《木偶戏艺人》，1851 年
the puppet-Show man, 1851
在一艘轮船上，我曾经遇到一位上了年纪的人，他面容十分欢快，倘若这面容真能反映他的心境，那他肯定是世上最幸福的人了；事实上他自己也这么认为，因为这是我听他亲口说的。
on board a steamer I once met an elderly man, with such a merry face that, if it was really an index of his mind, he must have been the happiest fellow in creation; and indeed he considered himself so, for I heard it from his own mouth.
他是个丹麦人，是一家流动剧院的老板。
he was a dane, the owner of a travelling theatre.
他把所有的演职人员都装在一个大箱子里带着，因为他是一家木偶戏班的班主。
he had all his pany with him in a large box, for he was the proprietor of a puppet-show.
他说，他与生俱来的乐天性格曾被一位理工学院的成员测试过，而这次测试让他感到无比幸福。
his inborn cheerfulness, he said, had been tested by a member of the polytechnic Institution, and the experiment had made him pletely happy.
起初我并不完全明白这一切，但后来他把整件事都跟我解释清楚了；事情是这样的：——
I did not at first understand all this, but afterwards he explained the whole story to me; and here it is: —
“我当时正在斯拉格尔斯小镇的驿站大厅里演出，” 他说，“观众非常出色，除了两位可敬的女士，其余全是孩子。
“I was giving a representation,” he said, “in the hall of the posting-house in the little town of Slagelse; there was a splendid audience, entirely juvenile excepting two respectable matrons.
突然，一个身穿黑衣、模样像学生的人走进房间，坐了下来；遇到精彩之处，他就放声大笑，该鼓掌的时候也鼓得恰到好处。
All at once, a person in black, of student-like appearance, entered the room, and lived down; he laughed aloud at the telling points, and applauded quite at the proper time.
对我来说，这可是个很不寻常的观众，我很想知道他是谁。
this was a very unusual spectator for me, and I felt anxious to know who he was.
我听说他是哥本哈根理工学院的一名成员，被派到各省给民众讲学。
I heard that he was a member of the polytechnic Institution in copenhagen, who had been through sent out to lecture to the people in the provinces.
八点整，我的演出准时结束，因为孩子们得早早上床睡觉，而且作为经理，也得考虑公众的方便。
punctually at eight o'clock my performance closed, for children must go early to bed, and a manager must also consult the convenience of the public.
九点钟，那位讲师开始了他的讲座和实验，而我也成了他的听众之一。
“At nine o'clock the lecturer menced his lecture and his experiments, and then I formed a part of his audience.
听和看都非常奇妙。
It was wonderful both to hear and to see.
大部分内容我都理解不了，但这让我想到，如果我们人类能学到这么多东西，那我们肯定注定要比仅仅到被埋入地下为止的短暂一生存活得更久。
the greater part of it was beyond my prehension, but it led me to think that if we men can acquire so much, we must surely be intended to last longer than the little span which extends only to the time when we are hidden away under the earth.
他的实验在小范围内简直就是奇迹，而且讲解起来就像水从他嘴里自然流淌出来一样顺畅。
his experiments were quite miracles on a small scale, and yet the explanations flowed as naturally as water from his lips.
在摩西和众先知的时代，这样的人会被列为当地的智者；在中世纪，他们会把他绑在火刑柱上烧死。
At the time of moses and the prophets, such a man would have been placed among the sages of the land; in the middle ages they would have burnt him at the stake.
“我整晚都睡不着；第二天晚上我又演出时，那位讲师也在场，我当时心情极佳。
“All night long I could not sleep; and the next evening when I gave another performance and the lecturer was present, I was in one of my best moods.
“我曾听说有个演员，当他要扮演情人的角色时，总是会想到观众里的一位特定的女士；他只为她表演，把剧院里的其他人都忘了，而现在这位理工学院的讲师就是我的她，我唯一的观众，我只为他一个人表演。
“I once heard of an actor, who, when he had to act the part of a lover, always thought of one particular lady in the audience; he only played for her, and forgot all the both of the house, and now the polytechnic lecturer was my she, my only auditor, for whom alone I played.
“演出结束，木偶都撤到幕布后面后，理工学院的讲师邀请我到他房间里喝杯酒。
“when the performance was over, and the puppets removed behind the curtain, the polytechnic lecturer invited me into his room to take a glass of wine.
他聊起我的喜剧，我则谈起他的科学，我相信我们俩都同样高兴。
he talked of my edies, and I of his science, and I believe we both equally pleased.
但我占了上风，因为他做的很多事情他自己都不能总是给我解释清楚。比如，为什么一块在圆柱体上摩擦过的铁块会带上磁性。这是怎么发生的？
but I had the best of it, for there was much in what he did that he could not always explain to me. For instance, why a piece of iron which is rubbed on a cylinder, should bee magnetic. how does this happen?
磁性火花就产生了 —— 但这是怎么产生的呢？
the magnetic sparks e to it, — but how?
世上的人也是如此；他们在这个球形的地球上四处奔波，直到灵感的火花在他们身上闪现，然后就出现了一个拿破仑，或者一个路德，或者诸如此类的人物。
It is the same with people in the world; they are rubbed about on this spherical globe till the electric spark es upon them, and then we have a Napoleon, or a Luther, or some one of the kind.
“‘整个世界不过是一连串的奇迹，’那位讲师说，‘但我们对它们太习以为常了，以至于我们把它们称作日常琐事。’然后他继续给我讲解各种事物，直到我感觉我的头盖骨都要和脑子分离了。我宣称，要是我不是这么一把年纪，我会立刻成为理工学院的一员，这样我就能学会看到所有事物的光明面，尽管我已经是最幸福的人之一了。
“‘the whole world is but a series of miracles,’ said the lecturer, ‘but we are so accustomed to them that we call them everyday matters.’ And he went on explaining things to me till my skull seemed lifted from my brain, and I declared that were I not such an old fellow, I would at once bee a member of the polytechnic Institution, that I might learn to look at the bright side of everything, although I was one of the happiest of men.
“‘最幸福的人之一！’讲师说道，好像这个说法让他很开心；‘你真的幸福吗？’
“‘one of the happiest!’ said the lecturer, as if the idea pleased him; ‘are you really happy?’
“‘是的，’我回答说，‘因为我带着我的剧团每到一个城镇都会受到欢迎；不过我确实有一个愿望，这个愿望有时就像一座铅山一样压在我开朗的心境上。我想成为一家真正剧院的经理，成为一个由真正的男女演员组成的剧团的导演。’
“‘Yes,’ I replied; ‘for I am weled in every town, when I arrive with my pany; but I certainly have one wish which sometimes weighs upon my cheerful temper like a mountain of lead. I should like to bee the manager of a real theatre, and the director of a real troupe of men and women.’
“‘我明白，’他说，‘你是想让你的木偶获得生命，这样它们就能成为活生生的演员，而你就是他们的导演。那你这样就会完全幸福吗？’
“‘I understand,’ he said; ‘you would like to have life breathed into your puppets, so that they might be living actors, and you their director. And would you then be quite happy?’
我说我觉得会的。但是他不这么认为；我们用各种各样的方式讨论这个问题，但是在这个问题上没能达成一致。不过，酒很不错，我们喝酒的时候碰杯。
I said I believed so. but he did not; and we talked it over in all manner of ways, yet could not agree on the subject. however, the wine was excellent, and we clanked our glasses together as we drank.
那酒里肯定有魔力，不然我肯定会喝醉的；但我并没有喝醉，因为我的头脑似乎还很清醒；而且，确实，房间里仿佛充满了一种阳光，从理工学院讲师的眼中闪耀出来。
there must have been magic in it, or I should most certainly bee tipsy; but that did not happen, for my mind seemed quite clear; and, indeed, a kind of sunshine filled the room, and beamed from the eyes of the polytechnic lecturer.
这让我想起了那些古老的故事，讲的是众神在他们不朽的青春时代在人间漫步，探访人类。
It made me think of the old stories when the gods, in their immortal youth, wandered upon this earth, and paid visits to mankind.
我把这想法告诉了他，他笑了；我都可以发誓说他是那些古代神只乔装改扮的其中一位，或者，不管怎么说，他属于神族。
I said so to him, and he smiled; and I could have sworn that he was one of these ancient deities in disguise, or, at all events, that he belonged to the race of the gods.
结果似乎证明我的怀疑是对的；因为已经安排好要满足我最大的愿望，要赋予我的木偶生命，而我要成为一家正规剧团的经理。
the result seemed to prove I was right in my suspicions; for it was arranged that my highest wish should be granted, that my puppets were to be gifted with life, and that I was to be the manager of a real pany.
我们为我的成功干杯，碰了碰杯。
we drank to my success, and clanked our glasses.
然后他把我所有的木偶都装进箱子，把箱子绑在我背上，我感觉自己好像在转圈，不一会儿就发现自己躺在地上了。
then he packed all my dolls into the box, and fastened it on my back, and I felt as if I were spinning round in a circle, and presently found myself lying on the floor.
我对这事儿记得很清楚。
I remember that quite well.
然后所有的木偶都从箱子里蹦了出来。
And then the whole pany sprang from the box.
灵气降临到了我们所有人身上；木偶们都变成了杰出的演员 —— 至少，他们自己是这么说的 —— 而我是他们的导演。
the spirit had e upon us all; the puppets had bee distinguished actors — at least, so they said themselves — and I was their director.
“当第一场演出的一切都准备就绪时，全体演员请求在公开露面之前和我谈谈。
“when all was ready for the first representation, the whole pany requested permission to speak to me before appearing in public.
那位跳舞的女士说，除非她单腿站立，否则剧院撑不下去；因为她是个了不起的天才，请求能被当作天才来对待。
the dancing lady said the house could not be supported unless she stood on one leg; for she was a great genius, and begged to be treated as such.
那位扮演王后的女士希望在台下也能像在台上一样被当作王后对待，否则她说自己会技艺生疏的。
the lady who acted the part of the queen expected to be treated as a queen off the stage, as well as on it, or else she said she should get out of practice.
那个负责送信的人摆起架子来和剧中扮演第一情人的人有得一拼；他宣称次要角色和主要角色一样重要，作为艺术整体的组成部分，都应得到同等的重视。
the man whose duty it was to deliver a letter gave himself as many airs as he who took the part of first lover in the piece; he declared that the inferior parts were as important as the great ones, and deserving equal consideration, as parts of an artistic whole.
剧中的男主角只肯演那些有可能博得全场掌声的角色。
the hero of the piece would only play in a part containing points likely to bring down the applause of the house.
那位 “首席女高音” 只肯在灯光是红色的时候表演，因为她说蓝色灯光不适合她的肤色。
the ‘prima donna’ would only act when the lights were red, for she declared that a blue light did not suit her plexion.
这就像是一群苍蝇在瓶子里，而我和它们一起在瓶子里；因为我是他们的导演。
It was like a pany of flies in a bottle, and I was in the bottle with them; for I was their director.
我喘不过气来，脑袋发晕，痛苦到了极点。
my breath was taken away, my head whirled, and I was as miserable as a man could be.
我现在身处其中的这群人真是新奇又古怪。
It was quite a novel, strange set of beings among whom I now found myself.
我只希望能把他们全都再装进我的箱子里，真希望自己从来没当过他们的导演。
I only wished I had them all in my box again, and that I had never been their director.
所以我直截了当地告诉他们，说到底，他们不过就是些木偶；然后他们就把我给杀了。
So I told them roundly that, after all, they were nothing but puppets; and then they killed me.
过了一会儿，我发现自己躺在房间里的床上；但我是怎么到那儿的，或者说我到底是怎么从理工学院的教授那儿脱身的，也许他知道，我可不知道。
After a while I found myself lying on my bed in my room; but how I got there, or how I got away at all from the polytechnic professor, he may perhaps know, I don’t.
月光照在地板上，箱子敞开着，木偶们全都乱七八糟地散落一地；但我可没闲着。
the moon shone upon the floor, the box lay open, and the dolls were all scattered about in great confusion; but I was not idle.
我从床上跳下来，把它们（木偶）全都塞进箱子里，有的头朝下，有的脚朝下。
I jumped off the bed, and into the box they all had to go, some on their heads, some on their feet.
然后我合上箱盖，坐在箱子上。
then I shut down the lid, and seated myself upon the box.
“现在你们得待在里面了，” 我说，“我可得小心点儿，不会再轻易希望你们变成有血有肉的人了。”
‘Now you’ll have to stay,’ said I, ‘and I shall be cautious how I wish you flesh and blood again.’
“我感觉浑身轻松，好心情又回来了，我成了最幸福的凡人。理工学院的教授把我彻底治好了。我像国王一样幸福，就坐在箱子上睡着了。
“I felt quite light, my cheerfulness had returned, and I was the happiest of mortals. the polytechnic professor had fully cured me. I was as happy as a king, and went to sleep on the box.
第二天早上 —— 准确地说，已经是中午了，因为那天我睡得特别晚 —— 我发现自己还坐在那儿，心里高兴地意识到我之前的那个愿望是多么愚蠢。
Next morning — correctly speaking, it was noon, for I slept remarkably late that day — I found myself still sitting there, in happy consciousness that my former wish had been a foolish one.
我打听理工学院教授的下落；但他就像希腊和罗马的众神一样消失不见了；从那时候起，我就成了世界上最幸福的人。
I inquired for the polytechnic professor; but he had disappeared like the Greek and Roman gods; from that time I have been the happiest man in the world.
我是个快乐的导演；因为我的剧团里没人抱怨，观众也没人抱怨，因为我总能让他们开心。
I am a happy director; for none of my pany ever grumble, nor the public either, for I always make them merry.
我可以随心所欲地安排我的剧目。
I can arrange my pieces just as I please.
我从每部喜剧里挑选出我最喜欢的部分，也没人会不高兴。
I choose out of every edy what I like best, and no one is offended.
如今被广大观众忽视的剧目，三十年前可是大受欢迎的，观众们听得入神，眼泪都顺着脸颊流下来了。
plays that are neglected now-a-days by the great public were ran after thirty years ago, and listened to till the tears ran down the cheeks of the audience.
这些就是我推出的剧目。我把它们展示给小孩子们看，他们会像三十年前爸爸妈妈们那样为此落泪。
these are the pieces I bring forward. I place them before the little ones, who cry over them as papa and mamma used to cry thirty years ago.
但我会把它们缩短，因为孩子们不喜欢长篇大论；要是有什么悲伤的情节，他们也希望能快点结束。”
but I make them shorter, for the youngsters don’t like long speeches; and if they have anything mournful, they like it to be over quickly.”