第9章 白雪皇后的七个故事 续1(2/12)

首发：~第9章 白雪皇后的七个故事 续1

a short time ago, as she was sitting on her throne, which people say is not such an agreeable seat as is often supposed, she began to sing a song which mences in these words:

‘我为什么不结婚呢？’

‘why should i not be married’

“确实为什么不呢？” 她说，于是她决定如果能找到一个有人跟他说话时知道如何回应的丈夫就结婚，而不是一个只会摆架子的人，因为那样太讨厌了。

‘why not indeed’ said she, and so she determined to marry if she could find a husband who knew what to say when he was spoken to, and not one who could only look grand, for that was so tiresome

然后她听到鼓声就把所有宫廷女眷都召集在一起，当她们听到她的打算时都非常高兴。

then she assembled all her court ladies together at the beat of the drum, and when they heard of her intentions they were very much pleased

“我们很高兴听到这个消息，” 她们说，“我们前几天自己还在谈论这件事呢。”“你要相信我告诉你的每一个字都是真的，” 乌鸦说，“因为我有一个温顺的爱人，她可以在宫殿里自由出入，这一切都是她告诉我的。”

‘we are so glad to hear it,’ said they, we were talking about it ourselves the other day’ you may believe that every word i tell you is true,” said the crow, “for i have a tame sweetheart who goes freely about the palace, and she told me all this”

当然他的爱人是一只乌鸦，因为 “物以类聚”，一只乌鸦总是会选择另一只乌鸦。

of course his sweetheart was a crow, for “birds of a feather flock together,” and one crow always chooses another crow

“报纸马上就出版了，报纸周围印着心形图案，其中还有公主名字的首字母。

“newspapers were published immediately, with a border of hearts, and the initials of the princess among them

报纸通告说每个英俊的年轻人都可以自由地到城堡来与公主交谈；

they gave notice that every young man who was handsome was free to visit the castle and speak with the princess;

那些被问话时能大声回答让别人听到的人，可以在宫殿里随意活动；

and those who could reply loud enough to be heard when spoken to, were to make themselves quite at home at the palace;

但是回答得最好的人将被选为公主的丈夫。

but the one who spoke best would be chosen as a husband for the princess

是的，是的，你要相信我，这一切就像我坐在这里一样真实，” 乌鸦说。

yes, yes, you may believe me, it is all as true as i sit here,” said the crow

“人们成群结队地来了。

“the people came in crowds

有大量的拥挤和奔走，但第一天和第二天都没有人成功。

there was a great deal of crushing and running about, but no one succeeded either on the first or second day

他们在外面街上的时候都能说得很好，但是当他们走进宫殿大门，看到穿着银色制服的卫兵，楼梯上穿着金色制服的男仆，还有灯火通明的大厅时，他们就变得非常慌乱。

they could all speak very well while they were outside in the streets, but when they entered the palace gates, and saw the guards in silver uniforms, and the footmen in their golden livery on the staircase, and the great halls lighted up, they became quite confused

当他们站在公主所坐的宝座前时，他们除了重复公主说的最后几个字之外什么都做不了；

and when they stood before the throne on which the princess sat, they could do nothing but repeat the last words she had said;

而她并没有特别的愿望再听到自己说过的话。

and she had no particular wish to hear her own words over again

就好像他们在宫殿里的时候都吃了什么让人犯困的东西一样，因为他们直到回到街上才恢复过来并且开口说话。

it was just as if they had all taken something to make them sleepy while they were in the palace, for they did not recover themselves nor speak till they got back again into the street

从城门到宫殿排着很长的一队人。

there was quite a long line of them reaching from the town - gate to the palace

“我自己去看过他们，” 乌鸦说。

i went myself to see them,” said the crow

“他们又饿又渴，因为在宫殿里他们连一杯水都没得到。

“they were hungry and thirsty, for at the palace they did not get even a glass of water

一些最聪明的人带了几片黄油面包，但他们不和邻居分享；

some of the wisest had taken a few slices of bread and butter with them, but they did not share it with their neighbors;

他们认为如果饿着肚子去见公主，自己成功的机会就更大。”

they thought if they went in to the princess looking hungry, there would be a better chance for themselves”

“但是凯！跟我讲讲小凯的事！” 格尔达说，“他在人群里吗？”

“but kay! tell me about little kay!” said gerda, “was he amongst the crowd”

“等一下，我们马上就讲到他了。

“stop a bit, we are just ing to him

在第三天，有一个小个子兴高采烈地朝着宫殿走来，他既没骑马也没坐车，他的眼睛像你的一样闪闪发光；

it was on the third day, there came marching cheerfully along to the palace a little personage, without horses or carriage, his eyes sparkling like yours;

他有一头漂亮的长发，但他的衣服非常破旧。”

he had beautiful long hair, but his clothes were very poor”

“那就是凯！” 格尔达高兴地说。

“that was kay!” said gerda joyfully

“哦，那我找到他了；”

“oh, then i have found him;”