好運(yùn)勝黃金

張恒

There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his godfather.

從前有個(gè)孩子，他有一位教父名叫“好運(yùn)”。

“I am not Fortune，” said Good Luck to the parents， “I have no gifts to him， but whenever he needs help I will be at hand.”

“我不是‘財(cái)富，”教父對(duì)這對(duì)父母說，“我沒有禮物賜予他，但任何時(shí)候他需要幫助，我都會(huì)在。”

“Nothing could be better，” said the old couple. They were delighted. But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy the son. Moreover， every man thinks that he deserves just a little more than he has got， and expects more even if his father had less.

“再好不過了。”這對(duì)老夫婦說道。他們很高興，但是讓父親高興的事，做兒子的常常不會(huì)太滿意。而且每個(gè)人都覺得自己該得到比擁有的多一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)，就算他父親擁有的更少，他都想要更多。

Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for contentment as he who had Good Luck for his godfather.

許多人都會(huì)感恩有足夠的理由讓自己感到滿足，就像有好運(yùn)做教父一樣。

If he fell， Good Luck popped something soft in the way to break his fall; if he fought， Good Luck directed his blows， or tripped up his adversary1; if he got into a scrape2， Good Luck helped him out of it; and if ever Misfortune met him， Good Luck managed to push her away till his godson got safely by.

如果他摔倒了，好運(yùn)會(huì)在他摔倒的路上墊上柔軟的東西，防止他摔得太重;如果他打架了，好運(yùn)會(huì)指引他出拳，或者絆倒他的對(duì)手;如果他陷入困境，好運(yùn)會(huì)幫助他擺脫;如果遇到不幸，好運(yùn)會(huì)設(shè)法推開不幸，直到他的教子安全度過。

And when the boy began to work on his fathers farm， the farmer began to get rich. For no bird or field-mouse touched a seed that his son had sown， and every plant he planted throve3 when Good Luck smiled on it.

當(dāng)男孩開始在他父親的農(nóng)場工作時(shí)，這個(gè)農(nóng)夫開始發(fā)跡了。因?yàn)闆]有一只鳥或田鼠碰過他兒子播下的種子，他種下的每一棵植物都會(huì)在好運(yùn)的微笑中長勢喜人。

The boy was not fond of work， but when he did go into the fields， Good Luck followed him.

男孩不喜歡工作，但當(dāng)他走進(jìn)田野時(shí)，好運(yùn)跟隨著他。

“Your christening4 day was a blessed day for us all，” said the old farmer.

“你的洗禮日對(duì)我們大家來說是一個(gè)幸運(yùn)的日子，”老農(nóng)夫說。

“He has never given me so much as a lucky six pence，” muttered Good Lucks godson.

“他從來沒有給過我哪怕一個(gè)幸運(yùn)的六便士，”好運(yùn)的教子小聲抱怨道。

“I am not Fortune. I make no presents，” said the godfather.

教父說：“我不是‘財(cái)富，不送禮物?！?/p>

When we are unhappy， it is oftener to please our neighbours than ourselves. It was because the other boys had said， “Simon， the shoemakers son， has an alderman5 for his godfather. He gave him a pretty silver spoon， but your godfather is more powerful than any alderman.” that Good Lucks godson complained6， “He has never given me so much as a six pence.”

當(dāng)我們感到不滿時(shí)，常常更多的是取悅了我們的鄰居，而不是自己。原因是其他男孩們說：“鞋匠的兒子西蒙有總督做教父，給了他一把漂亮的銀匙。但你的教父比任何一個(gè)總督都強(qiáng)大?！焙眠\(yùn)的那位教子抱怨說：“他連六便士都沒送過我。”

By and by the old farmer died， and his son grew up， and had the largest farm in the country. The other boys grew up also， and as they looked over the farmers wall， they would say， “Good morning， Neighbour. That is certainly a fine farm of yours. Your cattle thrive without loss. Your crops grow in the rain and are reaped7 with the sunshine. Mischance never comes your road. You enjoy what you have worked for. Such success would turn the heads of poor folk like us. At the same time one would think a man need hardly work for his living at all who has Good Luck for his godfather.”

不久以后，老農(nóng)場主去世了，他的兒子長大了，擁有全國最大的農(nóng)場。其他的男孩也長大了，當(dāng)他們看著農(nóng)夫的圍墻時(shí)，他們會(huì)說：“早上好，鄰居。你的農(nóng)場真的很不錯(cuò)。你的牛茁壯成長，一頭都沒損失;莊稼在雨中生長，在陽光下收割。災(zāi)難永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)發(fā)生在你身上。你享受著所做的一切。這樣的成功會(huì)使像我們這樣的窮人感到吃驚。同時(shí)，人們也會(huì)認(rèn)為，一個(gè)有好運(yùn)做教父的人根本不需要工作來維持生計(jì)?！?/p>

“That is very true，” thought the farmer. “Many a man is rich， and reaps what he sows， who had no more than the clerk and the sexton8 at his christening.”

“那倒是真的，”農(nóng)夫想?！霸S多人都很富足，能收獲種下的東西，但擁有的也不超過他洗禮上的辦事員和教堂司事。”

“What is the matter， Godson？” asked Good Luck， who was with him in the field.

“怎么了，教子？”和他一起在田里的好運(yùn)問道。

“I want to be rich，” said the farmer.

“我想發(fā)財(cái)，”農(nóng)夫說。

“You will not have to wait long，” replied the godfather. “In every field you sow， in every flock you rear9 there is increase without loss. Your wealth is already tenfold greater than your fathers.”

“你不會(huì)等太久的，”教父回答說?！澳闳龇N的每一塊田，所飼養(yǎng)的每一只羊，都只會(huì)增多，不會(huì)減少。你的財(cái)富已經(jīng)是你父親的十倍了?！?/p>

“Aye， aye，” replied the farmer. “Good wages for good work. But many a young man has gold at his command who need never work on a farm， and none of the Good People came to his christening， or even a sack or two of gold.”

“是啊，是啊，”農(nóng)夫回答?！昂霉ぷ饔泻脠?bào)酬。但許多年輕人有黃金可以支配，他們不需要在農(nóng)場勞作，也沒有上帝的子民來參加他的洗禮，連一、兩袋黃金都沒有?！?/p>

“Peace！” cried the godfather， “I have said that I give no gifts.”

“別說了！”教父叫道：“我說過我不會(huì)送任何禮物。”

Though he had not any gift from his godfather， the farmer had now money to spare， and when the harvest was gathered in， he bought a fine suit of clothes， and took his best horse and went to the royal city to see the sights.

雖然沒有得到教父的禮物，但農(nóng)夫現(xiàn)在有了多余的錢。豐收之后，他買了一套華麗的衣服，帶著最好的馬去了皇城觀光。

The pomp10 and splendour11， the festivities and fine clothes dazzled12 him.

輝煌壯麗的場面、慶典和華服讓他眼花繚亂。

“This is a great life which these young courtiers13 lead，” said he. “A man has nothing to do but to enjoy himself.”

“這些年輕朝臣過的才是美好的生活?！?他說。“除了享受之外，什么都不用做。”

“If he has plenty of gold in his pocket，” said a bystander.

“如果他口袋里有很多金子就好了，”一個(gè)旁觀者說。

By and by the Princess passed in her carriage. She was the Kings only daughter. She had hair made of sunshine， and her eyes were stars.

不久之后，公主乘著馬車經(jīng)過。她是國王唯一的女兒，她的頭發(fā)像陽光，眼睛像星星。

“What a perfect creature！” cried the farmer. “What would not one give to possess her？”

“多么完美的人兒??！”農(nóng)夫喊道?！盀榱藫碛兴€有什么不能付出的呢？”

“She has as many suitors as hairs on her head，” replied the bystander. “She wants to marry the Prince of Moonshine， but he only dresses in silver， and the King thinks he might find a richer son-in-law.”

“她的求婚者和她的頭發(fā)一樣多，”旁觀者回答?！八爰藿o月光王子，但他只有銀色的衣服穿，國王認(rèn)為他應(yīng)該找一個(gè)更富有的女婿。”

“And I have Good Luck for my godfather， and not even at court！” cried the farmer and he rode his horse home.

“我有好運(yùn)做教父，卻連王宮都沒去過！”農(nóng)夫喊道，然后策馬回家了。

Good Luck was taking care of the farm.

好運(yùn)在照料農(nóng)場。

“Listen， Godfather！” cried the young man. “I am in love with the Kings daughter， and want her to be my wife.”

“聽我說，教父！”年輕人喊道?！拔覑凵狭藝醯呐畠?，想娶她為妻?！?/p>

“It is not an easy matter，” replied Good Luck. “But I will do what I can for you. Say that by good luck you saved the Princesss life， or perhaps better the Kings for they say he is selfish.”

“這不是一件容易的事，”好運(yùn)答道，“但我會(huì)盡我所能為你做到。假如你運(yùn)氣好救了公主的命，或者是國王的命更好，因?yàn)槿藗兌颊f他很自私。”

“Tush！” cried the farmer. “The King is covetous14， and wants a rich son-in-law.”

“呸！”農(nóng)夫叫道。“國王很貪婪，想要一個(gè)富有的女婿。”

“A wise man may bring wealth to a kingdom with his head， if not with his hands，” said Good Luck， “and I can show you a place where there are a thousand opportunities that can be turned to account. By wits and work， and with Good Luck to help him， many a poorer man than you has risen to greatness.”

“如果不是用雙手的話，智者可以用頭腦給一個(gè)王國帶來財(cái)富，”好運(yùn)說，“我可以給你看一個(gè)地方，在那里有上千個(gè)機(jī)會(huì)可以利用?？恐腔酆团?，再加上‘好運(yùn)的幫助，許多比你更窮的人已經(jīng)發(fā)跡了?！?/p>

“Wits and work！” cried the angry godson. “You speak well， truly！Give me as much gold as will fill three meal-bins， and you may keep the rest of your help for those who want it.”

“智慧和努力！”憤怒的教子大喊，“你說得倒好！給我能裝滿三個(gè)飯桶的金子，你可以把其他的幫助留給那些想要的人。”

Now at this moment by Good Luck stood Dame Fortune. She likes handsome young men， and there was some little jealousy between her and the godfather so she smiled at the quarrel.

此刻幸運(yùn)身邊站著的是命運(yùn)女神。她喜歡英俊的年輕人，而且她有點(diǎn)嫉妒教父，所以很樂意看到這場爭吵。

“You would rather have had me for your godmother？” said she.

“你可愿換我當(dāng)你的教母？”她問道。

“If you would give me three wishes， I would，” replied the farmer boldly， “and I would trouble you no more.”

“如果您實(shí)現(xiàn)我的三個(gè)愿望，我愿意，”農(nóng)夫大膽回答道：“而且我以后都不會(huì)再麻煩您?！?/p>

“Will you make him over to me？” said Dame Fortune to the godfather.

“你能把他交給我嗎？”命運(yùn)女神對(duì)教父說道。

“If he wishes it，” replied Good Luck. “But if he accepts your gifts he has no further claim on me.”

“如果他愿意的話，可以。”好運(yùn)答道?！暗侨绻邮芰四愕亩Y物，就不能再對(duì)我提要求了?！?/p>

“Nor on me either，” said the Dame. “Young man， you humans like to write down your three wishes， and you may end with nothing， like your betters.”

“我也一樣，”女神說?！澳贻p人，你們這些凡人很喜歡把三個(gè)愿望寫下來，但你最后可能會(huì)像你的前輩們一樣，什么也得不到?！?/p>

“I have thought of it too often，” replied the farmer， “and I know what I want. For my first wish I desire imperishable15 beauty.”

“我已經(jīng)考慮很久了，”農(nóng)夫回答說，“我知道我想要什么。我的第一個(gè)愿望是，我要永恒的美貌?！?/p>

“It is yours，” said Dame Fortune， smiling as she looked at him.

“它是你的了，”命運(yùn)女神看著他，笑道。

“The face of a prince and the manners of a clown are poor partners，” said the farmer. “My second wish is for suitable learning and courtly manners， which cannot be gained on a farm.”

“王子的臉和小丑的舉止不太配，”農(nóng)夫說。“我的第二個(gè)愿望是要有匹配的學(xué)問和宮廷禮儀，這是不可能在農(nóng)場里學(xué)到的?！?/p>

“You have them in perfection，” said the Dame， as the young man thanked her by a graceful bow.

“你會(huì)完美無缺地?fù)碛兴鼈?，”女神說。年輕人優(yōu)雅地鞠了一躬向她表示感謝。

“Thirdly，” said he， “I demand a store of gold that I can never exhaust.”

“第三，”他說，“我要永遠(yuǎn)用不完的黃金。”

“I will lead you to it，” said Dame Fortune， and the young man was so eager to follow her that he did not even look back to say farewell to his godfather.

“我會(huì)帶給你的，”命運(yùn)女神說，年輕人非常想跟她走，甚至都不想回頭和他的教父道別。

He was soon at court. He lived a life like the richest prince in the world. He had a suit of armour16 made for himself out of gold. But the Princess still loved the Prince of Moonshine.

很快他就進(jìn)了王宮，過著如同世間最富有的王子一般的生活，有一套用金子做的盔甲。但是公主仍然愛著月光王子。

“Stuff and nonsense！” said the King. “I shall give you to the Prince of Gold.”

“胡說八道！”國王說。“我會(huì)把你嫁給黃金王子。”

“I wish I had the good luck to please her，” said the young Prince. But he had not， for all his beauty and his wealth. However， she was to marry him， and that was something.

“我真希望我能有幸取悅她，”年輕的王子道。但他沒有，因?yàn)樗拿烂埠拓?cái)富。然而，她要嫁給他，這才是重要的。

The preparations for the wedding were wonderful.

婚禮的準(zhǔn)備工作非常出色。

“It is a great expense，” sighed the King. “But then I get the Prince of Gold for a son-in-law.”

“這是一筆巨大的開支，”國王嘆了口氣，“但我得到了一位黃金王子做女婿?！?/p>

Good Luck was sitting under the tree to see his godsons wedding， and he heard the birds talking above him.

好運(yùn)正坐在樹下觀看他教子的婚禮，聽到幾只鳥兒在他頭頂說話。

“Has the Prince of Gold no friend who can tell him that there is a loose stone above the archway that is going to fall？” said they. And Good Luck covered his face with his mantle17 as the Prince drove through.

“難道沒有朋友和黃金王子說一聲，拱門上有一塊松動(dòng)的石頭正搖搖欲墜嗎？”它們說。當(dāng)王子駕車經(jīng)過時(shí)，好運(yùn)用斗篷遮住了他的臉。

Just as they were passing out of the gateway， the stone fell on to the Princes head. He wore a casque18 of pure gold， but his neck was broken.

就在他們從門口出來的時(shí)候，那塊石頭掉在了王子的頭上。他戴著純金的頭盔，但脖子斷了。

“We cant have all this expense for nothing，” said the King. So he married his daughter to the Prince of Moonshine. If one cant get gold， one must be content with silver.

國王說：“我們不能白花這么多錢?！庇谑撬雅畠杭藿o了月光王子。如果得不到黃金，白銀也該滿足了。

“Will you come to the funeral？” Dame Fortune asked the godfather.

“你會(huì)參加葬禮嗎？”命運(yùn)女神問教父。

“No，” replied Good Luck. “I had no hand in this matter.”

“不會(huì)，”好運(yùn)回答。“這件事與我無關(guān)。”

The funeral was not magnificent at all， for there was no gold.

葬禮一點(diǎn)也不隆重，因?yàn)闆]有黃金了。

Notes

1. adversary? n. 對(duì)手;敵手

2. get into a scrape陷入困境

3. thrive vi. 繁榮，興旺;茁壯成長

4. christening? n. （基督教）洗禮;（基督教）洗禮儀式;命名典禮

5. alderman? n. 市議員;總督

6. complain? ?vt. 抱怨;控訴

7. reap? v. 收獲，獲得;收割

8. sexton? n. 教堂司事

9. rear? vt. 培養(yǎng);樹立;栽種

10. pomp? ?n. 盛況;浮華;壯麗

11. splendour? ?n. 顯赫（等于splendor）;光彩壯麗

12. dazzle? ?vt. 使……目眩;使……眼花

13. courtier? n. 朝臣;奉承者;諂媚者

14. covetous? adj. 貪婪的;貪求的;渴望的

15. imperishable adj. 不朽的;不滅的

16. armour? n. 盔甲;裝甲;護(hù)面

17. mantle? n. 斗篷

18. casque? ?n. 盔;頭盔