安徒生童話:the Shepherdess and the Sweep牧羊女和掃煙囱的人
the Shepherdess and the Sweep
![安徒生童話:the Shepherdess and the Sweep牧羊女和掃煙囱的人 安徒生童話:the Shepherdess and the Sweep牧羊女和掃煙囱的人](https://i3.yyxkb.com/131b9ea15ce070/5247d3/131a89b451/5247d3f607b23c.jpg)
by Hans Christian Andersen(1845)
HAVE you ever seen an old wooden cupboard quite black with age, and ornamented with carved foliage and curious figures? Well, just such a cupboard stood in a parlor, and had been left to the family as a legacy by the GREat-grandmother. It was covered from top to bottom with carved roses and tulips; the most curious scrolls were drawn upon it, and out of them peeped little stags' heads, with antlers. In the middle of the cupboard door was the carved figure of a man most ridiculous to look at. He grinned at you, for no one could call it laughing. He had goat's legs, little horns on his head, and a long beard; the children in the room always called him, “Major general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's-legs.” It was certainly a very difficult name to pronounce, and there are very few who ever receive such a title, but then it seemed wonderful how he came to be carved at all; yet there he was, always looking at the table under the looking-glass, where stood a very pretty little shepherdess made of china. Her shoes were gilt, and her dress had a red rose or an ornament. She wore a hat, and carried a crook, that were both gilded, and looked very bright and pretty. Close by her side stood a little chimney-sweep, as black as coal, and also made of china. He was, however, quite as clean and neat as any other china figure; he only represented a black chimney-sweep, and the china workers might just as well have made him a prince, had they felt inclined to do so. He stood holding his ladder quite handily, and his face was as fair and rosy as a girl's; indeed, that was rather a mistake, it should have had some black marks on it. He and the shepherdess had been placed close together, side by side; and, being so placed, they became engaged to each other, for they were very well suited, being both made of the same sort of china, and being equally fragile. Close to them stood another figure, three times as large as they were, and also made of china. He was an old Chinaman, who could nod his head, and used to pretend that he was the grandfather of the shepherdess, although he could not prove it. He however assumed authority over her, and therefore when “Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's-legs” asked for the little shepherdess to be his wife, he nodded his head to show that he consented. “You will have a husband,” said the old Chinaman to her, “who I really believe is made of mahogany. He will make you a lady of Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's-legs. He has the whole cupboard full of silver plate, which he keeps locked up in secret drawers.”
“I won't go into the dark cupboard,” said the little shepherdess. “I have heard that he has eleven china wives there already.”
“then you shall be the twelfth,” said the old Chinaman. “To-night as soon as you hear a rattling in the old cupboard, you shall be married, as true as I am a Chinaman;” and then he nodded his head and fell asleep.
then the little shepherdess cried, and looked at her sweetheart, the china chimney-sweep. “I must entreat you,” said she, “to go out with me into the wide world, for we cannot stay here.”
“I will do whatever you wish,” said the little chimney-sweep; “let us go immediately: I think I shall be able to maintain you with my profession.”
“If we were but safely down from the table!” said she; “I shall not be happy till we are really out in the world.”
then he comforted her, and showed her how to place her little foot on the carved edge and gilt-leaf ornaments of the table. He brought his little ladder to help her, and so they contrived to reach the floor. But when they looked at the old cupboard, they saw it was all in an uproar. The carved stags pushed out their heads, raised their antlers, and twisted their necks. The major-general sprung up in the air; and cried out to the old Chinaman, “They are running away! they are running away!” The two were rather frightened at this, so they jumped into the drawer of the window-seat. Here were three or four packs of cards not quite complete, and a doll's theatre, which had been built up very neatly. A comedy was being performed in it, and all the queens of diamonds, clubs, and hearts,, and spades, sat in the first row fanning themselves with tulips, and behind them stood all the knaves, showing that they had heads above and below as playing cards generally have. The play was about two lovers, who were not allowed to marry, and the shepherdess wept because it was so like her own story. “I cannot bear it,” said she, “I must get out of the drawer;” but when they reached the floor, and cast their eyes on the table, there was the old Chinaman awake and shaking his whole body, till all at once down he came on the floor, “plump.” “The old Chinaman is coming,” cried the little shepherdess in a fright, and down she fell on one knee.
“I have thought of something,” said the chimney-sweep; “let us get into the GREat pot-pourri jar which stands in the corner; there we can lie on rose-leaves and lavender, and throw salt in his eyes if he comes near us.”
“No, that will never do,” said she, “because I know that the Chinaman and the pot-pourri jar were lovers once, and there always remains behind a feeling of good-will between those who have been so intimate as that. No, there is nothing left for us but to go out into the wide world.”
“Have you really courage enough to go out into the wide world with me?” said the chimney-sweep; “have you thought how large it is, and that we can never come back here again?”
“Yes, I have,” she replied.
When the chimney-sweep saw that she was quite firm, he said, “My way is through the stove and up the chimney. Have you courage to creep with me through the fire-box, and the iron pipe? When we get to the chimney I shall know how to manage very well. We shall soon climb too high for any one to reach us, and we shall come through a hole in the top out into the wide world.” So he led her to the door of the stove.
“It looks very dark,” said she; still she went in with him through the stove and through the pipe, where it was as dark as pitch.
“Now we are in the chimney,” said he; “and look, there is a beautiful star shining above it.” It was a real star shining down upon them as if it would show them the way. So they clambered, and crept on, and a frightful steep place it was; but the chimney-sweep helped her and supported her, till they got higher and higher. He showed her the best places on which to set her little china foot, so at last they reached the top of the chimney, and sat themselves down, for they were very tired, as may be supposed. The sky, with all its stars, was over their heads, and below were the roofs of the town. They could see for a very long distance out into the wide world, and the poor little shepherdess leaned her head on her chimney-sweep's shoulder, and wept till she washed the gilt off her sash; the world was so different to what she expected. “This is too much,” she said; “I cannot bear it, the world is too large. Oh, I wish I were safe back on the table. again, under the looking glass; I shall never be happy till I am safe back again. Now I have followed you out into the wide world, you will take me back, if you love me.”
then the chimney-sweep tried to reason with her, and spoke of the old Chinaman, and of the Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's legs; but she sobbed so bitterly, and kissed her little chimney-sweep till he was obliged to do all she asked, foolish as it was. And so, with a GREat deal of trouble, they climbed down the chimney, and then crept through the pipe and stove, which were certainly not very pleasant places. Then they stood in the dark fire-box, and listened behind the door, to hear what was going on in the room. As it was all quiet, they peeped out. Alas! there lay the old Chinaman on the floor; he had fallen down from the table as he attempted to run after them, and was broken into three pieces; his back had separated entirely, and his head had rolled into a corner of the room. The major-general stood in his old place, and appeared lost in thought.
“This is terrible,” said the little shepherdess. “My poor old grandfather is broken to pieces, and it is our fault. I shall never live after this;” and she wrung her little hands.
“He can be riveted,” said the chimney-sweep; “he can be riveted. Do not be so hasty. If they cement his back, and put a good rivet in it, he will be as good as new, and be able to say as many disaGREeable things to us as ever.”
“Do you think so?” said she; and then they climbed up to the table, and stood in their old places.
“As we have done no good,” said the chimney-sweep, “we might as well have remained here, instead of taking so much trouble.”
“I wish grandfather was riveted,” said the shepherdess. “Will it cost much, I wonder?”
And she had her wish. the family had the Chinaman's back mended, and a strong rivet put through his neck; he looked as good as new, but he could no longer nod his head.
“You have become proud since your fall broke you to pieces,” said Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's-legs. “You have no reason to give yourself such airs. Am I to have her or not?”
the chimney-sweep and the little shepherdess looked piteously at the old Chinaman, for they were afraid he might nod; but he was not able: besides, it was so tiresome to be always telling strangers he had a rivet in the back of his neck.
And so the little china people remained together, and were glad of the grandfather's rivet, and continued to love each other till they were broken to pieces.
你曾經看到過一個老木碗櫃沒有?它老得有些發黑了。
它上面刻着許多蔓籐花紋和葉子。客廳里正立着這麼一個碗櫃。它是從曾祖母繼承下來的;它從上到下都刻滿了玫瑰和鬱金香。它上面有許多奇奇怪怪的蔓籐花紋,在這些花紋中間露出一隻小雄鹿的頭,頭上有許多花角。在碗櫃的中央雕刻了一個人的全身像。他看起來的確有些好笑,他露出牙齒——你不能認為這就是笑。他生有公羊的腿,額上長出一些小角,而且留了一把長鬍鬚.房間裏的孩子們總是把他叫做“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”。這是一個很難唸的名字,而得到這種頭銜的人也並不多。不過把他雕刻出來倒也是一件不太輕鬆的工作。
他現在就立在那兒!他老是瞧着鏡子下面的那張桌子,因為桌子上有一個可愛的瓷做的小牧羊女。她穿着一雙鍍了金的鞋子;她的長衣服用一朵紅玫瑰紮起來,顯得很入時。她還有一頂金帽子和一根木杖。她真是動人!
緊靠近她的身旁,立着一個小小的掃煙囱的人。他像炭一樣黑,但是也是瓷做的。他的乾淨和整齊賽得過任何人。他是一個“掃煙囱的人”——這只不過是一個假設而已。做瓷器的人也可能把他捏成一個王子。如果他們有這種心情的話!
他拿着梯子,站在那兒怪瀟灑的。他的面孔有點兒發白,又有點兒發紅,很像一個姑娘。這的確要算是一個缺點,因為他應該有點發黑才對。他站得離牧羊女非常近;他們兩人是被安放在這樣的一個地位上的。但是他們現在既然處在這個地位上,他們就訂婚了。他們配得很好。兩個人都很年輕,都是用同樣的瓷做的,而且也是同樣的脆弱。
緊貼近他們有另一個人物。這人的身材比他們大三倍。他是一個年老的中國人。他會點頭。他也是瓷做的;他説他是小牧羊女的祖父,不過他卻提不出證明。他堅持説他有權管她,因此就對那位向小牧羊女求婚的“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”點過頭。“現在你可以有一個丈夫了!”年老的中國人説,“這人我相信是桃花心木做的。他可以使你成為一位”公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士“夫人。他除了有許多祕藏的東西以外,還有整整一碗櫃的銀盤子。”“我不願意到那個黑暗的碗櫃裏去!”小牧羊女説。“我聽説過,他在那兒藏有11個瓷姨太太。”“那麼你就可以成為第12個呀,”中國人説。“今天晚上,當那個老碗櫃開始嘎嘎地響起來的時候,你就算是結婚了,一點也不差,正如我是一箇中國人一樣!”於是他就點點頭,睡去了。
不過小牧羊女雙眼望着她最心愛的瓷制的掃煙囱的人兒,哭起來了。“我要懇求你,”她説,“我要懇求你帶着我到外面廣大的世界裏去。在這兒我是不會感到快樂的。”
她的愛人安慰着她,同時教她怎樣把小腳踏着雕花的桌角和貼金的葉子,沿着桌腿爬下來。他還把他的梯子也拿來幫助她。不一會兒,他們就走到地上來了。不過當他們抬頭來瞧瞧那個老碗櫃時,卻聽到裏面起了一陣大的騷動聲;所有的雕鹿都伸出頭來,翹起花角,同時把脖子掉過來。“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”向空中暴跳,同時喊着對面的那個年老的中國人,説:“他們現在私奔了!他們現在私奔了!”
他們有點害怕起來,所以就急忙跳到窗台下面的一個抽屜裏去了。
這兒有三四副不完整的撲克牌,還有一座小小的木偶劇場——總算在可能的條件下搭得還像個樣子。戲正在上演,所有的女士們——方塊、梅花、紅桃和黑桃1都坐在前一排揮動着鬱金香做的扇子。所有的“賈克”都站在她們後面,表示他們上下都有一個頭,正如在普通的撲克牌中一樣。這齣戲描寫兩個年輕人沒有辦法結成夫婦。小牧羊女哭起來,因為這跟她自己的身世有相似之處。
1這些都是撲克牌上的花色的名稱。“我看不下去了,”她説。“我非走出這個抽屜不可!”
不過當他們來到地上、朝桌上看一下的時候,那個年老的中國人已經醒了,而且全身在發抖——因為他下部是一個整塊。“老中國人走來了!”小牧羊女尖叫一聲。她的瓷做的膝頭彎到地上,因為她是那麼地驚惶。“我想到一個辦法,”掃煙囱的人説。“我們鑽到牆腳邊的那個大混合花瓶1裏去好不好?我們可以躺在玫瑰花和薰衣草裏面。如果他找來的話,我們就撒一把鹽到他的眼睛裏去。”
1混合花瓶(PotpourriKrukken)是舊時歐洲的一種室內裝飾品,裏邊一般盛着幹玫瑰花瓣和其他的花瓣,使室內經常保持一種香氣。為了使這些花瓣不致腐爛,瓶裏經常放有一些鹽。“那不會有甚麼用處,”她説。“而且我知道老中國人曾經跟混合花瓶訂過婚。他們既然有過這樣一段關係,他們之間總會存在着某種感情的。不成,現在我們沒有其他的辦法,只有逃到外面廣大的世界裏去了。”“你真的有勇氣跟我一塊兒跑到外邊廣大的世界裏去麼?”掃煙囱的人問。“你可曾想過外邊的世界有多大,我們一去就不能再回到這兒來嗎?”“我想過。”她回答説。
掃煙囱的人直瞪瞪地望着她,於是他説:“我的道路是通過煙囱。你真的有勇氣跟我一起爬進爐子、鑽出爐身和通風管嗎?只有這樣,我們才能走進煙囱。到了那裏,我就知道怎樣辦了。我們可以爬得很高,他們怎樣也追不到我們。在那頂上有一個洞口通到外面的那個廣大世界。”
於是他就領着她到爐門口那兒去。“它裏面看起來真夠黑!”她説。但是她仍然跟着他走進去,走過爐身和通風管——這裏面簡直是漆黑的夜。“現在我們到了煙囱裏面了,”他説,“瞧吧,瞧吧!上面那顆美麗的星星照得多麼亮!”
那是天上一顆真正的星。它正照着他們,好像是要為他們帶路似的。他們爬着,他們摸着前進。這是一條可怕的路——它懸得那麼高,非常之高。不過他拉着她,牽着她向上爬去。他扶着她,指導她在哪兒放下一雙小瓷腳最安全。這樣他們就爬到了煙囱口,在口邊坐下來,因為他們感到非常疲倦——也應該如此。
佈滿了星星的天空高高地懸着;城裏所有的屋頂羅列在他們的下面。他們遠遠地向四周瞭望——遠遠地向這廣大的世界望去。這個可憐的牧羊女從來沒有想像到世界就是這個樣子;她把她的小腦袋靠在掃煙囱的人身上,哭得可憐而又傷心,弄得緞帶上的金色都被眼淚洗掉了。“這真是太那個了,”她説。“我吃不消。這世界是太廣大了!我但願重新回到鏡子下面那個桌子上去!在我沒有回到那兒去以前,我是永遠也不會快樂的。現在我既然跟着你跑到這個茫茫的世界裏來了,如果你對我有點愛情的話,你還得陪着我回去!”
掃煙囱的人用理智的話語來勸她,並且故意提到那個中國老頭兒和“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”。但是她抽噎得那麼傷心,並且吻着這位掃煙囱的人,結果他只好聽從她了——雖然這是很不聰明的。
所以他們又費了很大的氣力爬下煙囱。他們爬下通風管和爐身。這一點也不愉快。他們站在這個黑暗的火爐裏面,靜靜地在門後聽,想要知道屋子裏面的情況到底怎樣。屋子裏是一片靜寂,他們偷偷地露出頭來看。——哎呀!那個老中國人正躺在地中央!這是因為當他在追趕他們的時候,從桌子上跌下來了。現在他躺在那兒,跌成了三片。他的背跌落了,成為一片;他的頭滾到一個牆角里去了。那位“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”仍然站在他原來的地方,腦子裏彷彿在考慮甚麼問題。“這真可怕!”小牧羊女説。“老祖父跌成了碎片。這完全是我們的過錯。我再也活不下去了!”於是她悲慟地扭着一雙小巧的手。“他可以補好的!”掃煙囱的人説,“他完全可以補好的!請不要過度地激動吧。只消把他的背粘在一起,再在他頸子上釘一個釘子,就可以仍然像新的一樣,仍然可以對我們講些不愉快的話了。”“你真的這樣想嗎?”她問。
於是他們就又爬上桌子,回到他們原來的地方去。 “你看,我們白白地兜了一個大圈子,”掃煙囱的人説。“我們大可不必找這許多的麻煩!”“我只希望老祖父被修好了!”牧羊女説。“這需要花很多的錢嗎?”
他真的被修好了。這家人設法把他的背粘好了,在他的頸子上釘了一根結實的釘子。他像新的一樣了,只是不能再點頭罷了。“自從你跌碎了以後,你倒顯得自高自大起來。”“公山羊腿——中將和少將——作戰司令——中士”説。“我看你沒有任何理由可以擺出這副架子。我到底跟她結婚呢,還是不跟她結婚?”
掃煙囱的人和牧羊女望着這位老中國人,樣子很可憐,因為他們害怕他會點頭答應。但是他現在不能點頭了,他同時又覺得怪不好意思告訴一個生人,説自己頸子裏牢牢地釘着一根釘子。因此這一對瓷人就成為眷屬了。他們祝福老祖父的那根釘子;他們相親相愛,直到他們碎裂為止。
(1845年)
這篇故事發表於1845年,是安徒生在他童話創作最旺盛時期。那時他的幻想特別豐富,浪漫主義氣息最濃。這裏面有箇中國老人,情節不多,但是老人的特點鮮明。作者本人並沒有來過中國,因而這個老人也是他浪漫主義幻想的產物,但卻真實地代表了老一代和年輕的一代(他的孫女和孫女的男朋友)在感情和思想上的矛盾:他要求孫女嚴守家規,在愛情問題上遵從他的意旨,而那年輕的一對則要求自由,也採取了行動,逃到外面廣闊的天地裏去。但現實究竟與幻想有距離,在幻想變成了失望以後,他們只好又回到現實中來。然而這不一定是悲劇,只説明幻想的天真可笑——也正是這一點,表現出了青春的美麗和可愛。安徒生是把這個故事當作一首詩、一個樂章來寫的。他取得了這個效果。小孩子讀到這篇故事會感到有趣,成年人,特別是老人,讀到它的時候則會聯想到自己青年時代類似的天真可笑,感到一點辛酸,但也會感到一點留戀。