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Beauty and the beast
美女与野兽
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，那时法国还被黑色森林覆盖，暗无天日的神秘气息笼罩一切。在那里，有一个商人和他的女儿们生活在一起。
He had once been a wealthy man, and his daughters had worn the finest dresses in the kingdom.
他曾经腰缠万贯。他的女儿们身上穿的裙子都是整个王国最华贵的。
But recently several of his ships had been lost at sea, and now all the money was gone.
但最近，他的几艘船在大海里消失了，他赔掉了所有的钱。
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.
两个姐姐难以忍受贫穷的生活，她们每天喋喋不休地抱怨，叫苦连天；但是最小的女儿 Beauty却只是把华美的衣裙挂了起来，不动声色地去干活了。
She scrubbed; she cleaned; she prepared meals; and she comforted her poor father in his sadness.
她不停地洗洗涮涮，给大家做饭，还宽慰伤心的父亲。
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，父亲告诉她一个好消息："Beauty，奇迹发生了。我的一艘船回到港口了。我的钱失而复得，我们马上要过回富裕的生活了。"
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.
父亲马上出发进城了。在他离开之前，他抱了抱他的女儿们，问道："你们都想要什么礼物呢？"
"A fine dress," said the first. "A rich jewel," said the second. But Beauty only smiled. "A rose," she said. "Only a rose."
"一条华丽的裙子"，大女儿说。"一件昂贵的首饰，"二女儿说。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.
商人骑马进了城，却发现奇迹并没有发生。
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.
没错，他的那条船是到港口了，但是船上的香料和布料却因为泡了海水，全都损毁了。他只好又起身回家，比来的时候更囊中羞涩。
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，他要骑马穿过一片荆棘遍地的黑暗丛林。一场大风暴突如而至，让已经迷路的商人心惊胆战。
"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.
"我永远也出不去了，"他想着，"我再也见不到我的女儿们了。"正在这时，一道金色的光芒划过天际。
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，那是一个巨大无比的黑色城堡。他用尽最后一丝力气，奋力骑马朝城堡走去。
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.
当他走到城堡时，他意识到自己进入了一片奇异的童话王国。他被迎进一个大厅里，身上湿漉漉的斗篷被接了过去；
His horse was stabled. He was given an elegant dinner, and he was put to bed in the softest of sheets.
他的马也被牵进马厩；接着他又享用了一顿精致的大餐；最后被安排在一张无比柔软的床上歇息。
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，整个晚上，他都没有见到一个人影。所有这一切都是被一双看不见的手操作，他甚至都能感觉到那个鬼影子的呼吸。
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，商人早早醒来了。无处不在的魔法让他害怕，他想赶紧回家。
He dressed quickly, left the castle and found his horse beautifully groomed, waiting for him.
他飞快地穿好衣服，离开了城堡。他看到自己的马被梳理地干干净净，整装待发。
But as the merchant was riding away through the garden, his eyes fell upon the wonderful rose tree.
但是，当他骑马穿行花园时，他看到了里面美丽的玫瑰。
He thought of Beauty, and her wish for a rose, so he bent and plucked one.
他想起小女儿想要一朵玫瑰花的事情。于是，他弯下腰摘了一朵。
There was a sudden roar, a roar as terrible and loud as last night's thunderstorm.
突然传来一声咆哮，就像昨晚的暴风雨一样震耳欲聋。
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.
商人抬起头，大声喊叫，因为在小路上，他看到一个无比丑陋的野兽，那野兽身上穿着天鹅绒和丝绸，活像一个宫中宠臣。
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."
大怪兽往前走近了一点。"这就是你报答我的方式？"野兽咆哮着，"我给了你住处，食物和床铺，你却偷了我的玫瑰。你必须要以死谢罪。"
"Oh, spare me!" the merchant cried, "I only wanted the rose for one of my daughters."
"啊，饶了我吧！"商人哭着，"我只是想摘朵花给我的女儿。"
A cunning look came into the beast's face." You have daughters?
野兽的脸上闪过一丝狡黠。"你有女儿？
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，我给你一个选择吧。如果你的一个女儿过来接替你，我就饶你一命。如果她们都不来，那你自己就得回来受死。
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."
别想着逃跑，我给你的马施了魔法。三天后你会回来，要么带着你的女儿，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.
可怜的商人骑上马回到家中。当他把故事的经过原原本本告诉了女儿们，两个大女儿只是大喊大叫，哭闹个不停。
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".
但是小女儿Beauty非常冷静。"这件事很简单，爸爸，"她说，"整件事情都是因我而起，那么我就去城堡里代替你受罚。"
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.
商人不忍这样做。但是第三天一早，在爸爸还没有醒过来的时候，Beauty就偷偷溜出家门，跳上了马背。
And by late afternoon, she was at the castle of the beast.
到了傍晚的时候，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.
跟她的父亲一样，她也发现自己到了奇异的童话王国。她被一双看不见的手迎进城堡，带到一间漂亮的卧室里。
The closet was full of lovely dresses, the shelves full of delicate treasures and interesting books.
衣柜里挂满了漂亮衣服，书架上也摆满了奇珍异宝和各种有趣的书籍。
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东逛西看，但却没有见到一个人。
That evening, when the clock struck seven, she was let by unseen hands into the dining hall. She sat down and waited.
当天晚上，当钟表敲响七次的时候，她被那双看不见的手引进餐厅。于是她坐下来，静静等待。
"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.
"欢迎你，Beauty！"一个低低的声音说道。野兽Beast走了进来。Beauty被他的丑陋吓到了，但是她教养很好，并没有显示出来，也没有喊叫，更没有跑掉。
She only thanked him politely for his kindness in making her so comfortable.
她只是礼貌地感谢了他的好意和他的热情款待。
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.
他跟她一起在桌边坐下，他们边吃边交谈。Beauty惊讶地发现Beast是一个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?"
在晚餐结束的时候，他的脸上换上一种极为伤感寂寞的表情，跟她说："Beauty，你愿意嫁给我吗？"
As kind as Beauty was, there was still only one answer." No, Beast. I could never marry you." In silence he walked away.
虽然Beauty心地善良，但是答案也只会有一个："我不能。我永远不能嫁给你。" Beast静静地走开了。
The months that followed past in the same way. Beauty's days were filled with loveliness, but also with loneliness.
几个月就这样过去了。Beauty 的每一天都充满了欢喜，也充满了孤独。
So, more and more, she began to look forward to her evenings with the beast. How kind he was! How they laughed together!
一点点地，她开始向往可以跟他一起度过的晚上。他是多么善良啊！他们那样一起欢笑！
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！但是每天晚上他都会问同一个问题，"Beauty，你愿意嫁给我吗？"
And his voice seemed to grow sadder and more hopeless every time he said it.
每问过一次，他的声音就好像多伤感一分，多绝望一分。
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渐渐喜欢上了他。虽然她不想伤害Beast, 可她的答案永远是一样的："不能，Beast, 我永远都不能嫁给你。"
As time went on, Beauty began to miss her family. One day, she asked the Beast if she could go home for a visit.
时光流逝，Beauty开始想念家人。有一天，她问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很难过，但还是答应了："但是你必须要保证一个月后回来，Beauty。"他说话的时候脸上带着怪异的微笑，"否则我就会伤心而死。"
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给了她的承诺，回到家中。她的家人以为她早就死了，因此见到她大喜过望；而她看到家人都生活地很快乐，自己也很开心。
Since she had been gone, two of her father's ships had come in and the family was rich again.
她离开以后，她父亲的两条船也回来了，她们家又过上了富裕的日子。
Beauty had a wonderful visit. It was so busy and so merry that never once did she think of the Beast.
Beauty 在家里呆得很开心。每天过得又忙碌又快活，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离开城堡整整一个月的时候，她做了个梦。
She dreamt she saw the Beast. He was lying by the fountain in front of the castle, and he was dying.
她梦到了Beast，梦到他躺着城堡前的喷泉旁，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.
她听到他低声叫她："Beauty。"她知道他的心要碎了，因为她没有如期回去。她从梦里醒来，一下子跳下床，飞快地穿上了衣服。
"Where are you going?" her sisters demanded.
"你要去哪儿？"姐姐们问她。
"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身边去。" 她花了几分钟的时间，告别了父亲，跳上马，穿过黑暗的丛林朝城堡跑去。
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.
破晓的时候，她到了那里，一切都像她梦中那样又湿又冷。而Beast也静静地躺在喷泉旁边，一动不动。
"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.
她大声呼喊："Beast。"但是一切太晚了，他没有回应。她向他跑去，把他沉重的毛茸茸的脑袋抱在怀里。
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.
她看着他的脸，这张她第一次见的时候觉得其丑无比的脸。但是现在，她只看到了善良、温柔和对她的深深爱意。
"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," 她哭泣着，她的眼泪滴滴掉落在他的毛发上。"Beast，你不要死啊。你要活着，活着我们才能结婚啊，因为我爱你。我想要永远跟你在一起。"
With those words, the Beast's eyes opened. And still weeping, Beauty leaned forward, and kissed him.
说完这些话，Beast的眼睛睁开了。Beauty一边哭着，一边向前探着身体，亲吻了他。
And when she did, something wonderful happened. For suddenly, the Beast began to change.
吻了他以后，神奇的事情发生了。突然之间，Beast变了。
The furry body dissolved away, and there, lying in Beauty's arms, was not a hideous monster, but a radiant young prince.
她他的身体上的毛发退掉了；躺在Beauty怀里的，也不是一个丑陋的怪物，而是一个光彩照人的年轻王子。
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."
王子凝视着Beauty的脸，眼睛里终于再没有了孤独和伤感。"谢谢你，我的Beauty," 他说，"你把我从咒语中解救了。"
"Not I," she whispered, "it was love. And it released us both."
"不是我，"她说，"是爱。爱把我们都解救了。"
