Chapter3 Three Days to See-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《假如给我三天光明Three Days to See》

Three Days to See for during the long night of my life the books I have read and those which have been read to me have built themselves into a great shining lighthouse,revealing to me the deepest channels of human life and the human spirit. In the afternoon of that first seeing day.I should take a long walk in the woods and intoxicate my eyes on the beauties of the world of Nature trying desperately to absorb in a few hours the vast splendor which is constantly unfolding itself to those who can see.On the way home from my woodland jaunt2 my path would lie near a farm so that I might see the patient horses ploughing in the field (perhaps I should see only a tractor!)and the serene content of men living close to the soil.And I should pray for the glory of a colorful sunset. When dusk had fallen,I should experience the double delight of being able to see by artificial light which the genius of man has created to extend the power of his sight when Nature decreases darkness. In the night of that first day of sight,I should not be able to sleep,so full would be my mind of the memories of the day. Ⅲ The next day-the second day of sight-I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle by which night is transformed into day.I should behold with awe the magnificent panorama of light with which the sun awakens the sleeping earth. This day I should devote to a hasty glimpse of the world,past and present. I should want to see the pageant of man's progress,the kaleidoscope of the ages.How can so much be compressed into one day?Through the museums, of course.Often I have visited the New York Museum of Natural History to touch with my hands many of the objects there exhibited,but I have longed to see with my eyes the condensed history of the earth and its inhabitants displayed there -animals and the races of men pictured in their native environment; gigantic carcasses of dinosaurs and mastodons which roamed the earth ·012· 假如给我三天光明 我读的，都陪伴我走过了生命中一个个漫长的黑夜，在 我面前铸成了一座耀眼的灯塔，指引我走向人类生活以 及人类精神的最深处。 第一天的下午，我要在林子里长久地漫步，让自然 D intoxicate [in'toksikei]v. 之美把我灌醉。用几个小时的时间，竭尽全力汲取大自 使陶醉 然赐予的壮丽气息，因为它是如此慷慨地沐浴着每一个 ②jaunt[d3nt]n.远足 看得见的人。回家的路上，我会选择途经农场的小道， 看看那些犁田的温驯马匹（不过，也可能我看到的就是 一台拖拉机，谁知道呢？)，感受一下那些农民安详的 满足。而且，我还要为缤纷的落日光辉而祈祷！ 黄昏降临，我更要体会加倍的愉悦，因为人类的智 慧创造了新的光明。当大自然的光明落幕，人类已华灯 初上。 第一天的夜里，我一定会失眠吧！因为白天的记忆 已经满脑丰盈。 三 次日，也就是我拥有光明的第二天，我要与黎明 同起，去见证黑夜幻为白昼，感受那动人心弦的奇迹。 我要满怀敬畏之心，看那太阳唤醒沉睡中的大地，领略 那光明带来的壮美气势。 这一天，我要专门用来浏览这个世界的过去和现 ③kaleidoscope [kolaid3:skaup]n.万花简 在。我想要了解人类的进步以及时代的变迁。这么多东 ④compress[km'pres] 压缩 西怎么能在一天里看完呢？当然是通过博物馆。我经常 去“参观”纽约自然历史博物馆，用手去触摸展品。但 是我依旧万分渴望透过双眼，去了解地球的简史以及生 活在那里的居民们一按照其原有生存环境描绘的各种 ⑤carcass[kakas]n.残骸 6 mastodon ['maestadon]n. 动物和人类：巨大恐龙和柱牙象的化石，早在人类出现 乳齿象 ·013· Three Days to See long before man appeared,with his tiny stature and powerful brain,to conquer the animal kingdom;realistic presentations of the processes of development in animals,in man,and in the implements which man has used to fashion for himself a secure home on this planet;and a thousand and one other aspects of natural history. I wonder how many readers of this article have viewed this panorama of the face of living things as pictured in that inspiring museum.Many,of course,have not had the opportunity,but I am sure that many who have had the opportunity have not made use of it.There,indeed,is a place to use your eyes.You who see can spend many fruitful days there,but I with my imaginary three days of sight, could only take a hasty glimpse,and pass on. My next stop would be the Metropolitan Museum of Art,for just as the Museum of Natural History reveals the material aspects of the world,so does the Metropolitan show the myriad facets of the human spirit.Throughout the history of humanity the urge to artistic expression has been almost as powerful as the urge for food,shelter,and procreation.And here,in the vast chambers of the Metropolitan Museum,is unfolded before me the spirit of Egypt,Greece,and Rome,as expressed in their art.I know well through my hands the sculptured gods and goddesses of the ancient Nile-land.I have felt copies of Parthenon friezes,and I have sensed the rhythmic beauty of charging Athenian warriors. Apollos and Venuses and the Winged Victory of Samothrace are friends of my finger tips.The gnarled,bearded features of Homer are dear to me,for he,too, knew blindness. My hands have lingered upon the living marble of roman sculpture as well as that of later generations.I have passed my hands over a plaster cast of Michelangelo's inspiring and heroic Moses;I have sensed the power of Rodin;I have been awed by the devoted spirit of Gothic wood carving.These arts which can be touched have meaning for me,but even they were meant to be seen ·014· 假如给我三天光明 并以其矮小身材和发达大脑征服动物世界以前，它们曾 主宰世界：动物进化以及人类劳动工具发展过程的真实 再现，人们曾利用这些工具在这颗星球上建造了属于自 己的安全家园：还有自然历史其他的方方面面」 我不知道，此文的读者里有多少人已经在这激动人 心的博物馆里，看到过那里呈现的各种生物风貌全景。 当然，我知道很多人并没有这样的机会，但是我也相信， 即使有机会的人，也不曾好好利用它。博物馆，真的是 值得参观学习的地方，应该用你的双眼慢慢领略。你能 看见，所以你能尽情地在那里度过充实的日子，但是我， 仅能凭借想象的三天光明，对它匆匆一警。 大都会艺术博物馆将是我的下一站。正如自然历史 傅物馆向我展示了这个世界物质的一面一样，大都会艺 术博物馆向我展现的是人类精神世界的那一面。纵观人 ①myriad[miriad]a,大量 $ 类历史，人类对于艺术表达的渴望如同对食物居所和繁 ②facet[fesi间m.某一方面 衍的需求一样强烈。而在这里一大都会博物馆那宽敞 的大厅里，在我面前所展现的是古埃及、古希腊和古罗 马的精神世界，正如其艺术作品所表达的那样。亲手去 抚摸那些雕塑，我更深刻地了解了古代尼罗河土地上的 众神；我还亲手抚摸了巴台农神殿的柱楣，感受了战场 ③frieze [fri:z].[建]（柱） 上冲锋陷阵的雅典战士们的韵律美。阿波罗、维纳斯和 中棉 双翼萨摩丝雷斯胜利女神'都是我的指尖好友。满脸粗糙 胡须的荷马也让我感到无比亲切，因为他也懂得黑暗。 我的双手，曾在栩栩如生的罗马大理石雕像以及后 世的雕像上停留，也曾触摸米开朗琪罗那鼓舞人心的英 雄摩西石膏雕塑，还曾感受罗丹的力量。哥特人对于木 刻的专注热忱，让我感到由衷的敬佩。这些可以触摸的 艺术作品对我来说意义非凡。但是，他们只供瞻仰，而 1萨摩丝雷斯是位于希腊爱琴海东北部的一个岛屿，因公元305年 在岛上树立起一胜利女神大理石雕像，以纪念马其顿国王的海战大捷 而著名。因女种雕像展开的双臂塑成展翅飞翔的姿态，故称萨摩丝雷 斯展翅胜利女神像。该雕像现存于巴黎罗浮宫。 ·015· Three Days to See rather than felt,and I can only guess at the beauty which remains hidden from me.I can admire the simple lines of a Greek vase,but its figured decorations are lost to me. So on this,my second day of sight,I should try to probe into the soul of man through this art.The things I knew through touch I should now see.More splendid still,the whole magnificent world of painting would be opened to me, from the Italian Primitives,with their serene religious devotion,to the Moderns, with their feverish visions.I should look deep into the canvases of Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci,Titian,Rembrandt.I should want to feast my eyes upon the warm colors of Veronese,study the mysteries of EI Greco,catch a new vision of Nature from Corot.Oh,there is so much rich meaning and beauty in the art of the ages for you who have eyes to see! Upon my short visit to this temple of art I should not be able to review a fraction of that great world of art which is open to you.I should be able to get only a superficial impression.Artists tell me that for deep and true appreciation of art one must educated the eye.One must learn through experience to weigh the merits of line,of composition,of form and color.If I had eyes,how happily would I embark upon so fascinating a study!Yet I am told that,to many of you who have eyes to see,the world of art is a dark night,unexplored and unilluminated. It would be with extreme reluctance that I should leave the Metropolitan Museum,which contains the key to beauty-a beauty so neglected.Seeing persons,however,do not need a metropolitan to find this key to beauty.The same key lies waiting in smaller museums,and in books on the shelves of even small libraries.But naturally,in my limited time of imaginary sight,I should choose the place where the key unlocks the greatest treasures in the shortest time. ·016· 假如给我三天光明 非触碰。于是，我就只能凭空想象那些我看不到的美。 正如一只希腊花瓶，我可以欣赏到其简单勾勒的线条， 但却无法看到那些图案装饰。 ①probe into探究，探索 所以，第二天，我要通过艺术探究人类的灵魂。那 此通过触摸所认识的事物，我也要用双眼看到。我知道， 更宏伟壮阔的绘画世界会呈现在我的眼前，从意大利早 期虔诚的宗教作品到狂热梦幻的现代派作品，应有尽 ②canvas[k:envas]n.帆布 有。我还要深入细致地瞻仰拉斐尔、达·芬奇、提香 和瑞姆布兰特2的画作。并且，我还要用维勒内兹3画作 温暖的色彩慰藉我的双眼，研读埃尔·格列科·画作的 神秘，领会科罗5画作里大自然的新视野。啊！那些拥 有光明之人，在艺术发展的长河里，你们到底领略了多 少丰富的艺术内涵和艺术之美啊！ 由于时间原因，我对这座艺术殿堂的参观十分短暂， ③fraction['frakfan]n.小 部分 因此我无法对展现在我面前的那个伟大艺术世界置评，毕 竟我得到的只是一个肤浅的印象。艺术家们说，我们的眼 睛只有经过训练，才能真正深刻地领略艺术之美。我们要 学会凭借经验，去判断线条、构图、形式和色彩的优劣平 ④embark upon从事开始 衡。若是我能看见，从事这样的研究该多么幸福啊！然而， 我知道，对于那些拥有光明的人而言，艺术的世界，依然 如同黑暗的夜晚一般，尚未开发，等待探索。 要离开大都会博物馆之时，我一定有一万个不愿 意，因为那里有通往艺术之美的钥匙，尽管那种美常被 人忽视。然而，拥有光明之人，却并不需要来到这里找 寻那把钥匙。因为在小型博物馆里，甚至小型图书馆书 架的书本里，也能找到同样的钥匙。但是，在我假想的 有限光明时日里，我就应该选择那把能在最短时间里打 1提香(1477-1576年)，著名的威尼斯派画家 2瑞姆布兰特(1606-1669年)，著名的荷兰巴洛克画家，荷兰 油画派领袖，欧洲艺术大师。 3维勒内兹(1528-1588年)，意大利威尼斯派画家 4埃尔·格列科(1548-1625年)，西班牙画家。 5科罗(1796-1875年)，法国风景画家。 ·017· Three Days to See The evening of my second day of sight I should spend at a theatre or at the movies.Even now I often attend theatrical performances of all sorts,but the action of the play must be spelled into my hand by a companion.But how I should like to see with my own eyes the fascinating figure of Hamlet,or the gusty Falstaff amid colorful Elizabethan trappings!How I should like to follow each movement of the graceful Hamlet,each strut?of the hearty Falstaff! And since I could see only one play,I should be confronted by a many-horned dilemma,for there are scores of plays I should want to see.You who have eyes can see any you like.How many of you,I wonder,when you gaze at a play,a movie,or any spectacle,realize and give thanks for the miracle of sight which enables you to enjoy its color,grace,and movement? I cannot enjoy the beauty of rhythmic movement except in a sphere restricted to the touch of my hands.I can vision only dimly the grace of a Pavlowa,although I know something of the delight of rhythm,for often I can sense the beat of music as it vibrates through the floor.I can well imagine that cadenced motion must be one of the most pleasing sights in the world.I have been able to gather something of this by tracing with my fingers the lines in sculptured marble;if this static grace can be so lovely,how much more acute must be the thrill of seeing grace in motion. One of my dearest memories is of the time when Joseph Jefferson allowed me to touch his face and hands as he went through some of the gestures and speeches of his beloved Rip Van Winkle.I was able to catch thus a meager glimpse of the world of drama,and I shall never forget the delight of that moment.But,oh,how much I must miss,and how much pleasure you seeing ones can derive from watching and hearing the interplay of speech and movement in the unfolding of a dramatic performance!If I could see only one play,I should know how to picture in my mind the action of a hundred plays ·018· 假如给我三天光明 开最伟大宝库的钥匙 Dtheatrical [ei'etrikol]a. 第二天晚上，我会在剧院或者电影院度过。虽然现 戏剧的 在我也常常观看各种演出，但是剧情必须由我的同伴写 在我的掌心上。所以，我多想亲眼看一看迷人的哈姆雷 特，或者身着伊丽莎白时代艳丽服饰的伏尔斯塔夫'啊！ ②strut[StrAt]n,花式慢步 我多想跟随哈姆雷特每一个优雅的举动，或者伏尔斯塔 舞 夫的每一个昂首阔步啊！由于只能看一场戏，那么我背 定会纠结不定，进退两难，因为我想看的戏实在是太多 了啊！拥有光明的你们，想看什么，就看什么。可是， 我很怀疑，当观看一出戏剧、一部电影或者任何一次演 出的时候，你们到底有多少人会意识到上天赐予你们的 视觉奇迹并对其充满感恩之心呢？毕竟，因为这个奇 迹，你们才得以享受色彩、优雅和动作的盛宴 在我双手触碰不到的地方，我无法欣赏到动作的韵 律之美。由于音乐震动地板的时候，我能感受到节拍，所 3 cadenced ['keidanst]a. 以我懂得些节奏美。但尽管如此，我也只能朦胧地想象 有节奏的 巴甫洛娃2的优雅之美。我完全想象得出，有韵律节拍的 动作一定是世界上最动人的表演之一。当用手指感受大 理石雕像的线条时，我也能够捕捉到一些感受。连静态 美都如此可爱，我要是能够看到动态美，那该有多激动 啊1 我最珍贵的记忆之一，就是当约瑟夫·杰弗逊声 ④meager[migo]a.不详 尽的 情并茂、手舞足蹈地表演他挚爱的角色瑞普·范·温克 尔时，让我触摸他的脸庞和双手那次；于是，我才得以 体会到了些许的戏剧世界，那一刻的激动喜悦令我永世 难忘。可是，我一定错过了很多，我相信，你们拥有视 力的人，一定从戏剧表演的言语动作交互中获得了很多 1伏尔斯塔夫是莎剧（亨利四世王》《亨利五世王》和《温莎的风 流娘儿们》中的一个胖骑士，爱吹牛自夸，又胆小，但是他足智多谋， 心地善良。 2巴甫洛娃是苏联著名的芭蕾舞女演员。 3约瑟夫·杰弗逊(1829-1905年)，著名的美国演员。他所扮 演的最著名角色是美国作家华盛顿·欧文所创作的人物瑞普·范·温 克尔。 ·019· Three Days to See which I have read or had transferred to me through the medium of the manual alphabet. So,through the evening of my second imaginary day of sight,the great fingers of dramatic literature would crowd sleep from my eyes. IV The following morning,I should again greet the dawn,anxious to discover new delights,for I am sure that,for those who have eyes which really see,the dawn of each day must be a perpetually new revelation of beauty. This,according to the terms of my imagined miracle,is to be my third and last day of sight.I shall have no time to waste in regrets or longings;there is too much to see.The first day I devoted to my friends,animate and inanimate. The second revealed to me the history of man and Nature.Today I shall spend in the workaday world of the present,amid the haunts of men going about the business of life.And where can one find so many activities and conditions of men as in New York?So the city becomes my destination. I start from my home in the quiet little suburb of Forest Hills,Long Island. Here,surrounded by green lawns,trees,and flowers,are neat little houses, happy with the voices and movements of wives and children,havens of peaceful rest for men who toil in the city.I drive across the lacy structure of steel which spans the East River,and I get a new and startling vision of the power and ingenuity of the mind of man.Busy boasts chug and scurry about the river-racy speed boat,stolid,snorting tugs.If I had long days of sight ahead,I should spend many of them watching the delightful activity upon the river. I look ahead,and before me rise the fantastic towers of New York,a city that seems to have stepped from the pages of a fairy story.What an awe-inspiring sight,these glittering spires.these vast banks of stone and steel-structures such ·020·