《英美文学选读》第七章 Representative Writers and Their Works 4-6节课件

Chapter7RepresentativeWriters

andTheirWorksUnit4WaltWhitmanWaltWhitman(1819-1892)仅在校6年印刷厂学徒1835年，在长岛乡村学校执教1841年，在纽约当记者40年代先后在《纽约曙光》等任编辑在创作方面卓越城就同时撰稿、演讲期间，办报纸《长岛人》1873年，不幸中风迁居新泽西州卡姆登养病因病重于1892年３月26日逝世自学，阅读美国首位“民主诗人”主要作品代表了他关注于历史的现实主义转向，为克莱恩、海明威、梅勒等人的自然主义战争文学做了很好的铺垫1855年，自费出版«草叶集»第一版1842年，小说«富兰克林·伊凡斯»几十年间不断对这部诗集进行扩充、修改，收录的诗作数量也从最初的12首发展到383首WaltWhitman(1819-1892)1865-1866年，战争诗«鼓声集»和«鼓声集续编»Drum-Taps

and

Sequel、1875-1876年，散文集Memoranda

Duringthe

War

«战争备忘录»惠特曼第一次把目光投向普通人和日常生活，讴歌民主自由，倡导人类平等，赞美大自然和创造性劳动，谴责奴隶制，由此被公认为美国首位“民主诗人”。一方面，其诗歌创作总体上呈现出一种个性分明的美国特性和民族意识；另一方面，民主思想构成了贯穿其全部作品的一条主线。这不仅表现在诗人的废奴主义立场和种族平等观念以及为普通劳动大众代言的姿态上，而且表现在他打破“男性与女性、农民与工人、妓女与奴隶、美国公民与世界公民”等社会身份界限并“自由穿梭于过去、现在和未来”的气魄上。其诗歌艺术风格也是民主精神的体现：他所创造的自由体诗(freeverse)不受格律、韵脚的限制，文体上十分接近口语和散文，使语言冲破传统诗歌形式的束缚，自由洒脱地表达思想，激情奔放地表露情感，由此开创了一种全新的美国诗风。LeavesofGrass«草叶集»是惠特曼的浪漫主义诗集，共收有诗歌三百余首。诗集得名于其中这样的一句诗：“哪里有土，哪里有水，哪里就长着草。”诗集中的诗歌便像是长满美国大地的芳草，生气蓬勃并散发着诱人的芳香。它们开创了美国民族诗歌的新时代。作者在诗歌形式上大胆创新，创造了“自由体”的诗歌形式，打破了传统的诗歌格律，以断句作为韵律的基础，节奏自由奔放，汪洋恣肆，舒卷自如，具有一泻千里的气势和无所不包的容量。«草叶集»中对大自然、对自我有着泛神主义的歌颂。泛神主义崇拜大自然，以自然万物为神。诗中极力赞美大自然的壮丽、神奇和伟大。以下摘录为其中的两篇清新小诗。TotheGardentheWorldTothegardentheworldanewascending,Potentmates,daughters,sons,preluding,Thelove,thelifeoftheirbodies,meaningandbeing,Curiousherebeholdmyresurrectionafterslumber,Therevolvingcyclesintherewidesweephavingbroughtmeagain,Amorous,mature,allbeautifultome,allwondrous,Mylimbsandthequiveringfirethateverplaysthroughthem,Forreasons,mostwondrous,ExistingIpeerandpenetratestill,Contentwiththepresentcontentwiththepast,BymysideorbackofmeEvefollowing,Orinfront,andIfollowingherjustthesame.SpontaneousMeSpontaneousme,Nature,Thelovingday,themountingsun,thefriendIamhappywith,Thearmofmyfriendhangingidlyovermyshoulder,Thehillsidewhiten'dwithblossomsofthemountainash,Thesamelateinautumn,thehuesofred,yellow,drab,purple,andlightanddarkgreen,Therichcoverletofthegrass,animalsandbirds,theprivateuntrimm'dbank,theprimitiveapples,thepebble-stones,Beautifuldrippingfragments,thenegligentlistofoneafteranotherasIhappentocallthemtomeorthinkofthem,Therealpoems,(whatwecallpoemsbeingmerelypictures,)Thepoemsoftheprivacyofthenight,andofmenlikeme,ThispoemdroopingshyandunseenthatIalwayscarry,andthatallmencarry,SpontaneousMe(Knowonceforall,avow'donpurpose,whereveraremenlikeme,areourlustylurkingmasculinepoems,)Love-thoughts,love-juice,love-odor,love-yielding,love-climbers,andtheclimbingsap,Armsandhandsoflove,lipsoflove,phallicthumboflove,breastsoflove,belliespress'dandgluedtogetherwithlove,Earthofchastelove,lifethatisonlylifeafterlove,Thebodyofmylove,thebodyofthewomanIlove,thebodyoftheman,thebodyoftheearth,Softforenoonairsthatblowfromthesouth-west,Thehairywild-beethatmurmursandhankersupanddown,thatgripesthefull-grownlady-flower,curvesuponherwithamorousfirmlegs,takeshiswillofher,andholdshimselftremulousandtighttillheissatisfied;SpontaneousMeThewetofwoodsthroughtheearlyhours,Twosleepersatnightlyingclosetogetherastheysleep,onewithanarmslantingdownacrossandbelowthewaistoftheother,Thesmellofapples,aromasfromcrush'dsage-plant,mint,birch-bark,Theboy'slongings,theglowandpressureasheconfidestomewhathewasdreaming,Thedeadleafwhirlingitsspiralwhirlandfallingstillandcontenttotheground,Theno-form'dstingsthatsights,people,objects,stingmewith,Thehubb'dstingofmyself,stingingmeasmuchasitevercananyone,Thesensitive,orbic,underlapp'dbrothers,thatonlyprivilegedfeelersmaybeintimatewheretheyare,SpontaneousMeThecuriousroamerthehandroamingalloverthebody,thebashfulwithdrawingoffleshwherethefingerssoothinglypauseandedgethemselves,Thelimpidliquidwithintheyoungman,Thevex'dcorrosionsopensiveandsopainful,Thetorment,theirritabletidethatwillnotbeatrest,ThelikeofthesameIfeel,thelikeofthesameinothers,Theyoungmanthatflushesandflushes,andtheyoungwomanthatflushesandflushes,Theyoungmanthatwakesdeepatnight,thehothandseekingtorepresswhatwouldmasterhim,Themysticamorousnight,thestrangehalf-welcomepangs,visions,sweats,Thepulsepoundingthroughpalmsandtremblingencirclingfingers,theyoungmanallcolor'd,red,ashamed,angry;SpontaneousMeThesouseuponmeofmyloverthesea,asIliewillingandnaked,Themerrimentofthetwinbabesthatcrawloverthegrassinthesun,themotherneverturninghervigilanteyesfromthem,Thewalnut-trunk,thewalnut-husks,andtheripeningorripen'dlong-roundwalnuts,Thecontinenceofvegetables,birds,animals,TheconsequentmeannessofmeshouldIskulkorfindmyselfindecent,whilebirdsandanimalsneveronceskulkorfindthemselvesindecent,Thegreatchastityofpaternity,tomatchthegreatchastityofmaternity,TheoathofprocreationIhavesworn,myAdamicandfreshdaughters,SpontaneousMeThegreedthateatsmedayandnightwithhungrygnaw,tillIsaturatewhatshallproduceboystofillmyplacewhenIamthrough,Thewholesomerelief,repose,content,Andthisbunchpluck'datrandomfrommyself,Ithasdoneitswork--Itossitcarelesslytofallwhereitmay.There’s

a

man

in

the

world

who

is

never

turned

down,

whatever

he

chances

to

stray;

he

gets

the

gladhand

in

the

populous

town,

or

out

where

the

farmers

makes

hay;

he’s

greeted

with

pleasure

on

deserts

of

sand,

and

deep

in

the

aisles

of

the

woods;

wherever

he

goes

there’s

a

welcoming

hand—he’s

the

man

whodelivers

the

goods．

———Walt

Whitman课后练习知识链接１．这两首诗分别表达了什么样的情感?２．查找惠特曼的其他作品阅读并赏析.Chapter7RepresentativeWriters

andTheirWorksUnit5EdgarAllanPoeEdgarAllanPoe(1809-1849)出生于波士顿年幼父母双亡，被烟草商约翰·爱伦收养1826年，就读于弗吉尼亚大学加入陆军1829年，离开军队，进入西点军校学习因沉迷赌博酗酒辍学美国作家、诗人、编辑和文学评论家,美国浪漫主义思潮时期的重要成员。以神秘故事和恐怖小说闻名于世。他是美国短篇故事的先驱者之一,推理小说的开山鼻祖,后世科幻小说的始祖.自辍学后，先后创作诗集、随笔和小说一直颠沛流离，贫病交加，1849年因酗酒昏迷几天后去世EdgarAllanPoe(1809-1849)主要作品1827年，Tamerlane

and

Other

Poems«帖木儿及其他诗»1845年，«乌鸦»1833年，Found

in

a

Bottle«瓶中手稿»1838年，The

Narrative

of

Arthur

Gordon

Pym«阿瑟·戈登皮姆的故事»1829年，AlAaraaf,

Tamerlane

and

Minor

Poems«阿尔·阿拉夫、帖木儿及小诗»1831年，Poems«诗集»1839年，Tales

of

the

Grotesqueand

Arabesque«怪异故事集»1843年，The

Gold

Bug«金甲虫»爱伦·坡的诗歌在主题和风格上与其小说创作一脉相承，充满怪诞意象、感伤情调和唯美韵律。在主题方面，坡的诗歌涉及爱与死亡、人生的宿命与无常、内在的自我矛盾、自然的美好、人类想象的创造与破坏力等。在文学技法方面，他善用重复以及头韵、内韵和谐韵，将多种诗歌元素整合为一个旨在达到预期效果的整体，对现代英语诗歌的发展做出了独特的贡献。TheRaven«乌鸦»是爱伦·坡1844年创作的一篇诗歌。叙述的是一位经受失亲之痛的男子在孤苦无奈、心灰意冷的深夜与一只乌鸦邂逅的故事。12月的一个深夜，又黑又冷，这是叙述者凄苦难耐的心理写照.，正是这种心境引来了乌鸦，它枯立在智慧女神的塑像上，一次次地传达着冥界的讯息，一次次地用沙哑刺耳的“永不复生”的字眼戳啄着叙述者业已破碎的心，使他的灵魂沉入低回飘荡的阴影之中。基调凄怆疑惧，源于不可逆转的绝望，随着乌鸦一声声“永不复生”而加深，直至绝望到无以复加的终行。文中“永不复生”共重复了11次，它是乌鸦唯一的话语，既是它的名字，也是它对作者每一次询问的回答。听起来既答非所问，又觉得非常应景，它把一幕原本荒诞的对话推向了对生存价值的哲理叙述。人至爱的一切不正像乌鸦聒噪的那样，一旦逝去便永不复生吗?TheRaven一次午夜时，我疲惫不堪困意浓，稀奇古事挥不掉----低头小憩时，忽闻窗外叩拍声，好似有人轻轻把门敲----心想必有来客访----唯此无他响。啊，我铭记那是在凄凉寒冬十二月；灰死空留断魂烙。欲把情愁付书海，难忘佳丽魂已销----举世无双窈窕女，安琪唤其叫勒诺----香销玉逝无人叫。

Onceuponamidnightdreary,whileIpondered,weakandweakry.Overmanyaquintandcuriousvolumeofforgottenlore.WhileInodded,nearlynapping,suddenlytherecameatapping,Asofsomeonerapping,rappingatmychamberdoor."'Tissomevisitor,"

Imuttered,"tappingatmychamberdoor--Onlythis,andnothingmore."

Ah,distinctlyIrememberitwasinthebleakDecember,Andeachseparatedyingemberwroughtitsghostuponthefloor.EagerlyIwishedthemorrow;

-vainlyIhadtriedtoborrowFrommybookssurceaseofsorrow-sorrowforthelostLenore-FortherareandradiantmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore-Namelesshereforevermore.TheRaven丝帘哀怨簌簌响，莫名恐惧心头涌；屏息起身细思忖，“过客欲求栖身所----夜深探问把门敲，唯此无他响。”霎时心定意坚不狐疑，开口来问寻，“先生/夫人请见谅，意懒心倦正自烦，叩门之音未听确，”就此开门将客迎；夜浓，无人影。AndthesilkensaduncertainrustlingofeachpurplecurtainThrilledme-filledmewithfantasticterrorsneverfeltbefore;

Sothatnow,tostillthebeatingofmyheart,Istoodrepeating"

'

Tissomevisitorentreatingentranceatmychamberdoor-Somelatevisitorentreatingentranceatmychamberdoor;-Thisitisandnothingmore.Presentlymysoulgrewstronger;

hesitatingthennolonger,"Sir,"

saidI,"orMadam,trulyyourforgivenessIimplore;

ButthefactisIwasnapping,andsogentlyyoucamerapping,Andsofaintlyyoucametapping,tappingatmychamberdoor,ThatIscarcewassureIheardyou"--hereIopenedwidethedoor;

Darknessthere,andnothingmore.TheRaven定足凝望，慢慢长夜心悬疑，恰似幽梦初醒自难忘，夜澜无声，静寂无形，唯我低声唤勒诺，凄然旷野映回声-勒诺唯此无他响。转身回屋，心有余悸难平息，窗边又起叩击声，阵阵不绝耳。“始知屋外不明之物在眼前，欲将个中究竟细细探----安神初定前去找，唯风无他响。”Deepintothat:darknesspeering,longIstoodtherewondering,fearing,Doubting,dreamingdreamsnomortaleverdaredtodreambefore;

Butthesilencewasunbroken,andthedarknessgavenotoken,Andtheonlywordtherespokenwasthewhisperedword,"Lenore!"

ThisIwhispered,andanechomurmuredbacktheword,"

Lenore!"

Merelythis,andnothingmore.Backintothechamberturning,allmysoulwithinmeburning,SoonIheardagainatappingsomewhatlouderthanbefore."Surely,"

saidI,"surelythatissomethingatmywindowlattice;

Letmesee,then,whatthereatis,andthismysteryexplore-Letmyheartbestillamomentandthismysteryexplore;

'Tisthewind,andnothingmore!TheRaven卷帘开窗，鼓翼振翅飞入一乌鸦，神态自若如智者；不卑不亢，快若迅雷栖我处，风度无人肖----飞旋落定如玉女神帕拉丝----宜栖宜坐岿不动。但见其神情肃穆现高贵，顿使我悲郁情怀化笑颜，“你貌若凡鸟而神自定，让我想起古之神鹊黄泉落，敢问你彼岸尊姓和大名，”乌鹊答道“永不再会”。

OpenhereIflungtheshutter,when,withmanyaflirtandflutter.Intheresteppedastatelyravenofthesaintlydaysofyore;

Nottheleastobeisancemadehe;

notaninstantstoppedorstayedhe;

But,withmienoflordorlady,perchedabovemychamberdoor-PercheduponabustofPallasjustabovemychamberdoor-Perched,andsat,andnothingmore.Thenthisebonybirdbeguilingmysadfancyintosmiling,Bythegraveandsterndecorumofthecountenanceitwore,"Thoughthycrestbeshornandshaven,thou,"

Isaid,"artsurenocraven,GhastlygrimandancientravenwanderingfromtheNightlyshore-TellmewhatthylordlynameisontheNight'

sPlutonianshore!"

Quoththeraven,"Nevermore."

TheRaven其貌不扬一小鸟，吐字清晰令人奇，纵然词不搭意难自圆，世人罕有此经历，有幸目睹它登门，飞落室内神雕塑，自唤名曰“永不再会”。只见它静若雕像独端坐，倾注灵魂于斯语，唯此不言也不动----我低声哀叹“亲朋皆逝我独留----明日它亦弃我而去无望还。”乌鸦即和“永不再会”。MuchImarveledthisungainlyfowltoheardiscoursesoplainly,Thoughitsanswerlittlemeaning-littlerelevancyhore;

ForwecannothelpagreeingthatnosublunarybeingEveryetwasblessedwithseeingbirdabovehischamberdoor-BirdorbeastuponthesculpturedbustaboveIuschamberdoor,Withsuchmimeas"Nevermore.Buttheraven,sittinglonelyontheplacidbust,spokeonlyThatoneword,asifhissoulinthatill~wordhedidoutpour.Nothingfartherthenheuttered-notafeatherthenhefluttered-TillIscarcelymorethanmuttered,"Otherfriendshaveflownbefore-Onthemorrowhewillleaveme,asmyhopeshaveflownbefore."

Thenthebirdsaid,"Nevermore."

TheRaven惊闻接语称心又体贴，始知其开口无他语，必逢主人不幸遭磨难，无奈常叹此一言，长歌当哭忧愤起，感慨“永不再会”。而我已是悲思转笑颜，侧身就座其栖息处，慵倦陷沉思，揣度这只亘古不祥鸟，冷酷，笨拙，恐怖又憔悴，缘和嘶叫“永不再会”。Startledatthestillnessbrokenbyreplysoaptlyspoken,"Doubtless,"

saidI,"whatituttersisitsonlystockandstore,

CaughtfromsomeunhappymasterwhomunmercifulDisasterFollowedfastandfollowedfastertillhissongsomeburdenbore--Tillthedirgesofhishopethatmelanchdyburdenboreof‘Never--nevermore.’"

Buttheravenstillbeguilingallmysadsoulintosmiling,StraightIwheeledacushionedseatinfrontofbird,andbust,anddoor;

Thenuponthevelvetsinking,IbetookmyselftolinkingFancyuntofancy,thinkingwhatthisominousbirdofyore-Whatthisgrim,ungainly,ghastly,gaunt,andominousbirdofyoreMeantincroaking"Nevermore."

TheRaven我攒眉思忖不作响，眼前它目光炯炯将我灼；见我心驰神态依旧，灯下安然斜靠丝绒丝绒衬，而今物是人非，纵心念佳人，已是永不再会。暗炉幽香渐扑鼻，疑为轻盈天使一路来，“竟是我主送你到身边，相赠忘忧物，解我心中千千结；痛饮忘情水，换我痴情涌相忘。”却闻“永不再会”。ThisIsatengagedinguessing,butnosyllableexpressingTothefowlwhosefieryeyesnowburnedintomybosom'score;

ThisandmoreIsatdivining,withmyheadateaserecliningOnthecushion'svelvetliningthatthelamplightgloatedo'er,Butwhosevelvetvioletliningwiththelamplightgloatingo'er,Sheshallpress,ah,nevermore!Then,methought,theairgrewdenser,perfumedfromanunseencenserSwungbyangelswhosefaintfoot-fallstinkledonthetuftedfloor."Wretch,"

Icried,"thyGodhathlentthee-bytheseangelshehathsenttheeRespite-respiteandNepenthe,fromthymemoriesofLenore;Quaff,ohquaffthiskindNepentheandforgetthislostLenore!"

QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."

TheRaven“无论你是鸟是魔，还是邪恶一先知，不管你追随撒旦抑或屈从风暴，孤身一人不畏惧----我如今身处荒原神恍惚----在这闹鬼恐惧屋，恳切求尔语，有否基列乳香将我医？”却闻“永不再会”。“无论你是鸟是魔，还是邪恶一先知，看在我们头顶共青天，上帝同膜拜，解我心中愁，在那远方乐土伊甸园，我还能否相会梦中佳人名勒诺----举世无双窈窕女，安琪唤其叫勒诺。”却闻“永不再会”。

"Prophet!"

saidI,"thingofevil!-prophetstill,ifbirdordevil!-WhetherTemptersent,orwhethertempesttossedtheehereashore,Desolate,yetallundaunted,onthisdesertlandenchanted-OnthishomebyHorrorhaunted-tellmetruly,Iimplore-Isthere-istherebalminGilead?-tellme-tellme,Iimplore!"

QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."

"Prophet!"

saidI,"thinginevil!-prophetstill,ifbirdordevil!BythatHeaventhatbendsaboveus-bythatGodwebothadore-Tellthissoulwithsorrowladenif,withinthedistantAidenn,ItshallclaspasaintedmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore-ClasparareandradiantmaidenwhomtheangelsnameLenore.”QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."

TheRaven“闭口休再提！”我心中怒火不可遏，“你就此踏归黄泉路！收回满口荒唐言！使我莫烦扰！离我门上半身像！与你不相干，快些飞离我！”却闻“永不再会”。只见乌鸦丝毫未动依自若，栖我门上如玉帕拉丝，魔鬼神情眼中露，幽暗身形灯光映，心中隐痛难抚平。永远不再会！"Bethatwordoursignofparting,birdorfiend!"

Ishrieked,upstarting-"GettheebackintothetempestandtheNight'splutonianshore!Leavenoblackplumeasatokenofthatliethysoulhathspoken!Leavemylonelinessunbroken!-quitthebustabovemydoor!Takethybeakfromoutmyheart,andtakethyformfromoffmydoor!"

QuoththeRaven,"Nevermore."

Andtheraven,neverflitting,stillissitting,stillissittingOnthepallidbustofPallasjustabovemychamberdoor;

Andhiseyeshavealltheseemingofademonthatisdreaming,Andthelamp-lighto'

erhimstreamingthrovehisshadowonthefloor;

AndmysoulfromoutchatshadowthatliesfloatingonthefloorShallbelifted-nevermore!I

remained

too

much

inside

my

head,

and

ended

up

losing

my

mind.

———Edgar

Allan

Poe课后练习知识链接１．这部作品与爱伦·坡的其他恐怖作品有何联系?２．“nevermore”有何含义?Chapter7RepresentativeWriters

andTheirWorksUnit6MarkTwain12岁丧父与兄弟共同经营出版社1853-1856年，去纽约等地旅行为众多报纸撰写文章创作取得成就晚年因女儿生病与生意破产而四处演讲，挣钱还债MarkTwain(1835-1910)MarkTwain(1835-1910)主要作品1865年，The

Celebrated

JumpingFrog

ofCalaveras

Country«加拉维拉县驰名的跳蛙»1894年，The

Tragedy

of

Pudd’nhead

Wilson«傻瓜威尔逊»1876年，The

Adventures

ofTom

Sawyer«汤姆·索耶历险记»1883年，The

Adventures

ofHuckleberry

Finn

«哈克贝里·费恩历险记»1869年，TheInnocents

Abroad«傻瓜出国记»1873年，与查尔斯·华纳合著：The

Gilded

Age

«镀金时代»1883年，Life

onthe

Mississippi

«密西西比河上»1889年，«A

Connecticut

Yankee

inKingArthur’s

Court《亚瑟王朝廷上的康涅狄格州美国佬»马克·吐温以其独特的语言创作观和价值观开创了美国的文学传统，他的幽默笔触和口语体散文影响了安德森、海明威、艾略特、福克纳、塞林格等美国作家。1900年，The

Man

That

CorruptedHadleyburg

«败坏哈德莱堡的人»1897年，Following

the

Equator«赤道旅行记»The£1,000,000Bank-Note短篇小说«百万英镑»发表于1893年。讲述了一个穷困潦倒的办事员、美国小伙子亨利·亚当斯在伦敦的一次奇遇。作者用漫画笔法勾勒了不同人物在百万英镑面前的种种丑态，幽默滑稽，如同一幅世态讽刺画，生动地表现了小市民的见闻，令人忍俊不禁。这部小说有一个很明显的主题，即对拜金主义的批判。此外，作者还揭露了当时存在于英国社会中的种种滑稽荒诞的现象。作者将上至王公贵族、下至平民百姓在金钱面前的丑态刻画得惟妙惟肖，把金钱对资本主义社会的污染乃至人性的歪曲勾勒得入木三分。二十七岁那年，我正给旧金山的一个矿业经济人打工，把证券交易所的门槛摸得清清楚楚。我是只身混世界，除了自己的聪明才智和一身清白，就再也没什么可依靠的了；不过，这反倒让我脚踏实地，不做那没影儿的发财梦，死心塌地奔自己的前程。每到星期六下午股市收了盘，时间就全都是我自己的了，我喜欢弄条小船到海湾里去消磨这些时光。有一天我驶得远了点儿，漂到了茫茫大海上。正当夜幕降临，眼看就要没了盼头的时候，一艘开往伦敦的双桅帆船搭救了我。漫漫的旅途风狂雨暴，他们让我以工代票，干普通水手的活儿。到伦敦上岸的时候，我鹑衣百结，兜里只剩了一块钱。连吃带住，我用这一块钱顶了二十四个小时。再往后的二十四个小时里，我就饥肠辘辘，无处栖身了。WhenIwastwenty-sevenyearsold,Iwasamining-broker'sclerkinSanFrancisco,andanexpertinallthedetailsofstocktraffic.Iwasaloneintheworld,andhadnothingtodependuponbutmywitsandacleanreputation;buttheseweresettingmyfeetintheroadtoeventualfortune,andIwascontentwiththeprospect.Mytimewasmyownaftertheafternoonboard,Saturdays,andIwasaccustomedtoputitinonalittlesail-boatonthebay.OnedayIventuredtoofar,andwascarriedouttosea.Justatnightfall,whenhopewasaboutgone,IwaspickedupbyasmallbrigwhichwasboundforLondon.Itwasalongandstormyvoyage,andtheymademeworkmypassagewithoutpay,asacommonsailor.WhenIsteppedashoreinLondonmyclotheswereraggedandshabby,andIhadonlyadollarinmypocket.Thismoneyfedandshelteredmetwenty-fourhours.Duringthenexttwenty-fourIwentwithoutfoodandshelter.The£1,000,000Bank-Note第二天上午大约十点钟光景，我破衣烂衫，饿着肚子正沿波特兰大道往前蹭。这时候，一个保姆领着孩子路过，那孩子把手上刚咬了一口的大个儿甜梨扔进了下水道。不用说，我停了下来，满含欲望的眼光罩住了那个脏兮兮的宝物儿。我口水直淌，肚子里都伸出手来，全心全意地乞求这个宝贝儿。可是，只要我刚一动弹，想去拣梨，总有哪一双过路的火眼金睛明察秋毫。我自然又站得直直的，没事人一样，好像从来就没在那个烂梨身上打过主意。这出戏演了一回又一回，我就是得不着那个梨。我受尽煎熬正打算放开胆量、撕破脸皮去抓梨的时候，我身后的一扇窗子打开了，一位先生从里面发话：“请到这儿来。”Aboutteno'clockonthefollowingmorning,seedyandhungry,IwasdraggingmyselfalongPortlandPlace,whenachildthatwaspassing,towedbyanurse-maid,tossedalusciousbigpear—minusonebite—intothegutter.Istopped,ofcourse,andfastenedmydesiringeyeonthatmuddytreasure.Mymouthwateredforit,mystomachcravedit,mywholebeingbeggedforit.ButeverytimeImadeamovetogetitsomepassingeyedetectedmypurpose,andofcourseIstraightenedupthen,andlookedindifferent,andpretendedthatIhadn'tbeenthinkingaboutthepearatall.Thissamethingkepthappeningandhappening,andIcouldn'tgetthepear.Iwasjustgettingdesperateenoughtobravealltheshame,andtoseizeit,whenawindowbehindmewasraised,andagentlemanspokeoutofit,saying:"Stepinhere,please."The£1,000,000Bank-Note一个衣着华丽的仆人把我接了进去，领到一个豪华房间，里头坐着两位上了岁数的绅士。他们打发走仆人，让我坐下。他们刚刚吃了早餐，看着那些残羹剩饭，我简直透不过气来。有这些吃的东西在场，我无论如何也集中不了精力，可是人家没请我品尝，我也只好尽力忍着。这里刚刚发生过的事，我是过了好多天以后才明白的，不过现在我就马上说给你听。这对老兄弟为一件事已经有两天争得不可开交了，最后他们同意打个赌来分出高低——无论什么事英国人靠打赌都能一了百了。Iwasadmittedbyagorgeousflunkey,andshownintoasumptuousroomwhereacoupleofelderlygentlemenweresitting.Theysentawaytheservant,andmademesitdown.Theyhadjustfinishedtheirbreakfast,andthesightoftheremainsofitalmostoverpoweredme.Icouldhardlykeepmywitstogetherinthepresenceofthatfood,butasIwasnotaskedtosampleit,IhadtobearmytroubleasbestIcould.Now,somethinghadbeenhappeningtherealittlebefore,whichIdidnotknowanythingaboutuntilagoodmanydaysafterwards,butIwilltellyouaboutitnow.Thosetwooldbrothershadbeenhavingaprettyhotargumentacoupleofdaysbefore,andhadendedbyagreeingtodecideitbyabet,whichistheEnglishwayofsettlingeverything.The£1,000,000Bank-Note你也许记得，英格兰银行曾经发行过两张一百万英镑的大钞，用于和某国公对公交易之类的特殊目的。不知怎么搞的，这两张大钞只有一张用过后注销了；另一张则一直躺在英格兰银行的金库里睡大觉。且说这两兄弟聊着聊着，忽发奇想：假如一位有头脑、特诚实的外地人落难伦敦，他举目无亲，除了一张百万英镑的大钞以外一无所有，而且他还没法证明这张大钞就是他的——这样的一个人会有怎样的命运呢？大哥说这人会饿死；弟弟说饿不死。大哥说，别说去银行了，无论去哪儿这人也花不掉那张大钞，因为他会当场被抓住。兄弟两个就这样争执不下，后来弟弟说他愿出两万镑打赌，这人靠百万英镑大钞无论如何也能活三十天，而且进不了监狱。大哥同意打赌，弟弟就到英格兰银行把大钞买了回来。你看，英国男子汉就是这样，魄力十足。YouwillrememberthattheBankofEnglandonceissuedtwonotesofamillionpoundseach,tobeusedforaspecialpurposeconnectedwithsomepublictransactionwithaforeigncountry.Forsomereasonorotheronlyoneofthesehadbeenusedandcanceled;theotherstilllayinthevaultsoftheBank.Well,thebrothers,chattingalong,happenedtogettowonderingwhatmightbethefateofaperfectlyhonestandintelligentstrangerwhoshouldbeturnedadriftinLondonwithoutafriend,andwithnomoneybutthatmillion-poundbank-note,andnowaytoaccountforhisbeinginpossessionofit.BrotherAsaidhewouldstarvetodeath;BrotherBsaidhewouldn't.BrotherAsaidhecouldn'tofferitatabankoranywhereelse,becausehewouldbearrestedonthespot.SotheywentondisputingtillBrotherBsaidhewouldbettwentythousandpoundsthatthemanwouldlivethirtydays,anyway,onthatmillion,andkeepoutofjail,too.BrotherAtookhimup.BrotherBwentdowntotheBankandboughtthatnote.JustlikeanEnglishman,yousee;plucktothebackbone.The£1,000,000Bank-Note然后，他口述一信，叫一个文书用漂亮的楷体字誊清；然后，两兄弟在窗前坐了整整一天，巴望来一个能消受大钞的合适人选。他们检阅着一张张经过窗前的脸。有的虽然老实，却不够聪明；有的够聪明，却不够老实；还有不少又聪明又老实的，可人穷得不彻底；等到个赤贫的。又不是外地人——总是不能尽如人意。就在这时，我来了；他们俩认定我具备所有条件，于是一致选定了我；可我呢，正等着知道叫我进来到底要干什么。他们开始问一些有关我个人的问题，很快就弄清楚了我的来龙去脉。最后，他们告诉我，我正合他们的心意。我说，我打心眼里高兴，可不知道这心意到底是什么意思。这时，俩人当中的一位交给我一个信封，说打开一看便知。Thenhedictatedaletter,whichoneofhisclerkswroteoutinabeautifulroundhand,andthenthetwobrotherssatatthewindowawholedaywatchingfortherightmantogiveitto.Theysawmanyhonestfacesgobythatwerenotintelligentenough;manythatwereintelligent,butnothonestenough;manythatwereboth,butthepossessorswerenotpoorenough,or,ifpoorenough,werenotstrangers.Therewasalwaysadefect,untilIcamealong;buttheyagreedthatIfilledthebillallaround;sotheyelectedmeunanimously,andthereIwasnowwaitingtoknowwhyIwascalledin.Theybegantoaskmequestionsaboutmyself,andprettysoontheyhadmystory.FinallytheytoldmeIwouldanswertheirpurpose.IsaidIwassincerelyglad,andaskedwhatitwas.Thenoneofthemhandedmeanenvelope,andsaidIwouldfindtheexplanationinside.The£1,000,000Bank-Note我正要打开，可他又不让；要我带到住处去仔仔细细地看，不要草率从事，也不用慌慌张张。我满腹狐疑，想把话头再往外引一引，可是他们不干。我只好揣着一肚子被侮辱与被损害的感觉往外走，他们明摆着是自己逗乐，拿我耍着玩；不过，我还是得顺着他们，这时的处境容不得我对这些阔佬大亨耍脾气。本来，我能把那个梨拣起来，明目张胆地吃进肚子去了，可现在那个梨已经无影无踪；就因为那倒霉的差事，把我的梨弄丢了。想到这里，我对那两个人就气不打一处来。走到看不见那所房子的地方，我打开信封一看，里边装的是钱哪！说真的，这时我对他们可是另眼相看喽！我急不可待地把信和钱往马甲兜里一塞，撒腿就朝最近的小吃店跑。好，这一顿猛吃呀！最后，肚子实在塞不下东西去了，我掏出那张钞票来展开，只扫了一眼，我就差点昏倒。五百万美元！乖乖，我懵了。Iwasgoingtoopenit,buthesaidno;takeittomylodgings,andlookitovercarefully,andnotbehastyorrash.Iwaspuzzled,andwantedtodiscussthematteralittlefurther,buttheydidn't;soItookmyleave,feelinghurtandinsultedtobemadethebuttofwhatwasapparentlysomekindofapracticaljoke,andyetobligedtoputupwithit,notbeingincircumstancestoresentaffrontsfromrichandstrongfolk.Iwouldhavepickedupthepearnowandeatenitbeforealltheworld,butitwasgone;soIhadlostthatbythisunluckybusiness,andthethoughtofitdidnotsoftenmyfeelingtowardsthosemen.AssoonasIwasoutofsightofthathouseIopenedmyenvelope,andsawthatitcontainedmoney!Myopinionofthosepeoplechanged,Icantellyou!Ilostnotamoment,butshovednoteandmoneyintomyvestpocket,andbrokeforthenearestcheapeatinghouse.Well,howIdideat!WhenatlastIcouldn'tholdanymore,Itookoutmymoneyandunfoldedit,tookoneglimpseandnearlyfainted.Fivemillionsofdollars!Why,itmademyheadswim.The£1,000,000Bank-Note我盯着那张大钞头晕眼花，想必足足过了一分钟才清醒过来。这时候，首先映入我眼帘的是小吃店老板。他的目光粘在大钞上，像五雷轰顶一般。他正在全心全意地祷告上帝，看来手脚都不能动弹了。我一下子有了主意，做了这时按人之常情应该做的事。我把那张大钞递到他眼前，漫不经心地说：“请找钱吧。”他恢复了常态，连连道歉说他找不开这张大票，不论我怎么说他也不接。他心里想看，一个劲地打量那张大票；好像怎么看也饱不了眼福，可就是战战兢兢地不敢碰它，就好像凡夫俗子一接那票子上的仙气就会折了寿。我说：“不好意思，给您添麻烦了，可这事还得办哪。请您找钱吧，我没带别的票子。”ImusthavesattherestunnedandblinkingatthenoteasmuchasaminutebeforeIcamerightlytomyselfagain.ThefirstthingInoticed,then,wasthelandlord.Hiseyewasonthenote,andhewaspetrified.Hewasworshiping,withallhisbodyandsoul,buthelookedasifhecouldn'tstirhandorfoot.Itookmycueinamoment,anddidtheonlyrationalthingtherewastodo.Ireachedthenotetowardshim,andsaid,carelessly:"Givemethechange,please."Thenhewasrestoredtohisnormalcondition,andmadeathousandapologiesfornotbeingabletobreakthebill,andIcouldn'tgethimtotouchit.Hewantedtolookatit,andkeeponlookingatit;hecouldn'tseemtogetenoughofittoquenchthethirstofhiseye,butheshrankfromtouchingitasifithadbeensomethingtoosacredforpoorcommonclaytohandle.Isaid:"Iamsorryifitisaninconvenience,butImustinsist.Pleasechangeit;Ihaven'tanythingelse."The£1,000,000Bank-Note他却说没关系，这点小钱儿何足挂齿，日后再说吧。我说，我一时半会儿不会再到这儿来了；可他说那也不要紧，他可以等着，而且，我想什么时候来就什么时候来，想点什么就点什么，这账呢，想什么时候结就什么时候结。他说，我只不过因为好逗个乐于，愿意打扮成这样来跟老百姓开个玩笑，他总不至于因此就信不过像我这么有钱的先生吧。这时候又进来了一位顾客，小吃店老板示意我收起那张巨无霸，然后作揖打恭地一直把我送了出来。我径直奔那所宅子去找两兄弟，让他们在警察把我抓起来之前纠正这个错误。尽管这不是我的错，可我还是提心吊胆——说实在的，简直是胆战心惊。我见人见得多了，我明白，要是他们发现把一百万镑的大钞错当一镑给了一个流浪汉，他们决不会怪自己眼神不好，非把那个流浪汉骂个狗血喷头。Buthesaidthatwasn'tanymatter;hewasquitewillingtoletthetriflestandovertillanothertime.IsaidImightnotbeinhisneighborhoodagainforagoodwhile;buthesaiditwasofnoconsequence,hecouldwait,and,moreover,IcouldhaveanythingIwanted,anytimeIchose,andlettheaccountrunaslongasIpleased.Hesaidhehopedhewasn'tafraidtotrustasrichagentlemanasIwas,merelybecauseIwasofamerrydisposition,andchosetoplaylarksonthepublicinthematterofdress.Bythistimeanothercustomerwasentering,andthelandlordhintedtometoputthemonsteroutofsight;thenhebowedmeallthewaytothedoor,andIstartedstraightforthathouseandthosebrothers,tocorrectthemistakewhichhadbeenmadebeforethepoliceshouldhuntmeup,andhelpmedoit.Iwasprettynervous;infact,prettybadlyfrightened,though,ofcourse,Iwasnowayinfault;butIknewmenwellenoughtoknowthatwhentheyfindthey'vegivenatrampamillion-poundbillwhentheythoughtitwasaone-pounder,theyareinafranticrageagainsthiminsteadofquarrelingwiththeirownnear-sightedness,astheyought.The£1,000,000Bank-Note快走到那宅子的时候，我看到一切如常，断定还没有人发觉这错票的事，也就不那么紧张了。我摁了门铃。原先那个仆人又出来了。我请求见那两位先生。“他们走了。”他用这类人那种不可一世的冷冰冰的口气说。“走了？去哪儿了？”“出远门了。”“可——上哪儿啦？”“