美尼博的艾瑞克第一章，第一节(页 1) - 文字翻译室 - 龙骑士城堡奇幻论坛奇幻文学,翻译,原创,龙与地下城

devilwing 发表于 2002-8-10 13:32

美尼博的艾瑞克第一章，第一节

美尼博的艾瑞克                     艾瑞克传奇第一卷 第一章 美尼博的威仪从五百年前就开始衰颓，伊慕瑞尔城已经变成了商旅云集之所，现在国家的命脉也只是靠与那些“幼国”间的贸易来维持；但这个岛国还保留着许多古老的仪制。这些惯例是否再也派不上用场？它们能不能被否定？灭亡又能否避免？将要统治艾瑞克皇帝疆土的人可不愿去探究这些问题？他宣称艾瑞克不尊重传统仪礼（其实艾瑞克对许多仪礼都抱有敬意）的行径将给美尼博带来毁灭。就这样一出要等到多年以后才会落幕的悲剧堂皇登场，而它将加速世界的消亡。 1．      忧郁君王：努力取悦于他的庭臣们 他的肌肤白若骸骨，披散在肩的长发同样色似凝乳；在俊美的瓜子脸上那深红色的眼哞，闪动着忧悒的目光；骨白色的纤长双手从黄色礼袍宽松的袖口探出，搁在座椅的扶手上——这座椅是由一块完整巨大的红宝石雕刻而成。 红色的眼瞳透射出烦乱的心情，他不时抬起手抚弄银发上的轻冠：它是由某种黑绿色合金精心打制而成，形似一头作势欲飞的巨龙。在他另一只手上戴着一枚镶嵌着罕见的阿克托瑞尔石的戒指。宝石的中心不时在缓慢变幻着形状，仿佛是一缕有知觉的轻烟因被囚在宝石监牢中而感到烦乱不安——就像这年轻的白子在他的红宝石王座上所感受到的一样。 他望下长长的石英石阶梯，看着他的臣子们在那里寻欢作乐。他们的舞蹈中那种精妙如窃语般的优雅让人感觉仿佛置身于幽魂鬼魅之中。而此时此地，他的内心正在为道德这个主题争论不休，这种思辨使他有别于自己大部分的子民，因为在那些人身上并无人性可言。 美尼博——巨龙之岛是个统辖世界万年之久的王国，直到五百年前它的权势才渐渐衰亡。美尼博人睿智而残酷，在他们看来道德这玩意不过是对上百个世纪留传下来的传统保持恰当的敬意而已。 这个年轻人是美尼博初代巫师君王第四百二十八代直系子孙，对他而言，美尼博人这些做派不仅自负而且愚蠢；很明显巨龙岛已经失去了她大部分的力量，再过一两个世纪，就将面对众多新兴王国的直接威胁——这些国家被美尼博人傲慢的称作幼国。现在已经有些海盗舰队敢于进攻美尼博——巨龙之岛的首都，美丽的伊慕瑞尔，梦之城。 但是皇帝所有的密友都不愿和他谈论美尼博衰败的前景。当他提及这个观点时，他们都非常不悦，认为他的论调不仅难以想象，而且是大煞风景。 因此，皇帝只有独自沉思。他很遗憾父亲——森德瑞克八十六世没有更多的子嗣，那样的话可能就会有一名更合适的君主坐在这个红宝石王座上了。森德瑞克已然过世一年；他在自己灵魂消亡之时由衷地感到喜悦。因为在他的生命中除了爱妻再没有别的女人，而皇后在留下一个病弱的儿子后就撒手人寰。森德瑞克那美尼博人的情感（对于幼国的人来说非常古怪）使其一生珍爱着自己的妻子，以至于无法再从别人哪里得到慰藉和欢欣，就算是他的儿子——这个夺走皇后生命的孩子，也是她留给森德瑞克的全部——也不行。艾瑞克得到各种魔药、咒语和珍贵药草的滋养，他的活力藉由美尼博巫帝掌握的所有技艺得以维持。他的生命能够延续，这全要归功于巫术；如果没有这些魔药，以他孱弱的体质，即使是抬抬胳膊也得花上一整天。 如果说年轻的皇帝能从他这一生的病弱中找到什么优势的话，那就是这样的体质使他得以进行长时间的阅读。十五岁时，他就已经遍览父王图书馆中的书籍，有些读过不只一遍。他的巫术一开始就得到森德瑞克的传授，现在已经凌驾于许多代先帝之上。他对美尼博海岸以外的情况知之甚多，尽管这些知识极少来自他的亲身经历。如果有意的话，他有能力使巨龙岛的权势得以复兴，他也可以君临幼国，作一个不可侵犯的暴君。但是书籍让他学会了质疑力量的用途，质疑自己的动机，甚至在所有情况下都会质疑他的力量是否应该被运用。虽然还只是略知皮毛，但书籍已让他懂得“道德”的概念。因此对于美尼博的子民来说，他是个谜；而对某些人而言，他是个威胁，因为他从不像一个真正的美尼博人（以及一个美尼博帝王）那样思考和行动。他的表兄伊尔库就是这些人的代表，他已经不止一次对艾瑞克的统治权表示出强烈质疑。“这个软弱的学究会把我们引向末日”，有一天他对龙穴之主狄梵•特瓦如是说。 狄梵•特瓦是皇帝仅有的几个密友之一，他随即就把这话告诉了艾瑞克，但是年轻的皇帝只把它当作“一个不足挂齿的叛逆”而已。如果换作他的先辈，肯定会用一场漫长而尽心设计的公开刑处来“报答”这样的言论。 令皇帝的态度更加暧昧的是，伊尔库——在他的头脑中已经产生了一种微妙的感觉，认为皇位应该属于自己——是茜莫瑞尔的兄弟。她是艾瑞克最好的朋友，有朝一日还会成为他的皇后。 在大厅的镶花地板上，伊尔库王子穿戴着他最好的丝绸和皮毛、珠宝和锦缎，依次和近百名女子共舞；有传言说她们都曾是他的情人。黝黑的面容英俊却阴郁，上过头油的黑色长发飘动在脸侧。他举止自负，表情讥讽如常。厚重的锦制披风在身后飘来荡去，不断碰撞着其他舞者。这披风在他身上仿佛是一副铠甲，又或许是一件武器。许多庭臣对伊尔库王子都不抱敬意。有几个人甚至憎恨他的傲慢，但他们对此绝口不提，因为众所周知伊尔库是个强大的巫师。另一方面他的举止正符合一个美尼博贵族的身份；而且，这些举止也是他们希望在皇帝身上看到的。 艾瑞克对此心知肚明。他希望可以满足大臣们的期望，就像他们努力用舞蹈和才智取悦于他一样。但是他无法强迫自己摆出那些在他眼中是如此乏味恼人的姿态。从这方面来说，他比伊尔库更加傲慢，至少他表弟的做派不过是些粗鄙的传统而已。 从游廊传来的乐声渐强，也更加复杂。这些乐奴都经过特殊的外科手术和严格的训练，能够演唱出同一个完美的音调。此时他们在奴主的驱使下，唱的更加买力。这歌声与亘古以来人类所发出的所有声音都迥然不同，即使是年轻的皇帝也被这诡邪的和声所打动。他思索着为什么他们的苦痛会产生如此曼妙的美丽？又或许所有的美丽都源自苦痛？这就是美尼博和幼国所有伟大艺术的秘密吗？ 艾瑞克皇帝闭上了眼睛。 下面的大厅突生一阵骚动。大门敞开，一队卫兵走了进来。所有的朝臣都停下舞步，退到两旁，鞠躬致敬。这些卫兵身着亮丽的蓝色制服，戴着雕饰精美、形状奇异的头盔，手中的阔刃长枪装饰着镶嵌宝石的锻带。他们环绕着一位同样穿着蓝色长裙的年轻女子，在她裸露在外的手臂上戴着五六个由钻石、蓝宝石和黄金做成的手镯，在她的秀发中也同样点缀着这些珠宝。她素面朝天，无论是眼睑还是面颊都没有刻意化妆。艾瑞克微笑起来。这是茜莫瑞尔。这些卫兵是她的私人仪仗队，依照传统，他们必须护送她进入大厅。这群人走上台阶，来到红宝石王座前。艾瑞克慢慢起身，伸出双手。 “茜莫瑞尔。我还以为你不愿来为舞会增辉呢。” 她嫣然一笑说：“我的陛下，我发现自己正好想要找人谈天。” 艾瑞克十分感激。茜莫瑞尔知道他会感到无聊，她也清楚自己是仅有的几个艾瑞克愿意与之交谈的美尼博人之一。如果礼节允许，皇帝会把王座让给她，不过现在茜莫瑞尔只好坐在他脚下最高的台阶上。 “请坐，可爱的茜莫瑞尔。”他坐回王座，向前探着身说。茜莫瑞尔坐了下来，脸上挂着幽默与亲切的表情，凝视着他的眼睛。当她的卫兵退下，和艾瑞克的卫队一起站到阶梯两侧时，她用只有皇帝才能听到的声音低语道。 “明天你要不要和我去野外骑马，我的陛下？” “有些事我必须处理……”他其实已经被这个提议打动。艾瑞克有好几个星期没有和她一起骑马离开城市，把所有的卫士都抛在身后了。 “很紧急吗？” 他耸耸肩，“美尼博还会有什么紧急事务吗？经过万年的光阴，几乎所有事都变成了常规问题。”他的微笑已经藏不住自己的牙齿，看上去就像是个计划着逃课的年轻学生。“好吧，明天一早，在别人醒来之前我们就出发。” “明天伊慕瑞尔城外一定会有个好天气。阳光会很温暖，天空碧蓝，万里无云。” 艾瑞克笑着说：“一定是你用了什么巫术！” 西莫瑞克放低目光，看着大理石上的花纹说：“是的，也许有一点。在那些最弱小的元素中我还有些朋友……” 艾瑞克伸出手抚摸着她美丽的长发。“伊尔库知道吗？” “不。” 伊尔库王子禁止他的姐姐跟魔法有任何的瓜葛。王子的伙伴都是来些黑暗邪恶的超自然之物，他深知它们的危险；因此他认为在所有的巫术中都蕴含着这种危险的要素。另外，他也憎恨所有与他同样拥有法力的人。在艾瑞克看来，也许这就是为什么他憎恨大部分人的原因。 “希望明天所有的美尼博人都想要个好天气。”艾瑞克说道。茜莫瑞尔好奇的盯着他。她是个美尼博人，从没考虑过自己的法术会不会给别人带来不快。她耸了耸可爱的肩膀，轻轻握着皇帝的手。 “这种‘负罪感’，”她说，“这些对道德的探究。它的意图超出了我简单的思维。” “必须承认，还有我的。它似乎并没有实际的用途。在我们的祖先中，已经不止一人预言了世界本质的改变。在物质上，也在精神上。也许当想起这些古怪的，非美尼博式的念头时，我已经看到了这些变化的微光。” 乐起乐落。虽然朝臣们仍在那里翩然起舞，但是很多人的目光都游弋在高台上交谈着的艾瑞克和茜莫瑞尔身上。人们猜测着：艾瑞克什么时候会宣布茜莫瑞尔为他未来的皇后呢？他会不会重拾森德瑞克所遗弃的传统，用十二对新人祭祀混沌之主，以保证美尼博的统治者能有个美满的婚姻？很明显森德瑞克对传统的叛离，给他带来无尽的痛苦，而他妻子得到的的则是死亡；它还留给他一个病弱的儿子，这已经直接威胁到王族血脉的延续。艾瑞克一定会恢复这个传统习俗。即使是他，也必定害怕自己再次唤醒那拜访过他父亲的噩梦。不过也有些人断言艾瑞克不会遵循任何传统，他这种作风不仅威胁到自己的生命，而且也危及美尼博的存在和它所象征的一切——人们发现，说这话的人大都和伊尔库王子有着不错的交情。此时，王子还在大厅中跳着舞，表面看来似乎没有留意这些庭臣们的窃语，更确切的说是没有留意他在红宝石王座上的表哥和他姐姐那闲适安然的谈话。他的表哥，这个坐在王座边上，把自己的威仪抛在脑后的人；这个完全不具备美尼博历代君王所拥有的残酷、藐视一切的傲慢特质的人；这个谈兴正浓，全然忘却这群为取悦他而舞蹈的庭臣的人。 突然，伊尔库王子停下舞步，抬起黑宝石般的双眸仰望着他的皇帝。在大厅的一角，狄梵•特瓦的注意力完全被伊尔库这尽心设计、充满戏剧化的姿态所吸引。龙穴之主皱了皱眉，将手伸向平时长剑所在的位置，但是舞会上禁止配剑。狄梵•特瓦警惕而专注地盯着伊尔库王子，看着他拾阶而上走向红宝石王座。尽管乐奴在主人的驱使下，演奏着更加狂野的乐章，但人们的目光都落在伊尔库身上，大厅中几乎无人起舞。 艾瑞克抬头看到伊尔库就站在茜莫瑞尔所坐的那级台阶上。王子鞠躬行礼，这姿态透露出一种微妙的挑衅。 “我向您致意，陛下。”他说道。

devilwing 发表于 2002-8-10 13:37

如果我有一天天住进安定，一定是因为把手伸向力不能及的领域——妄图翻译这东东。我花了3天时间，与双关语和插入语搏斗；把每个句子像七巧板一样，尝试各种拼接，以求整个段落还能保留原有的逻辑关系。最终，我放弃了任何文学性上的奢望，用最组糙的意译，完成了第一节。为了让这……er，nonsense，能够达到草稿的高度，还希望各位伸出援手～～ 原文中的黑体字部分就是我无法精确翻译的部分，包括难以表达的双关语，没理解透的句子，以及各类我很难用正常汉语表达的句子。当然这些并不是文中所有的纰漏，只是主要的几个而已。 另有些专有名词的问题： YOUNG KINGDOM：美尼伯人对其他新兴国家，带有歧视性的称呼，暂用“幼国” albino :白化病人这样客观而科学的词用在Fantasy中有点不协调，暂以“白子”代之，希望能有两种翻译：一种用于亲友对他的称呼，另一个则留给他的敌人～ BOOK ONE            On the island kingdom of Melnibone all the old rituals are still observed, though the nation's power has waned for five hundred years, and now her way of life is maintained only by her trade with the Young Kingdoms and the fact that the city of Imrryr has become the meeting place of merchants. Are those rituals no longer useful; can the rituals be denied and doom avoided? One who would rule in Emperor Elric's stead prefers to think not. He says that Elric will bring destruction to Melnibone by his refusal to honour all the rituals (Elric honours many). And now opens the tragedy which will close many years from now and precipitate the destruction of this world.（这一段中的ritual，应该不仅是指宗教仪式，而是包括日常生活中各种习俗。但这些习俗确实有着或多或少的宗教意味——某种对Lord Of Chaos的崇拜和祭祀，我实在找不到合适的词） 1       A Melancholy King: A Court Strives to Honour Him            IT IS THE colour of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting（不理解老美的审美观，也无法把这个词协调到描写容貌俊美的句子中） eyes, crimson and moody, and from the loose sleeves of his yellow gown emerge two slender hands, also the colour of bone, resting on each arm of a seat which has been carved from a single, massive ruby.      The crimson eyes are troubled and sometimes one hand will rise to finger the light helm which sits upon the white locks: a helm made from some dark, greenish alloy and exquisitely moulded into the likeness of a dragon about to take wing. And on the hand which absently caresses the crown there is a ring in which is set a single rare Actorios stone whose core sometimes shifts sluggishly and reshapes itself, as if it were sentient smoke and as restless in its jewelled prison as the young albino on his Ruby Throne.      He looks down the long flight of quartz steps to where his court disports itself, dancing with such delicacy and whispering grace that it might be a court of ghosts. Mentally he debates moral issues and in itself this activity divides him from the great majority of his subjects, for these people are not human（这个human应该有两层意味，没人性，和字面意义上的not human，因为后文中出现了美尼伯人和human并列的情况，他们自认为高出human一等的）.      These are the people of Melnibone, the Dragon Isle, which ruled the world for ten thousand years and has ceased to rule it for less than five hundred years. And they are cruel and clever and to them 'morality' means little more than a proper respect for the traditions of a hundred centuries.      To the young man, four hundred and twenty-eighth in direct line of descent from the first Sorcerer Emperor of Melnibone, their assumptions seem not only arrogant but foolish; it is plain that the Dragon Isle has lost most of her power and will soon be threatened, in another century or two, by a direct conflict with the emerging human nations whom they call, somewhat patronisingly, the Young Kingdoms. Already pirate fleets have made unsuccessful attacks on Imrryr the Beautiful, the Dreaming City, capital of the Dragon Isle of Melnibone.      Yet even the emperor's closest friends refuse to discuss the prospect of Melnibone's fall. They are not pleased when he mentions the idea, considering his remarks not only unthinkable, but also a singular breach of good taste.      So, alone, the emperor broods. He mourns that his father, Sadric the Eighty-Sixth, did not sire more children, for then a more suitable monarch might have been available to take his place on the Ruby Throne. Sadric has been dead a year; whispering a glad welcome to that which came to claim his soul. Through most of his life Sadric had never known another woman than his wife, for the Empress had died bringing her sole thin-blooded issue into the world. But, with Melnibonean emotions (oddly different from those of the human newcomers), Sadric had loved his wife and had been unable to find pleasure in any other company, even that of the son who had killed her and who was all that was left of her. By magic potions and the chanting of runes, by rare herbs had her son been nurtured, his strength sustained artificially by every art known to the Sorcerer Kings of Melnibone. And he had lived--still lives--thanks to sorcery alone, for he is naturally lassitudinous and, without his drugs, would barely be able to raise his hand from his side through most of a normal day.      If the young emperor has found any advantage in his lifelong weakness it must be in that, perforce, he has read much. Before he was fifteen he had read every book in his father's library, some more than once. His sorcerous powers, learned initially from Sadric, are now greater than any possessed by his ancestors for many a generation. His knowledge of the world beyond the shores of Melnibone is profound, though he has as yet had little direct experience of it. If he wishes he could resurrect the Dragon Isle's former might and rule both his own land and the Young Kingdoms as an invulnerable tyrant. But his reading has also taught him to question the uses to which power is put, to question his motives, to question whether his own power should be used at all, in any cause. His reading has led him to this 'morality', which, still, he barely understands. Thus, to his subjects, he is an enigma and, to some, he is a threat, for he neither thinks nor acts in accordance with their conception of how a true Melnibonean (and a Melnibonean emperor, at that) should think and act. His cousin Yyrkoon, for instance, has been heard more than once to voice strong doubts concerning the emperor's right to rule the people of Melnibone. 'This feeble scholar will bring doom to us all,' he said one night to Dyvim Tvar, Lord of the Dragon Caves.      Dyvim Tvar is one of the emperor's few friends and he had duly reported the conversation, but the youth had dismissed the remarks as 'only a trivial treason', whereas any of his ancestors would have rewarded such sentiments with a very slow and exquisite public execution.      The emperor's attitude is further complicated by the fact that Yyrkoon, who is even now making precious little secret of his feelings that he should be emperor, is the brother of Cymoril,（语序难搞，插入语太长妨碍阅读，但无论提前还是置后都可能会破坏整段的逻辑） a girl whom the albino considers the closest of his friends, and who will one day become his empress.

devilwing 发表于 2002-8-10 13:39

Down on the mosaic floor of the court Prince Yyrkoon can be seen in all his finest silks and furs, his jewels and his brocades, dancing with a hundred women, all of whom are rumoured to have been mistresses of his at one time or another. His dark features, at once handsome and saturnine, are framed by long black hair, waved and oiled, and his expression, as ever, is sardonic while his bearing is arrogant. The heavy brocade cloak swings this way and that, striking other dancers with some force. He wears it almost as if it is armour or, perhaps, a weapon. Amongst many of the courtiers there is more than a little respect for Prince Yyrkoon. Few resent his arrogance and those who do keep silent, for Yyrkoon is known to be a considerable sorcerer himself. Also his behaviour is what the court expects and welcomes in a Melnibonean noble; it is what they would welcome in their emperor.      The emperor knows this. He wishes he could please his court as it strives to honour him with its dancing and its wit, but he cannot bring himself to take part in what he privately considers a wearisome and irritating sequence of ritual posturings. In this he is, perhaps, somewhat more arrogant than Yyrkoon who is, at least, a conventional boor.      From the galleries, the music grows louder and more complex as the slaves; specially trained and surgically operated upon to sing but one perfect note each, are stimulated to more passionate efforts. Even the young emperor is moved by the sinister harmony of their song which in few ways resembles anything previously uttered by the human voice. Why should their pain produce such marvellous beauty? he wonders. Or is all beauty created through pain? Is that the secret of great art, both human and Melnibonean?      The Emperor Elric closes his eyes.      There is a stir in the hall below. The gates have opened and the dancing courtiers cease their motion, drawing back and bowing low as soldiers enter. The soldiers are clad all in light blue, their ornamental helms cast in fantastic shapes, their long, broad-bladed lances decorated with jewelled ribbons. They surround a young woman whose blue dress matches their uniforms and whose bare arms are encircled by five or six bracelets of diamonds, sapphires and gold. Strings of diamonds and sapphires are wound into her hair. Unlike most of the women of the court, her face has no designs painted upon the eyelids or cheekbones. Elric smiles. This is Cymoril. The soldiers are her personal ceremonial guard who, according to tradition, must escort her into the court. They ascend the steps leading to the Ruby Throne. Slowly Elric rises and stretches out his hands.      'Cymoril. I thought you had decided not to grace the court tonight?'      She returns his smile. 'My emperor, I found that I was in the mood for conversation, after all.'      Elric is grateful. She knows that he is bored and she knows, too, that she is one of the few people of Melnibone whose conversation interests him. If protocol allowed, he would offer her the throne, but as it is she must sit on the topmost step at his feet.      'Please sit, sweet Cymoril.' He resumes his place upon the throne and leans forward as she seats herself and looks into his eyes with a mixed expression of humour and tenderness. She speaks softly as her guard withdraws to mingle at the sides of the steps with Elric's own guard. Her voice can be heard only by Elric.      'Would you ride out to the wild region of the island with me tomorrow, my lord?'      'There are matters to which I must give my attention...' He is attracted by the idea. It is weeks since he left the city and rode with her, their escort keeping a discreet distance away.      'Are they urgent?'      He shrugs. 'What matters are urgent in Melnibone? After ten thousand years, most problems may be seen in a certain perspective.' His smile is almost a grin, rather like that of a young scholar who plans to play truant from his tutor. 'Very well--early in the morning, we'll leave, before the others are up.'      'The air beyond Imrryr will be clear and sharp. The sun will be warm for the season. The sky will be blue and unclouded.'      Elric laughs. 'Such sorcery you must have worked!'      Cymoril lowers her eyes and traces a pattern on the marble of the dais. 'Well, perhaps a little. I am not without friends among the weakest of the elementals...'      Elric stretches down to touch her fine, fair hair. 'Does Yyrkoon know?'      'No.'      Prince Yyrkoon has forbidden his sister to meddle in magical matters. Prince Yyrkoon's friends are only among the darker of the supernatural beings and he knows that they are dangerous to deal with; thus he assumes that all sorcerous dealings bear a similar element of danger. Besides this, he hates to think that others possess the power that he possesses. Perhaps this is what, in Elric, he hates most of all.      'Let us hope that all Melnibone needs fine weather for tomorrow,' says Elric. Cymoril stares curiously at him. She is still a Melnibonean. It has not occurred to her that her sorcery might prove unwelcome to some. Then she shrugs her lovely shoulders and touches her lord lightly upon the hand.      'This "guilt",' she says. 'This searching of the conscience. Its purpose is beyond my simple brain.'      'And mine, I must admit. It seems to have no practical function. Yet more than one of our ancestors predicted a change in the nature of our earth. A spiritual as well as a physical change. Perhaps I have glimmerings of this change when I think my stranger, un-Melnibonean, thoughts?'      The music swells. The music fades. The courtiers dance on, though many eyes are upon Elric and Cymoril as they talk at the top of the dais. There is speculation. When will Elric announce Cymoril as his empress-to-be? Will Elric revive the custom that Sadric dismissed, of sacrificing twelve brides and their bridegrooms to the Lords of Chaos in order to ensure a good marriage for the rulers of Melnibone? It was obvious that Sadric's refusal to allow the custom to continue brought misery upon him and death upon his wife; brought him a sickly son and threatened the very continuity of the monarchy. Elric must revive the custom. Even Elric must fear a repetition of the doom which visited his father. But some say that Elric will do nothing in accordance with tradition and that he threatens not only his own life, but the existence of Melnibone itself and all it stands for. And those who speak thus are often seen to be on good terms with Prince Yyrkoon who dances on, seemingly unaware of their conversation or, indeed, unaware that his sister talks quietly with the cousin who sits on the Ruby Throne; who sits on the edge of the seat, forgetful of his dignity, who exhibits none of the ferocious and disdainful pride which has, in the past, marked virtually every-other emperor of Melnibone; who chats animatedly, forgetful that the court is supposed to be dancing for his entertainment.      And then suddenly Prince Yyrkoon freezes in midpirouette and raises his dark eyes to look up at his emperor. In one corner of the hall, Dyvim Tvar's attention is attracted by Yyrkoon's calculated and dramatic posture and the Lord of the Dragon Caves frowns. His hand falls to where his sword would normally be, but no swords are worn at a court ball. Dyvim Tvar looks warily and intently at Prince Yyrkoon as the tall nobleman begins to ascend the stairs to the Ruby Throne. Many eyes follow the emperor's cousin and now hardly anyone dances, though the music grows wilder as the masters of the music slaves goad their charges to even greater exertions.      Elric looks up to see Yyrkoon standing one step below that on which Cymoril sits. Yyrkoon makes a bow which is subtly insulting.      'I present myself to my emperor,'（宫廷中的交际语言我实在不熟） he says.

devilwing 发表于 2002-8-10 15:03

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>最初由 sinbadblue 发布 ……不过，还是有很多地方读不通…… </td></tr></table> 是啊，事实证明G的学习严重损害了我的中文能力，还是我不得不打起精神才能专注于文章的细节描写——我已经有快速掠过这些东东的习惯了。 The story of Elric, the last emperor of Melniboné, ruler of the dreaming city and keeper of the ruby throne, brings together many images of life and death, fate versus free will, generations of tradition and the destruction of that tradition, thought versus action, evil versus good , law versus chaos, and the difficulties faced when trying to reconcile and make meaning out of one's own existence. It is also a vehicle for Michael Moorcock to expound on yet another incarnation of "The Eternal Champion", a theme that runs throughout many of his fantasy novels. On this page I hope to give a brief overview and opinion of this tragic, yet action packed series. It is certainly one of the best offerings from Michael Moorcock, and changed my views on good fantasy forever. Having discovered the Elric Saga back in 1980 it introduced me to the new idea of an anti-hero and showed me that everything does not have to turn out "OK" in every book that I read. Truly an ambitious break from the fantasy genera of his day I have enjoyed Mr. Moorcock's vision and stunning tales for many years. He also influenced me to find and enjoy another fantasy author Fritz Leiber, and his not so clean cut heroic pair of fantasy swordsmen "Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser" . Please enjoy these opinions, comments, and quotes devoted to Elric, and hopefully it will intrigue you to the point of seeking out these fascinating works and enjoying them as much as I have. Elric of Melniboné: "It is the color of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting eyes, crimson and moody, and from the loose sleeves of his yellow gown emerge two slender hands, also the color of bone. " The Chronicle of the Black Sword Elric of Melniboné, Michael Moorcock Thus begins Michael Moorcock's description of Elric. He is, as we read through the series, the last ruler of the dreaming city Imrryr. He was born an albino and requires large amounts of sorceress drugs to maintain his strength and life. He is the 428th ruler in direct line of descent from the first sorcerer emperor of Melniboné. Due to his weakened condition he has delved into the secrets of many sorceress books and the study and practice of herb lore to sustain himself. Through this process of self enlightenment he has developed a very curious side effect of introspective self loathing for the traditions of his empire, and his inability to fit in to the role of the traditional Melniboné emperor. He also harbors an inner desire to perhaps sway his fellow Melniboné's from some of their more unwholesome practices. Because of these opinions, his subjects find his motives to be almost unfathomable. Their opinion being that Melniboné is Melniboné. They have always ruled the world, and any tactic or pleasure they desire is to be sought out and used. Morality is something that concerns lesser beings but does not have any bearing, or add weight to any decision they may make. Elric also sees that the past glory of Melniboné is fading, complacency and stagnation have set into his culture and empire. No longer do the golden battle barges set sail for the Young Kingdoms in order to raid, plunder, and bring back slaves. No longer do they attempt to increase those lands under Melniboné domination, and demand tribute from lesser beings. The Actorios stone ring worn by Elric and passed down throughout the rain of sorceress emperors, has been studied much but used little by him, thus the ability to call on aid from the traditional patron of the Melniboné emperors, Lord of Chaos Duke Arioch of Hell, has not been sought since Elric's accession. The many complexities of Elric's opinions, views, and attitudes, as well as the priorities of his station and traditions of the dreaming city, place him in a large moral dilemma. The main irony being, that Elric is the first emperor to ever try to apply morality to any of his decisions. And what of the higher powers of the Lords of Law and Chaos? As we see throughout, Elric is plagued by predestiny. The many things he would like to decide and control, quite often have already been decided for him and are already controlling him. The many twists and turns provide for fascinating reading and character development. Cymoril: Elric's cousin and consort. He hopes to one day make her empress. She above all tries to understand and help Elric, but like the Melniboné subjects he rules, she too has difficulty in understanding Elric's motivations and would have him rule as the emperors of old with no concern for any but himself. Yyrkoon: Prince of the realm and Elric's cousin. He is next in line for the throne as Elric has no male heir. He is greatly concerned at Elric's behavior and takes all of Elric's brooding and philosophical talk as a sign of weakness. He yearns for a return to more traditional emperors and secretly plots Elric's demise. Yyrkoon is considered a great sorcerer and has made many pacts with the unholy to obtain his sorceress strength. As further evidence of his decadent ways he openly covets his sister Cymoril to be his wife and Empress if his plans for Elric ever reach fruition. Dyvim Tvar: Lord of the Dragon Caves. He is Elric's main ally and advisor. A true Melniboné, he lends no weight to any thought of deposing Elric, as it is the emperors prerogative to act and do as he pleases. His main responsibility and personal love is the care of Melniboné's most destructive weapon, the dragons. It was on the backs of these beasts that Melniboné attained and maintained her empire and they are the most feared and respected weapons on earth. The Higher Powers: The main embodiment being the Lords of Law and Chaos. Continually struggling throughout eternity the Lords of Law strive for the perfection of the single arrow, always looking to bring order to a chaotic universe. Their eternal adversaries, the Lords of Chaos, believe in unlimited disorder and expression. Their symbol is the many pointed arrow showing that all things are possible and continue to fight order with disorder wherever they encounter it. A small but powerful group of entities known only as the Gray Lords, are also present and motivated by the goal of the balance. They believe that all things may be achieved but only through balance. This, of course, outrages both Law and Chaos, and the Gray Lords have not to date exerted a powerful presence on Elric's plane. And lastly, there are the Elimentals; Air, Sea, Earth, and Fire. These beings can be persuaded to assist powerful sorcerers from time to time with their eliment based powers. The Rune blades: Brought to earth centuries before and wielded by the Melnibon`e emperors, these blades where turned over to the Gods and placed in the pulsing cavern when they became too powerful to control. They are known by the names StormBringer and MournBlade. They have the ability to give the wielder unparalleled strength. They are also sentient and require feeding to appease them. This feeding is in the form of souls taken during battle. Many of Elric's enemies plead not to be killed by his fearsome blade, StormBringer, as their souls are sent straight to hell for eternity. Although Elric is able to overcome his genetic weaknesses, and for the first time in his life he no longer needs to ingest his sorceress potions to sustain his life, this strength is gained at the price of a symbiotic relationship with his blade. Many is the time he will regret unsheathing it, as StormBringer has a taste for friend and foe alike. 这是背景，好了，等价交换，帮我解决几个问题吧～～

Hobgoblin 发表于 2002-8-10 22:36

My God，原来那个coolsun是你。我老实说也没看过这东西，你翻的大体上还差不多吧，好歹Gter也得有点自信嘛。 slanting有点斜的意思，如不理解请去参考博得之门2里自定义肖像中的那个精灵男性的眼睛和一般日本武士画里的那些斜眼。 but also a single这句话指大煞风景的行为，比如大家谈得正高兴，有个人突然跑进来说这次考试全班三分之一不及格：） discreet distance那句话不是甩掉的意思，那样那些卫士估计要被炒鱿鱼，是指卫士们识相的保持一定距离（废话，国王要泡妞你凑那么近干吗？）

devilwing 发表于 2002-8-11 00:07

……………… 其实最大的问题倒不是理解，而是翻译，很多地方我都很难找到合适的表达方式…… 斜眼我是知道得了，但是我不知道如何表达使中国人也能感到“斜眼”的魅力…………哦哦，大概知道了，就是说吊眼梢是吧，hmm discreet distance的问题，其实在第二节，就写到了他们把护卫甩在身后的的情节。这里也是感觉翻的不是很准确和顺畅

aliang 发表于 2002-8-12 00:16

啊啊啊……喜忧参半的心情……楼主是个有信誉的人，所以绝对不会挖了坑就跑的对不对？如果不想发生被某怨魂狗尾续貂的悲剧的话（这是威胁——没错，楼主看清楚——这就是威胁！），请卖力地继续这项伟大的工作吧~~~~<img src='http://localhost/ipb/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'>

Darkmage 发表于 2005-9-3 17:52

挖坟挖坟 <img src='http://www.cndkc.net/bbs_en/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /> 《航向往昔》选自Michael Moorcock的《艾尔瑞克传奇第三卷·命运汪洋上的水手》，《航向往昔》是该书的第三部分，独立成章，最早的名字叫《玉像之眼》，于1973年出版。不知道Elric以前故事也没关系，MM的故事特色就是可以从任何一卷开始。我不太喜欢第一卷，第二卷尽管好看但是80年代的MM写故事已经比60~70年代长了不少，第三卷的故事比较短，我也比较喜欢，所以选了第三个故事。 《航向往昔》（又名：《玉像之眼》） 原作：Michael Moorcock 翻译：darkmage 一 艾尔瑞克倚靠在舒适的靠垫椅中，接过主人敬上的盛满醇醪的酒杯，而史缪甘（Smiorgan）则在享用他们奉上的热食，艾尔瑞克和艾樊公爵互相恭维了对方一番。 艾樊公爵已步入不惑之年，脸庞方正英俊，胸前穿着镀金的银甲，外罩一件素白大氅，奶白色的牝鹿皮裤子卷进齐膝高的玄黑靴子里，盔帽安放在肘边的舱桌上，顶上饰有猩红的翎毛。 “先生，有您光临真是叫我篷壁生辉啊，”艾樊公爵说，“我知道您就是美尔尼博内（Melniboné）的艾尔瑞克。自从我甫一得知您离开了故国（并放下了您的权力）隐姓埋名在幼国（Young Kingdoms）里云游四海的时候就开始找您，现在已经好几个月啦。” “您真是消息灵通，先生。” “我自己也是个有意远行的旅客。在皮卡瑞德（Pikarayd）我几乎要赶上您了，可惜当时我发现那里不太安全。您很快就从那里消失了，我失去了关于您的一切线索。就在我几乎要放弃向您求助的念头的时候，凭着当头红运，我竟发现您就漂在海上！”艾樊公爵朗笑道。 “好事净往您那边去啦，”艾尔瑞克微笑道，“而我有很多疑问。” “他是老荷洛尔玛（Old Hrolmar）的艾樊·艾司荃（Avan Astran）”，边上的史缪甘伯爵一面啃着一根巨大的后腿骨一面咕囔道，“他是有名的冒险家、探险家和商贩，论声望我辈中无人能及，我们可以相信他，艾尔瑞克。” “我现在想起这个名字了，”艾尔瑞克对公爵说，“您为什么寻求我的帮助？” 餐桌上饭菜的香味最终勾起了艾尔瑞克的食欲，他坐起身说：“您介意我一边吃一边听您解释吗，艾樊公爵？” “尽管享用，艾尔瑞克王子。有您赏光我深感荣幸。” “您救了我，先生。以前我捡回命的时候从没受到过这样的礼遇！” 艾樊公爵微笑道：“我以前从来没有荣幸能，请允许我们那么比喻，捕获这样礼貌的一条大鱼。如果我是个迷信的人，艾尔瑞克王子，我会猜想是不是有什么力量使我们这样相会。” “我宁可相信这只是巧合。”白子说着便开始取食，“现在，先生，告诉我我要怎么才能帮您？” “我救您不过是运气恩惠，我不会以此来要求您报答我。”艾樊·艾司荃公爵说，“请不要忘记这点。” “我不会的，先生。” 艾樊公爵抚摩着头盔上的羽毛：“正如史缪甘伯爵说的，我的足迹已经遍布了大半个世界。我去过您的美尔尼博内，也冒险东进直达爱尔沃（Elwher）和未明国（the Unknown Kingdoms）。我去过有翼民族居住的谟俄何恩（Myyrrhn），也造访了迢远的世界边缘，并希望有一天能越过世界的边界。但是我从来没有横渡过沸腾海（Boiling Sea），只知道在大陆西边的一片海岸，那海岸没有名字。您在旅途中去过那里吗，艾尔瑞克？” 白子摇头说：“我旅行的目的是寻求体验其他文化和文明。到目前为止，那里没有吸引我的东西。那片大陆大部分荒芜人烟，所有的居民都还没开化，不是吗？” “人们是那么说的。” “您有不同见解？” “您知道，我是有些证据。”艾樊公爵用深思熟虑的口吻说，“据我所知，您的祖先最早源自那片土地。” “证据？”艾尔瑞克假装心不在焉，“不过是些传说吧。” “有一个传说提到了比梦幻般的伊慕瑞尔（Imrryr，译注：美尔尼博内的首都）更古老的城市。它现在位于西方的密林深处。” 艾尔瑞克回忆起他和萨克斯菲·迪安王（Earl Saxif D'Aan）的谈话，会心笑道：“您是指R'lin K'ren A'a？” “是的，一个奇怪的名字。” 艾樊·艾司荃公爵附探身子，眼睛里闪耀起好奇的光芒，“您的发音比我更加流利。您会说那种被称作高尚语的秘语，它是帝王们的语言……” “当然。” “按照传统，您不能教自己的孩子以外的人这种语言，是吗？” “您看起来对美尔尼博内的传统了若执掌，艾樊公爵”艾尔瑞克低垂眉目，一边仰靠到座位上一边把撒上调料的新鲜面包送进嘴里。“您知道那个名字是什么意思吗？” “我听说那个词在美尔尼博内的古语中只是‘高权者聚会之地’的意思。”艾樊·艾司荃公爵回答道。 艾尔瑞克歪着脑袋说：“没错。毫无疑问，那其实不过是个小镇。因为当地的首要们在那里聚会才以此命名，他们或许每年在那里相会一次讨论粮价。” “您相信吗，艾尔瑞克王子？” 艾尔瑞克把一只罩着的盘子仔细研究了一下，随后动手从里面盛起一块淋上肥美香甜的酱汁的嫩牛肉。“不。”他回答道。 “那么您相信在你们之前有更加远古的文明，而它正是你们文化的起源？您相信R'lin K'ren A'a依然存在于西方密林的深处？” 艾尔瑞克等到吞下牛肉后才摆了摆头。 “不。”他说，“我一点都不相信它还存在。” “您对您的祖先没有兴趣？” “我应该要对他们感兴趣么？” “相传他们和建立起美尔尼博内的后代们之间有所不同。他们更加温和……”艾樊·艾司荃公爵意味深长地盯着艾尔瑞克的脸。 艾尔瑞克大笑道：“您是个聪明人，老荷洛尔玛的艾樊公爵。您的眼光很准。啊，而且您真是个狡猾的家伙，先生！” 艾樊公爵对艾尔瑞克的赞赏咧嘴一笑：“而您，如果我没看错，对传说所知道的比您承认的还要多。” “或许吧。”食物使艾尔瑞克的身体温暖起来，他满足地叹气道：“我们美尔尼博内人有深藏不露的名声。” “然而，”艾樊公爵说，“您看起来不是个典型的美尔尼博内人。换了别人，谁会抛弃帝国不要，却在族人痛恨的国度里旅行？” “一个皇帝如果对他统治的世界知道的越多就能把帝国治理得越好，艾樊·艾司荃公爵。” “幼国已经不再对美尔尼博内附首称臣。” “美尔尼博内的威力依旧强悍，不过我的意思不是要说明这个。我的观点是，幼国具有美尔尼博内失去的品质。“ “活力？” “可能。” “人性！”史缪甘·光头伯爵咕哝着，“那才是你的种族失去的东西，艾尔瑞克王子。我不是指你，但是看看萨克斯菲·迪安王。那么睿智的人怎么竟会变成一个傻瓜？他失去了一切——骄傲、爱情、力量——就因为他没了人性。而他所保有的那部分人性却又为什么反倒毁了他。” “有人说那也会毁了我。”艾尔瑞克说，“不过，‘人性’可能正是我要找到带回美尔尼博内的东西，史缪甘伯爵。” “那么你会毁灭你的国家！”史缪甘开门见山地说，“美尔尼博内已经病入膏肓。” “我或许能帮您找到您要的东西，艾尔瑞克王子。”艾樊·艾司荃公爵平静地说，“如果你感到那个伟大的美尔尼博内正面临危险，现在或许是拯救它的时候了。” “危机来自内部。”艾尔瑞克说，“不过我可能太口无遮拦了。” “对于一个美尔尼博内人来说确实如此。” “您是如何听说那个城市的？”艾尔瑞克想要知道这点，“我在幼国里遇到的其他人中没人知道R'lin K'ren A'a。” “它被标在我的一张地图上。” 艾尔瑞克不慌不忙地咀嚼着嘴中的牛肉直到把它吞下肚：“那张地图肯定是赝品。” “有可能。您还记得什么关于R'lin K'ren A'a的传说吗？” “有的故事提到了被咒永生之人。”艾尔瑞克推开食物，给自己倒了杯酒：“那个城市得名于高层世界的主宰们曾经在那里相会以决定宇宙冲突的法则。他们的谈话被当时城里一个还没逃走的居民偷听到了。当他们发现那个生物的时候，他们诅咒他长生不死，永远记得偷听到的可怕知识……” “我也对这个故事有所耳闻。但是我感兴趣的是R'lin K'ren A'a的居民们再也没有返回原地。他们反而向北挺进，穿越汪洋大海。有些人最后到达了我们所说的巫师岛（译注：远远坐落在伊慕瑞尔西边的岛屿），另一些则被狂风大浪卷到了更远更大的岛上，那里居住的巨龙可以用毒液烧毁碰到的一切，那里就是美尔尼博内。” “而您想了解事情的真相。您具有学者一样的兴致？” 艾樊公爵大笑道：“部分是。不过我对R'lin K'ren A'a的主要兴趣更加功利。您的祖先在逃离途中把大量财富遗留在身后。尤其是他们遗弃了混乱之君阿瑞欧刻（Arioch）的雕像，一尊硕大无朋的巨雕，浑身遍砌美玉，双眼更是两颗举世无双的不知名的宝石。它们是来自另一个位面的珍宝，是一对可以揭示高层世界，揭示过去和未来，揭示宇宙间无穷无尽的各个位面的奥义的珍宝……” “所有的文化都有相似的传说。一相情愿的想法，艾樊公爵，就是那么回事……” “然而美尔尼博内的文化卓尔不同。如您所知，美尔尼博内人不是真正的人类。他们的力量凌驾万物，他们的学识傲视群侪……” “曾经是那样。”艾尔瑞克说：“但是我却没有强大的力量和广博的学识。我只会一些皮毛……” “我在巴克珊（Bakashaan）找寻您的下落，稍后又去了加达马（Jadmar），并不是因为我知道您会证实我听到的一切。我横渡大海前往菲尔喀（Filkhar），阿基米利亚（Argimiliar），最终落脚皮卡瑞德也不是因为我知道您会坚持肯定我所说的一切——我找您是因为我认为您是唯一一位愿意陪我远航，彻底摸清传说到底是真是假的人。” 艾尔瑞克侧头把杯中之酒一饮而尽。 “您自己难道无法完成这件事？您为什么需要我陪您一起涉险？从我的所知来看，艾樊公爵，您不是个要别人帮忙才能凯旋而归的人……” 艾樊公爵笑道：“我独自前往爱尔沃是因为我的手下我把扔在了哀泣荒原（Weeping Waste）中。我天生不惮肉体上的恐惧。但是我披荆斩棘至今还活着的原因是因为我总有正确的预见，在出发前足够小心。现在我觉得我必须要面对我不能预料的险恶——可能会遇到巫术作怪。因此，这提醒我要找个精通格斗法术的盟友。由于我和普通的术师，比如潘唐（Pan Tang）那些，没法谈拢，您就成了我唯一的选择。您寻求知识，艾尔瑞克王子，我也一样。事实上，可以那么说，如果不是您一味渴求学识，您的表兄就不会企图僭越美尔尼博内的红宝石王座……” “够了。”艾尔瑞克烦恼地说：“让我们谈论探险吧。地图在哪里？” “您会和我一起去？” “给我看地图。” 艾樊公爵从袋子里取出一个卷轴：“就是这个了。” “您在哪里找到的？” “在美尔尼博内。” “你最近去过美尔尼博内？”艾尔瑞克感到胸中一股愠怒升腾。 艾樊公爵举起一只手：“我是和一群商贩一起去的，而且我付了很高的代价才换来这个看起来永远都不会开启的密封匣子。匣子里面只有一张地图。”他在桌子上铺开卷轴。艾尔瑞克辨认出上面古美尔尼博内高尚语的风格和字迹。地图上描绘的是他从没在其他地图上看见过的大陆西境，一条宽阔的大河蜿蜒流向内陆，至少有一百英里长。那条河川穿过一处丛林，分为两股，之后又汇合到一起。由它的那段分岔又合拢的水域所形成的“岛屿”被画上了黑圈，环绕圆圈是用古美尔尼博内蚀写的该地地名：R'lin K'ren A'a。艾尔瑞克细细查看卷轴，它看起来不象是伪造的。 “这就是您的全部发现？”他问。 “这个卷轴被蜡封起来，封印里镶嵌着这个。”艾樊公爵递给艾尔瑞克一个物件。 艾尔瑞克把它捧在手掌上。那是枚红得发黑的宝石，但是被放到光亮处后，就能看见宝石的中央透出一个图象。艾尔瑞克认出了图象上的人物。他蹙眉说道：“我同意您的建议，艾樊公爵。我能先收着这块宝石吗？” “您知道它的用处？” “不知道。不过我应该能发现。在我的头脑中某处我记得一些东西……” “很好。收着它。地图我来保管。” “您打算什么时候出发？” 艾樊公爵讥诮地微笑道：“我们已经在沿着南部海岸航行驶向沸腾海了。” “几乎没人从那片汪洋中生还。”艾尔瑞克不快地喃喃低语道。他的目光扫过餐桌，看见史缪甘正用眼神恳求他不要参与艾樊公爵的计划。艾尔瑞克冲朋友一笑：“这种冒险对我的胃口。” 史缪甘悲惨地耸耸肩：“看起来我要回紫镇（Purple Towns）还要多耽搁几天哩。” ================ 二 罗米厄（Lormyr）的海岸线消失在温暖的迷雾中，艾樊·艾司荃公爵的多桅纵帆船的优雅船头拨浪航向西方和沸腾海域。 帆船上的维尔迷瑞恩（Vilmirian）船员已经习惯于应对更为温和的天气和悠闲的任务，在艾尔瑞克看来，如今空气里多少弥漫着怨艾的气氛。 史缪甘伯爵站在艾尔瑞克身边的甲板上，挥去头颅上的汗水，不满地低声埋怨道：“维尔迷瑞恩人如今都成了懒汉，艾尔瑞克王子。对付这样一次远航，艾樊公爵需要的是真正的水手。要是有机会的话，我能帮他挑选一批更好的人……” 艾尔瑞克一笑道：“我们两个都没得选择，史缪甘伯爵。现在木已成舟。艾樊公爵是个机灵的人。” “我可不完全敬重这种机灵，因为他没给我们真正的选择权利。俗话说：结伴同行，奴隶不如自由民。” “那么在你有机会的时候你怎么没有下船呢，史缪甘伯爵？” “因为他承诺了财富。”黑胡子男人坦率地说：“我会堂堂正正地衣锦返乡。你别忘了我当初出发的时候可率领了一支船队，后来却一败涂地……” 艾尔瑞克理解他。 “我的目的很直接，你的追求更加复杂。你渴望危险就好象其他男人渴望做爱和酒精——你好象能在危险里找到遗忘。”史缪甘说。 “许多职业士兵不都是这样吗？” “你不仅仅是一介职业士兵，艾尔瑞克。你我都很清楚这点。” “可是我遇到的危险中几乎没什么可以帮助我遗忘。”艾尔瑞克解释道，“它们反而进一步提醒我回忆起自己的身份……回忆起我面对的两难境地。我挑战一族的传统的本能。”艾尔瑞克忧愁地深吸一口气：“我涉险的动机是我觉得在那里或许能找到答案——可以解释一切悲剧和矛盾的理由。但是我知道我永远都不可能找到它。” “然而你为什么要去R'lin K'ren A'a？你希望你的远古祖先们能回答你的疑问？” “R'lin K'ren A'a只是一个神话。就算那张地图是真的，我们在一堆堆废墟里还能找到什么？伊慕瑞尔已经屹立了一万年，在建造它之前我的人民就已经在美尔尼博内定居了至少两个世纪。时间早已让R'lin K'ren A'a灰飞烟灭。” “那么雕像呢，艾樊所说的玉雕？” “如果雕像还在，在过去的千万年中它可能早被洗劫一空了。” “被咒永生之人？” “子虚乌有。” “但是你希望艾樊公爵说的都是事实，不是吗？……”史缪甘伯爵把一只手搭在艾尔瑞克的手臂上追问道：“不是吗？” 艾尔瑞克凝视前方从海水里腾起的滚滚水汽，摇了摇头。 “不，史缪甘伯爵。我怕艾樊公爵所说的都是事实。” 大风恣肆横行，帆船的行动十分缓慢，而气温越来越高，船员们汗如雨下，不安地小声嘀咕，每个人的脸上都带着痛苦的表情。 只有艾樊公爵看起来还自信满满，他叫手下不要灰心，说大家很快就能发财致富，还吩咐解开船浆，因为风向已经反复无常。水手们听了都怨声载道，脱下衣衫露出象煮熟的龙虾一样通红的皮肤。艾樊公爵拿它开了个玩笑，但是维尔迷瑞恩人不再象以前航行在家乡的温和水域里那样对他的幽默哈哈大笑。 帆船周围的海水翻腾咆哮，他们只能靠有限的工具导航，因为蒸汽模糊了所有景物。 有一次，一头绿色的生物突然从海里冒出来瞪着他们，然后又消失不见了。 他们吃少睡寡，艾尔瑞克几乎寸步不离甲板，史缪甘伯爵默默忍受着高温，而艾樊公爵看起来对一切不适都免疫，兴高采烈地在船上走动，鼓舞人们的士气。 史缪甘伯爵为这片海域着迷，他只听说过它却从没有亲身穿越沸腾海。“这不过是沸腾海的外围，艾尔瑞克，”他惊讶地说：“想想海中央会是什么样子。” 艾尔瑞克咧嘴笑道：“我宁可不去想。象现在这个样子，我都担心一天还没过完自己就先被蒸熟了。” 艾樊公爵恰好从他身边走过，听他那么说便拍拍他的肩膀：“别犯傻了，艾尔瑞克王子！蒸汽对您有好处！没有更有利健康的东西啦！”好象是为了表示他的愉快，艾樊公爵展开双臂双腿说：“它把体内的脏东西都清除得干干净净。” 史缪甘伯爵没好气地瞪了他一眼，艾樊公爵大笑起来：“高兴点，史缪甘伯爵，根据我现有的航海图来说，再过几天就可以到达西陆的海岸了。” “这个想法还真让我十分提不起劲来。”史缪甘伯爵虽然嘴上那么说，却不禁被艾樊公爵的幽默感染，露出微笑。 不过没几天后，海面上就渐渐平稳，蒸汽也开始消散，温度回降到可以忍受的范围。 最后他们到达了一片位于湛蓝天空下的宁静海洋，一轮金红色的太阳悬在天边。 但是在穿越沸腾海途中，有三名维尔迷瑞恩水手丧命，四个人患了重病，不断咳嗽、发抖，在夜里号哭。 有一阵子他们被困在无风的海水里动弹不得，不过洋面上终于刮起了和风，鼓起航船的风帆，不久后他们就第一次看见了陆地——一座土黄的岛屿。他们在岛上找到水果和清新的甘泉。并把三个在沸腾海上一病不起的同伴埋葬在那里，维尔迷瑞恩人拒绝把他们葬入大海，因为在沸腾的海水里他们的遗体会变成“锅里的炖肉”。 当他们刚刚在岛边下锚的时候，艾樊公爵把艾尔瑞克叫进自己的船舱，第二次打开古老的地图。 淡淡的金色日光给舱内的甲板铺上了一层金黄，照耀着用早已灭绝的生物的皮革制成的远古卷轴，艾尔瑞克和老荷洛尔玛的艾樊·艾司荃公爵俯身端详地图。 “看，图上有这个岛。地图上的标尺看起来和事实很接近。再走三天我们就会到达河口。” 艾樊公爵指着它说。 艾尔瑞克颌首同意：“不过最好能梢做休整，等我们的力气完全恢复，船员们的士气再度高涨后再出发。毕竟人类几百年来避开西边的密林是有原因的。” “那里肯定有野人，有人说他们根本还算不上是人类，不过我相信我们可以应对这种危险。我对千奇百怪的恐怖分子有足够的经验对付，艾尔瑞克王子。” “但是您自己说过您害怕其他危险。” “没错。很好，我们会听从您的建议。” 第四天，一股猛烈的东风吹来，他们再次起锚，帆船只张开一半的帆布就在水面上轻盈地跳跃，水手们都把这看成一个好兆头。 “他们都是没大脑的笨蛋。”当史缪甘伯爵和艾尔瑞克依靠着索具站在船头的时候，史缪甘说：“他们到时会希望自己是在忍受沸腾海上更单纯的艰苦而不是在这里。这次航行，艾尔瑞克，哪怕是R'lin K'ren A'a的财富还安然无恙也不会对我们有任何好处。” 但是艾尔瑞克没有理睬他。他迷失在奇异的想法中，不寻常地思索起自己的经历，他回想童年的时光和父母双亲。他们是光武帝国（Bright Empire）最后一任名副其实的统治者——骄傲、冷漠、严酷。可能是因为自己奇特的白化外表，他们曾期待他再现美尔尼博内的光荣。但其实上他却威胁到了美尔尼博内最后一丝荣耀能否存在。他们和他一样，在新纪元的幼国中没有立足之地，只是他们都不愿承认这个事实。这次踏上祖先们曾生活过的西陆的远航格外吸引他。这里没有新的国家涌现，就他所知，这块大陆保留了R'lin K'ren A'a被遗弃时的原貌。这里的密林是他的前人们所知道的密林，这片大地是曾经诞生了他们一族的大地，塑造了他们沉迷阴郁的乐趣的性格，接着，又赋予他们伤感的艺术和幽暗的喜悦。当他的先辈们知道存在没有意义、没有目的也没有希望，并对此无能为力的时候，他们是否感到了知识的痛苦？是不是正是这些原因让他们营造起自己的独特文化？为什么人类哲学家们所推崇的更为宁和、纯精神意义上的价值观在他们看来不屑一顾？他知道在幼国有许多有识之士把美尔尼博内的强大子民当作失心狂人来怜悯。但是如果他们真的疯了，如果他们千万年来一直将这种癫狂强加在整个世界身上，又是什么令他们失去了理智？在R'lin K'ren A'a，他或许可以发现这个秘密，或许不能找到一个真切的形体，但在晦暗的密林和古老幽深的大河的环抱中他可以找到一种氛围。或许在这里，他能够找到和让自身和谐的方法。 他用手指梳过乳白色的长发，深红色的眼睛中浮现出真诚的痛苦。他或许是族里最后一人，但他和所有族人都不一样。史缪甘弄错了。艾尔瑞克知道万事皆有其反面。在危险中他可以发现和平。但是，在和平中自然也有危险。在一个不完美的世界中作一个不完美的生命，他经常体会到这样的矛盾，而在矛盾中又往往蕴涵着一种真理。这就是哲学家和预言家人丁兴旺的原因。完美的世界不需要他们存在。但在不完美的世界中，奥秘虽然常常没办法化解，人们却因此永远有机会选择各种各样的解决办法。 在第三天的早晨他们看见了海岸线，帆船穿过宽阔的三角洲两边的沙岸，终于停泊在幽暗的无名大河边。 不知道R'lin K'ren A'a到底要不要翻（先不说怎么翻），感觉翻了后原来它在人类口中很难发音的样子就看不出了。

ren 发表于 2005-9-3 22:29

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (aliang @ 2002-08-12，00:16 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> 啊啊啊……喜忧参半的心情……楼主是个有信誉的人，所以绝对不会挖了坑就跑的对不对？如果不想发生被某怨魂狗尾续貂的悲剧的话（这是威胁——没错，楼主看清楚——这就是威胁！），请卖力地继续这项伟大的工作吧~~~~<img src='http://www.cndkc.net/bbs_en/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' />  </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'>  还是阿亮姐厚道啊……

Selkie 发表于 2005-9-4 11:24

咳咳，这简直是偷坟掘墓。而且是前朝的！ <img src='http://www.cndkc.net/bbs_en/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif' /> 阿弥托佛，就让它入土为安吧……

Darkmage 发表于 2005-9-4 14:35

安啦安啦，selkie是在开玩笑，我知道他不想看见这个墓被掘出来的原因~ XD 跟在第一卷第一篇翻译后面是因为那段对了解melnibonean有帮助，而且不想填坑的时候删起来比较容易啊 <img src='http://www.cndkc.net/bbs_en/html/emoticons/cool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cool.gif' />

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美尼博的艾瑞克 第一章，第一节

美尼博的艾瑞克第一章，第一节