評論
打印
Rabadash was brought before them in chains. To look at him anyone would have supposed that he had passed the night in a noisome dungeon without food or water; but in reality he had been shut up in quite a comfortable room and provided with an excellent supper. But as he was sulking far too furiously to touch the supper and had spent the whole night stamping and roaring and cursing, he naturally did not now look his best.
戴著鐵鏈的拉巴達什給帶了上來。瞧瞧他的模樣，任何人都會猜想他是在一個喧鬧的地牢里過了一夜，既沒有食物，又沒有水喝；事實上他卻是給關在一個十分舒服的房間里，供他吃的伙食也十分精美。但因為他生氣得非常厲害，晚飯一點也不肯吃，又整夜頓足、吼叫、咒罵，現在看上去自然不是他最好的模樣兒了。
"Your royal Highness needs not to be told," said King Lune, "that by the law of nations as well as by all reasons of prudent policy, we have as good right to your head as ever one mortal man had against another. Nevertheless, in consideration of your youth and the ill nurture, devoid of all gentilesse and courtesy, which you have doubtless had in the land of slaves and tyrants, we are disposed to set you free, unharmed, on these conditions: first, that-"
“無需多說，殿下也知道，”國王倫恩說道，”根據國家的法律，根據審慎的政策的種種理由，我們有權要求砍掉你的腦袋，正如一個人有權處置另一個不共戴天的敵人一樣。然而，考慮到你年紀還輕，天性粗暴，缺少各種教養和禮貌，凡此無疑都是在一個暴君和奴隸的國度里沾染上的惡習，我們傾向于不加害于你，釋放你回家，條件是：第一……”
"Curse you for a barbarian dog!" spluttered Rabadash. "Do you think I will even hear your conditions? Faugh! You talk very largely of nurture and I know not what. It's easy, to a man in chains, ha! Take off these vile bonds, give me a sword, and let any of you who dares then debate with me."
“我咒罵你這野蠻的狗東西！“拉巴達什唾沫四濺地嚷嚷道，”你以為我會聽你的條件嗎?呸！你大談天性和其他不知所云的話。對一個用鏈條束縛著的人說這種話是容易的，哼！解開這些該死的鏈條，給我一把劍，那時，你們哪一個敢來和我辯論！”
Nearly all the lords sprang to their feet, and Corin shouted:
幾乎所有的王子貴族都跳了起來，科林大聲叫道：
"Father! Can I box him? Please."
“父王！我能揍他嗎?行嗎?”
"Peace! Your Majesties! My Lords!" said King Lune. "Have we no more gravity among us than to be so chafed by the taunt of a pajock? Sit down, Corin, or shaft leave the table. I ask your Highness again, to hear our conditions."
“安靜下來！陛下，各位王子貴族！”國王倫恩說道，”難道我們沒有涵養到如此地步，一個混蛋的辱罵就把我們激怒了?坐下，科林，不然你就離開桌子吧。我再次要求殿下仔細聽聽我們的條件。”
"I hear no conditions from barbarians and sorcerers," said Rabadash. "Not one of you dare touch a hair of my head. Every insult you have heaped on me shall be paid with oceans of Narnian and Archenlandish blood. Terrible shall the vengeance of the Tisroc be: even now. But kill me, and the burnings and torturings in these northern lands shall become a tale to frighten the world a thousand years hence. Beware! Beware! Beware! The bolt of Tash falls from above!"
“我不聽外邦人和術士提出的條件，”拉巴達什說道，”你們沒有一個人敢碰我腦袋上的一根頭發，你們對我的種種侮辱，將要用納尼亞人和阿欽蘭人的血海來償還，蒂斯羅克的報復是可怕的，哪怕現在也是可怕的。如果殺了我，那么，在北方土地上的焚燒和折磨之災，將成為今后一千年震驚世界的故事。小心！小心！小心！小心塔什神的雷霆從天上打下來！”
"Does it ever get caught on a hook half-way?" asked Corin.
“雷霆會中途在鉤子上鉤住嗎?”科林問道。
"Shame, Corin," said the King. "Never taunt a man save when he is stronger than you: then, as you please."
“你太不像話了，科林，”國王說，”永遠別取笑奚落人，除非對方比你強大；對方比你強時，那就悉聽尊便了。”
"Oh you foolish Rabadash," sighed Lucy.
“你這愚蠢的拉巴達什啊。”露茜嘆息道。
Next moment Cor wondered why everyone at the table had risen and was standing perfectly still. Of course he did the same himself. And then he saw the reason. Aslan was among them though no one had seen him coming. Rabadash started as the immense shape of the Lion paced softly in between him and his accusers.
接下來的剎那間，科奧心中納罕：為什么坐在桌子旁的所有人都站起來了，而且都一動也不動地站在那兒。當然，他自己也站起來了。這時他才明白了其中的緣故。阿斯蘭跟他們在一起，雖然沒有一個人看見它進來。獅子巨大的軀體在拉巴達什和譴責他的人們之間輕輕地來回踱步時，拉巴達什吃了一驚。
"Rabadash," said Aslan. "Take heed. Your doom is very near, but you may still avoid it. Forget your pride (what have you to be proud of?) and your anger (who has done you wrong?) and accept the mercy of these good kings."
“拉巴達爾，”阿斯蘭說道，”別掉以輕心了。你的厄運近在眼前，但你仍舊可以避免厄運的。忘掉你的驕傲(你有什么可驕傲的?)，忘掉你的憤怒(有誰損害你來著?)，接受這些善良的國王們的憐憫慈悲吧。”
Then Rabadash rolled his eyes and spread out his mouth into a horrible, long mirthless grin like a shark, and wagged his ears up and down (anyone can learn how to do this if they take the trouble). He had always found this very effective in Calormen. The bravest had trembled when he made these faces, and ordinary people had fallen to the floor, and sensitive people had often fainted. But what Rabadash hadn't realized is that it is very easy to frighten people who know you can have them boiled alive the moment you give the word. The grimaces didn't look at all alarming in Archenland; indeed Lucy only thought Rabadash was going to be sick.
拉巴達什這時轉動眼珠，張開嘴巴，像鯊魚似的發出可怕而沉悶的露齒獰笑，上下擺動著耳朵(如果肯費工夫，任何人都能學會的)。從前在卡樂門他這一套總是很奏效的。他做這鬼臉時，最勇敢的人發抖，普普通通的人倒在地上，神經過敏的人往往昏厥過去。然而拉巴達什不曾認識到的事實是：老百姓知道，你只要下個命令便可立刻把他們活活煮死，要嚇唬他們自然是容易的。在阿欽蘭，扮鬼臉看來壓根兒不驚人；事實上，露茜只覺得拉巴達什大概快要生病了。
"Demon! Demon! Demon!" shrieked the Prince. "I know you. You are the foul fiend of Narnia. You are the enemy of the gods. Learn who I am, horrible phantasm. I am descended from Tash, the inexorable, the irresistible. the curse of Tash is upon you. Lightning in the shape of scorpions shall be rained on you. The mountains of Narnia shall be ground into dust. The-"
“魔鬼！魔鬼！魔鬼！”王子尖聲叫道，”我知道你。你是納尼亞的邪惡的魔王。你是眾神的仇敵。可怕的幽靈，叫你知道我是誰吧。我是毫不寬容、不可抗拒的塔什神的后裔。塔什神的詛咒落在你頭上。蝎子形的閃電將像雨點般打在你身上。納尼亞的火山將化為塵土……”
"Have a care, Rabadash," said Aslan quietly. "The doom is nearer now: it is at the door: it has lifted the latch."
“留點兒神，拉巴達什，”阿斯蘭平靜地說道，”厄運如今更逼近了，厄運就在門外，厄運拔掉門閂了。”
"Let the skies fall," shrieked Rabadash. "Let the earth gape! Let blood and fire obliterate the world! But be sure I will never desist till I have dragged to my palace by her hair the barbarian queen, the daughter of dogs, the -"
“讓天塌下來吧，”拉巴達什尖聲叫道，”讓地裂開來吧！讓血與火湮沒這世界吧！但是我管保決不斷念、罷休，我一定要揪住那狗東西的女兒，揪住那外邦女王的頭發，把她拖到我的王宮里去……”
"The hour has struck," said Aslan: and Rabadash saw, to his supreme horror, that everyone had begun to laugh.
“時辰到了。”阿斯蘭說道，拉巴達什看到人人都開始哈哈大笑，心里惶恐之至。
