乞丐王子痛哭（这个乞丐终于做了王子）

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

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

At the end of half an hour it suddenly occurred to him that the prince was gone a long time; then right away he began to feel lonely; very soon he fell to listening and longing, and ceased to toy with the pretty things about him; he grew uneasy, then restless, then distressed. Sup...

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

"Oh, they mock at me! They will go and tell. Oh! Why came I here to cast away my life?"

“啊，他们嘲笑我！他们会去告密的。啊！我为什么舍弃了自己的生活，到这里来？”

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

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

"The Lady Jane Grey."

“简·格雷郡主来了。”

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

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

"Oh, what aileth thee, my lord?"

“啊，您有什么烦恼，我的殿下？”

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

汤姆几乎喘不过气来了，但他还是努力结结巴巴地说出：

"Ah, be merciful, thou! In sooth I am no lord, but only poor Tom Canty of Offal Court in the city. Prithee let me see the prince, and he will of his grace restore to me my rags, and let me hence unhurt. Oh, be thou merciful, and save me!"

“啊，请您仁慈些吧！我真的不是殿下，只是城里垃圾大院的可怜的汤姆·坎蒂。请让我见见王子，尊敬的殿下会把我的破旧衣服还给我，好让我不受伤害。啊，您仁慈些吧，救救我！”

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

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

"O my lord, on thy knees?—and to ME!”

“噢，我的殿下，您跪下？——朝我跪！”

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

然后她惊恐地逃走了。汤姆彻底绝望了，无力地坐下，嘴里咕哝：

"There is no help, there is no hope. Now will they come and take me."

“没人帮我，没有希望了。现在他们要来抓我了吧。”

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

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

"IN THE NAME OF THE KING!

“以国王的名义！

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

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

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

窃窃私语声倏地停止了，好像这些人都被打成了哑巴。

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

不久，走廊里响起一阵嗡嗡声：“王子！看，王子来了！”

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

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

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

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

"How now, my lord Edward, my prince? Hast been minded to cozen me, the good King thy father, who loveth thee, and kindly useth thee, with a sorry jest?"

“现在怎么样，我的爱德华殿下，我的王子？你是不是存心开个令人伤心的玩笑来哄我——你仁慈的父王，这个爱你并对你好的人呢？”

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

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

"Thou the King? Then am I undone indeed!"

“您是国王？那我真的完蛋了！”

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

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

"Alack, I had believed the rumour disproportioned to the truth; but I fear me 'tis not so." He breathed a heavy sigh, and said in a gentle voice, "Come to thy father, child: thou art not well.”

“呜呼，我原相信传言与事实不符，但恐怕不是这样了。”他深深叹了口气，用温柔的语气说：“到父王这里来，孩子，你生病了。”

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

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

"Dost not know thy father, child? Break not mine old heart; say thou know'st me. Thou DOST know me, dost thou not?"

“你不认得你父王了吗，孩子？不要让我这个老人伤心，说你认得我。你确实认得我，是不是？”

"Yea: thou art my dread lord the King, whom God preserve!”

“是，您是我令人敬畏的国王陛下，深得上帝保佑！”

"True, true—that is well—be comforted, tremble not so; there is none here would hurt thee; there is none here but loves thee. Thou art better now; thy ill dream passeth—is't not so? Thou wilt not miscall thyself again, as they say thou didst a little while agone?"

“对，对——很好——放松，不要这样直打哆嗦。这里没人会伤害你，这里所有人都只会爱你。你现在好多了，你的噩梦过去了——是不是这样？你不会再叫错自己了吧，他们说刚才你就错了？”

"I pray thee of thy grace believe me, I did but speak the truth, most dread lord; for I am the meanest among thy subjects, being a pauper born, and 'tis by a sore mischance and accident I am here, albeit I was therein nothing blameful. I am but young to die, and thou canst save me with one little word. Oh speak it, sir!"

“我求仁慈的陛下您相信我，我说的都是实话，最令人敬畏的陛下，因为我是您最卑微的臣民，生来是个贫儿，我来到这儿是因为一件非常偶然的意外，虽然这不是我的错。我现在死还太年轻了，而您只要一句话就能救了我。啊，救救我，陛下！”

"Die? Talk not so, sweet prince—peace, peace, to thy troubled heart—thou shalt not die!”

“死？别说这个，亲爱的王子——安心，安心，你那烦燥不安的心灵——你不会死的！”

Tom dropped upon his knees with a glad cry—

汤姆扑通跪在地上，高兴地哭喊道：

"God requite thy mercy, O my King, and save thee long to bless thy land!" Then springing up, he turned a joyful face toward the two lords in waiting, and exclaimed, "Thou heard'st it! I am not to die: the King hath said it!” There was no movement, save that all bowed with grave respect; but no one spoke. He hesitated, a little confused, then turned timidly toward the King, saying, "I may go now?"

“上帝会报答您的仁慈的，哦，我的国王，上帝会保您长寿，并赐福于您的领土的！”然后，他跳起来，转身面对两位侍臣，神情愉悦地大声说：“你们听见了！我不会死的，国王说过了！”没有人动，都只是严肃而恭敬地鞠着躬，却没一个人说话。他犹豫了一下，有点困惑，然后怯怯地转向国王，说：“我现在可以走了吗？”

"Go? Surely, if thou desirest. But why not tarry yet a little? Whither would'st go?"

“走？当然可以，如果你想走。不过为什么不再呆一会儿？你要去哪儿？”

Tom dropped his eyes, and answered humbly—

汤姆垂下眼睛，谦卑地回答道：

"Peradventure I mistook; but I did think me free, and so was I moved to seek again the kennel where I was born and bred to misery, yet which harboureth my mother and my sisters, and so is home to me; whereas these pomps and splendours whereunto I am not used—oh, please you, sir, to let me go!”

“我可能误解了，不过我确实以为我自由了，以为可以再回到我的狗窝。我在那里出生、成长，饱尝悲苦，不过，那里也有我的母亲和姐姐们，那里才是我的家。而这些华贵光彩的东西，是我不能习惯的——啊，陛下，请您放我走吧！”

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

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

"Perchance he is but mad upon this one strain, and hath his wits unmarred as toucheth other matter. God send it may be so! We will make trial."

“没准他只是这方面失去了神志，在其他事情上心智尚存。上帝保佑是这样吧！我们来试试。”

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

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

"'Twas not according to his schooling and ability, but showeth that his mind is but diseased, not stricken fatally. How say you, sir?"

“这与他所受的教育和能力并不符合，但这说明他的脑袋只是生病了，并未受到致命的打击。你说呢，先生？”

The physician addressed bowed low, and replied—

被问的那个医生深深地鞠了一躬，回答道：

"It jumpeth with my own conviction, sire that thou hast divined aright."

“我与您的看法一样，陛下，您推断得对。”

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

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

"Now mark ye all: we will try him further.”

“现在你们都听着，我们还要进一步试他。”

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

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

"I have no knowledge of this tongue, so please your majesty."

“我不懂这种语言，回禀陛下。”

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

国王向后一倒，靠在了椅子上。侍者快步过去扶他，而他把他们撇到一边，说道：

"Trouble me not—it is nothing but a scurvy faintness. Raise me! There, 'tis sufficient. Come hither, child; there, rest thy poor troubled head upon thy father's heart, and be at peace. Thou'lt soon be well: 'tis but a passing fantasy. Fear thou not; thou'lt soon be well." Then he turned toward the company: his gentle manner changed, and baleful lightnings began to play from his eyes. He said—

“不要管我——只是一点儿眩晕，没什么。扶我起来！好了，可以了。到这边来，孩子。好了，把你可怜的、忧虑的脑袋靠在你父王的心口上，安安心心的。你很快就会好的，这只不过是暂时的幻觉。不要害怕，你很快就会好的。”然后他转向众随从。他温和的态度变了，眼睛里闪现了威严的光芒。他说道：

"List ye all! This my son is mad; but it is not permanent. Over-study hath done this, and somewhat too much of confinement. Away with his books and teachers! See ye to it. Pleasure him with sports; beguile him in wholesome ways, so that his health comes again.” He raised himself higher still, and went on with energy, "He is mad; but he is my son, and England's heir; and, mad or sane, still shall he reign! And hear ye further, and proclaim it: whoso speaketh of this his distemper worketh against the peace and order of these realms, and shall to the gallows!... Give me to drink—I burn: this sorrow sappeth my strength.... There, take away the cup.... Support me. There, that is well. Mad, is he? Were he a thousand times mad, yet is he Prince of Wales and I the King will confirm it. This very morrow shall he be installed in his princely dignity in due and ancient form. Take instant order for it, my lord Hertford.”

“你们都听着！我的儿子疯了，但这不是永久的。功课太多害他成了这个样子，还有限制也太多了些。别让他读书了，别让老师们教导他了！你们负责这件事情。让他运动，保持心情愉快，用有益健康的办法使他过得开心，好让他恢复健康。”他又坐高了些，活力十足地继续说道：“他疯了，但他是我儿子，是英国王位的继承人。而且，无论疯还是正常，他都要继位！你们再听着，传令下去，不管谁泄露他的疯病，都是扰乱国家的和平与秩序，要处以绞刑！……给我拿杯水——我渴了，悲伤耗尽了我的气力……好了，拿走水杯……扶我一下。好了，这样可以了。疯了，他疯了？即便他疯一千倍，他仍然是威尔士王子，国王我确信。明天就用应有的古老仪式举行正式册立他为王子的典礼。马上准备吧，我的赫特福德伯爵。”

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

一个贵族跪在王座旁，说道：

"The King's majesty knoweth that the Hereditary Great Marshal of England lieth attainted in the Tower. It were not meet that one attainted—”

“国王陛下知道，英国掌管世代典礼的大司仪正被关押在伦敦塔里。这是不合适的，被关押的人——”

"Peace! Insult not mine ears with his hated name. Is this man to live for ever? Am I to be baulked of my will? Is the prince to tarry uninstalled, because, forsooth, the realm lacketh an Earl Marshal free of treasonable taint to invest him with his honours? No, by the splendour of God! Warn my Parliament to bring me Norfolk's doom before the sun rise again, else shall they answer for it grievously!"

“住嘴！别拿那个可恶的人的名字玷污了我的耳朵。这个人要永远活着吗？让我无法按着自己的意愿行事？难道王子的册立典礼要推迟，就因为全国真的找不到一个没有背叛污点的典礼大臣来当司仪？不可能，万能的上帝！传令给国会，明天太阳升起之前就判诺福克死刑，否则，他们就要为此付出惨重的代价！”

Lord Hertford said—

赫特福德伯爵说道：

"The King's will is law;" and, rising, returned to his former place.

“国王的意愿就是法律。”于是，他起身回到了原来的位置。

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

老国王脸上的怒气渐渐消散，他说道：

"Kiss me, my prince. There... what fearest thou? Am I not thy loving father?"

“吻我，我的王子。好了……你害怕什么呀？我不是你慈爱的父王吗？”

"Thou art good to me that am unworthy, O mighty and gracious lord: that in truth I know. But—but—it grieveth me to think of him that is to die, and—”

“您对我很好，但这不值得。啊，万能的、仁慈的陛下，我真的知道。可是——可是——想到他要被处死，我就觉得悲伤，而且——”

"Ah, 'tis like thee, 'tis like thee! I know thy heart is still the same, even though thy mind hath suffered hurt, for thou wert ever of a gentle spirit. But this duke standeth between thee and thine honours:éI will have another in his stead that shall bring no taint to his great office. Comfort thee, my prince: trouble not thy poor head with this matter.”

“啊，这像你，这像你！我就知道，虽然你的头脑受了伤，你的心还是一样，因为你一直都有一副慈悲心肠。但是这个公爵阻挡了你接受你的荣誉，我会另找个人代替他，不要玷污册立的重任。安心吧，我的王子，别为这个事情让你可怜的脑袋烦恼了。”

"But is it not I that speed him hence, my liege? How long might he not live, but for me?"

“可那不就是因为我，他才会更快地被处死了吗，我的陛下？只是因为我，他少活了多长时间啊？”

"Take no thought of him, my prince: he is not worthy. Kiss me once again, and go to thy trifles and amusements; for my malady distresseth me. I am aweary, and would rest. Go with thine uncle Hertford and thy people, and come again when my body is refreshed.”

“不要想他了，我的王子，他不值得。再吻我一回，就去玩乐吧，因为我的病使我难受。我累了，我要歇息了。跟你的舅舅赫特福德和你的侍从们去吧，等我的身体缓过来了再来。”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

他以前做的梦都是非常愉快的，可现实却这么可怕！

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