王尔德童话四则(英文版)-第6部分

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full　of　singing　birds　and　of　sweet…scented　flowers；　and　the　Star…

Child　entered　it　gladly。　　Yet　did　its　beauty　profit　him　little；　for

wherever　he　went　harsh　briars　and　thorns　shot　up　from　the　ground

and　encompassed　him；　and　evil　nettles　stung　him；　and　the　thistle

pierced　him　with　her　daggers；　so　that　he　was　in　sore　distress。　　Nor

could　he　anywhere　find　the　piece　of　white　gold　of　which　the

Magician　had　spoken；　though　he　sought　for　it　from　morn　to　noon；　and

from　noon　to　sunset。　　And　at　sunset　he　set　his　face　towards　home；

weeping　bitterly；　for　he　knew　what　fate　was　in　store　for　him。



But　when　he　had　reached　the　outskirts　of　the　wood；　he　heard　from　a

thicket　a　cry　as　of　some　one　in　pain。　　And　forgetting　his　own

sorrow　he　ran　back　to　the　place；　and　saw　there　a　little　Hare　caught

in　a　trap　that　some　hunter　had　set　for　it。



And　the　Star…Child　had　pity　on　it；　and　released　it；　and　said　to　it；

'I　am　myself　but　a　slave；　yet　may　I　give　thee　thy　freedom。'



And　the　Hare　answered　him；　and　said：　　'Surely　thou　hast　given　me

freedom；　and　what　shall　I　give　thee　in　return？'



And　the　Star…Child　said　to　it；　'I　am　seeking　for　a　piece　of　white

gold；　nor　can　I　anywhere　find　it；　and　if　I　bring　it　not　to　my

master　he　will　beat　me。'



'Come　thou　with　me；'　said　the　Hare；　'and　I　will　lead　thee　to　it；

for　I　know　where　it　is　hidden；　and　for　what　purpose。'



So　the　Star…Child　went　with　the　Hare；　and　lo！　in　the　cleft　of　a

great　oak…tree　he　saw　the　piece　of　white　gold　that　he　was　seeking。

And　he　was　filled　with　joy；　and　seized　it；　and　said　to　the　Hare；

'The　service　that　I　did　to　thee　thou　hast　rendered　back　again　many

times　over；　and　the　kindness　that　I　showed　thee　thou　hast　repaid　a

hundred…fold。'



'Nay；'　answered　the　Hare；　'but　as　thou　dealt　with　me；　so　I　did　deal

with　thee；'　and　it　ran　away　swiftly；　and　the　Star…Child　went

towards　the　city。



Now　at　the　gate　of　the　city　there　was　seated　one　who　was　a　leper。

Over　his　face　hung　a　cowl　of　grey　linen；　and　through　the　eyelets

his　eyes　gleamed　like　red　coals。　　And　when　he　saw　the　Star…Child

coming；　he　struck　upon　a　wooden　bowl；　and　clattered　his　bell；　and

called　out　to　him；　and　said；　'Give　me　a　piece　of　money；　or　I　must

die　of　hunger。　　For　they　have　thrust　me　out　of　the　city；　and　there

is　no　one　who　has　pity　on　me。'



'Alas！'　cried　the　Star…Child；　'I　have　but　one　piece　of　money　in　my

wallet；　and　if　I　bring　it　not　to　my　master　he　will　beat　me；　for　I

am　his　slave。'



But　the　leper　entreated　him；　and　prayed　of　him；　till　the　Star…Child

had　pity；　and　gave　him　the　piece　of　white　gold。





And　when　he　came　to　the　Magician's　house；　the　Magician　opened　to

him；　and　brought　him　in；　and　said　to　him；　'Hast　thou　the　piece　of

white　gold？'　　And　the　Star…Child　answered；　'I　have　it　not。'　　So　the

Magician　fell　upon　him；　and　beat　him；　and　set　before　him　an　empty

trencher；　and　said；　'Eat；'　and　an　empty　cup；　and　said；　'Drink；'　and

flung　him　again　into　the　dungeon。



And　on　the　morrow　the　Magician　came　to　him；　and　said；　'If　to…day

thou　bringest　me　not　the　piece　of　yellow　gold；　I　will　surely　keep

thee　as　my　slave；　and　give　thee　three　hundred　stripes。'



So　the　Star…Child　went　to　the　wood；　and　all　day　long　he　searched

for　the　piece　of　yellow　gold；　but　nowhere　could　he　find　it。　　And　at

sunset　he　sat　him　down　and　began　to　weep；　and　as　he　was　weeping

there　came　to　him　the　little　Hare　that　he　had　rescued　from　the

trap；



And　the　Hare　said　to　him；　'Why　art　thou　weeping？　　And　what　dost

thou　seek　in　the　wood？'



And　the　Star…Child　answered；　'I　am　seeking　for　a　piece　of　yellow

gold　that　is　hidden　here；　and　if　I　find　it　not　my　master　will　beat

me；　and　keep　me　as　a　slave。'



'Follow　me；'　cried　the　Hare；　and　it　ran　through　the　wood　till　it

came　to　a　pool　of　water。　　And　at　the　bottom　of　the　pool　the　piece

of　yellow　gold　was　lying。



'How　shall　I　thank　thee？'　said　the　Star…Child；　'for　lo！　this　is　the

second　time　that　you　have　succoured　me。'



'Nay；　but　thou　hadst　pity　on　me　first；'　said　the　Hare；　and　it　ran

away　swiftly。



And　the　Star…Child　took　the　piece　of　yellow　gold；　and　put　it　in　his

wallet；　and　hurried　to　the　city。　　But　the　leper　saw　him　coming；　and

ran　to　meet　him；　and　knelt　down　and　cried；　'Give　me　a　piece　of

money　or　I　shall　die　of　hunger。'



And　the　Star…Child　said　to　him；　'I　have　in　my　wallet　but　one　piece

of　yellow　gold；　and　if　I　bring　it　not　to　my　master　he　will　beat　me

and　keep　me　as　his　slave。'



But　the　leper　entreated　him　sore；　so　that　the　Star…Child　had　pity

on　him；　and　gave　him　the　piece　of　yellow　gold。



And　when　he　came　to　the　Magician's　house；　the　Magician　opened　to

him；　and　brought　him　in；　and　said　to　him；　'Hast　thou　the　piece　of

yellow　gold？'　　And　the　Star…Child　said　to　him；　'I　have　it　not。'　　So

the　Magician　fell　upon　him；　and　beat　him；　and　loaded　him　with

chains；　and　cast　him　again　into　the　dungeon。



And　on　the　morrow　the　Magician　came　to　him；　and　said；　'If　to…day

thou　bringest　me　the　piece　of　red　gold　I　will　set　thee　free；　but　if

thou　bringest　it　not　I　will　surely　slay　thee。'



So　the　Star…Child　went　to　the　wood；　and　all　day　long　he　searched

for　the　piece　of　red　gold；　but　nowhere　could　he　find　it。　　And　at

evening　he　sat　him　down　and　wept；　and　as　he　was　weeping　there　came

to　him　the　little　Hare。



And　the　Hare　said　to　him；　'The　piece　of　red　gold　that　thou　seekest

is　in　the　cavern　that　is　behind　thee。　　Therefore　weep　no　more　but

be　glad。'



'How　shall　I　reward　thee？'　cried　the　Star…Child；　'for　lo！　this　is

the　third　time　thou　hast　succoured　me。'



'Nay；　but　thou　hadst　pity　on　me　first；'　said　the　Hare；　and　it　ran

away　swiftly。



And　the　Star…Child　entered　the　cavern；　and　in　its　farthest　corner

he　found　the　piece　of　red　gold。　　So　he　put　it　in　his　wallet；　and

hurried　to　the　city。　　And　the　leper　seeing　him　coming；　stood　in　the

centre　of　the　road；　and　cried　out；　and　said　to　him；　'Give　me　the

piece　of　red　money；　or　I　must　die；'　and　the　Star…Child　had　pity　on

him　again；　and　gave　him　the　piece　of　red　gold；　saying；　'Thy　need　is

greater　than　mine。'　　Yet　was　his　heart　heavy；　for　he　knew　what　evil

fate　awaited　him。





But　lo！　as　he　passed　through　the　gate　of　the　city；　the　guards　bowed

down　and　made　obeisance　to　him；　saying；　'How　beautiful　is　our

lord！'　and　a　crowd　of　citizens　followed　him；　and　cried　out；　'Surely

there　is　none　so　beautiful　in　the　whole　world！'　so　that　the　Star…

Child　wept；　and　said　to　himself；　'They　are　mocking　me；　and　making

light　of　my　misery。'　　And　so　large　was　the　concourse　of　the　people；

that　he　lost　the　threads　of　his　way；　and　found　himself　at　last　in　a

great　square；　in　which　there　was　a　palace　of　a　King。



And　the　gate　of　the　palace　opened；　and　the　priests　and　the　high

officers　of　the　city　ran　forth　to　meet　him；　and　they　abased

themselves　before　him；　and　said；　'Thou　art　our　lord　for　whom　we

have　been　waiting；　and　the　son　of　our　King。'



And　the　Star…Child　answered　them　and　said；　'I　am　no　king's　son；　but

the　child　of　a　poor　beggar…woman。　　And　how　say　ye　that　I　am

beautiful；　for　I　know　that　I　am　evil　to　look　at？'



Then　he；　whose　armour　was　inlaid　with　gilt　flowers；　and　on　whose

helmet　crouched　a　lion　that　had　wings；　held　up　a　shield；　and　cried；

'How　saith　my　lord　that　he　is　not　beautiful？'



And　the　Star…Child　looked；　and　lo！　his　face　was　even　as　it　had

been；　and　his　comeliness　had　come　back　to　him；　and　he　saw　that　in

his　eyes　which　he　had　not　seen　there　before。



And　the　priests　and　the　high　officers　knelt　down　and　said　to　him；

'It　was　prophesied　of　old　that　on　this　day　should　come　he　who　was

to　rule　over　us。　　Therefore；　let　our　lord　take　this　crown　and　this

sceptre；　and　be　in　his　justice　and　mercy　our　King　over　us。'



But　he　said　to　them；　'I　am　not　worthy；　for　I　have　denied　the　mother

who　bare　me；　nor　may　I　rest　till　I　have　found　her；　and　known　her

forgiveness。　　Therefore；　let　me　go；　for　I　must　wander　again　over

the　world；　and　may　not　tarry　here；　though　ye　bring　me　the　crown　and

the　sceptre。'　　And　as　he　spake　he　turned　his　face　from　them　towards

the　street　that　led　to　the　gate　of　the　city；　and　lo！　amongst　the

crowd　that　pressed　round　the　soldiers；　he　saw　the　beggar…woman　who

was　his　mother；　and　at　her　side　stood　the　leper；　who　had　sat　by　the

road。



And　a　cry　of　joy　broke　from　his　lips；　and　he　ran　over；　and　kneeling

down　he　kissed　the　wounds　on　his　mother's　feet；　and　wet　them　with

his　tears。　　He　bowed　his　head　in　the　dust；　and　sobbing；　as　one

whose　heart　might　break；　he　said　to　her：　　'Mother；　I　denied　thee　in

the　hour　of　my　pride。　　Accept　me　in　the　hour　of　my　humility。

Mother；　I　gave　thee　hatred。　　Do　thou　give　me　love。　　Mother；　I

rejected　thee。　　Receive　thy　child　now。'　　But　the　beggar…woman

answered　him　not　a　word。



And　he　reached　out　his　hands；　and　clasped　the　white　feet　of　the

leper；　and　said　to　him：　　'Thrice　did　I　give　thee　of　my　mercy。　　Bid

my　mother　speak　to　me　once。'　　But　the　leper　answered　him　not　a

word。



And　he　sobbed　again　and　said：　　'Mother；　my　suffering　is　greater

than　I　can　bear。　　Give　me　thy　forgiveness；　and　let　me　go　back　to

the　forest。'　　And　the　beggar…woman　put　her　hand　on　his　head；　and

said　to　him；　'Rise；'　and　the　leper　put　his　hand　on　his　head；　and

said　to　him；　'Rise；'　also。



And　he　rose　up　from　his　feet；　and　looked　at　them；　and　lo！　they　were

a　King　and　a　Queen。



And　the　Queen　said　to　him；　'This　is　thy　father　whom　thou　hast

succoured。'



And　the　King　said；　'This　is　thy　mother　whose　feet　thou　hast　washed

with　thy　tears。'　　And　they　fell　on　his　neck　and　kissed　him；　and

brought　him　into　the　palace　and　clothed　him　in　fair　raiment；　and

set　the　crown　upon　his　head；　and　the　sceptre　in　his　hand；　and　over

the　city　that　stood　by　the　river　he　ruled；　and　was　its　lord。　　Much

justice　and　mercy　did　he　show　to　all；　and　the　evil　Magician　he

banished；　and　to　the　Woodcutter　and　his　wife　he　sent　many　rich

gifts；　and　to　their　children　he　gave　high　honour。　　Nor　would　he

suffer　any　to　be　cruel　to　bird　or　beast；　but　taught　love　and

loving…kindness　and　charity；　and　to　the　poor　he　gave　bread；　and　to

the　naked　he　gave　raiment；　and　there　was　peace　and　plenty　in　the

land。



Yet　ruled　he　not　long；　so　great　had　been　his　suffering；　and　so

bitter　the　fire　of　his　testing；　for　after　the　space　of　three　years

he　died。　　And　he　who　came　after　him　ruled　evilly。







End　

　
　　


渔夫和他的灵魂
THE　FISHERMAN　AND　HIS　SOUL



＇TO　H。S。H。　ALICE；　PRINCESS　OF　MONACO＇





Every　evening　the　young　Fisherman　went　out　upon　the　sea；　and　threw

his　nets　into　the　water。



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。



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。



But　no　fish　at　all　was　in　it；　nor　any　monster　or　thing　of　horror；

but　only　a　little　Mermaid　lying　fast　asleep。



Her　hair　was　as　a　wet　fleece　of　gold；　and　each　separate　hair　as　a

thread　of　fine　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。



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。



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。'



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。'



'Wilt　thou　in　very　truth　let　me　go；　if　I　promise　thee　this？'　cried

the　Mermaid。



'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。





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。



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。



And　as　she　sang；　all　the　tunny…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。



Yet　would　she　never　come　near　him　that　he　might　touch　her。

Oftentimes　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。



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。'



But　the　Mermaid　shook　her　head。　　'Thou　hast　a　human　soul；'　she

answered。　　'If　only　thou　wouldst　send　away　thy　soul；　then　could　I

love　thee。'



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　thy　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。'



And　the　little　Mermaid　laughed　for　pleasure　and　hid　her　face　in　her

hands。



'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。'



'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。





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。



The　novice　looked　out　through　the　wicket；　and　when　he　saw　who　it

was；　he　drew　back　the　latch　and　said　to　him；　'Enter。'



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。'



And　the　Priest　beat　his　breast；　and　answered；　'Alack；　alack；　thou

art　mad；　or　hast　eaten　of　some　poisonous　herb；　for　the　soul　is　the

noblest　part　of　man；　and　was　given　to　us　by　God　that　we　should

nobly　use　it。　　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