安徒生童话-第48部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


e　perfume　was　like　the　fragrantblossom　of　the　olive。　The　plumage　of　the　wood…pigeon　glistened　likepearls　as　it　struck　the　lion's　mane　with　its　wings；　while　theantelope；　usually　so　shy；　stood　near；　nodding　its　head　as　if　it　wishedto　join　in　the　frolic。　The　fairy　of　paradise　next　made　her　appearance。Her　raiment　shone　like　the　sun；　and　her　serene　countenance　beamed　withhappiness　like　that　of　a　mother　rejoicing　over　her　child。　She　wasyoung　and　beautiful；　and　a　train　of　lovely　maidens　followed　her；each　wearing　a　bright　star　in　her　hair。　The　East　Wind　gave　her　thepalm…leaf；　on　which　was　written　the　history　of　the　phoenix；　and　hereyes　sparkled　with　joy。　She　then　took　the　prince　by　the　hand；　andled　him　into　her　palace；　the　walls　of　which　were　richly　colored；like　a　tulip…leaf　when　it　is　turned　to　the　sun。　The　roof　had　theappearance　of　an　inverted　flower；　and　the　colors　grew　deeper　andbrighter　to　the　gazer。　The　prince　walked　to　a　window；　and　saw　whatappeared　to　be　the　tree　of　knowledge　of　good　and　evil；　with　Adam　andEve　standing　by；　and　the　serpent　near　them。　〃I　thought　they　werebanished　from　paradise；〃　he　said。

The　princess　smiled；　and　told　him　that　time　had　engraved　eachevent　on　a　window…pane　in　the　form　of　a　picture；　but；　unlike　otherpictures；　all　that　it　represented　lived　and　moved；…　the　leavesrustled；　and　the　persons　went　and　came；　as　in　a　looking…glass。　Helooked　through　another　pane；　and　saw　the　ladder　in　Jacob's　dream；　onwhich　the　angels　were　ascending　and　descending　with　outspread　wings。All　that　had　ever　happened　in　the　world　here　lived　and　moved　on　thepanes　of　glass；　in　pictures　such　as　time　alone　could　produce。　Thefairy　now　led　the　prince　into　a　large；　lofty　room　with　transparentwalls；　through　which　the　light　shone。　Here　were　portraits；　each　oneappearing　more　beautiful　than　the　other…　millions　of　happy　beings；whose　laughter　and　song　mingled　in　one　sweet　melody：　some　of　thesewere　in　such　an　elevated　position　that　they　appeared　smaller　thanthe　smallest　rosebud；　or　like　pencil　dots　on　paper。　In　the　centre　ofthe　hall　stood　a　tree；　with　drooping　branches；　from　which　hunggolden　apples；　both　great　and　small；　looking　like　oranges　amid　thegreen　leaves。　It　was　the　tree　of　knowledge　of　good　and　evil；　fromwhich　Adam　and　Eve　had　plucked　and　eaten　the　forbidden　fruit；　and　fromeach　leaf　trickled　a　bright　red　dewdrop；　as　if　the　tree　were　weepingtears　of　blood　for　their　sin。　〃Let　us　now　take　the　boat；〃　said　thefairy：　〃a　sail　on　the　cool　waters　will　refresh　us。　But　we　shall　notmove　from　the　spot；　although　the　boat　may　rock　on　the　swellingwater；　the　countries　of　the　world　will　glide　before　us；　but　we　shallremain　still。〃

It　was　indeed　wonderful　to　behold。　First　came　the　lofty　Alps；snow…clad；　and　covered　with　clouds　and　dark　pines。　The　horn　resounded；and　the　shepherds　sang　merrily　in　the　valleys。　The　banana…trees　benttheir　drooping　branches　over　the　boat；　black　swans　floated　on　thewater；　and　singular　animals　and　flowers　appeared　on　the　distant　shore。New　Holland；　the　fifth　division　of　the　world；　now　glided　by；　withmountains　in　the　background；　looking　blue　in　the　distance。　Theyheard　the　song　of　the　priests；　and　saw　the　wild　dance　of　the　savage　tothe　sound　of　the　drums　and　trumpets　of　bone；　the　pyramids　of　Egyptrising　to　the　clouds；　columns　and　sphinxes；　overthrown　and　buried　inthe　sand；　followed　in　their　turn；　while　the　northern　lights　flashedout　over　the　extinguished　volcanoes　of　the　north；　in　fireworks　nonecould　imitate。

The　prince　was　delighted；　and　yet　he　saw　hundreds　of　otherwonderful　things　more　than　can　be　described。　〃Can　I　stay　hereforever？〃　asked　he。

〃That　depends　upon　yourself；〃　replied　the　fairy。　〃If　you　do　not；like　Adam；　long　for　what　is　forbidden；　you　can　remain　here　always。〃

〃I　should　not　touch　the　fruit　on　the　tree　of　knowledge；〃　saidthe　prince；　there　is　abundance　of　fruit　equally　beautiful。〃

〃Examine　your　own　heart；〃　said　the　princess；　〃and　if　you　do　notfeel　sure　of　its　strength；　return　with　the　East　Wind　who　broughtyou。　He　is　about　to　fly　back；　and　will　not　return　here　for　a　hundredyears。　The　time　will　not　seem　to　you　more　than　a　hundred　hours；　yeteven　that　is　a　long　time　for　temptation　and　resistance。　Every　evening；when　I　leave　you；　I　shall　be　obliged　to　say；　'e　with　me；'　and　tobeckon　to　you　with　my　hand。　But　you　must　not　listen；　nor　move　fromyour　place　to　follow　me；　for　with　every　step　you　will　find　yourpower　to　resist　weaker。　If　once　you　attempted　to　follow　me；　youwould　soon　find　yourself　in　the　hall；　where　grows　the　tree　ofknowledge；　for　I　sleep　beneath　its　perfumed　branches。　If　you　stoopedover　me；　I　should　be　forced　to　smile。　If　you　then　kissed　my　lips；the　garden　of　paradise　would　sink　into　the　earth；　and　to　you　itwould　be　lost。　A　keen　wind　from　the　desert　would　howl　around　you；　coldrain　fall　on　your　head；　and　sorrow　and　woe　be　your　future　lot。〃

〃I　will　remain；〃　said　the　prince。

So　the　East　Wind　kissed　him　on　the　forehead；　and　said；　〃Be　firm；then　shall　we　meet　again　when　a　hundred　years　have　passed。　Farewell；farewell。〃　Then　the　East　Wind　spread　his　broad　pinions；　which　shonelike　the　lightning　in　harvest；　or　as　the　northern　lights　in　a　coldwinter。

〃Farewell；　farewell；〃　echoed　the　trees　and　the　flowers。

Storks　and　pelicans　flew　after　him　in　feathery　bands；　to　acpanyhim　to　the　boundaries　of　the　garden。

〃Now　we　will　mence　dancing；〃　said　the　fairy；　and　when　it　isnearly　over　at　sunset；　while　I　am　dancing　with　you；　I　shall　make　asign；　and　ask　you　to　follow　me：　but　do　not　obey。　I　shall　be　obliged　torepeat　the　same　thing　for　a　hundred　years；　and　each　time；　when　thetrial　is　past；　if　you　resist；　you　will　gain　strength；　tillresistance　bees　easy；　and　at　last　the　temptation　will　be　quiteovere。　This　evening；　as　it　will　be　the　first　time；　I　have　warnedyou。〃

After　this　the　fairy　led　him　into　a　large　hall；　filled　withtransparent　lilies。　The　yellow　stamina　of　each　flower　formed　a　tinygolden　harp；　from　which　came　forth　strains　of　music　like　the　mingledtones　of　flute　and　lyre。　Beautiful　maidens；　slender　and　graceful　inform；　and　robed　in　transparent　gauze；　floated　through　the　dance；　andsang　of　the　happy　life　in　the　garden　of　paradise；　where　death　neverentered；　and　where　all　would　bloom　forever　in　immortal　youth。　As　thesun　went　down；　the　whole　heavens　became　crimson　and　gold；　and　tintedthe　lilies　with　the　hue　of　roses。　Then　the　beautiful　maidens　offeredto　the　prince　sparkling　wine；　and　when　he　had　drank；　he　felt　happinessgreater　than　he　had　ever　known　before。　Presently　the　background　of　thehall　opened　and　the　tree　of　knowledge　appeared；　surrounded　by　a　haloof　glory　that　almost　blinded　him。　Voices；　soft　and　lovely　as　hismother's　sounded　in　his　ears；　as　if　she　were　singing　to　him；　〃Mychild；　my　beloved　child。〃　Then　the　fairy　beckoned　to　him；　and　saidin　sweet　accents；　〃e　with　me；　e　with　me。〃　Forgetting　hispromise；　forgetting　it　even　on　the　very　first　evening；　he　rushedtowards　her；　while　she　continued　to　beckon　to　him　and　to　smile。　Thefragrance　around　him　overpowered　his　senses；　the　music　from　theharps　sounded　more　entrancing；　while　around　the　tree　appeared　millionsof　smiling　faces；　nodding　and　singing。　〃Man　should　know　everything；man　is　the　lord　of　the　earth。〃　The　tree　of　knowledge　no　longer　wepttears　of　blood；　for　the　dewdrops　shone　like　glittering　stars。

〃e；　e；〃　continued　that　thrilling　voice；　and　the　princefollowed　the　call。　At　every　step　his　cheeks　glowed；　and　the　bloodrushed　wildly　through　his　veins。　〃I　must　follow；〃　he　cried；　〃it　is　nota　sin；　it　cannot　be；　to　follow　beauty　and　joy。　I　only　want　to　seeher　sleep；　and　nothing　will　happen　unless　I　kiss　her；　and　that　Iwill　not　do；　for　I　have　strength　to　resist；　and　a　determined　will。〃

The　fairy　threw　off　her　dazzling　attire；　bent　back　the　boughs；　andin　another　moment　was　hidden　among　them。

〃I　have　not　sinned　yet；〃　said　the　prince；　〃and　I　will　not；〃　andthen　he　pushed　aside　the　boughs　to　follow　the　princess。　She　waslying　already　asleep；　beautiful　as　only　a　fairy　in　the　garden　ofparadise　could　be。　She　smiled　as　he　bent　over　her；　and　he　saw　tearstrembling　out　of　her　beautiful　eyelashes。　〃Do　you　weep　for　me？〃　hewhispered。　〃Oh　weep　not；　thou　loveliest　of　women。　Now　do　I　begin　tounderstand　the　happiness　of　paradise；　I　feel　it　to　my　inmost　soul；in　every　thought。　A　new　life　is　born　within　me。　One　moment　of　suchhappiness　is　worth　an　eternity　of　darkness　and　woe。〃　He　stooped　andkissed　the　tears　from　her　eyes；　and　touched　her　lips　with　his。

A　clap　of　thunder；　loud　and　awful；　resounded　through　the　tremblingair。　All　around　him　fell　into　ruin。　The　lovely　fairy；　the　beautifulgarden；　sunk　deeper　and　deeper。　The　prince　saw　it　sinking　down　inthe　dark　night　till　it　shone　only　like　a　star　in　the　distancebeneath　him。　Then　he　felt　a　coldness；　like　death；　creeping　over　him；his　eyes　closed；　and　he　became　insensible。

When　he　recovered；　a　chilling　rain　was　beating　upon　him；　and　asharp　wind　blew　on　his　head。　〃Alas！　what　have　I　done？〃　he　sighed；　〃Ihave　sinned　like　Adam；　and　the　garden　of　paradise　has　sunk　into　theearth。〃　He　opened　his　eyes；　and　saw　the　star　in　the　distance；　but　itwas　the　morning　star　in　heaven　which　glittered　in　the　darkness。

Presently　he　stood　up　and　found　himself　in　the　depths　of　theforest；　close　to　the　cavern　of　the　Winds；　and　the　mother　of　theWinds　sat　by　his　side。　She　looked　angry；　and　raised　her　arm　in　the　airas　she　spoke。　〃The　very　first　evening！〃　she　said。　〃Well；　I　expectedit！　If　you　were　my　son；　you　should　go　into　the　sack。〃

〃And　there　he　will　have　to　go　at　last；〃　said　a　strong　old　man；with　large　black　wings；　and　a　scythe　in　his　hand；　whose　name　wasDeath。　〃He　shall　be　laid　in　his　coffin；　but　not　yet。　I　will　allowhim　to　wander　about　the　world　for　a　while；　to　atone　for　his　sin；　andto　give　him　time　to　bee　better。　But　I　shall　return　when　he　leastexpects　me。　I　shall　lay　him　in　a　black　coffin；　place　it　on　my　head；and　fly　away　with　it　beyond　the　stars。　There　also　blooms　a　garden　ofparadise；　and　if　he　is　good　and　pious　he　will　be　admitted；　but　ifhis　thoughts　are　bad；　and　his　heart　is　full　of　sin；　he　will　sinkwith　his　coffin　deeper　than　the　garden　of　paradise　has　sunk。　Once　inevery　thousand　years　I　shall　go　and　fetch　him；　when　he　will　eitherbe　condemned　to　sink　still　deeper；　or　be　raised　to　a　happier　life　inthe　world　beyond　the　stars。〃

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　THE　GIRL　WHO　TROD　ON　THE　LOAF

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

THERE　was　once　a　girl　who　trod　on　a　loaf　to　avoid　soiling　hershoes；　and　the　misfortunes　that　happened　to　her　in　consequence　arewell　known。　Her　name　was　Inge；　she　was　a　poor　child；　but　proud　andpresuming；　and　with　a　bad　and　cruel　disposition。　When　quite　a　littlechild　she　would　delight　in　catching　flies；　and　tearing　off　theirwings；　so　as　to　make　creeping　things　of　them。　When　older；　she　wouldtake　cockchafers　and　beetles；　and　stick　pins　through　them。　Then　shepushed　a　green　leaf；　or　a　little　scrap　of　paper　towards　their　feet；and　when　the　poor　creatures　would　seize　it　and　hold　it　fast；　andturn　over　and　over　in　their　struggles　to　get　free　from　the　pin；　shewould　say；　〃The　cockchafer　is　reading；　see　how　he　turns　over　theleaf。〃　She　grew　worse　instead　of　better　with　years；　and；unfortunately；　she　was　pretty；　which　caused　her　to　be　excused；　whenshe　should　have　been　sharply　reproved。

〃Your　headstrong　will　requires　severity　to　conquer　it；〃　her　motheroften　said　to　her。　〃As　a　little　child　you　used　to　trample　on　my　apron；but　one　day　I　fear　you　will　trample　on　my　heart。〃　And；　alas！　this　fearwas　realized。

Inge　was　taken　to　the　house　of　some　rich　people；　who　lived　at　adistance；　and　who　treated　her　as　their　own　child；　and　dressed　her　sofine　that　her　pride　and　arrogance　increased。

When　she　had　been　there　about　a　year；　her　patroness　said　to　her；〃You　ought　to　go；　for　once；　and　see　your　parents；　Inge。〃

So　Inge　started　to　go　and　visit　her　parents；　but　she　only　wantedto　show　herself　in　her　native　place；　that　the　people　might　see　howfine　she　was。　She　reached　the　entrance　of　the　village；　and　saw　theyoung　laboring　men　and　maidens　standing　together　chatting；　and　her　ownmother　amongst　them。　Inge's　mother　was　sitting　on　a　stone　to　rest；with　a　fagot　of　sticks　lying　before　her；　which　she　had　picked　up　inthe　wood。　Then　Inge　turned　back；　she　who　was　so　finely　dressed　shefelt　ashamed　of　her　mother；　a　poorly　clad　woman；　who　picked　up　wood　inthe　forest。　She　did　not　turn　back　out　of　pity　for　her　mother'spoverty；　but　from　pride。

Another　half…year　went　by；　and　her　mistress　said；　〃you　ought　to　gohome　again；　and　visit　your　parents；　Inge；　and　I　will　give　you　alarge　wheaten　loaf　to　take　to　them；　they　will　be　glad　to　see　you；　I　amsure。〃

So　Inge　put　on　her　best　clothes；　and　her　new　shoes；　drew　her　dressup　around　her；　and　set　out；　stepping　very　carefully；　that　she　might　beclean　and　neat　about　the　feet；　and　there　was　nothing　wrong　in　doingso。　But　when　she　came　to　the　place　where　the　footpath　led　across　themoor；　she　found　small　pools　of　water；　and　a　great　deal　of　mud；　soshe　threw　the　loaf　into　the　mud；　and　trod　upon　it；　that　she　might　passwithout　wetting　her　feet。　But　as　she　stood　with　one　foot　on　the　loafand　the　other　lifted　up　to　step　forward；　the　loaf　began　to　sinkunder　her；　lower　and　lower；　till　she　disappeared　altogether；　andonly　a　few　bubbles　on　the　surface　of　the　muddy　pool　remained　to　showwhere　she　had　sunk。　And　this　is　the　story。

But　where　did　Inge　go？　She　sank　into　the　ground；　and　went　downto　the　Marsh　Woman；　who　is　always　brewing　there。

The　Marsh　Woman　is　related　to　the　elf　maidens；　who　are　well…known；for　songs　are　sung　and　pictures　painted　about　them。　But　of　the　MarshWoman　nothing　is　known；　excepting　that　when　a　mist　arises　from　themeadows；　in　summer　time；　it　is　because　she　is　brewing　beneath　them。　Tothe　Marsh　Woman's　brewery　Inge　sunk　down　to　a　place　which　no　one　canendure　for　long。　A　heap　of　mud　is　a　palace　pared　with　the　MarshWoman's　brewery；　and　as　Inge　fell　she　shuddered　in　every　limb；　andsoon　became　cold　and　stiff　as　marble。　Her　foot　was　still　fastened　tothe　loaf；　which　bowed　her　down　as　a　golden　ear　of　corn　bends　the　stem。

An　evil　spirit　soon　took　possession　of　Inge；　and　carried　her　toa　still　worse　place；　in　which　she　saw　crowds　of　unhappy　people；waiting　in　a　state　of　agony　for　the　gates　of　mercy　to　be　opened　tothem；　and　in　every　heart　was　a　miserable　and　eternal　feeling　ofunrest。　It　would　take　too　much　time　to　describe　the　various　torturesthese　people　suffered；　but　Inge's　punishment　consisted　in　standingthere　as　a　statue；　with　her　foot　fastened　to　the　loaf。　She　couldmove　her　eyes　about；　and　see　all　the　misery　around　her；　but　shecould　not　turn　her　head；　and　when　she　saw　the　people　looking　at　hershe　thought　they　were　admiring　her　pretty　face　and　fine　clothes；　forshe　was　still　vain　and　proud。　But　she　had　forgotten　how　soiled　herclothes　had　bee　while　in　the　Marsh　Woman's　brewery；　and　that　theywere　covered　with　mud；　a　snake　had　also　fastened　itself　in　her　hair；and　hung　down　her　back；　while　from　each　fold　in　her　dress　a　great　toadpeeped　out　and　croaked　like　an　asthmatic　poodle。　Worse　than　all　wasthe　terrible　hunger　that　tormented　her；　and　she　could　not　stoop　tobreak　off　a　piece　of　the　loaf　on　which　she　stood。　No；　her　back　was　toostiff；　and　her　whole　body　like　a　pillar　of　stone。　And　then　camecreeping　over　her　face　and　eyes　flies　without　wings；　she　winked　andblinked；　but　they　could　not　fly　away；　for　their　wings　had　beenpulled　off；　this；　added　to