6. HUMPTY DUMPTY矮梯胖梯-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《爱丽丝镜中奇遇记》

6 HUMPTY DUMPTY HOWEVER,the egg only got larg er and larger,and more and more human:when she had come within a few yards of it,she saw that it had eyes and a nose and mouth;and,when she had come close to it, she saw clearly that it was HUMPTY DUMPTY himself."It can't be anybody else！”she said to herself.“T'm as certain of it,as if his name were written all over his face!" It might have been written a hundred times,easily,on that enormous face.Humpty Dumpty was sitting,with his legs crossed like a Turk,on the top of a high wall-such a narrow one that Alice quite wondered how he could keep his balance-and,as his eyes were steadily fixed in the opposite direction,and he didn't take the least notice of her, she thought he must be a stuffed figure,after all. “And how exactly like an egg he is！”she said aloud,standing with her hands ready to catch him,for she was every moment expecting him to fall."It's very provoking,"said Humpty Dumpty,after a long silence, looking away from Alice as he spoke,"to be called an egg-very!" “I said you looked like an egg,Sir,”Alice gently explained..“And some eggs are very pretty,you know,"she added,hoping to turn her ·136· 第六章 矮梯胖梯 鸡蛋没有变成树，只是变得越来越大，越来 越像人了。艾丽丝走到离它几步远的地方，看见 上面有眼睛、鼻子和嘴巴；再走近点，她看清楚 是矮梯胖梯。她自言自语，“不可能是别人！我可 以肯定是他，就好像他的脸上写着名字一样。” 在那张大脸上，名字写上100次也很容易。 矮梯胖梯跟土耳其人那样盘着腿，坐在一堵高墙 上。那堵墙很窄，艾丽丝感到很奇怪，他怎么能 ①Turk/t3kWn.土耳其人 保持平衡，不摔下来。他的眼睛一眨不眨地朝另 一方向看，根本没有注意到艾丽丝，因此她想， ②stuff/stAf/填充，填塞 说不定这是填料做成的假人。 “他的样子多么像鸡蛋！”她说出声来，同时 双手伸向前，怕他摔下来，随时准备扶他。“把 人说成是鸡蛋，岂有此理…岂有此理！”矮梯 provoking /prau'vaukin/ 胖梯沉默良久才张嘴说，眼睛看也不看艾丽丝。 a令人生气的，激怒人的 “先生，我刚才说，你看起来像个鸡蛋。有 的鸡蛋很好看，这你是知道的。”艾丽丝轻声细 语地回答，希望能把刚才说的解释成一句恭维 ·137· Throughthe Looking-Glass and What Alice FoundThere remark into a sort of compliment "Some people,"said Humpty Dumpty,looking away from her as usual,“have no more sense than a baby！" Alice didn't know what to say to this:it wasn't at all like conversation,she thought,as he never said anything to her;in fact,his last remark was evidently addressed to a tree-so she stood and softly repeated to herself:- "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall: Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses and all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty in his place again." "That last line is much too long for the poetry,"she added,almost out loud,forgetting that Humpty Dumpty would hear her. "Don't stand chattering to yourself like that,Humpty Dumpty said,looking at her for the first time,"but tell me your name and your business.” “My name is Alice,but-” “It's a stupid name enough!”Humpty Dumpty interrupted② impatiently.“What does it mean?” "Must a name mean something?"Alice asked doubtfully. “Of course it must,.”Humpty Dumpty said with a short laugh:“y name means the shape I am-and a good handsome shape it is,too. With a name like yours,you might be any shape,almost." "Why do you sit out here all alone?"said Alice,not wishing to begin an argument. “Why,because there's nobody with me！”cried Humpty Dumpty."Did you think I didn't know the answer to that?Ask another.” ·138· 艾丽丝镜中奇遇记 ①compliment 话。 komplrmant/n.恭维，称 海 “有的人比婴儿还不懂道理。”矮梯胖梯和刚 才一样，对艾丽丝不屑一顾。 艾丽丝不知道回答什么好。她想，这根本不 像是在谈话，因为他从没有面对着她说过什么。 事实上，他最后一句话很显然是对着一棵树说 的。因此她也站在那里，自己低声背诵一首诗： “矮梯胖梯坐在墙头， 矮梯胖梯摔个跟斗。 国王的全部人马 没能把矮梯胖梯扶上墙头。” “这最后一行太长了，不像一句诗。”她说话 的声音很响亮，忘了矮梯胖梯是听得见的。 “别一个人站在那里唠叨。”矮梯胖梯第一次 正眼瞧着她说，“告诉我，你叫什么名字，来这里 的目的。” “我的名字叫艾丽丝，但是” ②interrupt/nta'rpt/g.中 断，打断 矮梯胖梯不耐烦地打断她，“这个名字乏味得 impatiently /im'peifantl/ 很！有什么含义吗？” ad不耐烦地，无耐心地 “名字都有含义的吗？”艾丽丝十分怀疑。 矮梯胖梯嘿嘿一笑，说：“当然要有。我的 名字就是形容我的体态的，一听就知道我富态。 你起那样一个名字，长成什么样，大概都可以。” “你为什么一个人孤零零坐在这里？”艾丽丝 不愿意和别人争论，就故意打岔。 矮梯胖梯喊道：“为什么，因为没有人跟我 在一起嘛！你以为我不知道这个问题该怎么回答 吗？你再问一个好了。” ·139· Throughthe Looking-Glass and What Alice FoundThere "Don't you think you'd be safer down on the ground?"Alice went on,not with any idea of making another riddle,but simply in her good-natured anxiety for the queer creature."That wall is so very narrow!" “What tremendously②easy riddles you ask！”Humpty Dumpty growled out."Of course I don't think so!Why,if ever I did fall off which there's no chance of-but if I did-"Here he pursed up his lips, and looked so solemn and grand that Alice could hardly help laughing. “If I did fall,”he went on,“the King promised me--ah,you may turn pale,if you like!You didn't think I was going to say that,did you? The King has promised me-with his very own mouth-to-to-" "To send all his horses and all his men,"Alice interrupted,rather unwisely. "Now I declare that's too bad!"Humpty Dumpty cried,breaking into a sudden passion."You've been listening at doors-and behind trees and down chimneys-or you couldn't have known it!" “I haven't,indeed！" Alice said very gently."It's in a book.” “Ah,well！They may write such things in a book, Humpty Dumpty said in a calmer tone."That's what you call a History of England,that is.Now,take a good look at me!I'm one that has spoken to a King,I am: mayhap you'll never see such another:and,to show you I'm not proud,you may shake hands with me!” ·140· 艾丽丝宽中奇遇记【 “这堵墙那么窄，你不觉得到地上来会更安 ①riddle /'rdl/n.送语 全些？”艾丽丝并不想出难题，只不过心肠好， 为这个奇异的人感到焦虑。 矮梯胖梯咆哮起来：“你问的问题实在太容 ②tremendously 易了！当然我不那样认为。为什么呢？即使我摔 r'mendasl/ad可怕地， 极大地 了下去，这根本是不可能的事，不过假如我摔了 ③growl/graulv./n狂吠， 怒吼，低声咆哮着说话 …”说到这里他噘起了嘴，神情那么严肃，那 ④purse up one's lips豪着嘴 么庄重，艾丽丝忍不住笑出声来。“假如我摔 ③solemn/splam/a庄重的， 严肃的 了，”他接着说，“国王已经答应…哼，你听了 会吓一跳的。你想不到我会提起国王，对不对？ 国王已经亲口答应…” “派遣他的全部人马。”艾丽丝很不明智地替 他说了。 “啊呀，这实在太糟糕了！”矮梯胖梯突然大 发雷霆，喊道：“你一直藏在门后面，树后面， 还有烟道里偷听，不然你不可能知道！” (图略) 艾丽丝非常和气地回答：“我确实没有偷听， 那是书本里写的。” “哦，他们有可能把这样的事情写进书里。” 矮梯胖梯的口气缓和多了：“这就是你们称之为 英国的历史。哼，你好好瞧瞧。跟国王说过话的 人，就是我啊！你也许再也见不到第二个像我这 样的人了。为了向你表明我并不骄傲，你可以跟 我握握手！”他这一笑，嘴都快咧到耳根了，他 ·141· Throughthe Looking-Glass and What Alice FoundThere And he grinned almost from ear to ear,as he leant forwards (and as nearly as possible fell off the wall in doing so)and offered Alice his hand.She watched him a little anxiously as she took it."If he smiled much more the ends of his mouth might meet behind,"she thought: "And then I don't know what would happen to his head!I'm afraid it would come off!” "Yes,all his horses and all his men,"Humpty Dumpty went on. "They'd pick me up again in a minute,they would!However,this conversation is going on a little too fast:let's go back to the last remark but one.” "I'm afraid I can't quite remember it,"Alice said,very politely. “In that case we start afresh②，”said Humpty Dumpty,“and it's my turn to choose a subject-"("He talks about it just as if it was a game!"thought Alice.)"So here's a question for you.How old did you say you were?” Alice made a short calculation③，and said“Seven years and six months.” “Wrong！”Humpty Dumpty exclaimed triumphantly.“You never said a word like it!” “I thought you meant‘How old are you'?”Alice explained. "If I'd meant that,I'd have said it,"said Humpty Dumpty. Alice didn't want to begin another argument,so she said nothing. “Seven years and six months！”Humpty Dumpty repeated thoughtfully."An uncomfortable sort of age.Now if you'd asked my advice,I'd have said 'Leave off at seven'-but it's too late now." “I never ask advice about growing,”Alice said indignantly④ “Too proud?”the other enquired⑤. Alice felt even more indignant at this suggestion."I mean,"she said,“that one can't help growing older..” ·142· 艾丽丝宽中奇遇记【 ①leant Aent/lean的过去式 还俯下身（差一点就从墙上摔下来），他把手伸 及过去分词 lean Ali:nl.(使)倾斜 给艾丽丝。她握住他的手时，有点担忧地注视着 他，心里想：“他笑得更欢些，嘴角会在脑后连 起来的，那时候，他的头会变成什么样子呢？恐 怕会掉下来吧！” 矮梯胖梯接着说：“是的，国王派遣他的全 部人马，他们马上就会把我扶起来，毫无疑问！ 不过，我们的谈话有点太快了，还是回到倒数第 二个话题上去吧。” “我恐怕想不起来了。”艾丽丝很有礼貌地说。 矮梯胖梯说：“要是这样，我们从头开始吧。 ②afresh/'fref/ad.(尤指 现在轮到我选择话题，”（艾丽丝想，“他那样子 从头)再，重新 就像在跟我玩一种游戏！”)他说：“该我提问了。 你刚才说你几岁了？” 3calculation /kaelkju'lerfn/ 艾丽丝很快算了算：“七岁零六个月。” n计算，推算 “错了！”矮梯胖梯得意洋洋地宣布，“你从来 没有这样说过。” “我想你是问‘你几岁了’。”艾丽丝想解释。 “要是我想那么问，我会那么说的。”矮梯胖 梯说。 艾丽丝不想再引起一场争论，因此缄默不语。 矮梯胖梯若有所思地重复：“七岁零六个月！ 不上不下，多么别扭。你要是早征求我的意见， 我会说，‘只长到七岁’…不过，来不及了。” “我从来不问别人我该不该长。”艾丽丝生气 indignantly /in'dignantl/ 地说。 ad愤怒地，恼火地 ⑤enquire/n'kwara/同 “太骄傲了吧！”那个人说。 inquire,.询问 听到这种含蓄的指责，艾丽丝更生气了，“我 的意思是，一个人没有办法不长的。” ·143· Throughthe Looking-Glass and What Alice FoundThere “One can't,perhaps,”said Humpty Dumpty;“but two can..With proper assistance,you might have left off at seven." “What a very beautiful belt you've got on！”Alice suddenly remarked.(They had had quite enough of the subject of age,she thought:and,if they really were to take turns in choosing subjects it was her turn now.)"At least,"she corrected herself on second thought, "a beautiful cravat,I should have said-no,a belt,I mean-I beg your pardon！”she added in dismay①，for Humpty Dumpty looked thoroughly offended,and she began to wish she hadn't chosen that subject..“If only I knew,”she thought to herself,.“which was neck and which was waist?” Evidently Humpty Dumpty was very angry,though he said nothing for a minute or two.When he did speak again,it was in a deep growl. “It is a-—most-provoking-—thing,”he said at last,“when a person doesn't know a cravat from a belt!" "I know it's very ignorant of me,Alice said,in so humble a tone that Humpty Dumpty relented2 "It's a cravat,child,and a beautiful one,as you say.It's a present from the White King and Queen.There now!" "Is it really?"said Alice,quite pleased to find that she had chosen a good subject after all. "They gave it me,"Humpty Dumpty continued thoughtfully as he crossed one knee over the other and clasped his hands round it,"they gave it me-for an un-birthday present." “I beg your pardon?”Alice said with a puzzled③air. “I'm not offended,.”said Humpty Dumpty. “I mean,what is an un-birthday present?” "A present given when it isn't your birthday,of course." ·144· 艾丽丝镜中奇遇记 矮梯胖梯说，“也许一个人没办法，但是两个 人有办法。要是有人适当帮帮忙，你就会长到七 岁不再长了。” “你的腰带多么好看啊！”艾丽丝突然说出这 样的话来。（她想，谈岁数谈得够多的了，要是真 的轮流挑选话题，那就应该轮到她了。)不过说 完又觉得不妥，连忙纠正：“我应该说，这是一 ①dismay/dis'meln气馁， 根美丽的领带…不对，我是说腰带…请你原 惊恐 谅！”矮梯胖梯满脸怒气，艾丽丝不知所措，后 悔不该选择这个话题，她心里想：“要是分得清 哪儿是脖子，哪儿是腰就好了！” 矮梯胖梯显然很生气，尽管他有一两分钟什 么也不说，不过一开口，就像是一声闷雷。 “一个人分不清领带和腰带，是最令人气恼 的！”他终于说话了。 “我知道我十分无知。”艾丽丝忍气吞声，矮 梯胖梯也不好再发脾气。 “孩子，那是领带，和你说的一样，是美丽 ②relent/rr'lent/,动怜悯心 的领带。是白国王和白王后送的礼物。你瞧！” “是真的吗？”艾丽丝很高兴，她毕竟选择了 一个恰当的话题。 “他们给我的，”矮梯胖梯抬起一条腿，架在 另一条腿上，还用双手抱住膝盖，若有所思地继 续说，“他们送给我的…作为非生日礼物。” “对不起”。”艾丽丝困惑不解。 “我并没有生气嘛！”矮梯胖梯说。 ③puzzled /pA☑V.使困惑 “我是说，什么叫做非生日礼物？” “当然就是不在你生日的时候送的礼物。” ①英语这句话既可表示道款，也可表示听不懂，请求重复。一译注 ·145·