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Beauty and the beast
美女與野獸
Once upon a time, in the days when France was covered with dark woods and darker mysteries, there lived a merchant with his three daughters.
很久很久以前，那時法國還被黑色森林覆蓋，暗無天日的神秘氣息籠罩一切。在那里，有一個商人和他的女兒們生活在一起。
He had once been a wealthy man, and his daughters had worn the finest dresses in the kingdom.
他曾經腰纏萬貫。他的女兒們身上穿的裙子都是整個王國最華貴的。
But recently several of his ships had been lost at sea, and now all the money was gone.
但最近，他的幾艘船在大海里消失了，他賠掉了所有的錢。
The two oldest daughters could not bear to be poor, and they did nothing but whine and complain, but the youngest daughter, Beauty, simply hung up her fine dresses and went to work.
兩個姐姐難以忍受貧窮的生活，她們每天喋喋不休地抱怨，叫苦連天；但是最小的女兒 Beauty卻只是把華美的衣裙掛了起來，不動聲色地去干活了。
She scrubbed; she cleaned; she prepared meals; and she comforted her poor father in his sadness.
她不停地洗洗涮涮，給大家做飯，還寬慰傷心的父親。
Then one day, he came to her with wonderful news. "Beauty," he said, "a miracle has happened. One of my ships has returned to port. A fortune's been restored. We will be rich again."
有一天，父親告訴她一個好消息："Beauty，奇跡發生了。我的一艘船回到港口了。我的錢失而復得，我們馬上要過回富裕的生活了。"
He set off for the town at once. As he was leaving, he hugged his daughters to him. "What would you like for a present?" he asked.
父親馬上出發進城了。在他離開之前，他抱了抱他的女兒們，問道："你們都想要什么禮物呢？"
"A fine dress," said the first. "A rich jewel," said the second. But Beauty only smiled. "A rose," she said. "Only a rose."
"一條華麗的裙子"，大女兒說。"一件昂貴的首飾，"二女兒說。但是Beauty就是笑了笑："一朵玫瑰，只要一朵玫瑰。"
The merchant rode to the city, and found that the miracle had not happened after all.
商人騎馬進了城，卻發現奇跡并沒有發生。
Yes, one of his ships had come into port, but the spices and fabrics on board had been ruined by the salt water. So he started home again, even poorer than when he had set out.
沒錯，他的那條船是到港口了，但是船上的香料和布料卻因為泡了海水，全都損毀了。他只好又起身回家，比來的時候更囊中羞澀。
On the way home, he had to ride through a thorny black wood. A huge thunderstorm suddenly struck. And the merchant, already lost, became terrified.
在回家的路上，他要騎馬穿過一片荊棘遍地的黑暗叢林。一場大風暴突如而至，讓已經迷路的商人心驚膽戰。
"I'll never find the way out," he thought, "I'll never see my daughters again." At that moment, a golden glow of light shattered through the sky.
"我永遠也出不去了，"他想著，"我再也見不到我的女兒們了。"正在這時，一道金色的光芒劃過天際。
And the merchant could clearly see what lay in front of him. It was a castle, enormous and black. With his last bit of strength, he rode towards it.
眼前的景象商人看得清清楚楚，那是一個巨大無比的黑色城堡。他用盡最后一絲力氣，奮力騎馬朝城堡走去。
When the merchant reached the castle, he knew he had entered into a strange fairyland indeed. He was welcomed into the great hall, his dripping cloak was taken away.
當他走到城堡時，他意識到自己進入了一片奇異的童話王國。他被迎進一個大廳里，身上濕漉漉的斗篷被接了過去；
His horse was stabled. He was given an elegant dinner, and he was put to bed in the softest of sheets.
他的馬也被牽進馬廄；接著他又享用了一頓精致的大餐；最后被安排在一張無比柔軟的床上歇息。
But in all that evening, he did not see a single soul. All the work was done by ghostly unseen hands. And he felt the breaths of spirit all about him.
但是，整個晚上，他都沒有見到一個人影。所有這一切都是被一雙看不見的手操作，他甚至都能感覺到那個鬼影子的呼吸。
In the morning, the merchant woke early. Afraid of the magic around him, he wanted to get back home as soon as possible.
第二天，商人早早醒來了。無處不在的魔法讓他害怕，他想趕緊回家。
He dressed quickly, left the castle and found his horse beautifully groomed, waiting for him.
他飛快地穿好衣服，離開了城堡。他看到自己的馬被梳理地干干凈凈，整裝待發。
But as the merchant was riding away through the garden, his eyes fell upon the wonderful rose tree.
但是，當他騎馬穿行花園時，他看到了里面美麗的玫瑰。
He thought of Beauty, and her wish for a rose, so he bent and plucked one.
他想起小女兒想要一朵玫瑰花的事情。于是，他彎下腰摘了一朵。
There was a sudden roar, a roar as terrible and loud as last night's thunderstorm.
突然傳來一聲咆哮，就像昨晚的暴風雨一樣震耳欲聾。
The merchant looked up and screamed, for there, on the path, dressed in velvet and silks like a courtier, was the most hideous beast he had ever seen.
商人抬起頭，大聲喊叫，因為在小路上，他看到一個無比丑陋的野獸，那野獸身上穿著天鵝絨和絲綢，活像一個宮中寵臣。
The great monster came closer. "This is how you repay my hospitality?" the animal roared, "I gave you shelter, dinner, a bed, and you steal my rose. For that, you will die."
大怪獸往前走近了一點。"這就是你報答我的方式？"野獸咆哮著，"我給了你住處，食物和床鋪，你卻偷了我的玫瑰。你必須要以死謝罪。"
"Oh, spare me!" the merchant cried, "I only wanted the rose for one of my daughters."
"啊，饒了我吧！"商人哭著，"我只是想摘朵花給我的女兒。"
A cunning look came into the beast's face." You have daughters?
野獸的臉上閃過一絲狡黠。"你有女兒？
Well then, I will give you a choice. If one of your daughters is willing to come back here in your place, I will spare your life. If they refuse, then you will return here to die.
那好吧，我給你一個選擇吧。如果你的一個女兒過來接替你，我就饒你一命。如果她們都不來，那你自己就得回來受死。
And do not think you can escape, for I have enchanted your horse. You will return here in three days, with either your daughter or yourself."
別想著逃跑，我給你的馬施了魔法。三天后你會回來，要么帶著你的女兒，要么你自己。"
The miserable merchant got on his horse and rode home. When he told his daughters the story of what had happened, the two oldest cried and ranted and screamed.
可憐的商人騎上馬回到家中。當他把故事的經過原原本本告訴了女兒們，兩個大女兒只是大喊大叫，哭鬧個不停。
But Beauty was very calm." The matter is very simple, father," she said, "the whole thing's my fault, so I'll go back to the beast's castle in your place".
但是小女兒Beauty非常冷靜。"這件事很簡單，爸爸，"她說，"整件事情都是因我而起，那么我就去城堡里代替你受罰。"
The merchant would not hear of the idea. But on the third morning, before he was even awake, Beauty stole out of the house and jumped on the back of the horse.
商人不忍這樣做。但是第三天一早，在爸爸還沒有醒過來的時候，Beauty就偷偷溜出家門，跳上了馬背。
And by late afternoon, she was at the castle of the beast.
到了傍晚的時候，她到了怪物的城堡。
She found herself in the same strange fairy tale as her father had. She was taken inside the castle by unseen hands, and let to a beautiful bedroom.
跟她的父親一樣，她也發現自己到了奇異的童話王國。她被一雙看不見的手迎進城堡，帶到一間漂亮的臥室里。
The closet was full of lovely dresses, the shelves full of delicate treasures and interesting books.
衣柜里掛滿了漂亮衣服，書架上也擺滿了奇珍異寶和各種有趣的書籍。
Beauty spent the day wandering around the grand castle and lush grounds, but still she saw nobody.
整整一天Beauty都在巨大的城堡里和繁茂的庭院里東逛西看，但卻沒有見到一個人。
That evening, when the clock struck seven, she was let by unseen hands into the dining hall. She sat down and waited.
當天晚上，當鐘表敲響七次的時候，她被那雙看不見的手引進餐廳。于是她坐下來，靜靜等待。
"Welcome, Beauty!" said a low voice. And in walked the Beast. Beauty was too kind to show the Beast how much his ugliness frightened her, so she neither screamed nor ran away.
"歡迎你，Beauty！"一個低低的聲音說道。野獸Beast走了進來。Beauty被他的丑陋嚇到了，但是她教養很好，并沒有顯示出來，也沒有喊叫，更沒有跑掉。
She only thanked him politely for his kindness in making her so comfortable.
她只是禮貌地感謝了他的好意和他的熱情款待。
He joined her at the table, and they talked through the meal. She was surprised to see what an interesting and amusing companion he was.
他跟她一起在桌邊坐下，他們邊吃邊交談。Beauty驚訝地發現Beast是一個既有趣又好玩的伙伴。
At the end of dinner, he turned to her and said, with a look of great lonely sadness, "Beauty, will you marry me?"
在晚餐結束的時候，他的臉上換上一種極為傷感寂寞的表情，跟她說："Beauty，你愿意嫁給我嗎？"
As kind as Beauty was, there was still only one answer." No, Beast. I could never marry you." In silence he walked away.
雖然Beauty心地善良，但是答案也只會有一個："我不能。我永遠不能嫁給你。" Beast靜靜地走開了。
The months that followed past in the same way. Beauty's days were filled with loveliness, but also with loneliness.
幾個月就這樣過去了。Beauty 的每一天都充滿了歡喜，也充滿了孤獨。
So, more and more, she began to look forward to her evenings with the beast. How kind he was! How they laughed together!
一點點地，她開始向往可以跟他一起度過的晚上。他是多么善良啊！他們那樣一起歡笑！
How interesting he was to talk to! But every night he asked the same question, "Beauty, will you marry me?"
跟他聊天是多么有趣！但是每天晚上他都會問同一個問題，"Beauty，你愿意嫁給我嗎？"
And his voice seemed to grow sadder and more hopeless every time he said it.
每問過一次，他的聲音就好像多傷感一分，多絕望一分。
Beauty had grown so fond of him, and she hated to hurt him, but still her answer was always the same. "No, my Beast, I could never marry you."
Beauty漸漸喜歡上了他。雖然她不想傷害Beast, 可她的答案永遠是一樣的："不能，Beast, 我永遠都不能嫁給你。"
As time went on, Beauty began to miss her family. One day, she asked the Beast if she could go home for a visit.
時光流逝，Beauty開始想念家人。有一天，她問Beast自己能不能回家看看。
The Beast grew very sad, but he gave his permission," You must promise to come back in a month, though, Beauty." He told her with a strange smile," Or I should die of a broken heart."
Beast很難過，但還是答應了："但是你必須要保證一個月后回來，Beauty。"他說話的時候臉上帶著怪異的微笑，"否則我就會傷心而死。"
Beauty promised and went home. Her family that thought her dead long ago were overjoyed to see her, and she in turn was thrilled to find them in happy circumstances.
Beauty給了她的承諾，回到家中。她的家人以為她早就死了，因此見到她大喜過望；而她看到家人都生活地很快樂，自己也很開心。
Since she had been gone, two of her father's ships had come in and the family was rich again.
她離開以后，她父親的兩條船也回來了，她們家又過上了富裕的日子。
Beauty had a wonderful visit. It was so busy and so merry that never once did she think of the Beast.
Beauty 在家里呆得很開心。每天過得又忙碌又快活，她完全忘了Beast。
And then one night, a month to the day that Beauty had left the castle, she had a dream.
但是有一天晚上，正好是Beauty離開城堡整整一個月的時候，她做了個夢。
She dreamt she saw the Beast. He was lying by the fountain in front of the castle, and he was dying.
她夢到了Beast，夢到他躺著城堡前的噴泉旁，奄奄一息。
She heard him whisper, "Beauty." She knew that his heart had broken, because she had not returned to him. Beauty woke from the dream, sprung out of bed and dressed quickly.
她聽到他低聲叫她："Beauty。"她知道他的心要碎了，因為她沒有如期回去。她從夢里醒來，一下子跳下床，飛快地穿上了衣服。
"Where are you going?" her sisters demanded.
"你要去哪兒？"姐姐們問她。
"I'm going to my Beast." Within minutes, she said goodbye to her father, and got on her horse, and was riding through the dark forest towards the castle.
"我要回到Beast身邊去。" 她花了幾分鐘的時間，告別了父親，跳上馬，穿過黑暗的叢林朝城堡跑去。
By daybreak she found it chilly and damp as it had been in her dream. And there, lying by the fountain, was the still form of the Beast.
破曉的時候，她到了那里，一切都像她夢中那樣又濕又冷。而Beast也靜靜地躺在噴泉旁邊，一動不動。
"Beast," she screamed. But it was too late. He didn't answer. She ran to him, and held his heavy, hairy head in her arms.
她大聲呼喊："Beast。"但是一切太晚了，他沒有回應。她向他跑去，把他沉重的毛茸茸的腦袋抱在懷里。
She looked at his face, the face that when she had first seen it, she had thought was the ugliest in the world. But now all she could see in it was its kindness and its gentleness and its love for herself.
她看著他的臉，這張她第一次見的時候覺得其丑無比的臉。但是現在，她只看到了善良、溫柔和對她的深深愛意。
"Beast," she wept, and her tears fell on his fur." Beast, you mustn't die. You must live. Live so that we can be married, for I love you. And I want to be with you always."
"Beast," 她哭泣著，她的眼淚滴滴掉落在他的毛發上。"Beast，你不要死啊。你要活著，活著我們才能結婚啊，因為我愛你。我想要永遠跟你在一起。"
With those words, the Beast's eyes opened. And still weeping, Beauty leaned forward, and kissed him.
說完這些話，Beast的眼睛睜開了。Beauty一邊哭著，一邊向前探著身體，親吻了他。
And when she did, something wonderful happened. For suddenly, the Beast began to change.
吻了他以后，神奇的事情發生了。突然之間，Beast變了。
The furry body dissolved away, and there, lying in Beauty's arms, was not a hideous monster, but a radiant young prince.
她他的身體上的毛發退掉了；躺在Beauty懷里的，也不是一個丑陋的怪物，而是一個光彩照人的年輕王子。
The Prince gazed into Beauty's face, with eyes that were at long last no longer lonely and sad. "Thank you, my Beauty," he said, "you have released me from a terrible spell."
王子凝視著Beauty的臉，眼睛里終于再沒有了孤獨和傷感。"謝謝你，我的Beauty," 他說，"你把我從咒語中解救了。"
"Not I," she whispered, "it was love. And it released us both."
"不是我，"她說，"是愛。愛把我們都解救了。"
