EVERY evening the young Fisherman went out upon the sea, and threw his nets into the water.
每晚，年轻的渔夫都要出海打鱼，将他的网撒进水里。
When the wind blew from the land he caught nothing, or but little at best, for it was a bitter and black- winged wind, and rough waves rose up to meet it. But when the wind blew to the shore, the fish came in from the deep, and swam into the meshes of his nets, and he took them to the market-place and sold them.
当风从陆地吹来的时候，他就毫无所获了，至多也只有一丁点。这本就是凛冽的、长着黑翼的风，更哪堪高头大浪亦汹涌着，与它相迎。但当风吹向海岸的时候，鱼儿便从深海里浮起，游进他的渔网里，他便将它们带去市场卖掉。
Every evening he went out upon the sea, and one evening the net was so heavy that hardly could he draw it into the boat. And he laughed, and said to himself Surely I have caught all the fish that swim, or snared some dull monster that will be a marvel to men, or some thing of horror that the great Queen will desire,' and putting forth all his strength, he tugged at the coarse ropes till, like lines of blue enamel round a vase of bronze, the long veins rose up on his arms. He tugged at the thin ropes, and nearer and nearer came the circle of flat corks, and the net rose at last to the top of the water.
他每晚出海。某天夜里，他的渔网竟如此之沉，以至于他几乎无法将它曳上船来。他笑着自言自语道：“我定然是把所有的鱼都捉住了，要不就是捉了个会让人们引为奇谭的妖怪，或者是伟大女王欣赏的那种恐怖玩意儿。”说着，他倾尽所有力量拽着那根粗糙的绳子，直到他手臂上长长的青筋都暴起来，就像是绕在铜质花瓶上的蓝釉彩条一样。他继续拽那细绳，扁平的软木浮圈越来越近，终于，渔网升出了水面。
But no fish at all was in it, nor any monster or thing of horror, but only a little Mermaid lying fast asleep.
然而，内里却是一条鱼也没有，亦没有什么妖怪或恐怖玩意儿，只卧着一条酣睡的小美人鱼。
Her hair was as a wet fleece of gold, and each separate hair as a thread of line gold in a cup of glass. Her body was as white ivory, and her tail was of silver and pearl. Silver and pearl was her tail, and the green weeds of the sea coiled round it; and like sea-shells were her ears, and her lips were like sea- coral. The cold waves dashed over her cold breasts, and the salt glistened upon her eyelids.
她的头发好像濡湿的金羊毛，每一根发线都犹如玻璃杯中的金丝。她的身子白若象牙，而尾巴则好似珍珠与银子的颜色。珍珠与银子作成了她的尾巴，绿色的海草缠绕着它；她的耳朵如贝壳，嘴唇似珊瑚。冰凉的浪花溅在她冰凉的胸脯上，海盐在她的眼睑上闪闪发光。
So beautiful was she that when the young Fisherman saw her he was filled with wonder, and he put out his hand and drew the net close to him, and leaning over the side he clasped her in his arms. And when he touched her, she gave a cry like a startled sea-gull and woke, and looked at him in terror with her mauve-amethyst eyes, and struggled that she might escape. But he held her tightly to him, and would not suffer her to depart.
她是那样的美丽，以至于年轻的渔夫望着她，充满了讶异。他伸手将渔网拽近，随后俯在船舷上，将她搂进怀里。而当他一触到她，她便像受惊的海鸥般，惊叫着醒转来，并用她紫水晶样剔透的眸子惊恐地望着他，挣扎着想要逃脱。然他将她紧紧地拥向自己，不忍放她离去。
And when she saw that she could in no way escape from him, she began to weep, and said, I pray thee let me go, for I am the only daughter of a King, and my father is aged and alone.'
当她明白自己逃脱无门的时候，她落泪道：“求求你放我走吧，我是国王唯一的女儿。我父亲也已经上了年纪，孤身一人。”
But the young Fisherman answered, I will not let thee go save thou makest me a promise that whenever I call thee, thou wilt come and sing to me, for the fish delight to listen to the song of the Sea-folk, and so shall my nets be full.'
可是，年轻的渔夫答道：“除非你答应我，每当我呼唤你，你就会出现为我歌唱。因为鱼儿们都乐于听到人鱼的海上仙乐，这样我便能满载而归。否则我就不放你回去。”
Wilt thou in very truth let me go, if I promise thee this?' cried the Mermaid.
“若我答应了，你当真会让我回去吗？”人鱼喊道。
In very truth I will let thee go,' said the young Fisherman. So she made him the promise he desired, and sware it by the oath of the Sea-folk. And he loosened his arms from about her, and she sank down into the water, trembling with a strange fear.
“我肯定会让你走”年轻的渔夫说道。于是她遂其所愿，并以人鱼的誓言赌咒。他则松开了环抱的臂膀。她于是因一种莫名的恐惧颤栗着，沉入水中。
Every evening the young Fisherman went out upon the sea, and called to the Mermaid, and she rose out of the water and sang to him. Round and round her swam the dolphins, and the wild gulls wheeled above her head.
年轻的渔夫每夜出海，并呼唤美人鱼。而她则从水中现身，为其歌唱。海豚将她团团围住，野鸥则在她的头顶上空盘旋。
And she sang a marvellous song. For she sang of the Sea-folk who drive their flocks from cave to cave, and carry the little calves on their shoulders; of the Tritons who have long green beards, and hairy breasts, and blow through twisted conchs when the King passes by; of the palace of the King which is all of amber, with a roof of clear emerald, and a pavement of bright pearl; and of the gardens of the sea where the great filigrane fans of coral wave all day long, and the fish dart about like silver birds, and the anemones cling to the rocks, and the pinks bourgeon in the ribbed yellow sand. She sang of the big whales that come down from the north seas and have sharp icicles hanging to their fins; of the Sirens who tell of such wonderful things that the merchants have to stop their ears with wax lest they should hear them, and leap into the water and be drowned; of the sunken galleys with their tall masts, and the frozen sailors clinging to the rigging, and the mackerel swimming in and out of the open portholes; of the little barnacles who are great travellers, and cling to the keels of the ships and go round and round the world; and of the cuttlefish who live in the sides of the cliffs and stretch out their long black arms, and can make night come when they will it. She sang of the nautilus who has a boat of her own that is carved out of an opal and steered with a silken sail; of the happy Mermen who play upon harps and can charm the great Kraken to sleep; of the little children who catch hold of the slippery porpoises and ride laughing upon their backs; of the Mermaids who lie in the white foam and hold out their arms to the mariners; and of the sea-lions with their curved tusks, and the sea-horses with their floating manes.
她唱了一首绝妙好歌。她唱道人鱼们赶着牲畜迁徙于洞穴之间，肩头扛着幼崽；她唱道海神特里同（译者注：海王波塞冬与海后安菲特里忒之子，半人半鱼），有长长的绿胡子和多毛的胸膛，当国王路过，便鸣起扭转的海螺号；她唱道国王的宫殿，全用琥珀造成，盖着无瑕翡翠做成的屋顶，铺着一条璀璨的珍珠小径；她唱道海中花园，用珊瑚攒丝而成的巨大扇子时刻挥舞着，鱼儿如银鸟般四处穿梭，海葵攀附在岩石上，石竹在黄色的沙棱里萌芽；她唱道自北海而来的巨鲸，鱼鳍上挂着锋利的冰柱；她唱到海妖塞壬把故事说得如此动人，使得过往的船商不得不以蜡充耳，唯恐听到了这诱人故事要纵身入海，溺水而亡；她唱道竖着高耸桅杆的沉舰，冰冻了的水手粘附着帆缆，鲭鱼于舷窗中里外穿行；她唱道小小藤壶是了不起的旅者，攀附在龙骨上一遍遍周游世界；她唱道居于崖边的乌贼，伸展长长的黑色臂膀，能随心所欲地让黑夜降临；她唱道了鹦鹉螺有一艘猫眼石刻的小船，张一杆绸帆航行；她唱道快乐的人鱼战士弹奏着竖琴，琴声动听得让北海巨妖都沉入梦乡；她唱道小孩子们抓牢溜滑的海豚，骑在豚背上欢笑；她唱道美人鱼卧在白色泡沫里，向海员伸出双臂；她唱道了有弯曲长牙海狮，也唱道了有飘扬长鬃的海马。
And as she sang, all the funny-fish came in from the deep to listen to her, and the young Fisherman threw his nets round them and caught them, and others he took with a spear. And when his boat was well-laden, the Mermaid would sink down into the sea, smiling at him.
她唱着，所有的河豚都聚拢来聆听她的歌声。年轻的渔夫遍撒渔网捕获它们，另一些则用鱼叉擒获。而当他的船儿满载，美人鱼便会向他微微一笑，沉入海底。
Yet would she never come near him that he might touch her. Often times he called to her and prayed of her, but she would not; and when he sought to seize her she dived into the water as a seal might dive, nor did he see her again that day. And each day the sound of her voice became sweeter to his ears. So sweet was her voice that he forgot his nets and his cunning, and had no care of his craft. Vermilion- finned and with eyes of bossy gold, the tunnies went by in shoals, but he heeded them not. His spear lay by his side unused, and his baskets of plaited osier were empty. With lips parted, and eyes dim with wonder, he sat idle in his boat and listened, listening till the sea-mists crept round him, and the wandering moon stained his brown limbs with silver.
但她从不靠近他，以免他的触碰。他时常呼唤她、恳求她，而她并不应允；每当他想要抓住她时，她便像海豹般窜入水底，那日他便再看不到她了。每日每夜，她的歌声于他愈发甜美。这样动人的声音令他不觉忘记了自己的渔网和最初的计谋，连技艺都忘了。金枪鱼成群地游过浅滩，带着朱红色的鱼鳍和凸起的金色眼珠，然他却丝毫没有留意。他的鱼叉默默地摆在他的身边，没有用武之地，他的柳条鱼篓亦是空的。微张着口，满眼讶异，他闲坐在小船中聆听，直到海上的薄雾在他身边蔓延开来，徘徊的桂魄在他黝黑的身躯上遍洒银辉。
And one evening he called to her, and said: Little Mermaid, little Mermaid, I love thee. Take me for thy bridegroom, for I love thee.'
于是某个晚上，他召唤了她，并说道：“小美人鱼呵小美人鱼，我爱你。让我作你的新郎吧。因为我爱你。”
But the Mermaid shook her head. Thou hast a human soul,' she answered. If only thou would'st send away thy soul, then could I love thee.'
但是美人鱼却摇了摇头。“你有人类的灵魂，”她答道，“除非你送走你的灵魂，我才能爱你。”
And the young Fisherman said to himself Of what use is my soul to me? I cannot see it. I may not touch it. I do not know it. Surely I will send it away from me, and much gladness shall be mine.' And a cry of joy broke from his lips, and standing up in the painted boat, he held out his arms to the Mermaid. I will send my soul away,' he cried, and you shall be my bride, and I will be the bridegroom, and in the depth of the sea we will dwell together, and all that thou hast sung of thou shalt show me, and all that thou desirest I will do, nor shall our lives be divided.'
年轻的渔夫于是自言自语道：“灵魂对我来说有什么用呢？我看不见它，也触不到它。我与它亦不熟捻。我当然会送走它，然后我将欢欣鼓舞。”他的唇间爆出一声欢乐的呼喊。他在上了漆的船里立起身来，向美人鱼伸出双臂。“我要送走我的灵魂”他大喊道，“你将成为我的新娘，而我就是新郎。然后我们定居深海，你带我去观看你歌里的种种，而你所有的愿望我都将尽力去做，我们永不分开。”
And the little Mermaid laughed for pleasure, and hid her face in her hands.
小美人鱼欢笑着，将脸蛋埋进双手里。
But how shall I send my soul from me?' cried the young Fisherman. Tell me how I may do it, and lo! it shall be done.'
“但是如何送走我的灵魂呢？”年轻的渔夫喊道，“告诉我怎么做，我定然照做！”
Alas! I know not,' said the little Mermaid: the Sea-folk have no souls.' And she sank down into the deep, looking wistfully at him.
“哎呀，我也不知道。”小美人鱼说，“人鱼们没有灵魂。”说着，她沉入水底，用惆怅的眼神望着他。
Now early on the next morning, before the sun was the span of a man's hand above the hill, the young Fisherman went to the house of the Priest and knocked three times at the door.
次日清晨，太阳升起还没有五指高（译者注，span-五指张开的距离），年轻的渔夫便来到牧师的住所，叩了三次门。
The novice looked out through the wicket, and where he saw who it was, he drew back the latch and said to him, Enter.'
修士从窗口观望着，当他认出渔夫时，便打开了门闩说道：“进来吧。”
And the young Fisherman passed in, and knelt down on the sweet-smelling rushes of the floor, and cried to the Priest who was reading out of the Holy Book and said to him, Father, I am in love with one of the Sea-folk, and my soul hindereth me from having my desire. Tell me how I can send my soul away from me, for in truth I have no need of it. Of what value is my soul to me? I cannot see it. I may not touch it. I do not know it.'
年轻的渔夫让了进去，跪倒在散发着清香的灯芯草地板上，向正在诵读圣经的牧师喊道：“神父啊，我爱上了一位人鱼，而我的灵魂阻隔了我求爱的道路。告诉我怎么送走它吧，我完全不需要它了。灵魂对我来说有什么用呢？我看不见他、摸不着它，我亦不了解它。”
And the Priest beat his breast, and answered, Alack, Alack, thou art mad, or hast eaten of poisonous herb, for the soul is the noblest part of man, and was given to us by God that we should nobly use it.
牧师捶打着自己的胸膛，答道：“哎呀呀，你疯了吗，要么就是吃错了药。灵魂是人类最高贵的部分，是拜神所赐，我们应将它用于崇高之途。”
There is no thing more precious than a human soul, nor any earthly thing that can be weighed with it. It is worth all the gold that is in the world, and is more precious than the rubies of the kings. Therefore, my son, think not any more of this matter, for it is a sin that may not be forgiven. And as for the Sea- folk, they are lost, and they who would traffic with them are lost also. They are as the beasts of the field that know not good from evil, and for them the Lord has not died.'
“没有比人类灵魂更珍贵的东西了，世上万物皆不可与其比肩。全世界的黄金才能与它等值，而它比国王的红宝石更价值连城。故而，我的孩子，别再考虑这事儿了，因为这是不可宽恕的罪业啊。至于人鱼们，他们已经迷失了，和他们交往的人亦会迷失。他们就像野间的兽类一般不分好歹，主并非为了他们而死。”
The young Fisherman's eyes filled with tears when he heard the bitter words of the Priest, and he rose up from his knees and said to him, Father, the Fauns live in the forest and are glad, and on the rocks sit the Mermen with their harps of red gold. Let me be as they are, I beseech thee, for their days are as the days of flowers. And as for my soul, what doth my soul profit me, if it stand between me and the thing that I love?'
当他听到牧师这番苦口良言后，年轻的渔夫满噙泪水，他起身对牧师说：“牧神生活在丛林中，快乐无边，而岩石上安坐着手持金红竖琴的人鱼战士。我求求你，让我变得像他们一样吧，他们的日子好似繁花。而我的灵魂横亘于我和我的挚爱之间，它又能带给我什么恩泽呢？”
The love of the body is vile,' cried the Priest, knitting his brows, and vile and evil are the pagan things God suffers to wander through His world. Accursed be the Fauns of the woodland, and accursed be the singers of the sea! I have heard them at night-time, and they have sought to lure me from my beads. They tap at the window, and laugh. They whisper into my ears the tale of their perilous joys. They tempt me with temptations, and when I would pray they make mouths at me. They are lost, I tell thee, they are lost. For them there is no heaven nor hell, and in neither shall they praise God's name.'
“对肉体的爱是可耻的，”牧师喊道，同时蹙紧了额头，“邪恶和羞耻，就是那些上帝任由他们在世间徘徊的异教事物。丛林中的牧神是被诅咒的，海上的歌者也是被诅咒的！我在夜间听到过他们的声音，他们本试图诱惑我离经叛道。他们敲打窗户，欢声笑语。他们在我耳边低吟着那些故事，关于他们那危险的快乐。他们以种种诱惑引诱我，而当我祷告之时，他们就冲我扮鬼脸。他们已然迷失了，我告诉过他们，他们迷失了。对他们来说，没有天堂和地狱，他们亦不会在任何一处赞美上帝之名。”
Father,' cried the young Fisherman, thou knowest not what thou sayest. Once in my net I snared the daughter of a King. She is fairer than the morning star, and whiter than the moon. For her body I would give my soul, and for her love I would surrender heaven. Tell me what I ask of thee, and let me go in peace.'
“神父啊。”年轻的渔夫喊道，“你不知道自己在说些什么。一次我撒网捕到了国王的女儿。她比那晨星更可爱，比月亮更皎洁。为了她的身躯，我宁愿舍弃自己的灵魂，为了她的爱情，我宁愿放弃整个天堂。告诉我答案，令我安然归去。”
Away! Away!' cried the Priest: thy leman is lost, and thou shalt be lost with her.' And he gave him no blessing, but drove him from his door.
“走开！走开！”牧师喊道，“你的情人已经迷失，你也要跟她一道迷失。”他没有给他丁点祝福，反将他赶出门去。
And the young Fisherman went down into the market-place, and he walked slowly, and with bowed head, as one who is in sorrow.
年轻的渔夫径直走去了市场，他慢步走着，垂头丧气，仿似心中怀着忧伤。
And when the merchants saw him coming, they began to whisper to each other, and one of them came forth to meet him, and called him by name, and said to him, What hast thou to sell?'
商人们看到他走来，都交头接耳、窃窃私语起来，其中一个走上前来迎他，喊着他的名字问他说：“你有什么要卖的吗？”
I will sell thee my soul,' he answered: I pray thee buy it off me, for I am weary of it. Of what use is my soul to me? I cannot see it. I may not touch it. I do not know it.'
“我要卖我的灵魂给你。”他回答说：“我希望你能从我这儿买了它去，我已疲于拥有它。灵魂对我来说有什么用呢？它看不见、摸不着，我也不了解它。”
But the merchants mocked at him, and said, Of what use is a man's soul to us? It is not worth a clipped piece of silver. Sell us thy body for a slave, and we will clothe thee in sea-purple, and put a ring upon thy finger, and make thee the minion of the great Queen. But talk not of the soul, for to us it is nought, nor has it any value for our service.'
然而商人揶揄他道：“那一个人的灵魂对我们来说有什么用呢？它还不值半个大洋。不如把你的身子买给我们当奴隶，我们给你着海紫色的衫，给你的手指套上戒指，把你打造成女王的宠物。只别再说什么灵魂了，它对我们来说什么都不是，一文不值。”
And the young Fisherman said to himself: How strange a thing this is! The Priest telleth me that the soul is worth all the gold in the world, and the merchants say that it is not worth a clipped piece of silver.' And he passed out of the market-place, and went down to the shore of the sea, and began to ponder on what he should do.
年轻的渔夫于是自语道：“多么奇怪的事情呀！牧师告诉我灵魂值得上全世界所有的金子，而商人们却说它不及半个大洋。”他走出了市场，来到海岸边，开始沉思自己该怎么做。
And at noon he remembered how one of his companions, who was a gatherer of samphire, had told him of a certain young Witch who dwelt in a cave at the head of the bay and was very cunning in her witcheries. And he set to and ran, so eager was he to get rid of his soul, and a cloud of dust followed him as he sped round the sand of the shore. By the itching of her palm the young Witch knew his coming, and she laughed and let down her red hair. With her red hair falling around her, she stood at the opening of the cave, and in her hand she had a spray of wild hemlock that was blossoming.
正午时刻，他记起一个采集海篷子的伙伴曾告诉过他，有个年轻的女巫，住在海湾上游的一个山洞里，她的巫术很是了得。于是他向那儿奔跑，急于摆脱自己的灵魂。他演海岸的沙地狂奔着，身后扬起一片烟尘。她站在洞口，红色的头发披散下来，手里擎着一枝盛开的野毒芹。
What d'ye lack? What d'ye lack?' she cried, as he came panting up the steep, and bent down before her. Fish for thy net, when the wind is foul? I have a little reed-pipe, and when I blow on it the mullet come sailing into the bay. But it has a price, pretty boy, it has a price. What d'ye lack? What d'ye lack? A storm to wreck the ships, and wash the chests of rich treasure ashore? I have more storms than the wind has, for I serve one who is stronger than the wind, and with a sieve and a pail of water I can send the great galleys to the bottom of the sea. But I have a price, pretty boy, I have a price. What d'ye lack? What d'ye lack? I know a flower that grows in the valley, none knows it but I. It has purple leaves, and a star in its heart, and its juice is as white as milk. Should'st thou touch with this flower the hard lips of the Queen, she would follow thee all over the world. Out of the bed of the King she would rise, and over the whole world she would follow thee. And it has a price, pretty boy, it has a price. What d'ye lack? What d'ye lack? I can pound a toad in a mortar, and make broth of it, and stir the broth with a dead man's hand. Sprinkle it on thine enemy while he sleeps, and he will turn into a black viper, and hid own mother will slay him. With a wheel I can draw the Moon from heaven, and in a crystal I can show thee Death. What d'ye lack? What d'ye lack? Tell me thy desire, and I will give it thee, and thou shalt pay me a price, pretty boy, thou shalt pay me a price.'
“汝欲何求？汝欲何求？”她高叫道。他气喘吁吁地攀上峭壁，在她面前俯下身来。“想要鱼儿满载？想要知道何时狂风大作？我有一支芦苇笛，每当我吹起它，鲻鱼便会从四面八方游来这海湾。但这需代价，漂亮孩子，这需代价。汝欲何求？汝欲何求？想要一场风暴掀翻船只，将大箱财宝刮到岸上？我的风暴强过狂风，因我侍奉的主子强过狂风。只需一个漏斗一桶水，我便能将这战舰送入海底。但这需代价，漂亮孩子，这需代价。汝欲何求？汝欲何求？唯我知晓，谷中生有一株奇花，紫色的叶子，花心里有一颗星，汁液白似乳汁。只要你用它触碰皇后紧抿的嘴唇，她便会跟随你到天涯海角。自国王的龙榻上起身，跟随你到任何地方。但这需代价，漂亮孩子，这需代价。汝欲何求？汝欲何求？我能于臼中捣碎一只蟾蜍，做成肉汤，用死人手搅拌，撒在熟睡的敌人身上，他将变作一条漆黑的毒蛇，他的亲生母亲将会把他宰杀。用一只轮子我便能拽下月亮，而借助水晶，我能令你见识死亡。汝欲何求？汝欲何求？悉汝所想，令汝如愿。但你得报答我，漂亮孩子，你得报答我。”
My desire is but for a little thing,' said the young Fisherman, yet hath the Priest been wroth with me, and driven me forth. It is but for a little thing, and the merchants have mocked at me, and denied me. Therefore am I come to thee, though men call thee evil, and whatever be thy price I shall pay it.'
“我的愿望微乎其微。”年轻的渔夫说道：“然牧师却盛怒于我，将我逐出。不过是微乎其微的的一件事，商人们却对我揶揄嘲笑，拒我于千里。故而，尽管世人都说你邪恶，我也来寻你，无论什么代价我都将承担。”
What would'st thou?' asked the Witch, coming near to him.
“汝欲何为？”女巫凑近他，询问道。
I would send my soul away from me,' answered the young Fisherman.
“我要送走我的灵魂。”年轻的渔夫答道。
The Witch grew pale, and shuddered, and hid her face in her blue mantle. Pretty boy, pretty boy,' she muttered, that is a terrible thing to do.'
女巫满面苍白，战战兢兢，将她的脸深埋在蓝色斗篷里：“漂亮孩子，”她轻声低语，“那可是桩可怕的差事。”
He tossed his brown curls and laughed. My soul is nought to me,' he answered. I cannot see it. I may not touch it. I do not know it.'
他甩了甩棕色的卷发，笑道：“我的灵魂于我毫无用处。我看不见他，我触不到它，我亦与它并不熟捻。”
What wilt thou give me if I tell thee?' asked the Witch looking down at him with her beautiful eyes.
“若我告诉你，你将如何回报我？”女巫用美丽的眼睛望着他，问道。
Five pieces of gold,' he said, and my nets, and the wattled house where I live, and the painted boat in which I sail. Only tell me how to get rid of my soul, and I will give thee all that I possess.'
“5个金元。”他说，“和我的渔网、我住的篱笆房子，我出海用的油漆小船。只需告诉我如何摆脱我的灵魂，我将倾其所有来报答于你。”
She laughed mockingly at him, and struck him with the spray of hemlock. I can turn the autumn leaves into gold,' she answered, and I can weave the pale moonbeams into silver if I will it. He whom I serve is richer than all the kings of this world and has their dominions.'
她笑着嘲弄他，并用手里的毒芹敲打他。“我能将秋叶化作黄金，”她答道，“若我愿意，我能将苍白的月光纺成银子。我侍奉的主子富过全世界的国王，拥有他们所有的领土。”
What then shall I give thee,' he cried, if thy price be neither gold nor silver?'
“若你的报酬非金非银，”他喊道，“那我要给你什么呢？”
The Witch stroked his hair with her thin white hand. Thou must dance with me, pretty boy,' she murmured, and she smiled at him as she spoke.
女巫用她瘦削白皙的手轻抚他的头发。“你得和我跳舞，漂亮孩子，”她对他微笑着，喃喃说道。
Nought but that?' cried the young Fisherman in wonder, and he rose to his feet.
“如此而已？”年轻的渔夫惊讶地问道，并站起身来。
Nought but that,' she answered, and she smiled at him again.
“如此而已。”她答道，并再一次向他微笑。
Then at sunset in some secret place we shall dance together,' he said, and after that we have danced thou shalt tell me the thing which I desire to know.'
“那太阳落山之时，我们将在某个秘密的地方一同起舞，”他说，“当我们共舞之后，你要告诉我我所欲知的事。”
She shook her head. When the moon is full, when the moon is full,' she muttered. Then she peered all round, and listened. A blue bird rose screaming from its nest and circled over the dunes, and three spotted birds rustled through the coarse grey grass and whistled to each other. There was no other sound save the sound of a wave fretting the smooth pebbles below. So she reached out her hand, and drew him near to her and put her dry lips close to his ear.
她摇了摇头。“当满月来临，当满月来临，”她低声细语。随后端详四周并静静聆听。一只蓝色的鸟儿从巢中尖叫着冲出，在沙丘上盘旋，三只带斑点的鸟儿互相啭鸣着，子丛生的灰色杂草中穿过，草丛沙沙作响。此外，便只有下头海浪冲刷卵石的声响。她于是伸出双手，将他拽近自己，将自己干燥的嘴唇压近他的耳边。
To-night thou must come to the top of the mountain,' she whispered. It is a Sabbath, and He will be there.'
“今夜你须到山顶来，”她耳语道，“今日是安息日，他会到的。”
The young Fisherman started and looked at her, and she showed her white teeth and laughed. Who is He of whom thou speakest?' he asked.
年轻的渔夫一惊，望着她。她却笑起来，露出一口白牙。“你说的‘他’是谁？”他问她。
It matters not,' she answered. Go thou to-night, and stand under the branches of the hornbeam, and wait for my coming. If a black dog run towards thee, strike it with a rod of willow, and it will go away. If an owl speak to thee, make it no answer. When the moon is full I shall be with thee, and we will dance together on the grass.'
“这不打紧，”她回答，“今夜你立在角树的枝杈下等我。若有只黑狗向你冲来，便用柳条抽它，它自会走开。若有只猫头鹰跟你搭话，只充耳不闻。我将与满月一同降临，随后我们便一道在草地上翩翩起舞。”
But wilt thou swear to me to tell me how I may send my soul from me?' he made question.
“但你可否发誓将告诉我如何送走我的灵魂？”他质问道。
She moved out into the sunlight, and through her red hair rippled the wind. By the hoofs of the goat I swear it,' she made answer.
她走到日光里，风儿吹得她的红头发飘飘扬扬。“我以山羊蹄起誓。”她回答说。
Thou art the best of the witches,' cried the young Fisherman, and I will surely dance with thee to-night on the top of the mountain. I would indeed that thou hadst asked of me either gold or silver. But such as thy price is thou shalt have it, for it is but a little thing.' And he doffed his cap to her, and bent his head low, and ran back to the town filled with a great joy.
“你是最好的女巫，”年轻的渔夫喊道，“今夜，我定当在山巅与你共舞。我倒宁愿你向我讨要金银。但既然你的报酬是这样的小事一桩，我定然会满足的。”说着，他向她脱帽，并点头致敬，然后满心欢喜地奔回镇上去了。
And the Witch watched him as he went, and when he had passed from her sight she entered her cave, and having taken a mirror from a box of carved cedarwood, she set it up on a frame, and burned vervain on lighted charcoal before it, and peered through the coils of the smoke. And after a time she clenched her hands in anger. He should have been mine,' she muttered, I am as fair as she is.'
女巫看着他离开，走出她的视野，随后她返回洞穴里，从一个雪松木的雕花盒子里取出一面镜子来，架在镜框里，然后在点燃的木炭上焚烧着马鞭草，子烟圈中凝视镜子。俄而，她愤怒地攥紧双手，喃喃自语道：“他本该属于我，我与她美貌相当。”
And that evening, when the moon had risen, the young Fisherman climbed up to the top of the mountain, and stood under the branches of the hornbeam. Like a targe of polished metal the round sea lay at his feet, and the shadows of the fishing boats moved in the little bay. A great owl, with yellow sulphurous eyes, called to him by his name, but he made it no answer. A black dog ran towards him and snarled. He struck it with a rod of willow, and it went away whining.
当天夜里，当月亮升起，年轻的渔夫攀上山巅，立于角树的枝杈下。圆润的海洋如一面打磨光滑的金属圆盾一般，匐于他的脚下，渔船的影子在小小的海湾里游弋。一只长着黄色硫磺的巨大眼睛的猫头鹰，呼唤着他的名字，但他没有应答。一只黑狗向他冲过来，冲他吠叫。他用柳条鞭打它，它便哀嚎着离开了。
At midnight the witches came flying through the air like bats. Phew!' they cried, as they lit upon the ground, there is someone here we know not!' and they sniffed about, and chattered to each other, and made signs. Last of all came the young Witch, with her red hair streaming in the wind. She wore a dress of gold tissue embroidered with peacocks' eyes, and a little cap of green velvet was on her head.
午夜降临，女巫们如蝙蝠般从天而降。“哎呀，”她们一落地便惊叹道，“这儿有个陌生人呢！”她们四处嗅吸着，互相喋喋不休，一会儿又互相打着暗号。年轻的女巫是最后到达的，她的一头红发在风中飞舞。她着一件嗅着孔雀眼睛的金色纱衣，头戴一顶绿色天鹅绒小帽。
Where is he, where is he?' shrieked the witches when they saw her, but she only laughed, and ran to the hornbeam, and taking the Fisherman by the hand she led him out into the moonlight and began to dance.
“他在哪里？他在哪里？”女巫们一见到她，便一齐尖声叫道。但她只是笑笑，便奔向了那棵角树。她牵着渔夫的手，将他领到月亮的银辉下，开始翩翩起舞。
Round and round they whirled, and the young Witch jumped so high that he could see the scarlet heels of her shoes. Then right across the dancers came the sound of the galloping of a horse, but no horse was to be seen, and he felt afraid.
他们一圈圈地旋转着，而女巫这样地高高跃起，以至于他都能看见她深红色的鞋跟。而此时此刻，却又一阵奔驰的马蹄声自舞者间疾奔了过去，但却看不见什么马匹。他不觉恐惧起来。
Faster,' cried the Witch, and she threw her arms about his neck, and her breath was hot upon his face. Faster, faster!' she cried, and the earth seemed to spin beneath his feet, and his brain grew troubled, and a great terror fell on him, as of some evil thing that was watching him, and at last he became aware that under the shadow of a rock there was a figure that had not been there before.
“再快一点，”女巫说道，一边用她的双臂圈住了渔夫的脖颈，而她温热的呼吸喷在他的脸上。“快一点，再快一点！”女巫喊。整个大地仿佛在他的脚下旋转，而他的意识混沌起来，巨大的恐惧袭来，好似有什么邪恶的东西正注视着他。终于，他从岩石的阴影里辨出一个身影来，一个之前并不曾在那里的身影。
It was a man dressed in a suit of black velvet, cut in the Spanish fashion. His face was strangely pale, but his lips were like a proud red flower. He seemed weary, and was leaning back toying in a listless manner with the pommel of his dagger. On the grass beside him' lay a plumed hat, and a pair of riding gloves gauntleted with gilt lace, and sewn with seed-pearls wrought into a curious device. A short cloak lined with sables hung from his shoulder, and his delicate white hands were gemmed with rings. Heavy
这是个穿着一套黑色天鹅绒衣服的男人，衣服按着西班牙的式样裁剪。他的脸异常苍白，而嘴唇却好似一朵娇艳的红玫瑰。他看上去疲惫不堪，倚靠在石头上，无精打采地玩弄着自己匕首的柄头。边上的草丛里摆着一顶饰有羽毛的帽子，一副镶金边的骑士手套，上面钉着小珍珠，制作精良，十分罕见。肩头披着一件黑貂皮衬里的短披风，纤巧白皙的双手戴着戒指，沉重的眼皮垂盖在他的双眼上。
eyelids drooped over his eyes. The young Fisherman watched him, as one snared in a spell. At last their eyes met, and wherever he danced it seemed to him that the eyes of the man were upon him. He heard the Witch laugh, and caught her by the waist, and whirled her madly round and round.
年轻的渔夫着了魔样地望着他。最后他们的目光终于相交了，而无论他舞到哪里，那个人的眼睛总是盯着他似的。他听到女巫的笑声，他揽着她的腰肢，一圈圈疯狂地旋转。
Suddenly a dog bayed in the wood, and the dancers stopped, and going up two by two, knelt down, and kissed the man's hands. As they did so, a little smile touched his proud lips, as a bird's wing touches the water and makes it laugh. But there was disdain in it. He kept looking at the young Fisherman.
忽然，一条狗在林中低吠，舞者们都停下了脚步，两两上前，跪下，亲吻那个男人的手。当他们这么做的时候，男子高傲的唇边泛过一丝笑意，仿佛鸟儿的翅膀轻点水面，荡起丝丝笑纹。然那笑意却带着轻蔑，他凝视着年轻的渔夫。
Come! let us worship,' whispered the Witch, and she led him up, and a great desire to do as she besought him seized on him, and he followed her. But when he came close, and without knowing why he did it, he made on his breast the sign of the Cross, and called upon the holy name.
“来吧，让我们一齐顶礼膜拜。”女巫低吟道，领他上前，忽然一阵感觉抓牢了他，令他愿意全照她的意愿去做。他随她去了。但当他走近时，却不知所以地在自己的胸前画了个十字，并叫出上帝的名字来。
No sooner had he done so than the witches screamed like hawks and flew away, and the pallid face that had been watching him twitched with a spasm of pain. The man went over to a little wood, and whistled. A jennet with silver trappings came running to meet him. As he leapt upon the saddle he turned round, and looked at the young Fisherman sadly.
而与此同时，女巫们立即如鹰隼般惊叫着四下飞散了。而那张先前一直凝望着他的苍白面庞，也因一阵痛苦的痉挛而抽搐着。那个男子赶去小树丛中，打了个呼哨，立刻便迎出一匹饰着银器的小马来。当他跨上马鞍的时候，却又回眸，悲哀地看了看年轻的渔夫。
And the Witch with the red hair tried to fly away also, but the Fisherman caught her by her wrists, and held her fast. Loose me,' she cried, and let me go. For thou hast named what should not be named, and shown the sign that may not be looked at.'
而那长着红头发的舞女也试图飞走了，但渔夫却一把抓住她的手腕，紧紧握住。“放开我，”她叫道，“让我走。因你喊了不该喊的名字，做了不能看的手势。”
Nay,' he answered, but I will not let thee go till thou hast told me the secret.'
“不，”他说，“除非你告诉我那个秘密，否则我不会让你走。”
What secret?' said the Witch, wrestling with him like a wild cat, and biting her foam-flecked lips.
“什么秘密？”女巫说，如一只野猫般和他扭打着，紧咬着她冒泡的嘴唇。
Thou knowest,' he made answer.
“你知道的。”他回答。
Her grass-green eyes grew dim with tears, and she said to the Fisherman, Ask me anything but that!'
女巫的泪水模糊了她草绿色的双眸，她对渔夫说：“问我任何事，只别提这个！”
He laughed, and held her all the more tightly.
他笑起来，把她抓得更紧了。
And when she saw that she could not free herself she whispered to him, Surely I am as fair as the daughters of the sea, and as comely as those that dwell in the blue waters,' and she fawned on him and put her face close to his.
当她发现自己无法挣脱的时候，女巫悄声对他说道：“其实，我与海的女儿一样美丽，与那些住在碧海中的女子一样标致。”说着她向他蹭过来，把脸贴近他的面庞。
But he thrust her back frowning, and said to her, If thou keepest not the promise that thou madest to me I will slay thee for a false witch.'
但他却皱着眉头把她推开了。他对她说：“若你不遵守与我的诺言，我便把你当作一个伪女巫杀死。”
She grew grey as a blossom of the Judas tree, and shuddered. Be it so,' she muttered. It is thy soul and not mine. Do with it as thou wilt.' And she took from her girdle a little knife that had a handle of green viper's skin, and gave it to him.
她如一朵洋苏木花般脸色惨白，颤抖着。“既然如此，”她喃喃道，“这毕竟是你的灵魂，又不是我的。就照你的意愿去做吧。”她从腰带上取出一柄小刀，绿色的蛇皮刀柄，递给了他。
What shall this serve me?' he asked of her wondering.
“这个有什么用？”他奇怪地问她。
She was silent for a few moments, and a look of terror came over her face. Then she brushed her hair back from her forehead, and smiling strangely she said to him, What men call the shadow of the body is not the shadow of the body, but is the body of the soul. Stand on the sea-shore with thy back to the moon, and cut away from around thy feet thy shadow, which is thy soul's body, and bid thy soul leave thee, and it will do so.'
她沉默了一会儿，现出恐惧的神色。随后她将自己的头发从额头上捋到背后，诡异地笑着，说道：“人们所说的身影其实并非单纯的身影，而是灵魂的身躯。背着月亮，立于海岸上，将你的影子沿足下切开，那便是抛闪灵魂的身躯，命它离开你，它便会照做。”
The young Fisherman trembled. Is this true?' he murmured.
年轻的渔夫颤抖着。“这是真的吗？”他低语道。
It is true, and I would that I had not told thee of it,' she cried, and she clung to his knees weeping.
“千真万确。我倒宁愿我不曾告诉你这些，”她说道，抱着他的膝头，泪流满面。
He put her from him and left her in the rank grass, and going to the edge of the mountain he placed the knife in his belt, and began to climb down.
他将她推开，把她弃在繁茂的草丛中，便走向山沿去了。他将小刀佩在自己的腰间，攀下山去。
And his Soul that was within him called out to him and said, Lo! I have dwelt with thee for all these years, and have been thy servant. Send me not away from thee now, for what evil have I done thee?'
此时他的灵魂在体内呼唤着他：“看，我和你共度了那么多年，一直是你的臣仆。现今，别把我送走吧，难道我对你行过恶吗？”
And the young Fisherman laughed. Thou has done me no evil, but I have no need of thee,' he answered. The world is wide, and there is Heaven also, and Hell, and that dim twilight house that lies between. Go wherever thou wilt, but trouble me not, for my love is calling to me.'
年轻的渔夫笑了。“你并未对我行恶，但我已不需要你，”他回答说。“世界如此广大，有天堂、有地狱，还有位于两者之间的那座昏暗的房子。去任何你想去的地方吧，莫再扰我，我的挚爱正召唤着我呢。”
And his Soul besought him piteously, but he heeded it not, but leapt from crag to crag, being sure-footed as a wild goat, and at last he reached the level ground and the yellow shore of the sea.
他的灵魂苦苦哀求，他却毫不在意，只在岩间辗转腾挪，如一头野山羊般步履稳健如飞，终于来到了这片平坦的大地，一片黄色的海岸边。
Bronze-limbed and well-knit, like a statue wrought by a Grecian, he stood on the sand with his back to the moon, and out of the foam came white arms that beckoned to him, and out of the waves rose dim forms that did him homage. Before him lay his shadow, which was the body of his soul, and behind him hung the moon in the honey-coloured air.
古铜色的四肢，体魄健壮，他如一尊希腊雕像般，背着月亮，立于沙上。海浪的泡沫里伸出许多雪白的臂膀召唤着他，浪头里腾起无数模糊的身影向他致敬。他的面前横着他的身影，也就是他灵魂的身躯，而他身后，一弯冰轮悬在蜜色的空中。
And his Soul said to him, If indeed thou must drive me from thee, send me not forth without a heart. The world is cruel, give me thy heart to take with me.'
灵魂对他说道：“若你果真要赶我走，将心一同给我吧。这尘世太过残酷，让我带着你的心走吧。”
He tossed his head and smiled. With what should I love my love if I gave thee my heart?' he cried.
他摇头微笑道：“若我将心给你，我又将用什么来爱我的爱人呢？”
Nay, but be merciful,' said his Soul: give me thy heart, for the world is very cruel, and I am afraid.'
“不，求你发发慈悲，”灵魂说，“把心给我，这世间太过可怖，令我惶恐不安。”
My heart is my love's,' he answered, therefore tarry not, but get thee gone.'
“我的心属于我的爱人，”他回答说，“莫再流连，你走吧。”
Should I not love also?' asked his Soul.
“难道我就不该爱吗？”灵魂问道。
Get thee gone, for I have no need of thee,' cried the young Fisherman, and he took the little knife with its handle of green viper's skin, and cut away his shadow from around his feet, and it rose up and stood before him, and looked at him, and it was even as himself.
“走吧，我已不需要你了。”年轻的渔夫喊道，并掏出绿蛇皮柄的小刀，沿着他的双足将影子切了下来。身影于是在他面前立起身来，望着他，竟与他一模一样。
He crept back, and thrust the knife into his belt, and a feeling of awe came over him. Get thee gone,' he murmured, and let me see thy face no more.'
他慢慢地后退着，把小刀插进腰带里，一阵敬畏之情竟袭上身来。“走吧，”他低声道，“别再让我看见你的脸。”
Nay, but we must meet again,' said the Soul. Its voice was low and flute-like, and its lips hardly moved while it spake.
“不会的。然我们一定会再次相见。”灵魂低声说道，嘴唇几乎没动，而那声音就像长笛一般。
How shall we meet?' cried the young Fisherman. Thou wilt not follow me into the depths of the sea?'
“我们怎么会再见呢？”年轻的渔夫说，“你又不会跟着我潜入深海？”
Once every year I will come to this place, and call to thee,' said the Soul. It may be that thou wilt have need of me.'
“每年一次，我都会来此呼唤你，”灵魂说，“或者你会需要我。”
What need should I have of thee?' cried the young Fisherman, but be it as thou wilt,' and he plunged into the water, and the Tritons blew their horns, and the little Mermaid rose up to meet him, and put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth.
“我会需要你做什么呢？”年轻的渔夫说，“但是随你的便吧。”说着，他跃进了水中，特里同鸣起了号角，小美人鱼亦上前迎接，她用双臂环住他的脖子，吻在他的唇上。
And the Soul stood on the lonely beach and watched them. And when they had sunk down into the sea, it went weeping away over the marshes.
灵魂则站在孤单的海滩上望着他。当他们一同沉入海底时，他一路哭泣着穿过沼泽离开了。
And after a year was over the Soul came down to the shore of the sea and called to the young Fisherman, and he rose out of the deep, and said, Why dost thou call to me?'
一年以后，灵魂来到海岸边，呼唤年轻的渔夫。他于是从深海里浮上来，问：“你何故唤我？”
And the Soul answered, Come nearer, that I may speak with thee, for I have seen marvellous things.'
灵魂答道：“靠近一点，我好同你说话，因我见识了绝妙无比的东西。”
So he came nearer, and couched in the shallow water, and leaned his head upon his hand and listened.
他于是靠近了一点，蹲在浅水里，以手托头，聆听着。
And the Soul said to him, When I left thee I turned my face to the East and journeyed. From the East cometh everything that is wise. Six days I journeyed, and on the morning of the seventh day I came to a hill that is in the country of the Tartars. I sat down under the shade of a tamarisk tree to shelter myself from the sun. The land was dry, and burnt up with the heat. The people went to and fro over the plain like flies crawling upon a disk of polished copper.
灵魂于是向他述说道：“我离开你后，便去了东方旅行。一切的智慧都从东方而来。我行了六日，第七日早上来到鞑靼国的一处山丘。我坐在柽柳的树荫下避暑。土地干涸，热气炙烤着大地。人们在平原上来来往往，好似苍蝇在光滑的铜盘上爬行。”
When it was noon a cloud of red dust rose up from the flat rim of the land. When the Tartars saw it, they strung their painted bows, and having leapt upon their little horses they galloped to meet it. The women fled screaming to the waggons, and hid themselves behind the felt curtains.
“正午的时候，从宽广的土地边缘扬起一片红色尘烟。鞑靼人一见这番情景，便张起画弓，跨上矮马，飞驰着去迎它。女人们则尖叫着避进四轮马车里，藏身在毛毡帘子后头。”
At twilight the Tartars returned, but five of them were missing, and of those that came back not a few had been wounded. They harnessed their horses to the waggons and drove hastily away. Three jackals came out of a cave and peered after them. Then they sniffed up the air with their nostrils, and trotted off in the opposite direction.
“黄昏时刻，鞑靼人们归来了。却少了五个人，且回来的人里，不少也负了伤。他们将马拴在马车上，迅速离去。三只豺狼从洞里出来，凝望着他们。用鼻孔吸了几口气，随后望相反的方向疾疾地跑开了。”
When the moon rose I saw a camp-fire burning on the plain, and went towards it. A company of merchants were seated round it on carpets. Their camels were picketed behind them, and the negroes who were their servants were pitching tents of tanned skin upon the sand, and making a high wall of the prickly pear.
As I came near them, the chief of the merchants rose up and drew his sword, and asked me my business.
“当月亮升起的时候，我见到平原的一处燃着篝火，就朝它走去。一伙商人坐在毯子上，围在篝火旁。骆驼就拴在他们身后的木桩上，而黑奴们则在沙地上搭起皮帐篷，并用刺梨架起高墙。”“当我靠近的时候，商人的头领站起身来，拔剑相向，询问我的来历。”
I answered that I was a Prince in my own land, and that I had escaped from the Tartars, who had sought to make me their slave. The chief smiled, and showed me five heads fixed upon long reeds of bamboo.
“我答说自己是故土的王子，从试图将我收做奴隶的鞑靼手中逃脱出来。头领便笑了，叫我看那串在长竹竿上的五颗头颅。”
Then he asked me who was the prophet of God, and I answered him Mohammed.
“随后，他问我谁是上帝的先知，我答说是穆罕默德。”
When he heard the name of the false prophet, he bowed and took me by the hand, and placed me by his side. A negro brought me some mare's milk in a wooden-dish, and a piece of lamb's flesh roasted.
“他听闻这个伪先知的名字，便鞠了一躬，牵起我的手，将我安置在他身边。一个黑奴给我端来盛在木头碟子里的马奶，和一片烤羊腿。”
At daybreak we started on our journey. I rode on a red-haired camel by the side of the chief, and a runner ran before us carrying a spear. The men of war were on either hand, and the mules followed with the merchandise. There were forty camels in the caravan, and the mules were twice forty in number.
“天光破晓之时，我们重又踏上旅途。我骑一头红毛骆驼，与头领并肩而行。一个跑腿的持一杆长矛跑在我们前头。兵士们守在两侧，骡子则拉着货物。商队有四十头骆驼，骡子的数量则是骆驼的两倍。”
We went from the country of the Tartars into the country of those who curse the Moon. We saw the Gryphons guarding their gold on the white rocks, and the scaled Dragons sleeping in their caves. As we passed over the mountains we held our breath lest the snows might fall on us, and each man tied a veil of gauze before his eyes. As we passed through the valleys the Pygmies shot arrows at us from the hollows of the trees, and at night time we heard the wild men beating on their drums. When we came to the Tower of Apes we set fruits before them, and they did not harm us. When we came to the Tower of Serpents we gave them warm milk in bowls of brass, and they let us go by. Three times in our journey we came to the banks of the Oxus. We crossed it on rafts of wood with great bladders of blown hide. The river-horses raged against us and sought to slay us. When the camels saw them they trembled.
“我们从鞑靼来到了一个诅咒月亮的国度。见到传说中的狮鹫在白岩上看守他们的黄金，长有鳞片的猛龙在洞穴中熟睡。当我们攀过山岭的时候，我们屏住呼吸，生怕积雪落下来压住我们，每个人都在眼前蒙上了薄纱。当我们越过山谷的时候，矮人们自树洞中朝我们射箭，而夜晚时分，我们则听到野人击打鼓点。当我们来到猴塔的时候，将水果奉于猴子们的面前，得以毫发无伤地过关。而当我们过蛇塔的时候，则奉上了黄铜碗盛的温牛奶，得以顺利走脱。旅途中，我们三次经过乌浒河岸，在绑了充气兽皮囊的木头筏子上渡河。河马冲着我们怒气冲天，试图杀死我们。骆驼一看到它们便浑身颤抖。”
The kings of each city levied tolls on us, but would not suffer us to enter their gates. They threw us bread over the walls, little maize-cakes baked in honey and cakes of fine flour filled with dates. For every hundred baskets we gave them a bead of amber.
“每一座城池的国王都向我们征收通行税，却不愿让我们进入城门。他们从城墙上丢下面包来，还有蜂蜜烘焙的玉米蛋糕和精面枣泥糕。每收齐一百篮子，我们便付给他们一粒琥珀珠。”
When the dwellers in the villages saw us coming, they poisoned the wells and fled to the hill-summits. We fought with the Magadae who are born old, and grow younger and younger every year, and die when they are little children; and with the Laktroi who say that they are the sons of tigers, and paint themselves yellow and black; and with the Aurantes who bury their dead on the tops of trees, and themselves live in dark caverns lest the Sun, who is their god, should slay them; and with the Krimnians who worship a crocodile, and give it earrings of green glass, and feed it with butter and fresh fowls; and with the Agazonbae, who are dog-faced; and with the Sibans, who have horses' feet, and run more swiftly than horses. A third of our company died in battle, and a third died of want. The rest murmured against me, and said that I had brought them an evil fortune. I took a horned adder from beneath a stone and let it sting me. When they saw that I did not sicken they grew afraid.
“村民一见到我们到来，便往井里下了毒，自己则逃去山顶躲避。我们同马加代人(Magadae)交战，他们生为老者，却越长越年轻，最后卒于幼儿时期；又同拉克托伊人(Laktroi)打仗，他们自称虎之子，并将自己画成黄黑相间的样子；还和奥拉特人(Aurante)交火，他们将死者葬于树顶，而自己则远避日光，住在漆黑的地洞里，他们将太阳视作神灵，然却是打算杀戮他们的神灵；我们也和克林尼安人(Krimnians)打了仗，他们膜拜一条鳄鱼，给它佩戴绿色的玻璃耳环，并用黄油和生禽喂养它；我们和长着狗脸的阿加宗拜人(Agazonbae)开战；与长着马蹄的西班人(Sibans)交火，他们比马儿更迅疾。我们的商队，三分之一战死沙场，三分之一卒于饥馁。余下的人则对我怨声载道，声称我给他们带来了厄运。我从石头下面捉出一条长角的毒蝰蛇来，让它咬我。当他们见到我安然无恙的时候，便开始害怕了。”
In the fourth month we reached the city of Illel. It was night time when we came to the grove that is outside the walls, and the air was sultry, for the Moon was travelling in Scorpion. We took the ripe pomegranates from the trees, and brake them and drank their sweet juices. Then we lay down on our carpets and waited for the dawn.
“第四个月里，我们来到了伊莱尔城(Illel)。当我们到达城墙外的树丛时，是夜晚时分，由于月亮在天蝎宫旅行，空气湿热难耐。我们从树上摘下成熟的石榴，砸开，喝下甜甜的汁液。然后躺倒在毯子上，等待黎明的破晓。”
And at dawn we rose and knocked at the gate of the city. It was wrought out of red bronze, and carved with sea-dragons and dragons that have wings. The guards looked down from the battlements and asked us our business. The interpreter of the caravan answered that we had come from the island of Syria with much merchandise. They took hostages, and told us that they would open the gate to us at noon, and bade us tarry till then.
“黎明时分，我们起身叩击城门。城门用红铜铸成，雕着海龙和飞龙。守卫从城垛中俯视我们，并询问我们有何贵干。商队的翻译答道我们满载着商货自叙利亚的岛屿而来。他们于是带走了几个人质，并告诉我们正午开门，嘱咐我们耐心等候。”
When it was noon they opened the gate, and as we entered in the people came crowding out of the houses to look at us, and a crier went round the city crying through a shell. We stood in the market- place, and the negroes uncorded the bales of figured cloths and opened the carved chests of sycamore. And when they had ended their task, the merchants set forth their strange wares, the waxed linen from Egypt and the painted linen from the country of the Ethiops, the purple sponges from Tyre and the blue hangings from Sidon, the cups of cold amber and the fine vessels of glass and the curious vessels of burnt clay. From the roof of a house a company of women watched us. One of them wore a mask of gilded leather.
“正午的时候，城门大开，而当我们进入城门，里头的的人们则蜂拥而出观望我们。一个传令人则将海螺作为扩音喇叭，走街串巷地四处通传。我们站在市场上，黑人们揭开花布包囊，打开悬铃木箱子。而当他们一切就绪，商人们则摆开他们的奇珍异宝——有埃及的上蜡亚麻布、埃塞俄比亚的绘花麻布、提尔城的紫色海绵、西顿的蓝色幔帐、冰凉的琥珀杯子、上好的玻璃器皿和精妙的窑器。有一群女子从一处屋顶上望着我们，其中一个戴一副镀金的皮革面具。”
And on the first day the priests came and bartered with us, and on the second day came the nobles, and on the third day came the craftsmen and the slaves. And this is their custom with all merchants as long as they tarry in the city.
“第一日，僧侣们来与我们交换货物，第二日，则来了贵族们，第三日，是手艺人和奴隶们。而只要商人们在城中逗留，这便是他们的习俗。”
And we tarried for a moon, and when the moon was waning, I wearied and wandered away through the streets of the city and came to the garden of its god. The priests in their yellow robes moved silently through the green trees, and on a pavement of black marble stood the rose-red house in which the god had his dwelling. Its doors were of powdered lacquer, and bulls and peacocks were wrought on them in raised and polished gold. The tiled roof was of sea-green porcelain, and the jutting eaves were festooned with little bells. When the white doves flew past, they struck the bells with their wings and made them tinkle.
“我们在那里驻扎了一个月，而当月亮渐亏，我感到疲惫不堪，就在街道上信步而游，来到了城中的神社的花园里。身着黄袍的僧侣们在绿树丛中默默穿行，而黑色大理石铺成的道上立着一座玫红色的房子，这便是神的居所。门上上了金漆，上头还有精致的公牛和孔雀的金浮雕。屋顶以海青色的瓷瓦铺就，飞檐上则悬着小小的铃铛。每当白鸽飞过，翅膀掠过铃铛，便叮铃作响。”
In front of the temple was a pool of clear water paved with veined onyx. I lay down beside it, and with my pale fingers I touched the broad leaves. One of the priests came towards me and stood behind me. He had sandals on his feet, one of soft serpent-skin and the other of birds' plumage. On his head was a mitre of black felt decorated with silver crescents. Seven yellows were woven into his robe, and his frizzed hair was stained with antimony.
“庙宇前是用条纹玛瑙砌的净水潭。我躺在水潭边上，用我苍白的手指摩挲宽大的树叶。一位僧侣朝我走来，立在我后面。他脚上穿着草鞋，一只是用软蛇皮做的，另一只则是鸟羽做的。头戴黑毡法冠，冠上饰有银的新月。他的僧袍织进了七种黄色，卷曲的头发沾着锑粉。”
After a little while he spake to me, and asked me my desire. I told him that my desire was to see the god. "
“过了一会儿，他向我搭话，询问我的念想。我告诉他我的念想便是得以面见神灵。”
The god is hunting," said the priest, looking strangely at me with his small slanting eyes. "
“‘神在打猎。’僧侣说道，用他小小的斜眼奇怪地打量我。”
Tell me in what forest, and I will ride with him," I answered.
“‘告诉我在那座森林，我要与他一同跑马。’我回答说。”
He combed out the soft fringes of his tunic with his long pointed nails. "The god is asleep," he murmured. "
“他用长而尖的指甲梳理着祭袍边缘的细软流苏，喃喃道：‘神在睡觉。’”
Tell me on what couch, and I will watch by him," I answered. "
““告诉我在哪张榻上，我要守护他。”我回答说。”
The god is at the feast," he cried. "
“‘神在赴宴。’他喊道。”
If the wine be sweet I will drink it with him, and if it be bitter I will drink it with him also," was my answer.
“‘若是甘醪，我便与他同饮，若是苦酿，我亦与他同饮。’我回答。”
He bowed his head in wonder, and, taking me by the hand, he raised me up, and led me into the temple.
“他讶异地低下头，用手拉我起身，将我引进寺庙里。”
And in the first chamber I saw an idol seated on a throne of jasper bordered with great orient pearls. It was carved out of ebony, and in stature was of the stature of a man. On its forehead was a ruby, and thick oil dripped from its hair on to its thighs. Its feet were red with the blood of a newly-slain kid, and its loins girt with a copper belt that was studded with seven beryls.
“在第一间庙堂里，我看见一尊偶像端坐于以东方明珠镶边的碧玉宝座上。它以檀木雕成人形。额头上嵌有一颗红宝石，浓油自他它的发上滴到股中。双足以新祭的小山羊血染红，腰间缠一根以七块绿玉装嵌的铜制腰带。”
And I said to the priest, "Is this the god?" And he answered me, "This is the god."
“于是我对僧侣说，‘这便是神吗？’他答道，‘这便是神。’”
"Show me the god," I cried, "or I will surely slay thee." And I touched his hand, and it became withered.
“‘引我去见神，’我喊道，‘否则我便杀了你。’并触碰了他的手，他的手便立刻干瘪了下去。”
And the priest besought me, saying, "Let my lord heal his servant, and I will show him the god."
“僧侣于是哀求我道，‘请主治好他的奴仆吧，我定会领他去见神。’”
So I breathed with my breath upon his hand, and it became whole again, and he trembled and led me into the second chamber, and I saw an idol standing on a lotus of jade hung with great emeralds. It was carved out of ivory, and in stature was twice the stature of a man. On its forehead was a chrysolite, and its breasts were smeared with myrrh and cinnamon. In one hand it held a crooked sceptre of jade, and in the other a round crystal. It ware buskins of brass, and its thick neck was circled with a circle of selenites.
“我于是向他的手呼气，他的手便完好如初了。他颤栗着领我进了第二间庙堂，我见到一尊偶像立在碧玉莲台上，四周悬着大块的翡翠。偶像以象牙雕成，有两倍的人形那么大。额头上嵌着贵橄榄石，胸膛上抹着没药和肉桂。它一手擎着碧玉权杖，一手握着浑圆的水晶。脚着黄铜长靴，粗肥的脖子上套着一个石膏项圈。”
And I said to the priest, "Is this the god?" And he answered me. "This is the god."
“我问僧侣，‘这便是神吗？’他答道，‘这便是神。’”
"Show me the god," I cried, "or I will surely slay thee." And I touched his eyes, and they became blind.
“‘引我去见神，’我喊道，‘否则我便杀了你。’我触碰他的双眼，于是他便瞎了。”
And the priest besought me, saying, "Let my lord heal his servant, and I will show him the god."
“僧侣便哀求我道，‘请主治好他的奴仆吧，我定会领他去见神。’”
So I breathed with my breath upon his eyes, and the sight came back to them, and he trembled again, and led me into the third chamber, and lo! there was no idol in it, nor image of any kind, but only a mirror of round metal set on an altar of stone.
“我于是向他的双眼呼气，他便重见光明，他又颤栗起来，领我进了第三件庙堂。看哪！这里并没有供奉偶像，或是任何有色相的东西，只在石头祭坛上设着一面金属的圆镜子。”
And I said to the priest, "Where is the god?"
“我便问僧侣说，‘神在哪里？’”
And he answered me: "There is no god but this mirror that thou seest, for this is the Mirror of Wisdom. And it reflecteth all things that are in heaven and on earth, save only the face of him who looketh into it. This it reflecteth not, so that he who looketh into it may be wise. Many other mirrors are there, but they are mirrors of Opinion. This only is the Mirror of Wisdom. And they who possess this mirror know everything, nor is there anything hidden from them. And they who possess it not have not Wisdom. Therefore is it the god, and we worship it." And I looked into the mirror, and it was even as I he had said to me.
“他于是回答我说：‘并没有神。然你看到的这面镜子却是智慧之镜。它能倒映一切，天上地下无所不能，却唯独不见临照它的人的面容。惟其不映这张面容，临照它的人才能是智慧的。世上有许多别他的镜子，而那些都是印象之镜。只有这面是智慧之镜。而拥有这面镜子的人将无所不知，无所不晓。没有这面镜子的人则无法获得智慧。因此，这便是神灵，我们膜拜它。’我朝镜子里望去，果然跟他说的并无二致。”
And I did a strange thing, but what I did matters not, for in a valley that is but a day's journey from this place have I hidden the Mirror of Wisdom. Do but suffer me to enter into thee again and be thy servant, and thou shalt be wiser than all the wise men, and Wisdom shall be thine. Suffer me to enter into thee, and none will be as wise as thou.' But the young Fisherman laughed. Love is better than Wisdom,' he cried, and the little Mermaid loves me.'
“我于是行了一件古怪的事情，其实也无关紧要，我将智慧之镜藏在了离此一天路程的山谷里。让我进入你的身体，重新成为你的臣仆，而你将聪慧过世上任何智者，智慧将属于你。让我回来，世上便无人能及你的聪慧了。”但是年轻的渔夫却笑了。“爱比智慧更好，”他说，“况且小人鱼爱我。”
Nay, but there is nothing better than Wisdom,' said the Soul. Love is better,' answered the young Fisherman, and he plunged into the deep, and the Soul went weeping away over the marshes.
“不，世上没有比智慧更好的东西了。”灵魂说道。“爱更好些。”年轻的渔夫回答道，并潜下深海去了。灵魂于是一路哭泣着穿过沼泽离开了。
And after the second year was over the Soul came down to the shore of the sea, and called to the young Fisherman, and he rose out of the deep and said, Why dost thou call to me?'
第二年过去了，灵魂来到海岸边，呼唤年轻的渔夫。他于是浮上深海，问道，“你何故唤我？”
And the Soul answered, Come nearer that I may speak with thee, for I have seen marvellous things.'
灵魂答道，“靠近一点，我好同你说话，因我见识了绝妙无比的东西。”
So he came nearer, and couched in the shallow water, and leaned his head upon his hand and listened.
他于是靠近一些，蹲在浅水里，用手支着头，聆听。
And the Soul said to him, When I left thee, I turned my face to the South and journeyed. From the South cometh every thing that is precious. Six days I journeyed along the highways that lead to the city of Ashter, along the dusty red-dyed highways by which the pilgrims are wont to go did I journey, and on the morning of the seventh day I lifted up my eyes, and lo! the city lay at my feet, for it is in a valley.
灵魂向他述说道：“自我离开了你，我便向南方去旅行。所有珍宝都出自南方。我沿着公路向爱什特城(Ashter)城走了整整六日，我走在朝圣者都不愿涉足的红色大道前行，一路尘土飞扬。终于在第七日，我抬眼望去，整座城池就卧在我的脚下，因它位于一座山谷中。”
There are nine gates to this city, and in front of each gate stands a bronze horse that neighs when the Bedouins come down from the mountains. The walls are cased with copper, and the watch-towers on the walls are roofed with brass. In every tower stands an archer with a bow in his hand. At sunrise he strikes with an arrow on a gong, and at sunset he blows through a horn of horn.
“城池有就道城门，每扇城门口都立着一匹青铜马，于贝都因人下山的时候嘶鸣。城墙用铜包裹，城墙上的了望塔则以黄铜铸顶。每座塔上均杵着一名手握弓箭的射手。日出之时，他以弓箭击打铜锣，日落之时，他鸣起号角。”
When I sought to enter, the guards stopped me and asked of me who I was. I made answer that I was a Dervish and on my way to the city of Mecca, where there was a green veil on which the Koran was embroidered in silver letters by the hands of the angels. They were filled with wonder, and entreated me to pass in.
“当我要进城的时候，守卫拦住了我，询问我的来历。我答说自己是个托钵僧，欲往麦加圣地而去，那里有一方绿色头巾，上头有天使亲手绣成的《古兰经》。他们充满了惊讶，恳请我进城去。”
Inside it is even as a bazaar. Surely thou should'st have been with me. Across the narrow streets the gay lanterns of paper flutter like large butterflies. When the wind blows over the roofs they rise and fall as painted bubbles do. In front of their booths sit the merchants on silken carpets. They have straight black beards, and their turbans are covered with golden sequins, and long strings of amber and carved peach-stones glide through their cool fingers. Some of them sell galbanum and nard, and curious perfumes from the islands of the Indian Sea, and the thick oil of red roses and myrrh and little nail-shaped cloves. When one stops to speak to them, they throw pinches of frankincense upon a charcoal brazier and make the air sweet. I saw a Syrian who held in his hands a thin rod like a reed. Grey threads of smoke came from it, and its odour as it burned was as the odour of the pink almond in spring. Others sell silver bracelets embossed all over with creamy blue turquoise stones, and anklets of brass wire fringed with little pearls, and tigers' claws set in gold, and the claws of that gilt cat, the leopard, set in gold also, and earrings of pierced emerald, and finger-rings of hollowed jade. From the tea-houses comes the sound of the guitar, and the opium-smokers with their white smiling faces look out at the passers-by.
“城里仿佛一个市集。诚然，你本该与我同往的。华美的纸灯笼如硕大的蝴蝶般在狭窄的街道上翻飞。当风儿拂过屋顶，它们便起起伏伏，如五彩的泡沫。货摊前，商人们端坐在丝毯上。他们长着乌黑的美髯，头巾上覆着金币，长串的琥珀和雕花的桃核在他们冰凉的手指间掠动。他们有些人出售白松香和甘松香，还有来自印度洋岛屿上的奇异香水，浓稠的没药和红玫瑰油，以及如一枚小钉子样的丁香。一旦有人停下与他们说话，他们便往炭盆里投上一撮乳香，使得周围的空气都香甜无比。我见到一个叙利亚人，手里擎一枝芦苇般的细杆。缕缕青烟飞出，而它燃烧的气味仿似春日粉色的杏仁味儿。有些人出售银手镯，上头镶满了乳蓝色的绿松石，还有用铜丝串起小颗珍珠而成的脚镯，另有镀金的猫爪，猎豹，自然也是镀了金的，以及钻孔的祖母绿耳环，和镂空的玉戒指。茶馆里传来吉他的乐韵，抽大烟的人则带着他们苍白的笑脸望着来往众人。”
Of a truth thou should'st have been with me. The wine-sellers elbow their way through the crowd with great black skins on their shoulders. Most of them sell the wine of Schiraz, which is as sweet as honey. They serve it in little metal cups and strew rose leaves upon it. In the market-place stand the fruitsellers, who sell all kinds of fruit: ripe figs, with their bruised purple flesh, melons, smelling of musk and yellow as topazes, citrons and rose-apples and clusters of white grapes, round red-gold oranges, and oval lemons of green gold. Once I saw an elephant go by. Its trunk was painted with vermilion and turmeric, and over its ears it had a net of crimson silk cord. It stopped opposite one of the booths and began eating the oranges, and the man only laughed. Thou canst not think how strange a people they are. When they are glad they go to the bird-sellers and buy of them a caged bird, and set it free that their joy may be greater, and when they are sad they scourge themselves with thorns that their sorrow may not grow less.
“你本该与我同往的。酒贩子肩上扛着黑色大皮篓在人群里推搡着前进。他们多数贩卖香甜如蜜的设拉子红葡萄酒（译者注：多见于澳洲、美国加州和法国）。他们以小巧的金属杯子盛酒，并在上头撒上玫瑰花瓣。市场上立着水果贩子，他们的水果应有尽有：醇美可口的无花果带着青紫色的果肉，蜜瓜味似麝香艳若黄玉，香橼、番石榴和一簇簇的白葡萄，溜圆金红的橙子，以及青金色的椭圆柠檬。一次我看见一头大象路过。它的身子涂作了朱红和姜黄两色，耳朵上挂着绯红的丝网。它立定在一个货摊前吃起橙子来，而那贩子只是哈哈大笑。你定然想不到他们是怎样一个稀奇的民族。当他们欢欣时，便去鸟贩子那里买一只装了笼的鸟儿，放生，此后他们便更为欢欣；当他们哀伤时，便以荆棘鞭挞自己，以防哀愁消散。”
One evening I met some negroes carrying a heavy palanquin through the bazaar. It was made of gilded bamboo, and the poles were of vermilion lacquer studded with brass peacocks. Across the windows hung thin curtains of muslim embroidered with beetles' wings and with tiny seed-pearls, and as it passed by a pale-faced Circassian looked out and smiled at me. I followed behind, and the negroes hurried their steps and scowled. But I did not care. I felt a great curiosity come over me.
“一日晚间，我遇见几个黑奴抬着一顶沉重的轿子穿过市集。它以镀金的竹子做成，轿杆以朱红真漆漆成，镶嵌着黄铜孔雀。窗户上挂着棉布薄纱，绣着昆虫翅膀和小粒珍珠。而当我们擦肩而过时，一个顶着苍白面孔的切尔克斯人望出来并对我微笑。我于是紧随其后，黑奴们便加快了步伐，面露不悦。然我却毫不在意，我感到一阵巨大的好奇心攫住了我。”
At last they stopped at a square white house. There were no windows to it, only a little door like the door of a tomb. They set down the palanquin and knocked three times with a copper hammer. An Armenian in a caftan of green leather peered through the wicket, and when he saw them he opened, and spread a carpet on the ground, and the woman stepped out. As she went in, she turned round and smiled at me again. I had never seen anyone so pale.
“最终他们于一方白色的房子前停下了。那房子没有窗户，唯有一扇墓门似的小门。他们放下轿子，以一柄铜锤敲了三次门。一个身着绿皮长袍的亚美尼亚人从门洞里向外张望，当看到他们时，他开了门，并在地上铺开了一张地毯，随后那女人便下轿了望里走去，然此间她却又对我回眸一笑。我从没见过如此苍白无色的人。”
When the moon rose I returned to the same place and sought for the house, but it was no longer there. When I saw that, I knew who the woman was, and wherefore she had smiled at me.
“当玉兔东升我便回到原地寻那房子，房子却不复存在了。此情此景一出，我便知悉了那女人的身份，以及她为何要对我微笑。”
Certainly thou should'st have been with me. On the feast of the New Moon the young Emperor came forth from his palace and went into the mosque to pray. His hair and beard were dyed with rose-leaves, and his cheeks were powdered with a fine gold dust. The palms of his feet and hands were yellow with saffron.
“诚然，你本该与我同往的。‘新月节’上，年轻的皇帝径直从他的皇宫里去往清真寺祷告。他的发须以玫瑰花瓣漂染，面颊扑了上好的金粉。手足的掌心则用藏红花染做了黄色。”
At sunrise he went forth from his palace in a robe of silver, and at sunset he returned to it again in a robe of gold. The people flung themselves on the ground and hid their faces, but I would not do so. I stood by the stall of a seller of dates and waited. When the Emperor saw me, he raised his painted eyebrows and stopped. I stood quite still, and made him no obeisance. The people marvelled at my boldness, and counsel-led me to flee from the city. I paid no heed to them, but went and sat with the sellers of strange gods, who by reason of their craft are abominated. When I told them what I had done, each of them gave me a god and prayed me to leave them.
“天光破晓时，他着一袭银色的袍走出宫殿，而日暮残阳中，他以一身金色的袍子回宫。人们俯身在地上，将面孔深埋，然我却不会照做。我立在一个卖红枣的摊子边等候。当皇帝看见我的时候，他扬起画过的眉毛，停下了。我站立如故，并不向他施礼。人们皆被我的大胆惊倒，规劝我逃出城去。然我却毫不在意，与那些贩卖异教神的小贩们坐在一处，他们因这行当而备受憎恶。当我告诉他们我的行径时，他们每人都送了一座神给我，并求我离开他们。”
That night, as I lay on a cushion in the tea-house that is in the Street of Pomegranates, the guards of the Emperor entered and led me to the palace. As I went in they closed each door behind me, and put a chain across it. Inside was a great court with an arcade running all round. The walls were of white alabaster, set here and there with blue and green tiles. The pillars were of green marble, and the pavement of a kind of peach-blossom marble. I had never seen anything like it before.
“当晚，我躺在石榴街茶馆的垫子上，皇帝的侍卫来到茶馆，引我去了宫殿。随着我步入皇宫，他们却在我身后次第关了每一扇门，并用链条锁上。里头是一间四处都是拱廊的宫室。白色雪花石膏的墙壁，到处贴着蓝色绿色的瓷砖。绿色大理石柱子，地则用桃花颜色的大理石铺就。这一切令我叹为观止。”
As I passed across the court two veiled women looked down from a balcony and cursed me. The guards hastened on, and the butts of the lances rang upon the polished floor. They opened a gate of wrought ivory, and I found myself in a watered garden of seven terraces. It was planted with tulip-cups and moonflowers, and silver-studded aloes. Like a slim reed of crystal a fountain hung in the dusky air. The cypress-trees were like burnt-out torches. From one of them a nightingale was singing.
“当我穿过宫室之时，两个戴着面纱的女人从阳台上俯视我，并咒骂我。侍卫们则大步流星，长矛柄在光滑的地板上发出响动。他们打开一扇象牙锻造的门扉，我便发觉自己置身于一个浇灌过的花园中，有七个露台的花园。里头栽了郁金香、月光花以及带银点的芦荟。喷泉如一枝纤细的水晶般悬在晦暗的空气里。柏木则如同燃尽了的火炬，一只夜莺在上头歌唱。”
At the end of the garden stood a little pavilion. As we approached it two eunuchs came out to meet us. Their fat bodies swayed as they walked, and they glanced curiously at me with their yellow-lidded eyes. One of them drew aside the captain of the guard, and in a low voice whispered to him. The other kept munching scented pastilles, which he took with an affected gesture out of an oval box of lilac enamel.
“花园的尽头立着一座楼阁。当我们临近的时候，有两个宦官出来相迎。他们大腹便便，一步三摇，并用长着黄色眼帘的眼睛好奇地打量我。其中一个将侍卫首领拉到一边，低声耳语。另一个则装腔作势地自一个椭圆的淡紫色珐琅盒子里取出一剂芳香含片来，大嚼特嚼。”
After a few moments the captain of the guard dismissed the soldiers. They went back to the palace, the eunuchs following slowly behind and plucking the sweet mulberries from the trees as they passed. Once the elder of the two turned round, and smiled at me with an evil smile.
“须臾侍卫首领便解散了那些士兵。他们悉数返回宫殿去了，而宦官们则慢腾腾地跟在后头，一路顺道采摘着甜滋滋的桑椹。有一回，年长的那个宦官回过头来，冲我不怀好意地笑了笑。”
Then the captain of the guard motioned me towards the entrance of the pavilion. I walked on without trembling, and drawing the heavy curtain aside I entered in.
“侍卫首领便示意我进那楼阁里去。我毫无惧色地走上前去，拉开沉重的帘幕迈了进去。”
The young Emperor was stretched on a couch of dyed lion skins, and a ger-falcon perched upon his wrist. Behind him stood a brass-turbaned Nubian, naked down to the waist, and with heavy earrings in his split ears. On a table by the side of the couch lay a mighty scimitar of steel.
“年轻的皇帝躺在染色的狮子皮榻上，手腕上栖着一只白色的猎鹰。背后立着头戴铜帽的努比亚人(Nubian)，赤裸着上身，割裂的双耳上挂着沉重的耳环。榻边的桌上摆着一柄威武的钢制弯刀。”
When the Emperor saw me he frowned, and said to me, "What is thy name? Knowest thou not that I am Emperor of this city?" But I made him no answer.
“皇帝望见我，便蹙起眉头对我说，“你姓甚名谁？不知道我是这座城的皇帝吗？”然我却默然以对。”
He pointed with his finger at the scimitar, and the Nubian seized it, and rushing forward struck at me with great violence. The blade whizzed through me, and did me no hurt. The man fell sprawling on the floor, and, when he rose up, his teeth chattered with terror and he hid himself behind the couch.
“他指了指那弯刀，努比亚人便一把攫住向我冲来，猛地砍了下去。刀锋飕飕作响地掠过我的身子，而我却毫发无损。那人却四仰八叉地倒在地上，而当他起身之时，连牙都吓得打颤，畏畏缩缩地躲在了皮榻后头。”
The Emperor leapt to his feet, and taking a lance from a stand of arms, he threw it at me. I caught it in its flight, and brake the shaft into two pieces. He shot at me with an arrow, but I held up my hands and it stopped in mid-air. Then he drew a dagger from a belt of white leather, and stabbed the Nubian in the throat lest the slave should tell of his dishonour. The man writhed like a trampled snake, and a red foam bubbled from his lips.
“皇帝一跃而起，自武器架子上取了一支长矛朝我掷来。我自空中接住长矛，将矛柄一折为二。他便以箭射我，然我举起手来，弓箭便停在半空之中。随后他便从一条白色皮带里抽出一柄匕首，直取努比亚人的咽喉，以防那奴隶散播他的耻辱。那人如一条被践踏了的蛇一般抽搐扭曲，嘴里冒出血红的泡沫来。”
As soon as he was dead the Emperor turned to me, and when he had wiped away the bright sweat from his brow with a little napkin of purfled and purple silk, he said to me, Art thou a prophet, that I may not harm thee, or the son of a prophet that I can do thee no hurt? I pray thee leave my city to night, for while thou art in it I am no longer its lord."
“努比亚人一死，皇帝便以一方紫色的花边丝帕拭去眉头上闪亮的汗水，转身对我说，‘你莫不是位先知？一位我不能伤你的先知，要么是位先知之子，而我伤你不得。我求你今晚便离开我的城池，若有你在，我便无以成为一城之主。’”
And I answered him, "I will go for half of thy treasure. Give me half of thy treasure, and I will go away."
“我于是回答他，‘我只为你的半壁财宝而离开。给我你一半的财宝，我便离开。’”
He took me by the hand, and led me out into the garden. When the captain of the guard saw me, he wondered. When the eunuchs saw me, their knees shook and they fell upon the ground in fear.
“他牵着我的手，将我领出宫殿来到花园。侍卫首领见到我，大吃一惊。而当宦官们见到我，则吓得膝头打颤，跌倒在地。”
There is a chamber in the palace that has eight walls of red porphyry, and a brass-scaled ceiling hung with lamps. The Emperor touched one of the walls and it opened, and we passed down a corridor that was lit with many torches. In niches upon each side stood great wine-jars filled to the brim with silver pieces. When we reached the centre of the corridor the Emperor spake the word that may not be spoken, and a granite door swung back on a secret spring, and he put his hands before his face lest his eyes should be dazzled.
“宫殿里有一处八面围着红色斑岩墙壁的房间，包铜的天花板上悬着几盏灯笼。皇帝触碰了其中一堵墙，它便轰然打开了，我们于是穿过一条火炬通明的走廊。走廊两边的壁龛中立着大酒桶，酒桶里满满地盛着银元。当我们来到走廊中央的时候，皇帝念出了禁语，于是一扇花岗岩暗门应声弹开，他手搭凉棚以防闪到双眼。”
Thou could'st not believe how marvellous a place it was. There were huge tortoise-shells full of pearls, and hollowed moonstones of great size piled up with red rubies. The gold was stored in coffers of elephant- hide, and the gold-dust in leather bottles. There were opals and sapphires, the former in cups of crystal, and the latter in cups of jade. Round green emeralds were ranged in order upon thin plates of ivory, and in one corner were silk bags filled, some with turquoise-stones and others with beryls. The ivory horns were heaped with purple amethysts, and the horns of brass with chalcedonies and sards. The pillars, which were of cedar, were hung with strings of yellow lynx-stones. In the flat oval shields there were carbuncles, both wine-coloured and coloured like grass. And yet I have told thee but a tithe of what was there.
“你不会相信这是个多么绝妙的地方。巨大的龟壳里满盛着珍珠，镂空的庞大月长石里堆砌着红宝石。象皮箱子里储着金子，皮革瓶子里装着金粉。水晶杯里盛着蛋白石，碧玉杯里载着蓝宝石。溜圆碧翠的祖母绿整整齐齐地摆放在薄薄的象牙盘子里，墙角堆着的丝绸袋子里满装着绿松石和绿宝石。象牙角杯中堆着紫水晶，黄铜角杯里堆着玉髓和肉红玉髓。雪松的柱子上挂着串串黄色的猫眼石。扁平的椭圆盾牌上堆着红玉，有红酒色和草色的。但我说的这一切，都不过是冰山一角。”
And when the Emperor had taken away his hands from before his face he said to me: "This is my house of treasure, and half that is in it is thine, even as I promised to thee. And I will give thee camels and camel drivers, and they shall do thy bidding and take thy share of the treasure to whatever part of the world thou desirest to go. And the thing shall be done to night, for I would not that the Sun, who is my father, should see that there is in my city a man whom I cannot slay."
“皇帝将手从面孔前挪开，对我说：‘这便是我的藏宝阁，如我所诺，内里一半的财宝归您所有。我亦当赠您骆驼车马，它们将将您的半壁财宝如您所愿地带去天涯海角。而这一切须在今晚作成，因我不愿让太阳，我的父亲，见到城里有个我杀戮不得的人。’”
But I answered him, "The gold that is here is thine, and the silver also is thine, and thine are the precious jewels and the things of price. As for me, I have no need of these. Nor shall I take aught from thee but that little ring that thou wearest on the finger of thy hand."
“然我回答他道，‘此处的黄金是您的，白银亦是您的，所有的贵重珠宝和值钱东西都是您的。于我而言，我不需要这些。我只想要你戴在手指上的那枚小戒指。’”
And the Emperor frowned. "It is but a ring of lead," he cried, "nor has it any value. Therefore take thy half of the treasure and go from my city."
“皇帝于是蹙起眉头。‘这不过是一枚铅戒指，’他喊道，‘它一文不值。’因此请带走属于您的一半财宝并离开我的城吧。”
"Nay," I answered, "but I will take nought but that leaden ring, for I know what is written within it, and for what purpose."
“‘不，’我回答说，‘除了这枚铅戒指，其他的我分毫不取，因我知晓内里写了什么，也知晓它的功用。’”
And the Emperor trembled, and besought me and said, "Take all the treasure and go from my city. The half that is mine shall be thine also."
“皇帝于是颤抖起来，哀求我道，‘将所有的财宝都拿走，并离开我的城吧。那一半本属于我的财宝如今也是您的了。’”
And I did a strange thing, but what I did matters not, for in a cave that is but a day's journey from this place have I hidden the Ring of Riches. It is but a day's journey from this place, and it waits for thy coming.
“我于是行了一件古怪的事情，其实也无关紧要，我将财富戒指藏在了离此一日行程的山洞里。戒指在离这里不过一日行程的地方，恭候您的大驾。”
He who has this Ring is richer than all the kings of the world. Come therefore and take it, and the world's riches shall be thine.'
“拥有这枚戒指的人将富过世上所有的国王。来取走它吧，那全世界的财富便都是您的了。”
But the young Fisherman laughed. Love is better than Riches,' he cried, and the little Mermaid loves me.
然年轻的渔夫却笑了。“爱比财富更好，”他说道，“况且小人鱼爱我。”
Nay, but there is nothing better than Riches,' said the Soul. Love is better,' answered the young Fisherman, and he plunged into the deep, and the Soul went weeping away over the marshes.
“不，世上没有比财富更好的东西了。”灵魂说道。“爱更好些。”年轻的渔夫回答道，并潜下深海去了。灵魂于是一路哭泣着穿过沼泽离开了。
And after the third year was over, the Soul came down to the shore of the sea, and called to the young Fisherman, and he rose out of the deep and said, Why dost thou call to me?'
第三年过去了，灵魂来到海岸边，呼唤年轻的渔夫。他于是浮上深海，问道，“你何故唤我？”
And the Soul answered, Come nearer, that I may speak with thee, for I have seen marvellous things.'
灵魂答道，“靠近一点，我好同你说话，因我见识了绝妙无比的东西。”
So he came nearer, and couched in the shallow water, and leaned his head upon his hand and listened.
他于是靠近一些，蹲在浅水里，用手支着头，聆听。
And the Soul said to him, In a city that I know of there is an inn that standeth by a river. I sat there with sailors who drank of two different coloured wines, and ate bread made of barley, and little salt fish served in bay leaves with vinegar. And as we sat and made merry, there entered to us an old man bearing a leathern carpet and a lute that had two horns of amber. And when he had laid out the carpet on the floor, he struck with a quill on the wire strings of his lute, and a girl whose face was veiled ran in and began to dance before us. Her face was veiled with a veil of gauze, but her feet were naked. Naked were her feet, and they moved over the carpet like little white pigeons. Never have I seen anything so marvellous, and the city in which she dances is but a day's journey from this place.'
灵魂向他述说道：“我知道一座城里有一处临河而立的旅店。在那里，我同水手们一起坐饮双色美酒，吞食大麦面包，还有那盛在月桂叶子上蘸醋的小咸鱼。正当我们安坐取乐之时，一位老人走进旅店，他背着一张皮毯，手持一把鲁特琴，琴上带两个琥珀的角。他将毯子铺在地上，用拨片弹拨琴弦，一位蒙着面纱的姑娘便跑了进来，在我们面前翩翩起舞。她戴着网格面纱，赤裸双足。一双赤足在地毯上舞动如白鸽。我从未见过如此绝妙的情景，而她跳舞的城市距此不过一日行程。”
Now when the young Fisherman heard the words of his soul, he remembered that the little Mermaid had no feet and could not dance. And a great desire came over him, and he said to himself, It is but a day's journey, and I can return to my love,' and he laughed, and stood up in the shallow water, and strode towards the shore.
现今年轻的渔夫听闻了灵魂的叙述，想起了小人鱼没有脚，因此不能舞蹈。于是一阵巨大的渴望向他袭来，他自言自语道，“不过是一日的行程，我便可以重返到我的挚爱身边。”他于是笑着在浅水里站起来，向岸边大步而来。
And when he had reached the dry shore he laughed again, and held out his arms to his Soul. And his Soul gave a great cry of joy and ran to meet him, and entered into him, and the young Fisherman saw stretched before him upon the sand that shadow of the body that is the body of the Soul.
当他抵达岸边时，他又笑了起来，向他的灵魂张开双臂。而灵魂则欢叫一声扑过去迎他，并与他融为一体，年轻的渔夫于是看到他的身影在沙滩上伸展开来，那便是灵魂的躯体。
And his Soul said to him, Let us not tarry, but get hence at once, for the Sea-gods are jealous, and have monsters that do their bidding.'
灵魂于是对他说道：“我们莫要逗留，立即启程吧，因海神善妒，又有魑魅魍魉听命于他。”
So they made haste, and all that night they journeyed beneath the moon, and all the next day they journeyed beneath the sun, and on the evening of the day they came to a city.
于是他们整晚大步流星，披星戴月，第二天则在太阳下头赶路，终于当天傍晚抵达了一座城。
And the young Fisherman said to his Soul, Is this the city in which she dances of whom thou did'st speak to me?'
年轻的渔夫问灵魂道：“你对我讲的那个姑娘就在这座城里跳舞吗？”
And his Soul answered him, It is not this city, but another. Nevertheless let us enter in.'
灵魂答道：“并非这座城，而是别处。不过尽管如此，我们还是进去看看吧。”
So they entered in and passed through the streets, and as they passed through the Street of the Jewellers the young fisherman saw a fair silver cup set forth in a booth. And his Soul said to him, Take that silver cup and hide it.'
他们于是入得城内，走街过巷。而当他们行至珠宝商街的时候，年轻的渔夫见到货摊上摆着一只漂亮的银杯。灵魂便对他说，“拿走这银杯，把它藏起来。”
So he took the cup and hid it in the fold of his tunic, and they went hurriedly out of the city.
他于是取了那银杯，将它藏在袍子的褶缝里，急如星火地离了这座城。
And after that they had gone a league from the city, the young Fisherman frowned, and flung the cup away, and said to his Soul, Why did'st thou tell me to take this cup and hide it, for it was an evil thing to do?'
当他们离这座城三里远后，年轻的渔夫蹙起眉头，将银杯丢弃一边，并对灵魂说：“你为何叫我取走银杯藏匿起来？这分明是件坏事。”
But his Soul answered him, Be at peace, be at peace.'
然灵魂却回答他道，“平静下来，平静下来。”
And on the evening of the second day they came to a city, and the young Fisherman said to his Soul, Is this the city in which she dances of whom thou did'st speak to me?'
第二天傍晚他们到了一座城，年轻的渔夫于是问他的灵魂道：“你对我讲的那个姑娘就在这座城里跳舞吗？”
And his Soul answered him, It is not this city, but another. Nevertheless let us enter in.'
灵魂答道：“并非这座城，而是别处。不过尽管如此，我们还是进去看看吧。”
So they entered in and passed through the streets, and as they passed through the Street of the Sellers of Sandals, the young Fisherman saw a child standing by a jar of water. And his Soul said to him, Smite that child.' So he smote the child till it wept, and when he had done this they went hurriedly out of the city.
他们于是入得城内，走街过巷。而当他们行至凉鞋商街的时候，年轻的渔夫见到一缸水边立着一个孩子。灵魂便对他说，“狠狠打这孩子。”他于是将孩子打哭了，他们便急如星火地离开了这座城。
And after that they had gone a league from the city the young Fisherman grew wroth, and said to his Soul, Why did'st thou tell me to smite the child, for it was an evil thing to do?'
当他们离这座城三里远后，年轻的渔夫勃然大怒，并对灵魂说：“你为何叫我打那孩子？这分明是件坏事。”
But his Soul answered him, Be at peace, be at peace.'
然灵魂却回答他道，“平静下来，平静下来。”
And on the evening of the third day they came to a city, and the young Fisherman said to his Soul, Is this the city in which she dances of whom thou did'st speak to me?'
第三天傍晚他们到了一座城，年轻的渔夫于是问他的灵魂道：“你对我讲的那个姑娘就在这座城里跳舞吗？”
And his Soul answered him, It may be that it is this city, therefore let us enter in.'
灵魂答道：“或者确是这座城，我们进去看看吧。”
So they entered in and passed through the streets, but nowhere could the young Fisherman find the river or the inn that stood by its side. And the people of the city looked curiously at him, and he grew afraid and said to his Soul, Let us go hence, for she who dances with white feet is not here.'
他们于是入得城内，走街过巷。年轻的渔夫却遍寻不着那条河流和立在河边的小旅店。人们也用异样的目光打量着他，他于是惧怕起来，对灵魂说，“我们离开这里吧，那赤着雪足跳舞的姑娘并不在这儿。”
But his Soul answered, Nay, but let us tarry, for the night is dark and there will be robbers on the way.'
然灵魂却答道，“不，我们逗留一晚。夜里天黑风高，赶路会遇到强盗。”
So he sat him down in the market-place and rested, and after a time there went by a hooded merchant who had a cloak of cloth of Tartary, and bare a lantern of pierced horn at the end of a jointed reed. And the merchant said to him, Why dost thou sit in the market-place, seeing that the booths are closed and the bales corded?'
他便在市场里坐下休息，不一会儿，走来一个缠着头巾的商人，着一件鞑靼布的斗篷，持一盏牛角灯笼，挂在带竹节的苇杆一端。商人问他：“你为何坐在市场里，难道未见货摊都已打烊，货物也都打了包了？”
And the young Fisherman answered him, I can find no inn in this city, nor have I any kinsman who might give me shelter.'
年轻的渔夫回答他道：“我在城里未寻到旅店，亦没有亲眷收留过夜。”
Are we not all kinsmen?' said the merchant. And did not one God make us? Therefore come with me, for I have a guest-chamber.'
“我们不都是亲眷吗？”商人说道，“我们不都是上帝的子民吗？那跟我来吧，我有间客房。”
So the young Fisherman rose up and followed the merchant to his house. And when he had passed through a garden of pomegranates and entered into the house, the merchant brought him rose-water in a copper dish that he might wash his hands, and ripe melons that he might quench his thirst, and set a bowl of rice and a piece of roasted kid before him.
年轻的渔夫于是站起身来跟着商人回家了。他们穿过一处石榴花园进到屋子里，商人端上了盛在铜制碟子里的玫瑰花水供渔夫洗手，奉上了熟透的蜜瓜供他解渴，还在他面前摆了一碗米饭和一块烧烤小山羊肉。
And after that he had finished, the merchant led him to the guest-chamber, bade him sleep and be at rest. And the young Fisherman gave him thanks, and kissed the ring that was on his hand, and flung himself down on the carpets of dyed goat's-hair. And when he had covered himself with a covering of black lambs-wool he fell asleep.
待他饱餐之后，商人领他去了客房，请他安睡歇息。年轻的渔夫十分感激，并亲吻了商人手上的戒指，将身躺在染色的山羊毛毯子上。他给自己盖了一床黑羊毛被，便沉沉睡去。
And three hours before dawn, and while it was still night, his Soul waked him, and said to him, Rise up and go to the room of the merchant, even to the room in which he sleepeth, and slay him, and take from him his gold, for we have need of it.'
黎明前的三个小时，天色仍旧暗着，灵魂唤醒了渔夫对他说：“起来去商人的房间，去他安睡的房间杀了他，取走他的金子，我们用得着。”
And the young Fisherman rose up and crept towards the room of the merchant, and over the feet of the merchant there was lying a curved sword, and the tray by the side of the merchant held nine purses of gold. And he reached out his hand and touched the sword, and when he touched it the merchant started and awoke, and leaping up seized himself the sword and cried to the young Fisherman, Dost thou return evil for good, and pay with the shedding of blood for the kindness that I have shown thee?'
年轻的渔夫于是起身，蹑手蹑脚地来到商人的房间。商人的脚头放着一把弯刀，身边的盘子上摆着九袋金子。他伸出手去碰到了那把弯刀，而当他刚一触到弯刀，商人便醒了，他一跃而起，攫住了弯刀向年轻的渔夫吼道：“你要恩将仇报吗？我好心款待，你却以流血相报吗？”
And his Soul said to the young Fisherman, Strike him,' and he struck him so that he swooned, and he seized then the nine purses of gold, and fled hastily through the garden of pomegranates, and set his face to the star that is the star of morning.
灵魂对年轻的渔夫说：“打他。”渔夫于是猛击了商人，商人便昏厥过去，渔夫抓了那九袋金子，急忙穿过石榴花园逃之夭夭。他向着启明星的方向奔去。
And when they had gone a league from the city, the young Fisherman beat his breast, and said to his Soul, Why didst thou bid me slay the merchant and take his gold? Surely thou art evil.'
当他们离这座城三里远后，年轻的渔夫不禁捶胸顿足，向他的灵魂道：“你何以要我杀了那个商人取走他的金子呢？你实在是罪孽滔天。”
But his Soul answered him, Be at peace, be at peace.'
然灵魂却回答他道：“平静下来，平静下来。”
Nay,' cried the young Fisherman, I may not be at peace, for all that thou hast made me to do I hate. Thee also I hate, and I bid thee tell me wherefore thou hast wrought with me in this wise.'
“不，”年轻的渔夫喊道，“我无法平静，因我憎恶一切你教唆我做的事。我亦恨你，我命你告诉我何以要我犯下这些事情。”
And his Soul answered him, When thou didst send me forth into the world thou gavest me no heart, so I learned to do all these things and love them.'
灵魂于是回答他：“当你将我弃置于这个世界之时，你并未给我一颗心。我便学会了这一切，并乐在其中。”
What sayest thou?' murmured the young Fisherman.
“你说什么？”年轻的渔夫喃喃道。
Thou knowest,' answered his Soul, thou knowest it well. Hast thou forgotten that thou gavest me no heart? I trow not. And so trouble not thyself nor me, but be at peace, for there is no pain that thou shalt not give away, nor any pleasure that thou shalt not receive.'
“你知道的，”灵魂回答，“你再清楚不过。你莫不是忘了你未曾给过我一颗心？我不相信。所以别再烦扰我，亦别再烦扰你自己，平静下来。因这世上没有你送不走的苦难，亦没有你享不到的欢愉。”
And when the young Fisherman heard these words he trembled and said to his Soul, Nay, but thou art evil, and hast made me forget my love, and hast tempted me with temptations, and hast set my feet in the ways of sin.' And his Soul answered him, Thou hast not forgotten that when thou didst send me forth into the world thou gavest me no heart. Come, let us go to another city, and make merry, for we have nine purses of gold.'
年轻的渔夫听闻此番话语，不禁颤抖起来，他对灵魂说：“不，你罪孽滔天，还令我遗忘了挚爱，以魔道相诱，使我涉足罪孽之路。”灵魂回答他道：“你莫不是忘了，将我弃置于这个世界的时候，并没有给我心啊。来，我们去另一座城，寻欢作乐，我们有九袋金子呢。”
But the young Fisherman took the nine purses of gold, and flung them down, and trampled on them.
然年轻的渔夫却夺过那九袋金子，将他们抛下，狠狠地踩踏。
Nay,' he cried, but I will have nought to do with thee, nor will I journey with thee anywhere, but even as I sent thee away before, so will I send thee away now, for thou hast wrought me no good.' And he turned his back to the moon, and with the little knife that had the handle of green viper's skin he strove to cut from his feet that shadow of the body which is the body of the Soul.
“不，”他喊道，“我与你毫无瓜葛，我不随你去任何地方，如我之前将你送走一般，如今我也要将你送走，因你教唆我行恶。”他于是背对着月亮，掏出绿蛇皮柄的小刀，努力将他的身影——也就是灵魂的躯体从足边剔除。
Yet his Soul stirred not from him, nor paid heed to his command, but said to him, The spell that the Witch told thee avails thee no more, for I may not leave thee, nor mayest thou drive me forth. Once in his life may a man send his Soul away, but he who receiveth back his Soul must keep it with him for ever, and this is his punishment and his reward.'
然灵魂却并未离他而去，亦没有理会他的指令，他只是对他说：“女巫教你的法子再帮不上你了，因我不会离你而去，你也赶不走我。人一生只能送走他的灵魂一次，那些收回了灵魂的人便注定要与他们永世相伴，这是惩罚，亦是奖赏。”
And the young Fisherman grew pale and clenched his hands and cried, She was a false Witch in that she told me not that.'
年轻的渔夫面色苍白，攥紧了拳头喊道：“她是个冒牌女巫，我根本没告诉我这些。”
Nay,' answered his Soul, but she was true to Him she worships, and whose servant she will be ever.'
“不，”灵魂答道，“于她膜拜的人而言，她可是真正的女巫，她将永世效忠于他。”
And when the young Fisherman knew that he could no longer get rid of his Soul, and that it was an evil Soul and would abide with him always, he fell upon the ground weeping bitterly.
当年轻的渔夫获悉他将再无法摆脱他的灵魂，这邪恶的灵魂将与他纠缠一生，他不禁痛苦地扑到在地，泪流满面。
And when it was day the young Fisherman rose up and said to his Soul, I will bind my hands that I may not do thy bidding, and close my lips that I may not speak thy words, and I will return to the place where she whom I love has her dwelling. Even to the sea will I return, and to the little bay where she is wont to sing, and I will call to her and tell her the evil I have done and the evil thou hast wrought on me.'
当白天降临，年轻的渔夫起身对他的灵魂说：“我将把双手绑起，不再听信你的教唆；我将紧闭双唇，不再与你说话，我也将回到我的爱人的住所去。我甚至要回到那深海里去，回到她歌唱的小海湾里去，我将唤她，告诉她我犯下的罪孽，告诉她你令我做的坏事。”
And his Soul tempted him and said, Who is thy love that thou should'st return to her? The world has many fairer than she is. There are the dancing-girls of Samaris who dance in the manner of all kinds of birds and beasts. Their feet are painted with henna, and in their hands they have little copper bells. They laugh while they dance, and their laughter is as clear as the laughter of water. Come with me and I will show them to thee. For what is this trouble of thine about the things of sin? Is that which is pleasant to eat not made for the eater? Is there poison in that which is sweet to drink? Trouble not thyself, but come with me to another city. There is a little city hard by in which there is a garden of tulip- trees. And there dwell in this comely garden white peacocks and peacocks that have blue breasts. Their tails when they spread them to the sun are like disks of ivory and like gilt disks. And she who feeds them dances for their pleasure, and sometimes she dances on her hands and at other times she dances with her feet. Her eyes are coloured with stibium, and her nostrils are shaped like the wings of a swallow. From a hook in one of her nostrils hangs a flower that is carved out of a pearl. She laughs while she dances, and the silver rings that are about her ankles tinkle like bells of silver. And so trouble not thyself any more, but come with me to this city.'
而灵魂则诱惑他道：“谁是你要回到她身边的爱人？世上比她美丽的女子千千万。萨马利斯(Samaris)的舞娘能做出各种鸟兽之姿，翩翩起舞。她们的双足以凤仙花染红，手里挂着小铜铃。她们言笑晏晏、舞姿翩翩，笑声如同水流般清澈。跟我来，我引你去见她们。你何以要担忧罪孽？难道美食当前不是为了让人饕餮？难道琼浆玉液会掺着毒药？别再庸人自扰，跟我去另一座城吧。附近有一座小城，里头有一处郁金香树的花园。在这秀美无比的花园里住着白孔雀和蓝胸孔雀。当它们向着太阳开屏的时候，那尾巴就如象牙的圆盘，或是镀金的圆盘。喂养它们的女子常常跳舞取悦它们，她时而以手舞蹈，时而以足舞蹈。她有锑色的眸子，鼻孔有如燕子的双翼。其中一个鼻孔的壁上挂着一枚小钩子，悬一朵珍珠雕成的小花。她一边跳舞一边笑，脚踝上的银镯子如银铃般叮当作响。所以别再庸人自扰，跟我去那座城里吧。”
But the young Fisherman answered not his Soul, but closed his lips with the seal of silence and with a tight cord bound his hands, and journeyed back to the place from which he had come, even to the little bay where his love had been wont to sing. And ever did his Soul tempt him by the way, but he made it no answer, nor would he do any of the wickedness that it sought to make him to do, so great was the power of the love that was within him.
但年轻的渔夫却并不作答，只是用沉默封印了他的双唇，以绳索绑缚了他的双手，并向着他来的地方行去，甚至回到他爱人歌唱的小海湾去。尽管一路上灵魂不断引诱，他却只是默不作声，也并不遂其所愿地做出任何邪恶行径，他心中爱的力量是如此强大。
And when he had reached the shore of the sea, he loosed the cord from his hands, and took the seal of silence from his lips, and called to the little Mermaid. But she came not to his call, though he called to her all day long and besought her. And his Soul mocked him and said, Surely thou hast but little joy out of thy love. Thou art as one who in time of dearth pours water into a broken vessel. Thou givest away what thou hast, and nought is given to thee in return. It were better for thee to come with me, for I know where the Valley of Pleasure lies, and what things are wrought there.'
当他们到达海岸的时候，他解开手上的绳索，撕开双唇的沉默，唤起小人鱼来。尽管他整日地呼唤恳求，她却并未应声出现。灵魂于是揶揄他道：“你从挚爱出所得的欢乐也不过寥寥无几。你仿似久旱之年却往竹篮里泼水的人，你奉献了一切，却毫无回报。你最好还是跟我来，因我知道欢乐谷在哪儿，也知道那里有些什么。”
But the young Fisherman answered not his Soul, but in a cleft of the rock he built himself a house of wattles, and abode there for the space of a year. And every morning he called to the Mermaid, and every noon he called to her again and at night-time he spake her name. Yet never did she rise out of the sea to meet him, nor in any place of the sea could he find her, though he sought for her in the caves and in the green water, in the pools of the tide and in the wells that are at the bottom of the deep.
但年轻的渔夫却并不作答，他用枝条在岩石的裂缝里盖了一所小房子，并在那里蜗居了一年。每日清晨，他呼唤小人鱼，午时，他再次呼唤她，而夜晚时分，他唤着她的名字。但她却从未自海里现身来迎他，他遍寻海底亦觅不到她的芳踪。他在洞穴碧水里寻她，在潮汐的漩涡里寻她，在海底的井里寻她。
And ever did his Soul tempt him with evil, and whisper of terrible things. Yet did it not prevail against him, so great was the power of his love.
尽管灵魂不断地以邪恶相诱，对他呢喃一些可怕的事情，却从未动摇他，他心中爱的力量是如此强大。
And after the year was over, the Soul thought within himself, I have tempted my master with evil, and his love is stronger than I am. I will tempt him now with good, and it may be that he will come with me.'
第一年过去了，灵魂暗自思忖：“我已经用邪恶诱惑了我的主人，而他的爱却远强过我。那我将以良善诱之，或者他便会跟我走了。”
So he spake to the young Fisherman and said, I have told thee of the joy of the world, and thou hast turned a deaf ear to me. Suffer me now to tell thee of the world's pain, and it may be that thou wilt hearken. For of a truth, pain is the Lord of this world, nor is there anyone who escapes from its net. There be some who lack raiment, and others who lack bread. There be widows who sit in purple, and widows who sit in rags. To and fro over the fens go the lepers, and they are cruel to each other. The beggars go up and down on the highways, and their wallets are empty. Through the streets of the cities walks Famine, and the Plague sits at their gates. Come, let us go forth and mend these things, and make them not to be. Wherefore should'st thou tarry here calling to thy love, seeing she comes not to thy call? And what is love, that thou should'st set this high store upon it?'
他于是对年轻的渔夫说道：“我已告知你世间的欢乐，你却充耳不闻。如今我当告知你这世间的苦痛，或者你会侧耳倾听。事实上，苦痛才是这世间之主，在他的恢恢天网之下，无人能够幸免。世上到处是缺衣少食的人。有的寡妇锦衣华服，有的却衣衫褴褛。麻风病人在篱笆前徘徊，彼此都很刻毒残忍。乞丐囊空如洗，在大路上游荡。饥馁在城中走街串巷，瘟疫则安坐在城门口。来吧，我们去改善这些，使这一切不再发生。既然你的挚爱并不应你，你何苦流连不去日日呼唤？而爱是什么，需要你花这样高的代价？”
But the young Fisherman answered it nought, so great was the power of his love. And every morning he called to the Mermaid, and every noon he called to her again, and at night-time he spake her name. Yet never did she rise out of the sea to meet him, nor in any place of the sea could he find her, though he sought for her in the rivers of the sea, and in the valleys that are under the waves, in the sea that the night makes purple, and in the sea that the dawn leaves grey.
但年轻的渔夫却并不理睬，他心里爱的力量是如此强大。每日清晨，他呼唤小人鱼，午时，他再次呼唤她，而夜晚时分，他唤着她的名字。但她却从未自海里现身来迎他，他遍寻海底亦觅不到她的芳踪。他在海中的流河里寻她，在浪涛下的低谷中寻她，在夜晚染成的紫色海洋里寻她，在黎明涂成的灰色深海里寻她。
And after the second year was over, the Soul said to the young Fisherman at night-time, and as he sat in the wattled house alone, Lo! now I have tempted thee with evil, and I have tempted thee with good, and thy love is stronger than I am. Wherefore will I tempt thee no longer, but I pray thee to suffer me to enter thy heart, that I may be one with thee even as before.'
第二年过去了，夜晚时分，当年轻的渔夫独自坐在枝条搭的小屋里时，灵魂对他说：“看哪，我以邪恶相诱，又以良善来惑，你的爱却远强过我。我不再诱惑你了，然我求你让我进到心里去，我便能如以往那样与你合为一体了。”
Surely thou mayest enter,' said the young Fisherman, for in the days when with no heart thou didst go through the world thou must have much suffered.'
“你自然可以进来，”年轻的渔夫说道，“你无心作伴而浪游世界的日子里也必定吃了不少苦。”
Alas!' cried his Soul, I can find no place of entrance, so compassed about with love is this heart of thine.'
“哎呀！”灵魂喊将起来，“你的心被爱紧紧缠绕，我找不到它的入口。”
Yet I would that I could help thee,' said the young Fisherman.
“我倒是愿意帮你的。”年轻的渔夫说。
And as he spake there came a great cry of mourning from the sea, even the cry that men hear when one of the Sea-folk is dead. And the young Fisherman leapt up, and left his wattled house, and ran down to the shore. And the black waves came hurrying to the shore, bearing with them a burden that was whiter than silver. White as the surf it was, and like a flower it tossed on the waves. And the surf took it from the waves, and the foam took it from the surf, and the shore received it, and lying at his feet the young Fisherman saw the body of the little Mermaid. Dead at his feet it was lying.
他正说着，海里却传来一声巨大的哀鸣，是人鱼死去时人们才会听到的哀鸣。年轻的渔夫跃然而起，冲出了他的小屋，奔向海岸。黑色的浪头带着一个白过白银的负载，疾疾地冲向岸边。那物体如拍岸浪花样雪白，仿佛颠簸在风口浪尖上的一朵花儿。浪花将它从波涛里夺走，泡沫又将它从浪花上抢来，随后海岸接过了它，小人鱼的尸体就躺在年轻渔夫的脚边。她卧在他的脚下，死了。
Weeping as one smitten with pain he flung himself down beside it, and he kissed the cold red of the mouth, and toyed with the wet amber of the hair. He flung himself down beside it on the sand, weeping as one trembling with joy, and in his brown arms he held it to his breast. Cold were the lips, yet he kissed them. Salt was the honey of the hair, yet he tasted it with a bitter joy. He kissed the closed eyelids, and the wild spray that lay upon their cups was less salt than his tears.
他扑到在她身边，泪流满面，如遭重创，他亲吻那冰凉的红唇，摆弄她发间打湿了的琥珀。他整个儿扑到在她身边，匍匐在沙上，哭得像一个因欢喜而颤抖的人，并用他褐色的臂膀将她紧紧地拥在胸口。她的唇已冰凉，而他仍旧吻着她。发间的蜜糖已是咸涩，而他仍旧痛苦而欢乐地品尝着。他亲吻她紧闭的眼帘，翻飞的狂野浪沫都不及他的眼泪咸涩。
And to the dead thing he made confession. Into the shells of its ears he poured the harsh wine of his tale. He put the little hands round his neck, and with his fingers he touched the thin reed of the throat. Bitter, bitter was his joy, and full of strange gladness was his pain.
他向着她的尸体忏悔起来。他将自己的经历如苦酿般倾入她的耳内。他将那双小手环在他的颈项上，用手指轻触那纤细的喉管。他的欢愉越来越苦，而他的痛苦中却带着满满的奇异的欢乐。
The black sea came nearer, and the white foam moaned like a leper. With white claws of foam the sea grabbled at the shore. From the palace of the Sea-King came the cry of mourning again, and far out upon the sea the great Tritons blew hoarsely upon their horns.
黑色的大海渐渐逼近了，白色的飞沫如麻风病人般哀叹着。大海带着白色的浪沫脚爪，在海滩上摸索着。海王的宫殿里再次传来哀嚎，远远的海上特里同吹出了嘶哑的号角。
Flee away, said his Soul, for ever doth the sea come nigher, and if thou tarriest it will slay thee. Flee away, for I am afraid, seeing that thy heart is closed against me by reason of the greatness of thy love. Flee away to a place of safety. Surely thou wilt not send me without a heart into another world?'
“快逃，”灵魂说道，“大海越来越近，若你还在此逗留，他会杀死你的。快逃吧，见你心中的爱实在太强而将心门紧锁，拒我于门外，我实在害怕。逃去安全的地方吧。你定然不会不给我一颗心而将我送去另一个世界吧？”
But the young Fisherman listened not to his Soul, but called on the little Mermaid and said, Love is better than wisdom, and more precious than riches, and fairer than the feet of the daughters of men. The fires cannot destroy it, nor can the waters quench it. I called on thee at dawn, and thou didst not come to my call. The moon heard thy name, yet hadst thou no heed of me. For evilly had I left thee, and to my own hurt had I wandered away. Yet ever did thy love abide with me, and ever was it strong, nor did aught prevail against it, though I have looked upon evil and looked upon good. And now that thou art dead, surely I will die with thee also.'
但年轻的渔夫对他的灵魂充耳不闻，只是呼唤的小美人鱼说道：“爱好过智慧，珍贵过财富，美过人间女儿的双足。火焰焚不毁它，流水扑不灭它。我在黎明时唤你，你却没有回应。月亮听闻了你的名字，你却没有理睬我。因我不该离开你，我彷徨而去却伤到了自己。然你的爱却始终与我相伴，始终强大有力，任何东西都敌它不过，无论邪恶，无论良善。而如今你却仙去，我自当与你同生共死。”
And his Soul besought him to depart, but he would not, so great was his love. And the sea came nearer, and sought to cover him with its waves, and when he knew that the end was at hand he kissed with mad lips the cold lips of the Mermaid and the heart that was within him brake. And as through the fulness of his love his heart did break, the Soul found an entrance and entered in, and was one with him even as before. And the sea covered the young Fisherman with its waves.
灵魂苦苦哀求他离开，他却毫不理会，他的爱是这样强大。海渐渐逼近了，企图用浪头将他覆盖。当他见到死期将近，他疯狂地吻着美人鱼冰凉的嘴唇，内里的心却碎了。当他的心因充盈了爱意而破碎之时，灵魂寻出了一个入口，走进了他的心，他们于是如以往一般合为一体。大海用浪头盖住了年轻的渔夫。
And in the morning the Priest went forth to bless the sea, for it had been troubled. And with him went the monks and the musicians, and the candle-bearers, and the swingers of censers, and a great company.
清早，牧师前来为大海祷告，因他烦扰不断、骚动连连。与他同行的有僧侣、乐师、持蜡烛者、摇香炉者，以及一大群人。
And when the Priest reached the shore he saw the young Fisherman lying drowned in the surf, and clasped in his arms was the body of the little Mermaid. And he drew back frowning, and having made the sign of the cross, he cried aloud and said, I will not bless the sea nor anything that is in it. Accursed be the Sea-folk, and accursed be all they who traffic with them. And as for him who for love's sake forsook God, and so lieth here with his leman slain by God's judgment, take up his body and the body of his leman, and bury them in the corner of the Field of the Fullers, and set no mark above them, nor sign of any kind, that none may know the place of their resting. For accursed were they in their lives, and accursed shall they be in their deaths also.'
当牧师抵达海岸的时候，见到了年轻的渔夫淹死在浪花里，而他的双臂紧扣着小美人鱼的尸体。牧师于是皱着眉向后退，并画了一个十字，他大声喊道：“我不会祝佑大海，或任何海里的东西。人鱼族是受到诅咒的，那些与他们往来的人也同样受到诅咒。他因爱而背弃了上帝，故而与他的情人一同陈尸在此，他那被上帝判决处死的情人。搬走他和情人的尸体，将他们葬在漂布地(译注：Field of the Fullers，取自圣经故事)的角落里，上头不要做任何标记，亦不要任何记号，这样便无人知晓他们的安息之所。因他们生前遭到诅咒，死后亦应遭受诅咒。”
And the people did as he commanded them, and in the corner of the Field of the Fullers, where no sweet herbs grew, they dug a deep pit, and laid the dead things within it.
人们于是按他的指令行事，在漂布地的一角，在没有任何香草生长的地方，他们挖了一个深坑，将尸体埋葬其中。
And when the third year was over, and on a day that was a holy day, the Priest went up to the chapel, that he might show to the people the wounds of the Lord, and speak to them about the wrath of God.
第三年过去了，瞻礼日那天，牧师来到礼拜堂，他要向人们展示主的伤痕，向他们诉说上帝的愤怒。
And when he had robed himself with his robes, and entered in and bowed himself before the altar, he saw that the altar was covered with strange flowers that never had he seen before. Strange were they to look at, and of curious beauty, and their beauty troubled him, and their odour was sweet in his nostrils. And he felt glad, and understood not why he was glad.
而当他穿上祭袍，走进礼拜堂，在祭坛前行礼时，他见到祭坛上满覆着他从未见过的奇异花朵。它们奇形异状，却异样美丽，这美丽困扰着他，甜美的香气萦绕着他。他感到快乐，却不知何故。
And after that he had opened the tabernacle, and incensed the monstrance that was in it, and shown the fair wafer to the people, and hid it again behind the veil of veils, he began to speak to the people, desiring to speak to them of the wrath of God. But the beauty of the white flowers troubled him, and their odour was sweet in his nostrils, and there came another word into his lips, and he spake not of the wrath of God, but of the God whose name is Love. And why he so spake, he knew not.
他打开神龛，在里头的圣体匣里焚了香，将精致的圣饼展示给人们，随后将它重又藏在遮巾下面，开始对人们布道，希望向他们述说神的愤怒。然而那白色花朵的美艳却扰乱了他，香气萦绕在鼻，他的双唇间冒出了旁的词句来，他没有诉说神的愤怒，却诉说了那个名为“爱”的神灵。然而连他自己亦不知晓，他何以说出了这些来。
And when he had finished his word the people wept, and the Priest went back to the sacristy, and his eyes were full of tears. And the deacons came in and began to unrobe him, and took from him the alb and the girdle, the maniple and the stole. And he stood as one in a dream.
当他布道完毕之后，人们泪流满面。牧师回到了圣器安置所内，亦热泪盈眶。执事们走进来替他宽衣，脱下了白麻布圣职衣和腰带，解下了饰带和祭带。而他站在那里，恍如梦中。
And after that they had unrobed him, he looked at them and said, What are the flowers that stand on the altar, and whence do they come?'
待他们宽衣完毕，他望着他们问道：“那些祭坛上的是什么花儿？它们从何而来？”
And they answered him, What flowers they are we cannot tell, but they come from the corner of the Fullers' Field.' And the Priest trembled, and returned to his own house and prayed.
他们答道：“我们不知道是什么花儿，但是他们是漂布地上的花朵。”牧师于是颤抖起来，折回自己的房间祷告去了。
And in the morning, while it was still dawn, he went forth with the monks and the musicians, and the candle-bearers and the swingers of censers, and a great company, and came to the shore of the sea, and blessed the sea, and all the wild things that are in it. The Fauns also he blessed, and the little things that dance in the woodland, and the bright-eyed things that peer through the leaves. All the things in God's world he blessed, and the people were filled with joy and wonder. Yet never again in the corner of the Fullers' Field grew flowers of any kind, but the field remained barren even as before. Nor came the Sea-folk into the bay as they had been wont to do, for they went to another part of the sea.
而当清晨来临，天光才刚破晓，他与僧侣、乐师、持蜡烛者和摇香炉者，以及一干人等径直来到海岸上，祝佑大海，以及海里所有的狂野物事。他亦祝佑了牧神，祝佑了那些在丛林里舞蹈的小东西，以及透过树叶偷偷窥望的长着明亮眼睛的东西。他祝佑世间的一切，人们则充满欣喜和惊奇。然而漂布地里却再也没有盛开任何的花朵，它仍像过去般一片荒芜。人鱼们也再未如往常般游入海湾，因他们去了海的另一边。
- Oscar Wilde 《The Fisherman and his Soul》*
本文由 Titansong 创作 / 最后编辑时间为: 2019-04-2 08:55