边墙的高处出现了一个胖胖的男仆役长，身后跟着的随从们十分庄严地端着上好的大牛肉块。牛肉热气腾腾的，正好可以下刀。

After grace, Tom (being instructed) rose—and the whole house with him—and drank from a portly golden loving-cup with the Princess Elizabeth; from her it passed to the Lady Jane, and then traversed the general assemblage. So the banquet began.

祷告完毕，汤姆（在指导下）起身与伊丽莎白公主一起端着巨大的金爱杯喝酒，屋里所有人都随着起身。爱杯从伊丽莎白公主手中传给了简郡主，然后传给宴会上的众人。宴会就这么开始了。

By midnight the revelry was at its height. Now came one of those picturesque spectacles so admired in that old day. A description of it is still extant in the quaint wording of a chronicler who witnessed it:

午夜时分，狂欢达到高潮。现在，旧时让人羡慕的一幕如画般的场景就要来临了。对这一场景的描述现在还可以找到。一名亲眼目睹此景的史官用古雅的文笔描写道：

'Space being made, presently entered a baron and an earl appareled after the Turkish fashion in long robes of bawdkin powdered with gold; hats on their heads of crimson velvet, with great rolls of gold, girded with two swords, called scimitars, hanging by great bawdricks of gold. Next came yet another baron and another earl, in two long gowns of yellow satin, traversed with white satin, and in every bend of white was a bend of crimson satin, after the fashion of Russia, with furred hats of gray on their heads; either of them having an hatchet in their hands, and boots with pykes' (points a foot long), 'turned up. And after them came a knight, then the Lord High Admiral, and with him five nobles, in doublets of crimson velvet, voyded low on the back and before to the cannell-bone, laced on the breasts with chains of silver; and over that, short cloaks of crimson satin, and on their heads hats after the dancers' fashion, with pheasants' feathers in them. These were appareled after the fashion of Prussia. The torchbearers, which were about an hundred, were appareled in crimson satin and green, like Moors, their faces black. Next came in a mommarye. mommarye没查到。Then the minstrels, who were disguised, danced; and the lords and ladies did wildly dance also, that it was a pleasure to behold.'“人们让出空地，不一会儿，走进来一位男爵和一位伯爵，他们穿着土耳其款式的织锦撒金长袍，头上戴着深红色天鹅绒的帽子，大大的金卷用两把叫做弯刀的剑夹上，用金色的织锦挂着。接着，又来了一位男爵和一位伯爵，他们穿着黄色绸缎做的俄罗斯式长袍，上有弯弯曲曲的白色缎子，每个白缎弯处又是一段弯曲的猩红色缎带，头上戴了灰色的毛皮帽子。两个人都手拿短柄斧，脚穿长筒靴，靴子尖（尖有一英尺长）向上翻着。他们之后是一位骑士，接着是海军上将。他带了五个贵族，个个穿着猩红天鹅绒紧身衣，衣服后面开得很低，前面开到锁骨处，胸前带着银链子，外面披着猩红色缎子做的短斗篷，头上戴了舞者式样的帽子，上面插着雉的羽毛。他们的衣着是普鲁士式的。大约一百个火炬手身穿猩红色和绿色缎子的服装。他们脸上黑黑的，像摩尔人似的。之后来了个mommarye。接着，乔装打扮的艺人跳着舞，贵族老爷和夫人们也疯狂地跳舞，光看着就是一种快乐。”

And while Tom, in his high seat, was gazing upon this 'wild' dancing, lost in admiration of the dazzling commingling of kaleidoscopic colours which the whirling turmoil of gaudy figures below him presented, the ragged but real little Prince of Wales was proclaiming his rights and his wrongs, denouncing the impostor, and clamouring for admission at the gates of Guildhall! The crowd enjoyed this episode prodigiously, and pressed forward and craned their necks to see the small rioter. Presently they began to taunt him and mock at him, purposely to goad him into a higher and still more entertaining fury. Tears of mortification sprang to his eyes, but he stood his ground and defied the mob right royally. Other taunts followed, added mockings stung him, and he exclaimed—

坐在高高的位置上的汤姆正观看着这“疯狂”的舞蹈，沉浸在脚下俗丽的人们旋转喧闹所营造出的这如万花筒般令人眼花缭乱的各种色彩里。而与此同时，身着破衣烂衫的真正的威尔士王子正在大声宣布他的正当权利和所蒙受的冤屈，指责这个冒名顶替者，吵着要进市政厅的大门！人群对这个插曲表现出极高的热情，他们向前挤，伸着脖子去看那个闹事的小家伙。不一会儿，他们开始嘲弄他，取笑他，有意煽起他更强烈、也更有趣的怒气。羞辱的眼泪涌进眼眶，但是他坚守立场，不失王家风范地对抗这群暴徒。接着又是嘲笑，加倍的取笑刺痛了他，他大声说道：

"I tell ye again, you pack of unmannerly curs, I am the Prince of Wales! And all forlorn and friendless as I be, with none to give me word of grace or help me in my need, yet will not I be driven from my ground, but will maintain it!"“我跟你们再说一遍，你们这群没有礼貌的疯狗，我是威尔士王子！我确实无助，没有朋友，没人说安慰我的话，没人在我需要的时候帮助我，但是我不会屈服，我会坚守我的立场！”

"Though thou be prince or no prince, 'tis all one, thou be'st a gallant lad, and not friendless neither!“不管你是不是王子，都一样，你是个勇敢的家伙，也不会没有朋友！

Here stand I by thy side to prove it; and mind I tell thee thou might'st have a worser friend than Miles Hendon and yet not tire thy legs with seeking. Rest thy small jaw, my child; I talk the language of these base kennel-rats like to a very native.”The speaker was a sort of Don Caesar de Bazan in dress, aspect, and bearing. He was tall, trim-built, muscular. His doublet and trunks were of rich material, but faded and threadbare, and their gold-lace adornments were sadly tarnished; his ruff was rumpled and damaged; the plume in his slouched hat was broken and had a bedraggled and disreputable look; at his side he wore a long rapier in a rusty iron sheath; his swaggering carriage marked him at once as a ruffler of the camp. The speech of this fantastic figure was received with an explosion of jeers and laughter. Some cried, "'Tis another prince in disguise!""'Ware thy tongue, friend: belike he is dangerous!”"Marry, he looketh it—mark his eye!”"Pluck the lad from him—to the horse-pond wi' the cub!"

我站在你这边，就足以证明这一点。记着我告诉你，你可能有个比迈尔斯·亨登还差劲的朋友，不过不要费力找他了。省省你的小下巴，我的孩子，我天生就会说这些低级的狗窝里的胡话。”讲话者的穿着、长相、举止都有些像唐·凯撒·德巴赞。他个头很高，身材匀称，肌肉健壮。他的紧身上衣和裤子都是用精美的布料做的，却已经褪了色，磨破了，衣服上的金饰带也不幸失去了光泽；破旧的领子飞边皱巴巴的；软塌塌的帽子上的羽毛给弄破了，看着不整洁，一点都不体面；身体一侧佩了一把轻巧细长的剑，铁剑鞘已经生了锈。他这副神气活现的架势立刻就让人们将他看成了扰乱宴会的人。这位古怪人物的一番话遭到了一片嘲讽和讥笑。有人喊道：“又一个乔装的王子！”“说话注意点，朋友，他或许很危险呢！”“哎呀,他看起来是这样的，留心他的眼睛！”“把那个家伙抢过来，跟那个年轻人一起丢到饮马池去！”

Instantly a hand was laid upon the Prince, under the impulse of this happy thought; as instantly the stranger's long sword was out and the meddler went to the earth under a sounding thump with the flat of it. The next moment a score of voices shouted, "Kill the dog! Kill him! Kill him!"And the mob closed in on the warrior, who backed himself against a wall and began to lay about him with his long weapon like a madman. His victims sprawled this way and that, but the mob-tide poured over their prostrate forms and dashed itself against the champion with undiminished fury.

一想到这个高兴的主意，立即有一只手搭在王子身上了。这个陌生人立刻拔出长剑,用刀背砰地重打上去，那个爱管闲事的人就倒在地上了。接着有二十多个声音喊道：“杀了这条狗！杀了他！杀了他！”暴徒围拢了武士，他退到了墙边，开始像疯子一样拿着他的长剑乱打一通。几个受了伤的人四处爬去，但是暴徒的浪潮带着丝毫未减的怒气越过倒地的人，朝着战士涌了上来。

His moments seemed numbered, his destruction certain, when suddenly a trumpet-blast sounded, a voice shouted, "Way for the King's messenger!" and a troop of horsemen came charging down upon the mob, who fled out of harm's reach as fast as their legs could carry them. The bold stranger caught up the Prince in his arms, and was soon far away from danger and the multitude.

他似乎就要完了，几乎死定了。而就在这时，突然传来一阵号声，有人喊道：“让路，国王的使者来了！”于是，一队骑兵向暴徒冲过来，他们撒腿跑得远远的，生怕被马腿踢到。这个勇敢的陌生人用胳膊挽起王子，很快逃离了危险和人群。

Return us within the Guildhall. Suddenly, high above the jubilant roar and thunder of the revel broke the clear peal of a bugle-note. There was instant silence—a deep hush; then a single voice raised—that of the messenger from the palace—and began to pipe forth a proclamation, the whole multitude standing listening.

我们回到市政厅来吧。忽然，在狂欢的喧闹声和雷鸣般的响声中，传来了一阵清脆响亮的号声。一切立刻安静了下来——非常安静，只有一个提高了的嗓音。那是宫殿的使者，他大声宣布，众人都站起来听着。

The closing words, solemnly pronounced, were—

结束语十分严肃沉重：

"The King is dead!"“国王驾崩了！”

The great assemblage bent their heads upon their breasts with one accord; remained so, in profound silence, a few moments; then all sank upon their knees in a body, stretched out their hands toward Tom, and a mighty shout burst forth that seemed to shake the building—

在场的所有人都低头含胸地静默了一会儿，然后，所有人都跪下来，朝汤姆伸出双手，大声高呼，声音几乎震动了建筑：

"Long live the King!"“国王万岁！”

Poor Tom's dazed eyes wandered abroad over this stupefying spectacle, and finally rested dreamily upon the kneeling princesses beside him, a moment, then upon the Earl of Hertford. A sudden purpose dawned in his face. He said, in a low tone, at Lord Hertford's ear—

可怜的汤姆眼神茫然地俯瞰远处这令人惊呆的场景，最后，他的目光恍恍惚惚地落在身边跪着的公主们身上，之后又落在赫特福德伯爵身上。忽然，他脸上一亮，想起了一个主意。他在赫特福德伯爵耳边低声说道：

"Answer me truly, on thy faith and honour! Uttered I here a command, the which none but a king might hold privilege and prerogative to utter, would such commandment be obeyed, and none rise up to say me nay?"“以您的信仰和荣誉，真诚地回答我！如果我在这里颁布一道只有国王有权颁布的命令，大家会服从吗？会不会有人站起来反对？”

"None, my liege, in all these realms. In thy person bides the majesty of England. Thou art the king—thy word is law.”“不会反对，我的陛下，整个王国的人的都不会。您本身就是英国的最高权威。您是国王——您的话就是法律。”

Tom responded, in a strong, earnest voice, and with great animation—

汤姆十分兴奋，他用坚定且认真的声调说道：

"Then shall the king's law be law of mercy, from this day, and never more be law of blood! Up from thy knees and away! To the Tower, and say the King decrees the Duke of Norfolk shall not die!"“那么从今天开始，国王的法律将是仁慈的法律，永不再是血腥的法律！起来，去吧！到伦敦塔，说国王下令，免除诺福克公爵的死罪！”

The words were caught up and carried eagerly from lip to lip far and wide over the hall, and as Hertford hurried from the presence, another prodigious shout burst forth—

人们听了这话，连忙口口相传，传遍了整个大厅。赫特福德匆忙离开的时候，突然响起另一声惊天动地的呼喊：

"The reign of blood is ended! Long live Edward, King of England!"“血腥的统治结束了！英国国王爱德华万岁！”

CHAPTER XII The Prince and His Deliverer

第十二章 王子和他的救星

As soon as Miles Hendon and the little prince were clear of the mob, they struck down through back lanes and alleys toward the river. Their way was unobstructed until they approached London Bridge; then they ploughed into the multitude again, Hendon keeping a fast grip upon the Prince's—no, the King's—wrist. The tremendous news was already abroad, and the boy learned it from a thousand voices at once—"The King is dead!"The tidings struck a chill to the heart of the poor little waif, and sent a shudder through his frame. He realised the greatness of his loss, and was filled with a bitter grief; for the grim tyrant who had been such a terror to others had always been gentle with him. The tears sprang to his eyes and blurred all objects. For an instant he felt himself the most forlorn, outcast, and forsaken of God's creatures—then another cry shook the night with its far-reaching thunders: "Long live King Edward the Sixth!"And this made his eyes kindle, and thrilled him with pride to his fingers' ends. "Ah," he thought, "how grand and strange it seems—I AM KING!”

一逃离了那群暴徒，迈尔斯·亨登和小王子就沿着通向河的后巷后街大步往前走。在他们接近伦敦桥前，一路上一直畅通无阻的。然后他们又走进了人群中，亨登一直紧紧抓着王子的——不，是国王的手腕。这个天大的新闻已经传出来了，男孩很快就知道了，因为他听到无数个声音都在说：“国王驾崩了！”。噩耗让可怜的小流浪者心生寒意，身体打了个冷战。他明白自己失去了多么重要的人，心里十分悲凉，因为这位其他人都害怕的无情暴君总是对他很温柔。眼睛里涌上来的泪水模糊了他的视线。一瞬间，他觉得自己是上帝所造万物中最无助的、被遗弃的、孤独的一个。接着，传来另一声响彻夜空的声音：“国王爱德华六世万岁！”这使他双眼发亮，自豪感充满了全身，一直到指尖。“啊，”他心想，“这感觉真是既伟大又奇怪——我是国王！”

Our friends threaded their way slowly through the throngs upon the bridge. This structure, which had stood for six hundred years, and had been a noisy and populous thoroughfare all that time, was a curious affair, for a closely packed rank of stores and shops, with family quarters overhead, stretched along both sides of it, from one bank of the river to the other. The Bridge was a sort of town to itself; it had its inn, its beer-houses, its bakeries, its haberdasheries, its food markets, its manufacturing industries, and even its church. It looked upon the two neighbours which it linked together—London and Southwark—as being well enough as suburbs, but not otherwise particularly important. It was a close corporation, so to speak; it was a narrow town, of a single street a fifth of a mile long, its population was but a village population and everybody in it knew all his fellow-townsmen intimately, and had known their fathers and mothers before them—and all their little family affairs into the bargain. It had its aristocracy, of course—its fine old families of butchers, and bakers, and what-not, who had occupied the same old premises for five or six hundred years, and knew the great history of the Bridge from beginning to end, and all its strange legends; and who always talked bridgy talk, and thought bridgy thoughts, and lied in a long, level, direct, substantial bridgy way. It was just the sort of population to be narrow and ignorant and self-conceited. Children were born on the Bridge, were reared there, grew to old age, and finally died without ever having set a foot upon any part of the world but London Bridge alone. Such people would naturally imagine that the mighty and interminable procession which moved through its street night and day, with its confused roar of shouts and cries, its neighings and bellowing and bleatings and its muffled thunder-tramp, was the one great thing in this world, and themselves somehow the proprietors of it. And so they were, in effect—at least they could exhibit it from their windows, and did—for a consideration—whenever a returning king or hero gave it a fleeting splendour, for there was no place like it for affording a long, straight, uninterrupted view of marching columns.

我们的朋友慢慢地穿过桥上的人群。这座桥已经矗立了六百年，这么多年一直是一条吵闹、拥挤的大道。这座桥颇为奇异，因为沿着桥的两边，一直从这边的河岸到河对岸，挤满了林林总总的商店和店铺，上面是各户的住处。伦敦桥本身成了一个小镇。它有自己的旅馆、酒馆、面包店、缝纫用品店、食物市场、制造商，甚至还有自己的教堂。伦敦桥俯瞰着它所连接在一起的两位邻居——伦敦和萨瑟克。它们和城郊一样还过得去，但是在其他方面并不特别重要。可以说，它是一个浓缩的社会。它是个狭窄的城镇，只有一条五分之一英里长的街道，人口只相当于一个村庄的人口，镇里的人彼此都很熟悉，连彼此的父母辈都认识，还知道所有的家庭琐事。当然，它有自己的贵族，都是些体面的老家族——屠户、面包师，还有不知做什么的家族，在这里也有五六百年的历史了，他们对伦敦桥从头到尾的光辉历史和它那奇异的传奇都知道得一清二楚。他们总是说着关于桥的话，想着桥的事，就连说谎也像桥一样又长，又直接，又充实。这里，只不过是一群目光短浅、愚昧无知而且自负自大的人们。孩子们在伦敦桥出生、成长、变老，一直到最后死去，都不曾踏上世界上任何其他的土地，除了伦敦桥。这些人想当然地以为，强大而冗长的队伍日夜穿梭在这条街上，伴随着乱哄哄的呼喊、嚎叫声，伴随着马的嘶声、牛的叫声、羊的咩声和低沉的隆隆的踏步声，以为这是世界上唯一一件重大的事情，而他们似乎拥有这一切。实际上他们确实是，至少他们能在窗口展示这些，而他们为了报酬也这么做了，也就是每当归来的国王或英雄让它短暂地光鲜起来时。除了这里，再也找不到其他地方能容纳又长又直的、不间断的行军队列。

Men born and reared upon the Bridge found life unendurably dull and inane elsewhere. History tells of one of these who left the Bridge at the age of seventy-one and retired to the country. But he could only fret and toss in his bed; he could not go to sleep, the deep stillness was so painful, so awful, and so oppressive. When he was worn out with it, at last, he fled back to his old home, a lean and haggard spectre, and fell peacefully to rest and pleasant dreams under the lulling music of the lashing waters and the boom and crash and thunder of London Bridge.

出生成长在桥上的人觉得别的地方的生活无聊而空虚，难以忍受。历史上，曾有一个人七十一岁时离开桥，回到乡下。可他只能在床上翻来覆去，无法入睡。那里太安静了，安静得让人痛苦难受，而且压抑不堪。他给弄得疲惫不堪，最后，他一副皮包骨头、形容枯槁的鬼样子，逃回了自己的老家。伴着河水拍岸的催眠曲和伦敦桥上轰隆隆的车轮撞击声，他安静地睡了，进入了愉快的梦乡。

In the times of which we are writing, the Bridge furnished 'object lessons' in English history for its children—namely, the livid and decaying heads of renowned men impaled upon iron spikes atop of its gateways. But we digress.

在我们现在所写的那个年代，伦敦桥是孩子们的英国历史“实物教学对象”，我指的是桥头的铁钉上挂着的名人的乌青腐烂的脑袋。不过我们跑题了。

Hendon's lodgings were in the little inn on the Bridge. As he neared the door with his small friend, a rough voice said—

亨登的住处就在桥上的小旅馆里。他带着他的小朋友走近门口时，一个粗哑的嗓音说道：

"So, thou'rt come at last! Thou'lt not escape again, I warrant thee; and if pounding thy bones to a pudding can teach thee somewhat, thou'lt not keep us waiting another time, mayhap,"—and John Canty put out his hand to seize the boy.“啊，你终于来了！我告诉你，你再也逃不掉了。如果狠狠揍你一顿能让你吸取教训，你就不会再让我们等了。”约翰·坎蒂伸过手来去抓男孩。

Miles Hendon stepped in the way and said—

迈尔斯·亨登走过来，说道：

"Not too fast, friend. Thou art needlessly rough, methinks. What is the lad to thee?"“等一等，朋友。我觉得你没必要这么粗鲁。这个小伙子是你什么人？”

"If it be any business of thine to make and meddle in others' affairs, he is my son."“你真是个喜欢多管闲事的人，他是我儿子。”

"'Tis a lie!" cried the little King, hotly.“这不是真的！” 小国王愤怒地喊道。

"Boldly said, and I believe thee, whether thy small headpiece be sound or cracked, my boy. But whether this scurvy ruffian be thy father or no, 'tis all one, he shall not have thee to beat thee and abuse, according to his threat, so thou prefer to bide with me."“实话说，我相信你，不管你的小脑袋是健全还是有问题，我的孩子。但是，不管这个卑鄙的恶棍是不是你父亲，你都不能跟着他，像他恐吓你的那样让他殴打、虐待你。那么，你应该更喜欢跟我在一起。”

"I do, I do—I know him not, I loathe him, and will die before I will go with him.”"Then 'tis settled, and there is nought more to say."“是的，是的。我不认识他，我讨厌他，我宁愿死也不跟他走。”“那么，就这样了，没什么好再说的了。”

"We will see, as to that!" exclaimed John Canty, striding past Hendon to get at the boy; "by force shall he—”“既然这样，我们倒要看看！”约翰·坎蒂大声说道，越过亨登去抓男孩，“来点儿暴力，看他——”

"If thou do but touch him, thou animated offal; I will spit thee like a goose!" said Hendon, barring the way and laying his hand upon his sword hilt. Canty drew back. "Now mark ye," continued Hendon, "I took this lad under my protection when a mob of such as thou would have mishandled him, mayhap killed him; dost imagine I will desert him now to a worser fate?—for whether thou art his father or no—and sooth to say, I think it is a lie—a decent swift death was better for such a lad than life in such brute hands as thine. So go thy ways, and set quick about it, for I like not much bandying of words, being not over-patient in my nature.”“你这个禽兽、废物！如果你敢碰他一下，我就啐死你！” 亨登挡在中间，手放在剑把上，说道。坎蒂往后一退。“现在，你给我听着，”亨登接着说道，“如果有像你这样的暴徒欺负他，或者想要杀了他，我一定会挺身保护他。你觉得我现在会让他去送死吗？因为不管你是不是他父亲——说实话，我觉得那是扯谎——与其让这个孩子生活在你的毒手之下，不如让他痛快体面地死了的好。所以赶快滚蛋，我不喜欢跟你啰嗦，我天生就没耐性。”

John Canty moved off, muttering threats and curses, and was swallowed from sight in the crowd. Hendon ascended three flights of stairs to his room, with his charge, after ordering a meal to be sent thither. It was a poor apartment, with a shabby bed and some odds and ends of old furniture in it, and was vaguely lighted by a couple of sickly candles. The little King dragged himself to the bed and lay down upon it, almost exhausted with hunger and fatigue. He had been on his feet a good part of a day and a night (for it was now two or three o'clock in the morning), and had eaten nothing meantime. He murmured drowsily—

约翰·坎蒂走开了，嘴里还喃喃地威胁和咒骂着些什么。然后，他被人群吞没，从视线里消失了。亨登吩咐人将饭菜送上来，然后和他照管的人一起上了三段楼梯，到了他的房间。这是一间简陋的房间，里面有一张破旧的床和一些零散的旧家具，两支暗淡的蜡烛发出昏暗的光。小国王挪到床上躺下，他又饿又累，快支撑不住了。他几乎整个白天和晚上都在走路（这时已是凌晨两三点钟），其间什么东西都没吃。他迷迷糊糊地低语：

"Prithee call me when the table is spread," and sank into a deep sleep immediately.“等摆好了饭桌，请叫我一声。”然后，他立刻沉沉地睡去了。

A smile twinkled in Hendon's eye, and he said to himself—

亨登的眼睛里闪着一丝笑意，他自言自语道：

"By the mass, the little beggar takes to one's quarters and usurps one's bed with as natural and easy a grace as if he owned them—with never a by-your-leave or so-please-it-you, or anything of the sort. In his diseased ravings he called himself the Prince of Wales, and bravely doth he keep up the character. Poor little friendless rat, doubtless his mind has been disordered with ill-usage. Well, I will be his friend; I have saved him, and it draweth me strongly to him; already I love the bold-tongued little rascal. How soldier-like he faced the smutty rabble and flung back his high defiance! And what a comely, sweet and gentle face he hath, now that sleep hath conjured away its troubles and its griefs. I will teach him; I will cure his malady; yea, I will be his elder brother, and care for him and watch over him; and whoso would shame him or do him hurt may order his shroud, for though I be burnt for it he shall need it!”“的确，这个小叫化子跑到别人房里，占用了别人的床，样子却那么自然而从容，好像这都是他的似的，连一句客气话也没有，连句‘别见怪’、‘不好意思’都没说。他疯疯癫癫地称自己是威尔士王子，居然还真的大胆地端着这种派头。无依无靠的可怜的孩子，他一定是受尽了人间的折磨才疯了的。嗯，我会做他的朋友。我救了他，而他对我有强大的吸引力，我已经喜欢上了这个说话狂妄的小捣蛋鬼。他对那些无耻的暴民回以高傲的蔑视，多么像个战士啊！现在他睡着了，脸上的忧虑和悲伤也随之消失了，显得多么清秀、甜美和温和。我会教导他，我会治好他的病。是的，我会做他的大哥哥，照料他，看顾他。如果有谁羞辱或者伤害他，那就赶紧去做件寿衣，因为我就算赴汤蹈火也要杀了他，到时他会用得着寿衣的！”

He bent over the boy and contemplated him with kind and pitying interest, tapping the young cheek tenderly and smoothing back the tangled curls with his great brown hand. A slight shiver passed over the boy's form. Hendon muttered—

他向男孩弯下腰，和蔼、怜惜地凝视着他，轻轻地拍了拍稚嫩的脸颊，棕色的大手将他乱蓬蓬的卷发向后缕了缕。男孩的身体微微抖动了一下。亨登咕哝道：

"See, now, how like a man it was to let him lie here uncovered and fill his body with deadly rheums. Now what shall I do? 'Twill wakes him to take him up and put him within the bed, and he sorely needeth sleep."“瞧瞧，不给他盖被子，就让他这么躺着，让他得要命的感冒，这真像男人做的事情啊。那我应该做什么呢？把他抱到被褥里会弄醒他，他太需要睡觉了。”

He looked about for extra covering, but finding none, doffed his doublet and wrapped the lad in it, saying, "I am used to nipping air and scant apparel, 'tis little I shall mind the cold!"—then walked up and down the room, to keep his blood in motion, soliloquising as before.

他四下里看看，想找件其他什么给他盖上，却没找到。于是，他脱下自己的紧身衣，一面给小家伙裹上，一面自言自语：“我习惯了刺骨的风和单薄的衣服，我可不在意感冒！”然后，他在房间里来回走动，以保持血液流动，一边还像刚刚那样自言自语。

"His injured mind persuades him he is Prince of Wales; 'twill be odd to have a Prince of Wales still with us, now that he that was the prince is prince no more, but king—for this poor mind is set upon the one fantasy, and will not reason out that now it should cast by the prince and call itself the king... If my father liveth still, after these seven years that I have heard nought from home in my foreign dungeon, he will welcome the poor lad and give him generous shelter for my sake; so will my good elder brother, Arthur; my other brother, Hugh—but I will crack his crown an he interfere, the fox-hearted, ill-conditioned animal! Yes, thither will we fare—and straightway, too.”“他脑袋受了伤，才以为自己是威尔士王子。说我们现在还有威尔士王子是很奇怪的，因为过去的王子已经不再是王子，而是国王了。因为这可怜的小家伙一直都在妄想，所以不会想到现在应该不再叫自己王子，而应改叫自己国王了……因为关在他乡的地牢里，我已经七年没有听到家乡的消息了。如果我父亲还活着，他一定会欢迎这个可怜的家伙，并看在我的份上，慷慨地让他住下，而我善良的大哥阿瑟也会这么做。如果休——我那另一个狼心狗肺的弟弟想要多管闲事，我就扭断他的脖子！是的，我们要回那里，而且得立即动身。”

A servant entered with a smoking meal, disposed it upon a small deal table, placed the chairs, and took his departure, leaving such cheap lodgers as these to wait upon themselves. The door slammed after him, and the noise woke the boy, who sprang to a sitting posture, and shot a glad glance about him; then a grieved look came into his face and he murmured to himself, with a deep sigh, "Alack, it was but a dream, woe is me!"Next he noticed Miles Hendon's doublet—glanced from that to Hendon, comprehended the sacrifice that had been made for him, and said, gently—

一个仆人端着热腾腾的饭菜走进来，放在一张小松木桌子上，把椅子摆好后就离开了，让这些囊中羞涩的客人自己照顾自己。门甩上的声音吵醒了男孩，他猛地坐起来，高兴地扫视周围。接着，他脸上显出伤心的神情，长叹了口气，自言自语道：“哎呀，刚只是个梦，可怜的我啊！”然后，他看到了迈尔斯·亨登的紧身衣，又转头看了看亨登，明白了他为自己做的牺牲，于是温柔地说道：

"Thou art good to me, yes; thou art very good to me. Take it and put it on—I shall not need it more.”“你对我好，是的，你对我非常好。拿着，穿上它，我不用了。”

Then he got up and walked to the washstand in the corner and stood there, waiting. Hendon said in a cheery voice—

然后，他起身走到角落里的脸盆架边，站在那儿，等着什么。亨登高兴地说：

"We'll have a right hearty sup and bite, now, for everything is savoury and smoking hot, and that and thy nap together will make thee a little man again, never fears!"“我们要吃一顿丰盛的晚餐了，饭菜都是香喷喷、热腾腾的，你睡了会儿，再吃了饭，就又是一个小男子汉了，别怕！”

The boy made no answer, but bent a steady look, that was filled with grave surprise, and also somewhat touched with impatience, upon the tall knight of the sword. Hendon was puzzled, and said—

男孩没有答话，而是直直地盯着这位高个子的佩剑骑士，眼神里充满了严肃的惊讶，还有点不耐烦。亨登迷惑不解地问道：

"What's amiss?"“怎么了？”

"Good sir, I would wash me."“善良的先生，我要洗漱。”

"Oh, is that all? Ask no permission of Miles Hendon for aught thou cravest. Make thyself perfectly free here, and welcome, with all that are his belongings."“啊，就这事？你想做什么都不需要问迈尔斯·亨登。你可以使用他的所有东西，自便就好，别客气。”

Still the boy stood, and moved not; more, he tapped the floor once or twice with his small impatient foot. Hendon was wholly perplexed. Said he—

男孩还是站着没有动，而且他不耐烦的小脚在地板上跺了一两下。亨登完全不知所措。他说：

"Bless us, what is it?"“我的天，怎么了？”

"Prithee pour the water, and make not so many words!"“请倒水，别说那么多！”

Hendon, suppressing a horse-laugh, and saying to himself, "By all the saints, but this is admirable!" stepped briskly forward and did the small insolent's bidding; then stood by, in a sort of stupefaction, until the command, "Come—the towel!" woke him sharply up. He took up a towel, from under the boy's nose, and handed it to him without comment. He now proceeded to comfort his own face with a wash, and while he was at it his adopted child seated himself at the table and prepared to fall to. Hendon despatched his ablutions with alacrity, then drew back the other chair and was about to place himself at table, when the boy said, indignantly—

亨登忍住了大笑，自言自语道：“我的老天爷啊，好大的派头！” 他赶紧走上前去，照这个傲慢无礼的小家伙吩咐的做了。然后，他站一边发呆，直到又听到一声命令：“过来——拿毛巾来！”他才惊醒过来。他从男孩的眼皮底下拿起一条毛巾，一言不发地将毛巾递给了他。这会儿，他开始清洗自己的脸，而他收养的孩子自己坐在了桌子旁，准备开始吃饭。亨登匆忙洗了一下，就将另一把椅子拉到桌子旁。正要坐下，男孩忽然愤怒地说道：

"Forbear! Wouldst sit in the presence of the King?"“等等！你居然敢在国王面前坐下来？”

This blow staggered Hendon to his foundations. He muttered to himself, "Lo, the poor thing's madness is up with the time! It hath changed with the great change that is come to the realm, and now in fancy is he King! Good lack, I must humour the conceit, too—there is no other way—faith, he would order me to the Tower, else!”

这两句话把亨登吓得跳了起来。他自言自语道：“瞧，这可怜孩子的疯病越来越厉害了！随着国家发生巨变而变化，他幻想自己成了国王！他那么高傲，我也必须由着他自大，没有别的办法。我得忠诚，否则他会把我送进伦敦塔去！”

And pleased with this jest, he removed the chair from the table, took his stand behind the King, and proceeded to wait upon him in the courtliest way he was capable of.

他觉得这个俏皮话蛮有趣，就将椅子从桌旁挪开，站到了国王后面，毕恭毕敬地伺候他。

While the King ate, the rigour of his royal dignity relaxed a little and with his growing contentment came a desire to talk. He said—"I think thou callest thyself Miles Hendon, if I heard thee aright?"

国王吃饭时，他那皇室的高贵态度放松了些，于是他心满意足地想要说话。他说：“如果我没有听错的话，我想你叫自己迈尔斯·亨登？”

"Yes, Sire," Miles replied; then observed to himself, "If I must humour the poor lad's madness, I must 'Sire' him, I must 'Majesty' him, I must not go by halves, I must stick at nothing that belongeth to the part I play, else shall I play it ill and work evil to this charitable and kindly cause."“是的，陛下。”迈尔斯回答，然后又自语道，“如果我要顺着这

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