Young Goodman年轻的古德曼 中英对照

第一页1.YOUNGGOODMANBROWNcameforthatsunset,intothestreetofSalemvillage,butputhisheadback,aftercrossingthethreshold,toexchangeapartingkisswithhisyoungwife.AndFaith,asthewifewasaptlynamed,thrustherownprettyheadintothestreet,lettingthewindplaywiththepinkribbonsofhercap,whileshecalledtoGoodmanBrown.日落时分，小伙子古德曼·布朗走出家门，来到萨勒姆村街道上，可跨出门槛又回头，与年轻的妻子吻别。而妻子费丝--这名字对她恰如其分--把漂亮的脑袋伸出门外，任风儿拂弄她帽子上粉红的缎带，呼唤着古德曼·布朗。2."Dearestheart,"whisperedshe,softlyandrathersadly,whenherlipswereclosetohisear,"pr'ythee,putoffyourjourneyuntilsunrise,andsleepinyourownbedto-night.Alonewomanistroubledwithsuchdreamsandsuchthoughts,thatshe'safeardofherself,sometimes.Pray,tarrywithmethisnight,dearhusband,ofallnightsintheyear!"“宝贝心肝，”她樱唇贴近他耳朵，伤心地娇声曼语，“求你明天日出再出门旅行，今晚就睡在自家床上嘛。孤单单的女人会做些可怕的梦，生些吓人的念头，有时候连自己都害怕。今晚就留下来和我相守吧，亲爱的，一年到头只求你这一夜。"3."MyloveandmyFaith,"repliedyoungGoodmanBrown,"ofallnightsintheyear,thisonenightmustItarryawayfromthee.Myjourney,asthoucallestit,forthandbackagain,mustneedsbedone'twixtnowandsunrise.What,mysweet,prettywife,dostthoudoubtmealready,andwebutthreemonthsmarried!"“我的宝贝，亲爱的费丝，“小伙子布朗回答，“一年到头就这一夜，我必须离开你。我这趟出门，就是你说的旅行，必须现在就走，明天日出时回来。怎么，我漂亮可爱的妻子，结婚才三个月，你就怀疑我啦？"4."ThenGodblessyou!"saidFaith,withthepinkribbons,"andmayyoufindallwell,whenyoucomeback."“那就愿上帝保佑你！“粉红缎带飘飘的费丝道，“愿你回来时看到一切平安。”5."Amen!"criedGoodmanBrown."Saythyprayers,dearFaith,andgotobedatdusk,andnoharmwillcometothee."“阿门！“古德曼·布朗叫道，“做祷告吧，亲爱的费丝，一天黑就上床，不会有什么东西伤害你的。"6.Sotheyparted;andtheyoungmanpursuedhisway,until,beingabouttoturnthecornerbythemeeting-house,helookedbackandsawtheheadofFaithstillpeepingafterhim,withamelancholyair,inspiteofherpinkribbons.于是二人分手。小伙子匆匆上路，到礼拜堂旁边，正要拐弯，回头一望，但见费丝仍在伫望，神情忧伤，虽然那粉红缎带仍在飘扬。7."PoorlittleFaith!"thoughthe,forhisheartsmotehim."WhatawretchamI,toleaveheronsuchanerrand!Shetalksofdreams,too.Methought,asshespoke,therewastroubleinherface,asifadreamhadwarnedherwhatworkistobedoneto-night.But,no,no!'twouldkillhertothinkit.Well;she'sablessedangelonearth;andafterthisonenight,I'llclingtoherskirtsandfollowhertoHeaven."“可怜的小费丝！”他骂着自己，“俺真够可耻的，竞为了这么趟差使丢下她！她还提到了梦，讲话的样子那么愁，就像已有什么梦警告过她，今晚俺要去干啥事。不，不，她要知道了真会活不下去。唉，她真是个有福的人间天使，过了今晚这一夜，俺再也不离开她的裙边喽，要一直跟着她上天堂。"8.Withthisexcellentresolveforthefuture,GoodmanBrownfelthimselfjustifiedinmakingmorehasteonhispresentevilpurpose.Hehadtakenadrearyroad,darkenedbyallthegloomiesttreesoftheforest,whichbarelystoodasidetoletthenarrowpathcreepthrough,andclosedimmediatelybehind.Itwasallaslonelyascouldbe;andthereisthispeculiarityinsuchasolitude,thatthetravellerknowsnotwhomaybeconcealedbytheinnumerabletrunksandthethickboughsoverhead;sothat,withlonelyfootsteps,hemayyetbepassingthroughanunseenmultitude.对未来的美好信念已定，古德曼·布朗觉得加快实现眼前的邪恶目的，天经地义。他踏上了一条凄清的小路。阴森森的树木遮天蔽日，挤挤挨挨，勉强让狭窄的小径蜿蜓穿过。人刚过，枝叶又将小路封了起来，荒凉满目。而且这荒凉凄清还有一个特点，旅人弄不清无数的树干与头顶粗大的树枝后面会藏着什么，所以，脚步虽孤孤零零，也许经过的却是看不见的一大群人。9."TheremaybeadevilishIndianbehindeverytree,"saidGoodmanBrowntohimself;andheglancedfearfullybehindhim,asheadded,"Whatifthedevilhimselfshouldbeatmyveryelbow!""棵棵树后没准儿都藏着个恶鬼似的印第安人呢，"古德曼·布朗自言自语，怯怯地回头看看。"要是魔鬼本人就在俺身旁，那可咋办！第二页10.Hisheadbeingturnedback,hepassedacrookoftheroad,andlookingforwardagain,beheldthefigureofaman,ingraveanddecentattire,seatedatthefootofanoldtree.Hearose,atGoodmanBrown'sapproach,andwalkedonward,sidebysidewithhim.顺路拐弯时，他回头张望。再回头，发现一棵老树下坐着个人，衣着朴素体面。古德曼·布朗一走近，这人就站起来，与小伙子并肩朝前走。11."Youarelate,GoodmanBrown,"saidhe."TheclockoftheOldSouthwasstriking,asIcamethroughBoston;andthatisfullfifteenminutesagone."“你迟到啦，古德曼·布朗，“这人道，“我经过波士顿的时候，老南方教堂的钟正好敲响，现在都过了整整十五分钟啦！"12."Faithkeptmebackawhile,"repliedtheyoungman,withatremorinhisvoice,causedbythesuddenappearanceofhiscompanion,thoughnotwhollyunexpected.“费丝耽搁了俺一会儿。“小伙子回答，声音有些发颤，因为同伴突然冒了出来，虽不算完全出乎预料。13.Itwasnowdeepduskintheforest,anddeepestinthatpartofitwherethesetwowerejourneying.Asnearlyascouldbediscerned,thesecondtravellerwasaboutfiftyyearsold,apparentlyinthesamerankoflifeasGoodmanBrown,andbearingaconsiderableresemblancetohim,thoughperhapsmoreinexpressionthanfeatures.Still,theymighthavebeentakenforfatherandson.Andyet,thoughtheelderpersonwasassimplycladastheyounger,andassimpleinmannertoo,hehadanindescribableairofonewhoknewtheworld,andwouldnothavefeltabashedatthegovernor'sdinner-table,orinKingWilliam'scourt,wereitpossiblethathisaffairsshouldcallhimthither.Buttheonlythingabouthim,thatcouldbefixeduponasremarkable,washisstaff,whichborethelikenessofagreatblacksnake,socuriouslywrought,thatitmightalmostbeseentotwistandwriggleitselflikealivingserpent.This,ofcourse,musthavebeenanoculardeception,assistedbytheuncertainlight.林中此刻夜色沉沉，而他俩走的地方夜色最深，只能依稀辨出第二位旅人约摸五十岁光景，显然与布朗身份相同，模样也相似，不过神态也许比相貌更像。然而，两人还是可能被当做父子。尽管年长的与年轻的服装同样简单，举止同样朴实，但神情之间有种见多识广的气派。倘若事务需要，得与总督同桌进餐，或置身威廉国王堂堂大殿，这位老者大概也不会局促不安。但他身上最引人注目的却是一件东西，即一根酷似黑蛇的手杖，精雕细刻，活脱一条扭来扭去的大蛇。这当然是暗淡光线造成的视觉假象。14."Come,GoodmanBrown!"criedhisfellow-traveller,"thisisadullpaceforthebeginningofajourney.Takemystaff,ifyouaresosoonweary."“快走吧，古德曼·布朗”，旅伴催着，“才上路就这么慢腾腾的。要是这么快就乏了，把我手杖拿去吧！”15."Friend,"saidtheother,exchanginghisslowpaceforafullstop,"havingkeptcovenantbymeetingtheehere,itismypurposenowtoreturnwhenceIcame.Ihavescruples,touchingthematterthouwot'stof."“伙计，“另一位慢腾腾的步子却完全停下来。”俺已守约上这儿来见了你，现在俺想回去啦。对你熟知的那件事俺还拿不定主意哩。"16."Sayestthouso?"repliedheoftheserpent,smilingapart."Letuswalkon,nevertheless,reasoningaswego,andifIconvincetheenot,thoushaltturnback.Wearebutalittlewayintheforest,yet."“是么？“握蛇杖的人一旁笑了。”那咱们就边走边谈。我要是说服不了你，你就回去好了，反正在这林子里才走了不远。"17."Toofar,toofar!"exclaimedthegoodman,unconsciouslyresuminghiswalk."Myfatherneverwentintothewoodsonsuchanerrand,norhisfatherbeforehim.WehavebeenaraceofhonestmenandgoodChristians,sincethedaysofthemartyrs.AndshallIbethefirstofthenameofBrown,thatevertookthispathandkept--"“够远啦！够远啦！“小伙子叫道。不知不觉又接着往前走。”俺爹可没为这号差使上林子里来过，他爹也没有过。俺家世世代代忠厚老实，全是好样的基督徒，打殉教先圣遇难起就是。难道俺得成为布朗家头一个走上这条道的人，而且是同…..18."Suchcompany,thouwouldstsay,"observedtheelderperson,interruptinghispause.“同这样的人作伴，你想说。“年长的补上小伙子的中断。19."Wellsaid,GoodmanBrown!IhavebeenaswellacquaintedwithyourfamilyaswitheveraoneamongthePuritans;andthat'snotrifletosay.Ihelpedyourgrandfather,theconstable,whenhelashedtheQuakerwomansosmartlythroughthestreetsofSalem.AnditwasIthatbroughtyourfatherapitch-pineknot,kindledatmyownhearth,tosetfiretoanIndianvillage,inKingPhilip'sWar.Theyweremygoodfriends,both;andmanyapleasantwalkhavewehadalongthispath,andreturnedmerrilyaftermidnight.Iwouldfainbefriendswithyou,fortheirsake."“说得好，古德曼·布朗！对你一家子，我跟任何清教徒家庭同样熟悉，而且还不是一般的熟嘞。你那当警察的爷爷，有一回狠狠地鞭打一名贵格会女教徒，从萨勒姆街这头一直抽到那头，我帮过他一把；跟菲利普王开仗的时候，你爹放火焚烧印第安人的村子，是我递给他的松脂火把，还是在我家炉子上点燃的呐。他俩都是我的好朋友，我们曾一道快快活活顺这条路走过好多次。过了半夜又快快活活地回来。看在他俩份上，我也乐意跟你交个朋友。"第三页"Ifitbeasthousayest,"repliedGoodmanBrown,"Imarveltheyneverspokeofthesematters.Or,verily,Imarvelnot,seeingthattheleastrumorofthesortwouldhavedriventhemfromNewEngland.Weareapeopleofprayer,andgoodworkstoboot,andabidenosuchwickedness."“事情要真像你说的，“古德曼·布朗道，“俺纳闷咋没听他们自己说起过。可也是，不值得大惊小怪。这号事情哪怕有丁点儿谣言，就能把他们捧出新英格兰。俺们老是祷告上帝，而且行善积德，容不得这号坏事。""Wickednessornot,"saidthetravellerwiththetwistedstaff,"IhaveaverygeneralacquaintancehereinNewEngland.Thedeaconsofmanyachurchhavedrunkthecommunionwinewithme;theselectmen,ofdiverstowns,makemetheirchairman;andamajorityoftheGreatandGeneralCourtarefirmsupportersofmyinterest.ThegovernorandI,too--butthesearestate-secrets."“坏事不坏事不管它，“持弯弯手杖的旅伴说，“新英格兰这一带我认识的人多啦，好多教堂执事跟我共饮过圣餐酒，好多市镇委员选过我当主席。议会里多数人都坚决支持我的利益，总督和我也--但这些都是国家机密。”"Canthisbeso!"criedGoodmanBrown,withastareofamazementathisundisturbedcompanion."Howbeit,Ihavenothingtodowiththegovernorandcouncil;theyhavetheirownways,andarenoruleforasimplehusbandmanlikeme.But,wereItogoonwiththee,howshouldImeettheeyeofthatgoodoldman,ourminister,atSalemvillage?Oh,hisvoicewouldmakemetremble,bothSabbath-dayandlecture-day!"“当真么？”布朗大惊失色，瞪着若无其事的同伴。”不管咋说，俺跟总督啦，议会啦不相干，他们有他们行事的规矩。俺这么个不起眼的庄稼汉用不着学样子。可是，跟你走下去的话，可叫俺咋有脸见咱萨勒姆村的大善人，那位老牧师呢？哦，不管安息日还是布道日，听到他声音俺就会发抖。Thusfar,theeldertravellerhadlistenedwithduegravity,butnowburstintoafitofirrepressiblemirth,shakinghimselfsoviolentlythathissnake-likestaffactuallyseemedtowriggleinsympathy.年长者一直挺认真地听，这时忍不住大笑起来，笑得直抖，连蛇一般的手杖也好像在响应着，扭来扭去。"Ha!ha!ha!"shoutedhe,againandagain;thencomposinghimself,"Well,goon,GoodmanBrown,goon;but,pr'ythee,don'tkillmewithlaughing!"“哈！哈！哈！”他笑了又笑，随后平静下来。”好，往下说，古德曼·布朗，往下说。不过，请别把我给笑死啦。”"Well,then,toendthematteratonce,"saidGoodmanBrown,considerablynettled,"thereismywife,Faith.Itwouldbreakherdearlittleheart;andI'dratherbreakmyown!""那好，就一句话了结吧，“古德曼·布朗颇为懊恼。”俺老婆费丝要知道了这事，她温存的小心儿非伤透了不行。俺情愿自个儿难过。""Nay,ifthatbethecase,"answeredtheother,"e'engothyways,GoodmanBrown.Iwouldnot,fortwentyoldwomenliketheonehobblingbeforeus,thatFaithshouldcometoanyharm."“喝，要是那样的话，“老头回答，“古德曼·布朗，你就回去吧，就算为了二十个咱们前头那号一瘸一拐的老太婆，我也不愿让费丝受到伤害。”Ashespoke,hepointedhisstaffatafemalefigureonthepath,inwhomGoodmanBrownrecognizedaverypiousandexemplarydame,whohadtaughthimhiscatechisminyouth,andwasstillhismoralandspiritualadviser,jointlywiththeministerandDeaconGookin.他边说边用拐棍指指正在赶路的一个女人。布朗认出这是位非常虔诚堪称模范的太太。小时候，就是她教他教义问答的，而且至今与教师和古金执事一道是自己道德与精神方面的顾问。"Amarvel,truly,thatGoodyCloyseshouldbesofarinthewilderness,atnight-fall!"saidhe."But,withyourleave,friend,Ishalltakeacutthroughthewoods,untilwehaveleftthisChristianwomanbehind.Beingastrangertoyou,shemightaskwhomIwasconsortingwith,andwhitherIwasgoing."怪啦，真怪啦，天都黑了，这位古迪·克洛伊丝还在野地里乱跑。”他道，"不过，伙计，请准许俺抄近穿过林子，好把这位基督徒扔到后头去。她既不认识你，说不定会向俺打听这是跟谁在一起，到哪儿去。”"Beitso,"saidhisfellow-traveller."Betakeyoutothewoods,andletmekeepthepath."“就这么办，”旅伴道，“你去钻林子，我还顺这条路走好了。”Accordingly,theyoungmanturnedaside,buttookcaretowatchhiscompanion,whoadvancedsoftlyalongtheroad,untilhehadcomewithinastaff'slengthoftheolddame.She,meanwhile,wasmakingthebestofherway,withsingularspeedforsoagedawoman,andmumblingsomeindistinctwords,aprayer,doubtless,asshewent.Thetravellerputforthhisstaff,andtouchedherwitheredneckwithwhatseemedtheserpent'stail.于是小伙子拐过一边，不过还留神盯着伙伴。只见他悄悄前行，离那老妇只剩一手杖之遥。而她却跌步疾行，这么大年纪速度惊人，一面走还一面嘟嘟囔囔--不消说，是祷告呢。老头伸出拐杖，用蛇尾似的一端碰碰老妇皱纹滚滚的脖颈。第四页"Thedevil!"screamedthepiousoldlady."魔鬼！"虔诚的老太婆惊叫一声。"ThenGoodyCloyseknowsheroldfriend?"observedthetraveller,confrontingher,andleaningonhiswrithingstick.“这么说，古迪·克洛伊丝还认识老朋友？“老头拄着手杖面对她道。"Ah,forsooth,andisityourworship,indeed?"criedthegooddame."Yea,trulyisit,andintheveryimageofmyoldgossip,GoodmanBrown,thegrandfatherofthesillyfellowthatnowis.But--wouldyourworshipbelieveit?--mybroomstickhathstrangelydisappeared,stolen,asIsuspect,bythatunhangedwitch,GoodyCory,andthat,too,whenIwasallanointedwiththejuiceofsmallageandcinque-foilandwolf's-bane--"啊，当真是阁下您啊？“善良的老太太叫道。“嘿，真是您，活像俺的老伙计古德曼·布朗，就是如今那个傻小子布朗的爷爷。不过--阁下您信不信？--俺的那把长条帚莫名其妙就不见了。照俺猜，准是那个天杀的巫婆古迪·戈雷偷走啦，而且还是趁俺往身上抹野芹菜、委陵菜、乌头汁的时候"一"Mingledwithfinewheatandthefatofanew-bornbabe,"saidtheshapeofoldGoodmanBrown."还搀上细磨面粉和新生儿的油吧？“模样像老古德曼·布朗的人道。"Ah,yourworshipknowstherecipe,"criedtheoldlady,cacklingaloud."So,asIwassaying,beingallreadyforthemeeting,andnohorsetorideon,Imadeupmymindtofootit;fortheytellme,thereisaniceyoungmantobetakenintocommunionto-night.Butnowyourgoodworshipwilllendmeyourarm,andweshallbethereinatwinkling."“哎，阁下您知道这秘方。“老太太咯咯笑，“就像俺说的，万事齐备，只差赴会，可骑的马没了，只好下决心走着去。人家告诉俺，今晚有个不错的小伙子要来入会。好啦，阁下您把胳膊伸给俺行不？帮俺一把，咱们好眨眼功夫就赶到哇。""Thatcanhardlybe,"answeredherfriend."Imaynotspareyoumyarm,GoodyCloyse,buthereismystaff,ifyouwill."“那可不行，”她朋友回答，“古迪·克洛伊丝，我不能把胳膊给你。不过你需要的话，这根手杖可以借给你。”Sosaying,hethrewitdownatherfeet,where,perhaps,itassumedlife,beingoneoftherodswhichitsownerhadformerlylenttoEgyptianMagi.Ofthisfact,however,GoodmanBrowncouldnottakecognizance.Hehadcastuphiseyesinastonishment,andlookingdownagain,beheldneitherGoodyCloysenortheserpentinestaff,buthisfellow-travelleralone,whowaitedforhimascalmlyasifnothinghadhappened.说着，他把手杖往她脚下一扔。到了她那儿，那东西大概就突然变为活物，因为主人曾把它借给埃及的魔法师。不过，这件事古德曼·布朗可没能看清。他吃惊地瞪着眼睛往上一看，再往下看时，古迪·克洛伊丝和蛇形手杖就都无影无踪，只剩下先前那位旅伴，泰然地等着他。"Thatoldwomantaughtmemycatechism!"saidtheyoungman;andtherewasaworldofmeaninginthissimplecomment.“那老太婆还教过俺基督教教义咧。”小伙子道。简简单单一句话，意味无穷。Theycontinuedtowalkonward,whiletheeldertravellerexhortedhiscompaniontomakegoodspeedandpersevereinthepath,discoursingsoaptly,thathisargumentsseemedrathertospringupinthebosomofhisauditor,thantobesuggestedbyhimself.Astheywent,hepluckedabranchofmaple,toserveforawalking-stick,andbegantostripitofthetwigsandlittleboughs,whichwerewetwitheveningdew.Themomenthisfingerstouchedthem,theybecamestrangelywitheredanddriedup,aswithaweek'ssunshine.Thusthepairproceeded,atagoodfreepace,untilsuddenly,inagloomyhollowoftheroad,GoodmanBrownsathimselfdownonthestumpofatree,andrefusedtogoanyfarther.二人继续朝前走。年长的直催年轻的加快步伐，坚持走那条道路，道理讲得有理有节，仿佛条条发自听者的内心，倒并非由他一一摆出来。走着走着，他折下一根枫树枝，动手剥去上头夜露盈盈的小枝小权。怪的是，他手指刚碰上去，那些枝枝权权就立刻干萎，干得就像曝晒了一星期。二人就这样快步前进，一直来到路上有个黑黝黝大坑的地方。古德曼·布朗忽然一屁股坐到一截树桩上，不肯再往前走。"Friend,"saidhe,stubbornly,"mymindismadeup.NotanotherstepwillIbudgeonthiserrand.Whatifawretchedoldwomandochoosetogotothedevil,whenIthoughtshewasgoingtoHeaven!IsthatanyreasonwhyIshouldquitmydearFaith,andgoafterher?"“伙计，“他执拗地说，”俺决心已定，为这种差使俺可一步也不肯走了。就算俺以为那老恶婆是去天堂，可其实她是去见魔鬼，也没理由叫我丢下心爱的费丝去学她的样啊！"第五页"Youwillthinkbetterofthisby-and-by,"saidhisacquaintance,composedly."Sithereandrestyourselfawhile;andwhenyoufeellikemovingagain,thereismystafftohelpyoualong.""这件事，你的想法慢慢会变的，”他伙计从容不迫，”坐在这歇会儿，等到想走了，我的拐杖会帮你一把！"Withoutmorewords,hethrewhiscompanionthemaplestick,andwasasspeedilyoutofsight,asifhehadvanishedintothedeepeninggloom.Theyoungmansatafewmomentsbytheroad-side,applaudinghimselfgreatly,andthinkingwithhowclearaconscienceheshouldmeettheminister,inhismorning-walk,norshrinkfromtheeyeofgoodoldDeaconGookin.Andwhatcalmsleepwouldbehis,thatverynight,whichwastohavebeenspentsowickedly,butpurelyandsweetlynow,inthearmsofFaith!Amidstthesepleasantandpraiseworthymeditations,GoodmanBrownheardthetrampofhorsesalongtheroad,anddeemeditadvisabletoconcealhimselfwithinthevergeoftheforest,consciousoftheguiltypurposethathadbroughthimthither,thoughnowsohappilyturnedfromit.不再多言，他把枫树枝扔给布朗，自己转眼不见，仿佛融入茫茫黑夜。年轻人在路边歇了一会儿，对自己大加赞赏。寻思明天早上碰到牧师散步，该何等问心无愧，也用不着躲避善良的老执事古金先生的目光啦。这原本打算鬼混的一夜，如今要安睡在费丝的怀抱里，多纯洁，多甜蜜！这些值得夸奖的念头正转得美滋滋，忽听路上传来马蹄得得。布朗觉得还是躲进林子里的好，想到那个把自己带到此地的罪恶目的就有愧，虽说刚才还为自己悬崖勒马而感到高兴。Oncamethehoof-trampsandthevoicesoftheriders,twograveoldvoices,conversingsoberlyastheydrewnear.Thesemingledsoundsappearedtopassalongtheroad,withinafewyardsoftheyoungman'shiding-place;butowing,doubtless,tothedepthofthegloom,atthatparticularspot,neitherthetravellersnortheirsteedswerevisible.Thoughtheirfiguresbrushedthesmallboughsbytheway-side,itcouldnotbeseenthattheyintercepted,evenforamoment,thefaintgleamfromthestripofbrightsky,athwartwhichtheymusthavepassed.GoodmanBrownalternatelycrouchedandstoodontip-toe,pullingasidethebranches,andthrustingforthhisheadasfarashedurst,withoutdiscerningsomuchasashadow.Itvexedhimthemore,becausehecouldhavesworn,weresuchathingpossible,thatherecognizedthevoicesoftheministerandDeaconGookin,joggingalongquietly,astheywerewonttodo,whenboundtosomeordinationorecclesiasticalcouncil.Whileyetwithinhearing,oneoftheridersstoppedtopluckaswitch.马蹄声，骑手说话声越来越近，谈话的像是两位庄重严肃的老者。混杂的声音顺路而过，离小伙子的藏身处仅数码之遥。当然，那地方夜幕重重，骑马赶路人和他们的坐骑都看不清楚。他们的身体擦过路旁的小树枝，但并不见他们哪怕片刻挡住明亮夜空投下的那道微光，他们一定从那儿经过来着。古德曼·布朗时而蹲下，时而踮起脚尖，拨开树枝，麻起胆子，把脑袋尽可能伸出去，可还是啥也看不到。他更焦躁了，因为他敢发誓，要真有这种事的话，方才听到的正是牧师与古金执事的声音。他们从从容容缓缓前进，跟平日里去参加什么圣职授任仪式或教会会议一样。眼下还听得见他们，其中一位停下折了根树枝。"Ofthetwo,reverendSir,"saidthevoicelikethedeacon's,Ihadrathermissanordination-dinnerthantonight'smeeting.TheytellmethatsomeofourcommunityaretobeherefromFalmouthandbeyond,andothersfromConnecticutandRhode-Island;besidesseveraloftheIndianpowows,who,aftertheirfashion,knowalmostasmuchdeviltryasthebestofus.Moreover,thereisagoodlyyoungwomantobetakenintocommunion."“尊敬的牧师先生，“两者当中那个像执事的声音说，“我宁愿放弃授圣职的宴席，也不愿错过今晚的聚会。人家告诉我，有些会友从法尔茅斯或更远的地方赶来，有些还从康涅狄格和罗得岛来。另外，还有几位印第安巫师哩，他们依自己的方式施行妖术，跟咱们当中最出色的不相上下。再说啦，今晚还有个年轻漂亮的女人要来入会。”"Mightywell,DeaconGookin!"repliedthesolemnoldtonesoftheminister."Spurup,orweshallbelate.Nothingcanbedone,youknow,untilIgetontheground."“好极啦，古金！”牧师苍老的喉咙应道，“打马快跑吧，不然咱们就该迟到啦。你知道，我不到场，什么也干不成。”Thehoofsclatteredagain,andthevoices,talkingsostrangelyintheemptyair,passedonthroughtheforest,wherenochurchhadeverbeengathered,norsolitaryChristianprayed.Whither,then,couldtheseholymenbejourneying,sodeepintotheheathenwilderness?YoungGoodmanBrowncaughtholdofatree,forsupport,beingreadytosinkdownontheground,faintandoverburthenedwiththeheavysicknessofhisheart.Helookeduptothesky,doubtingwhethertherereallywasaHeavenabovehim.Yet,therewasthebluearch,andthestarsbrighteninginit.蹄声又得得响起，那说话声奇怪地在空中回响，一直穿过树林。那儿从没有什么聚会的教堂，也没有哪个寂寞的教徒去做祷告。那么，两位圣人深入这异教徒的荒野到底要去哪里？小伙子布朗赶紧抱住一棵树，不然就会瘫倒在地。他头发昏，心沉重，痛苦不堪。仰望苍天，疑惑头顶是否真有天国。然而，但见天空蓝蓝，繁星闪烁。第六页"WithHeavenabove,andFaithbelow,Iwillyetstandfirmagainstthedevil!"criedGoodmanBrown.“天国在上，费丝在下，俺还是要对抗魔鬼，坚定不移！"古德曼·布朗发出呐喊。Whilehestillgazedupward,intothedeeparchofthefirmament,andhadliftedhishandstopray,acloud,thoughnowindwasstirring,hurriedacrossthezenith,andhidthebrighteningstars.Theblueskywasstillvisible,exceptdirectlyoverhead,wherethisblackmassofcloudwassweepingswiftlynorthward.Aloftintheair,asiffromthedepthsofthecloud,cameaconfusedanddoubtfulsoundofvoices.Once,thelistenerfanciedthathecoulddistinguishtheaccentoftown's-peopleofhisown,menandwomen,bothpiousandungodly,manyofwhomhehadmetatthecommunion-table,andhadseenothersriotingatthetavern.Thenextmoment,soindistinctwerethesounds,hedoubtedwhetherhehadheardaughtbutthemurmuroftheoldforest,whisperingwithoutawind.Thencameastrongerswellofthosefamiliartones,hearddailyinthesunshine,atSalemvillage,butnever,untilnow,fromacloudofnight.Therewasonevoice,ofayoungwoman,utteringlamentations,yetwithanuncertainsorrow,andentreatingforsomefavor,which,perhaps,itwouldgrievehertoobtain.Andalltheunseenmultitude,bothsaintsandsinners,seemedtoencourageheronward.他仰望深邃天边的苍穹，举起双手就要祈祷。忽然，虽未起风，却有一团乌云匆匆掠过天顶，遮住了明亮的群星。蓝天依旧，只有头顶正上方那团乌云飞快地飘向北方。高空中，仿佛自云团深处，传来一片可疑的嘈杂人声。要时间，他觉得听出了村里乡亲们的声音，男男女女，有的敬神，有的不敬。其中不少曾在圣餐桌上会过面，还有不少在酒店见过他们闹饮狂欢。倏忽之间，那声音又变得模糊不清。也许方才听到的不过是宁静无风的夜晚，古老的森林在飒飒低语。忽然，那熟悉的人声又潮水般响起，全是萨勒姆村大白天听得到的，但至今从没晚上打天边响起过呵。其中还有位少妇戚戚哀哀的哭声，这哭声中怀着莫名的忧伤，像是在恳求什么恩惠，而得到的也许只能令她悲伤。周围所有看不见的人，圣人与罪人们，似乎都在怂恿她继续下去。"Faith!"shoutedGoodmanBrown,inavoiceofagonyanddesperation;andtheechoesoftheforestmockedhim,crying--"Faith!Faith!"asifbewilderedwretcheswereseekingher,allthroughthewilderness."费丝！“古德曼·布朗痛苦而绝望地大叫，林中的回响也嘲弄地大叫，“费丝！费丝！"仿佛许许多多迷路的倒霉蛋正在荒野里四下寻找她。Thecryofgrief,rage,andterror,wasyetpiercingthenight,whentheunhappyhusbandheldhisbreathforaresponse.Therewasascream,drownedimmediatelyinaloudermurmurofvoices,fadingintofar-offlaughter,asthedarkcloudsweptaway,leavingtheclearandsilentskyaboveGoodmanBrown.Butsomethingflutteredlightlydownthroughtheair,andcaughtonthebranchofatree.Theyoungmanseizedit,andbeheldapinkribbon.这忧伤，愤怒与恐惧交加的呐喊划破夜空，不幸的丈夫屏息等待回答。忽然听到一声尖叫，立刻又被更嘈杂的人声淹没，化为渐渐远去的哈哈大笑。随着乌云卷走，布朗头顶又露出明净寂宴的夜空。可是有什么东西从空中飘飘落下，挂在了一根树枝上。小伙子连忙抓住它，原来是根粉红色的缎带。"MyFaithisgone!"criedhe,afteronestupefiedmoment."Thereisnogoodonearth;andsinisbutaname.Come,devil!fortotheeisthisworldgiven."“俺的费丝也走了！”他愣怔片刻后叫道，“人世还有什么善！罪孽不过空名罢了。来吧，魔鬼，这世界全是你的啦。”Andmaddenedwithdespair,sothathelaughedloudandlong,didGoodmanBrowngrasphisstaffandsetforthagain,atsucharate,thatheseemedtoflyalongtheforestpath,ratherthantowalkorrun.Theroadgrewwilderanddrearier,andmorefaintlytraced,andvanishedatlength,leavinghimintheheartofthedarkwilderness,stillrushingonward,withtheinstinctthatguidesmortalmantoevil.Thewholeforestwaspeopledwithfrightfulsounds;thecreakingofthetrees,thehowlingofwildbeasts,andtheyellofIndians;while,sometimesthewindtolledlikeadistantchurch-bell,andsometimesgaveabroadroararoundthetraveller,asifallNaturewerelaughinghimtoscorn.Buthewashimselfthechiefhorrorofthescene,andshranknotfromitsotherhorrors.绝望使他疯狂。他纵声大笑，笑了许久。然后抓起拐杖又往前走，顺林中小路大步流星，不像在走，倒像在飞。道路愈加荒凉凄清，难以辨认，最后终于消失，把他撒在一片黑暗的幽林之中。凭着凡人向恶的本能，他仍旧往前冲。林中充满可怕的声响--树木吱吱嘎嘎，野兽嗷嗷啤叫，印第安人哇哇呐喊。有时风声萧萧，酷似远处教堂的钟声；有时它在这夜行者的左右大吼大叫，仿佛整个大自然都在蔑视他，嘲笑他。然而他自己却是这恐怖场面的主角，不肯在其它恐怖面前退缩。"Ha!ha!ha!"roaredGoodmanBrown,whenthewindlaughedathim."Letushearwhichwilllaughloudest!Thinknottofrightenmewithyourdeviltry!Comewitch,comewizard,comeIndianpowow,comedevilhimself!andherecomesGoodmanBrown.Youmayaswellfearhimashefearyou!"“哈！哈！哈！“风儿嘲笑他时，他大笑起来。“看咱们谁笑得更响些！休想用你的妖术吓唬俺！来吧，巫婆；来吧，巫士；来吧，印第安巫师；来吧，魔鬼！俺古德曼·布朗就在这儿哪，你们该像他怕你们一样怕他。”第七页Intruth,allthroughthehauntedforest,therecouldbenothingmorefrightfulthanthefigureofGoodmanBrown.Onheflew,amongtheblackpines,brandishinghisstaffwithfrenziedgestures,nowgivingventtoaninspirationofhorridblasphemy,andnowshoutingforthsuchlaughter,assetalltheechoesoftheforestlaughinglikedemonsaroundhim.Thefiendinhisownshapeislesshideous,thanwhenheragesinthebreastofman.Thusspedthedemoniaconhiscourse,until,quiveringamongthetrees,hesawaredlightbeforehim,aswhenthefelledtrunksandbranchesofaclearinghavebeensetonfire,andthrowuptheirluridblazeagainstthesky,atthehourofmidnight.Hepaused,inalullofthetempestthathaddrivenhimonward,andheardtheswellofwhatseemedahymn,rollingsolemnlyfromadistance,withtheweightofmanyvoices.Heknewthetune;itwasafamiliaroneinthechoirofthevillagemeeting-house.Theversediedheavilyaway,andwaslengthenedbyachorus,notofhumanvoices,butofallthesoundsofthebenightedwilderness,pealinginawfulharmonytogether.GoodmanBrowncriedout;andhiscrywaslosttohisownear,byitsunisonwiththecryofthedesert.说真的，这闹鬼的林子里再没比古德曼·布朗的模样更骇人的了。他在幽黑的松林里狂奔，手中乱舞着那根手杖。时而破口大骂亵渎神明，时而纵声大笑，使整座林子激荡着他的笑声，好像周围的树木统统变成了魔鬼。这个他自己恶魔的化身，还不如他这个狂怒的人可怕嘞。于是，这恶魔一路飞奔，直到瞧见眼前空地上一片红光闪闪，仿佛被砍下的树枝树干都点着了，灿烂的火光直冲午夜的天空。他驻足，驱赶他狂奔的心潮稍稍平静。只听远处传来一片人声，似乎许多人在合唱一首赞美诗，歌声庄严起伏。这曲调他熟，是村里礼拜堂唱诗班常唱的一首，歌声深沉地低落下去，化作拖长的和声。这不像人声，更像幽黑荒野中的一切一齐发出的轰轰呼声，阴森可怖。古德曼·布朗发一声呐喊，喊声与荒野的呼声融为一片，连他自己也分辨不清了。Intheintervalofsilence,hestoleforward,untilthelightglaredfulluponhiseyes.Atoneextremityofanopenspace,hemmedinbythedarkwalloftheforest,arosearock,bearingsomerude,naturalresemblanceeithertoanaltarorapulpit,andsurroundedbyfourblazingpines,theirtopsaflame,theirstemsuntouched,likecandlesataneveningmeeting.Themassoffoliage,thathadovergrownthesummitoftherock,wasallonfire,blazinghighintothenight,andfitfullyilluminatingthewholefield.Eachpendenttwigandleafyfestoonwasinablaze.Astheredlightaroseandfell,anumerouscongregationalternatelyshoneforth,thendisappearedinshadow,andagaingrew,asitwere,outofthedarkness,peoplingtheheartofthesolitarywoodsatonce.静默间隙，他蹑手蹑脚向前靠拢，直到闪烁的火光完全收入眼底。只见黑魆魆的林墙包围之中有片宽敞的空地，空地一头赫然一块原始巨石，形状天成，恰似一座祭坛或讲经台。四棵松树将其环抱，树冠熊熊燃烧，树干尚未接火，如同晚间集会时点上的四根蜡烛，罩在巨石顶部的树叶全都着了火，火光直冲夜空，时明时暗，将空地照得透亮。根根悬垂的小枝、叶穗都在燃烧。随着红光一起一落，数不清的会众时而被照亮，时而消失于暗影，时而又从黑幕中冒出头，荒凉山林的心脏一时人影憧憧。"Agraveanddark-cladcompany!"quothGoodmanBrown.“一伙板着脸的黑衣人。”布朗道。Intruth,theyweresuch.Amongthem,quiveringto-and-fro,betweengloomandsplendor,appearedfacesthatwouldbeseen,nextday,atthecouncil-boardoftheprovince,andotherswhich,SabbathafterSabbath,lookeddevoutlyheavenward,andbenignantlyoverthecrowdedpews,fromtheholiestpulpitsintheland.Someaffirm,thattheladyofthegovernorwasthere.Atleast,therewerehighdameswellknowntoher,andwivesofhonoredhusbands,andwidows,agreatmultitude,andancientmaidens,allofexcellentrepute,andfairyounggirls,whotrembledlesttheirmothersshouldespythem.Eitherthesuddengleamsoflight,flashingovertheobscurefield,bedazzledGoodmanBrown,orherecognizedascoreofthechurch-membersofSalemvillage,famousfortheirespecialsanctity.GoodoldDeaconGookinhadarrived,andwaitedattheskirtsofthatvenerablesaint,hisreverendpastor.But,irreverentlyconsortingwiththesegrave,reputable,andpiouspeople,theseeldersofthechurch,thesechastedamesanddewyvirgins,thereweremenofdissolutelivesandwomenofspottedfame,wretchesgivenovertoallmeanandfilthyvice,andsuspectedevenofhorridcrimes.Itwasstrangetosee,thatthegoodshranknotfromthewicked,norwerethesinnersabashedbythesaints.Scattered,also,amongtheirpalefacedenemies,weretheIndianpriests,orpowows,whohadoftenscaredtheirnativeforestwithmorehideousincantatio