| "Now," said Peter, as they finished their meal, "Aslan and the girls (that's Queen Susan and Queen Lucy, Caspian) are somewhere close. We don't know when he will act. In his time, no doubt, not ours. In the meantime he would like us to do what we can on our own. You say, Caspian, we are not strong enough to meet Miraz in pitched battle?" |
吃过早餐，彼得开口说话了：“朋友们，阿斯兰和两个女孩子，也就是苏珊女王和露茜女王，就在附近。我们不知道它什么时候开始行动。自然，它深知如何把握战机，但与此同时，它希望我们也能看准时机，有所作为。凯斯宾，你看我们有没有足够的力量与弥若兹的部队进行决战?” |
| "I'm afraid not, High King," said Caspian. He was liking Peter very much, but was rather tongue-tied. It was much stranger for him to meet the great Kings out of the old stories than it was for them to meet him. |
“恐怕我们的力量不够，陛下。”凯斯宾答道。他非常喜欢彼得，可与他在一起时，又总觉得自己笨嘴拙舌。两个年代相差很远的国王坐在一起，凯斯宾尤其感到陌生和新奇。 |
| "Very well, then," said Peter, "I'll send him a challenge to single combat." No one had thought of this before. |
“那么好吧，我向他挑战，一对一与他较量。”彼得从容地说。这主意，在场各位还没有人想到过。 |
| "Please," said Caspian, "could it not be me? I want to avenge my father." |
“让我来吧，”凯斯宾说，“我要为父亲报仇。” |
| "You're wounded," said Peter. "And anyway, wouldn't he just laugh at a challenge from you? I mean, we have seen that you are a king and a warrior but he thinks of you as a kid." |
“不行，你负伤了。再说，他不会介意你的挑战，或者他会嘲笑你的。我的意思是说，我们大家都亲眼目睹了你作为国王和勇士的丰采。可是在他的眼里，你不过是个孩子而已。” |
| "But, Sire," said the Badger, who sat very close to Peter and never took his eyes off him. "Will he accept a . challenge even from you? He knows he has the stronger . army." |
“可是陛下，他会接受你的挑战吗?他很清楚自己拥有一支强大的军队。”说话的是獾，它紧挨彼得坐着，一直默默地注视着他。 |
| "Very likely he won't," said Peter, "but there's always the chance. And even if he doesn't, we shall spend the best part of the day sending heralds to and fro and all that. By then Aslan may have done something. And at least I can inspect the army and strengthen the position. I will send the challenge. In fact I will write it at once. Have you pen and ink, Master Doctor?" |
“是的，他很可能拒绝我。但可能性还是有的，即便他真的拒绝应战，我们也将照样派出使臣与他周旋，这时阿斯兰就会不失时机，给敌人以致命的打击。我们也可乘这个时机检查部队，加固工事。我一定要发出挑战，我这就写。博士先生，你这里有没有纸笔?” |
| "A scholar is never without them, your Majesty," answered Doctor Cornelius. |
“一个学者从来不缺这类东西，陛下。”克奈尔斯博士答道。 |
| "Very well, I will dictate," said Peter. And while the Doctor spread out a parchment and opened his ink-horn and sharpened his pen, Peter leant back with half-closed eyes and recalled to his mind the language in which he had written such things long ago in Narnia's golden age. |
“好极了，我来口述。” |
| "Right," he said at last. "And now, if you are ready, Doctor?" |
博士忙着铺开纸，削尖了笔。与此同时，彼得靠在椅子上，微闭双眼，回想着在遥远过去纳尼亚的黄金时代，他下令写这类战书的措词 |
| Doctor Cornelius dipped his pen and waited. Peter dictated as follows: |
“就这样写。”他终于睁开眼睛，转向克奈尔斯，“你准备好了没有，博士?” |
| "Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election, by prescription, and by conquest, High King over all Kings in Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands and Lord of Cair Paravel, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion, to Miraz, Son of Caspian the Eighth, sometime Lord Protector of Narnia and now styling himself King of Narnia, Greeting. Have you got that?" |
博士提起笔，俯身在纸上，默默地一字一句记下了彼得口述的战书： |
| "Narnia, comma, greeting," muttered the Doctor. "Yes, Sire." |
“彼得，凭着阿斯兰的赋予，凭着人民的选举，凭着古老的传统，凭着赫赫的战功，谨以如下名义——纳尼亚的至尊王，孤独岛与凯尔帕拉维尔的统治者，阿斯兰帐下的无畏骑士，向凯斯宾八世之子，一度为纳尼亚的护国公，现自封为纳尼亚国王的弥若兹阁下，致意。博士，你记下来没有?” |
| "Then begin a new paragraph," said Peter. "For to prevent the effusion of blood, and for the avoiding all other inconveniences likely to grow from the wars now levied in our realm of Narnia, it is our pleasure to adventure our royal person on behalf of our trusty and well-beloved Caspian in clean wager of battle to prove upon your Lordship's body that the said Caspian is lawful King under us in Narnia both by our gift and by the laws of the Telmarines, and your Lordship twice guilty of treachery both in withholding the dominion of Narnia from the said Caspian and in the most abhominable, - don't forget to spell it with an H, Doctor - bloody, and unnatural murder of your kindly lord and brother King Caspian Ninth of that name. Wherefore we most heartily provoke, challenge, and defy your Lordship to the said combat and monomachy, and have sent these letters by the hand of our well beloved and royal brother Edmund, sometime King under us in Narnia, Duke of Lantern Waste and Count of the Western March, Knight of the Noble Order of the Table, to whom we have given full power of determining with your Lordship all the conditions of the said battle. Given at our lodging in Aslan's How this XII day of the month Greenroof in the first year of Caspian Tenth of Narnia. |
“弥若兹阁下，逗号，致意，”博士口中喃喃地重复着，一边挥笔疾书，“好了，陛下。” |
| "That ought to do," said Peter, drawing a deep breath. |
“下面另起一段。”彼得吩咐道，“我受众人爱戴的阿斯兰的派遣，游历到此，现已证实：第一，凯斯宾王子是纳尼亚王位的法定继承人。第二，阁下犯有双重大罪——谋杀亲兄凯斯宾九世，篡夺王位并实行恐怖统治。为此，我代表纳尼亚的正义势力向阁下宣战。为了避免不必要的流血，为了避免这场战争可能引起的太多伤亡及种种不幸，我本人向阁下发出挑战。如阁下愿意同我刀枪相见、一决雌雄，本人将不胜荣幸。 |
| "And now we must send two others with King Edmund. I think the Giant ought to be one." |
“递交战书者是我尊敬的兄弟爱德蒙，纳尼亚历史上的国王，石桌大骑士。对阁下就决斗所提出的各种条件，他有权代表我作出全部决定。此战书写于阿斯兰堡垒，凯斯宾十世元年元月十二日。” |
| "He's - he's not very clever, you know," said Caspian. |
“这样就行了，”彼得长长地吐了一口气，“现在，我们要挑选两名卫士与爱德蒙同行。我想巨人可以算一个。” |
| "Of course not," said Peter. "But any giant looks impressive if only he will keep quiet. And it will cheer him up. But who for the other?" |
“他?你知道，他并不十分聪明。”凯斯宾说。 |
| "Upon my word," said Trumpkin, "if you want someone who can kill with looks, Reepicheep would be the best." |
“那倒是，”彼得说，“可是任何一个巨人，只要闭上嘴巴保持沉默别人就得注意他。再说，委之以重任，会增加他的荣誉感和责任感。另一个派谁去?” |
| "He would indeed, from all I hear," said Peter with a laugh. "If only he wasn't so small. They wouldn't even see him till he was close!" |
“依我的看法，”杜鲁普金说，“假如要找一个用目光就能杀人的勇士，那么老鼠将军雷佩契普最合适不过了。” |
| "Send Glenstorm, Sire," said Trufflehunter. "No one ever laughed at a Centaur." |
“从有关它的那些故事来判断，它的确能做到这一点。”彼得说着笑了一笑，“要是它身材再高大一点儿就好了，敌人还没有走到它眼前就得完蛋了。” |
| An hour later two great lords in the army of Miraz, the Lord Glozelle and the Lord Sopespian, strolling along their lines and picking their teeth after breakfast, looked up and saw coming down to them from the wood the Centaur and Giant Wimbleweather, whom they had seen before in battle, and between them a figure they could not recognize. Nor indeed would the other boys at Edmund's school have recognized him if they could have seen him at that moment. For Aslan had breathed on him at their meeting and a kind of greatness hung about him. |
“派人头马格兰斯托姆去，”特鲁佛汉特建议说，“从来没有谁取笑过它。” |
| "What's to do?" said the Lord Glozelle. "An attack?" |
一个小时之后，在敌人的防线上，弥若兹的两个贵族军官哥洛和索皮正在阵前，一边溜达，一边用火柴棍儿剔着牙齿，看来早餐吃得十分惬意。他们无意中抬起头来，一眼发现人头马和巨人从树林里向他们走来，不由吃了一惊。战斗中他们早已领教过这两个庞然大物的厉害，可走在中间的那个人是谁，却一时难以分辨。的确，爱德蒙在与阿斯兰相会并受它仙气点化之后，从外表到气质都变了许多，变得更加成熟，更加英俊，浑身洋溢出一股活力，一股凛然正气。就是他的同学们此时见到他，恐怕也不能一下子认出他来。 |
| "A parley, rather," said Sopespian. "See, they carry green branches. They are coming to surrender most likely." |
“他们干什么来了?”哥洛说，“想搞突然袭击?” |
| "He that is walking between the Centaur and the Giant has no look of surrender in his face," said Glozelle. "Who can he be? It is not the boy Caspian." |
“我看像是使节，”索皮揣度着，“你看，他们手持绿色的树枝，很可能是来投降的。” |
| "No indeed," said Sopespian. "This is a fell warrior, I warrant you, wherever the rebels have got him from. He is (in your Lordship's private ear) a kinglier man than ever Miraz was. And what mail he wears! None of our smiths can make the like." |
“走在巨人和人头马中间的那人脸上，看不出要投降的意思。他是谁?不像是凯斯宾那孩子。” |
| "I'll wager my dappled Pomely he brings a challenge, not a surrender," said Glozelle. |
“当然不是他，”索皮说，“我敢说，那是个凶猛的斗土。不知叛贼们从哪儿把他找来的。咱哥儿俩在这儿说说，这人比弥若兹可气派多了。瞧他那身盔甲!咱们的铁匠哪有这个手艺!” |
| "How then?" said Sopespian. "We hold the enemy in our fist here. Miraz would never be so hair-brained as to throw away his advantage on a combat." |
“我敢打赌，他是来下战书的，绝不可能是来投降的。”哥洛说。 |
| "He might be brought to it," said Glozelle in a much lower voice. |
“怎么?”索皮大惑不解，“我们已经把敌军攥在手心里了，弥若兹不会愚蠢地放弃我们的优势，去和一个不知底细的人决斗。” |
| "Softly," said Sopespian. "Step a little aside here out of earshot of those sentries. Now. Have I taken your Lordship's meaning aright?" |
或许是他们引诱他，或者迫使他这么做。”哥洛压低了声音说。 |
| "If the King undertook wager of battle," whispered Glozelle, "why, either he would kill or be killed." |
“小声点，”索皮警觉地四下望了一望，“咱们往一边挪挪，别让那些放哨的听见……现在，你能不能把话说得更明白些?” |
| "So," said Sopespian, nodding his head. |
“假如国王接受挑战，和敌人首领单独决斗，结果会怎样?” |
| "And if he killed we should have won this war." |
哥洛向同伴耳语道，“要么他把对方杀掉，要么被对方所杀，对不对?” |
| "Certainly. And if not?" |
“不错。”索皮点点头。 |
| "Why, if not, we should be as able to win it without the King's grace as with him. For I need not tell your Lordship that Miraz is no very great captain. And after that, we should be both victorious and kingless." |
“如果他干掉了对手，我们就打赢了这场战争。” |
| "And it is your meaning, my Lord, that you and I could hold this land quite as conveniently without a King as with one?" |
“那当然。可是如果……” |
| Glozelle's face grew ugly. "Not forgetting," said he, "that it was we who first put him on the throne. And in all the years that he has enjoyed it, what fruits have come our way? What gratitude has he shown us?" |
“如果国王被干掉了，没有他咱们照样可以战胜敌人。这就不必多说了，大家心里都清楚，弥若兹并非一个顶天立地的英明君主。到那个时候，我们打了胜仗，却没有了国王……” |
| "Say no more," answered Sopespian. "But look - herd comes one to fetch us to the King's tent." ` |
“阁下的意思是说，没有国王，我们可以更方便地统治这片国土?” |
| When they reached Miraz's tent they saw Edmund and his two companions seated outside it and being entertained with cakes and wine, having already delivered the challenge, and withdrawn while the King was considering it. When they saw them thus at close quarters the two Telmarine lords thought all three of them very alarming. |
哥洛的面孔变得十分丑恶起来。“别忘了，把他推上国王宝座的正是我们。这么多年来，他享尽荣华富贵，而我们得到了什么好处?他向我们表示过多少感激之情?” |
| Inside, they found Miraz, unarmed and finishing his breakfast. His face was flushed and there was a scowl on his brow. |
“别往下说了，”索皮打断他的话，“你瞧，有人来传我们到国王的帐篷里去。” |
| "There!" he growled, flinging the parchment across the table to them. "See what a pack of nursery tales our jackanapes of a nephew has sent us." |
他们两人来到国王帐前，看见爱德蒙和两个卫士正坐在帐篷的外面享用由奴仆们端上来的美酒糕点。显然，他们已经把战书递了上去，国王正在考虑如何答复。这两个贵族军官在这么近的距离细细打量对手，不由感到一阵心悸。 |
| "By your leave, Sire," said Glozelle. "If the young warrior whom we have just seen outside is the King Edmund mentioned in the writing, then I would not call him a nursery tale but a very dangerous knight." |
在帐篷里他们当然也看见了弥若兹。只见他眉头紧锁，脸色通红，显然动怒了。 |
| "King Edmund, pah!" said Miraz. "Does your Lordship believe those old wives' fables about Peter and Edmund and the rest?" |
“喏!看看这是什么!”他咬牙切齿地说，一边从桌子的另一端向他们扔过那份战书来。“看看我的宝贝侄儿给我送来了什么!” |
| "I believe my eyes, your Majesty," said Glozelle. |
“启禀王上，”哥洛说，“假如我们在帐外见到的那个青年就是信中提到的爱德蒙国王的话，我认为这是个危险的骑士，万万不可轻视。” |
| "Well, this is to no purpose," said Miraz, "but as touching the challenge, I suppose there is only one opinion between us?" |
“爱德蒙国王?呸!阁下是否也相信老太婆嘴里那些有关彼得、爱德蒙之类的无稽之谈?” |
| "I suppose so, indeed, Sire," said Glozelle. |
“我只相信自己的眼睛，陛下。”哥洛回答道。 |
| "And what is that?" asked the King. |
“哼，你这话毫无意义，”弥若兹不满地说，“至于如何答复这个挑战，或许我们持有相同的意见?” |
| "Most infallibly to refuse it," said Glozelle. "For though I have never been called a coward, I must plainly say that to meet that young man in battle is more than my heart would serve me for. And if (as is likely) his brother, the High King, is more dangerous than he why, on your life, my Lord King, have nothing to do with him." |
“我的确认为是这样，陛下。” |
| "Plague on you!" cried Miraz. "It was not that sort of council I wanted. Do you think I am asking you if I should be afraid to meet this Peter (if there is such a man)? Do you think I fear him? I wanted your counsel on the policy of the matter; whether we, having the advantage, should hazard it on a wager of battle." |
“你说说看。” |
| "To which I can only answer, your Majesty," said Glozelle, "that for all reasons the challenge should be refused. There is death in the strange knight's face." |
“断然拒绝。我想这是最为明智之举，”哥洛说，“因为尽管从来没有人称我作懦夫，但坦白地讲，在一场生死搏斗中与那样一个青年人交手，我的内心是不会平静的。假如，而且十分可能，他的哥哥，那个至尊王，比他更加勇猛危险，那么，为了您宝贵的性命，还是别惹他为妙。” |
| "There you are again!" said Miraz, now thoroughly angry. "Are you trying, to make it appear that I am as great a coward as your Lordship?" |
“放肆!”弥若兹叫了起来，“这不是我想听到的忠告，不是的!你以为我在问你，我是不是应该惧怕这个叫彼得的人(而且有没有这么个人还很难说)?你以为我怕他?我不过想听听你们的意见，在目前我们处于优势的情况下有没有决斗的必要。” |
| "Your Majesty may say your pleasure," said Glozelle sulkily. |
“陛下，我惟一的忠告，便是拒绝挑战，”哥洛说，“那陌生骑士的脸上有一股杀气。” |
| "You talk like an old woman, Glozelle," said the King. "What say you, my Lord Sopespian?" |
“你又来了!”这时，弥若兹已完全被激怒了，“你是不是想让我表现出与你同样的怯懦?” |
| "Do not touch it, Sire," was the reply. "And what your Majesty says of the policy of the thing comes in very happily. It gives your Majesty excellent grounds for a refusal without any cause for questioning your Majesty's honour or courage." |
“任凭陛下怎么说。”哥洛谦卑地退在一边。 |
| "Great Heaven!" exclaimed Miraz, jumping to his feet. "Are you also bewitched today? Do you think I am looking for grounds to refuse it? You might as well call me coward to my face." |
“哥洛，你讲话简直像个没见识的乡下老太太!”弥若兹说着把身子转向索皮，“爱臣索皮，对这件事你有何高见?我们该如何答复这封战书?” |
| The conversation was going exactly as the two lords wished, so they said nothing. |
“不予答复，陛下。”一直默默地站在一边的索皮开口了，“这就是最好的策略，不予答复!既然陛下没有明确拒绝敌人的挑战，别人也不会对陛下的荣誉和勇气表示任何怀疑。” |
| "I see what it is," said Miraz, after staring at them as if his eyes would start out of his head, "you are as lilylivered as hares yourselves and have the effrontery to imagine my heart after the likeness of yours! Grounds for a refusal, indeed! Excuses for not fighting! Are you soldiers? Are you Telmarines? Are you men? And if I dog refuse it (as ail good reasons of captaincy and martial policy urge me to do) you will think, and teach others tan think, I was afraid. Is it not so?" |
“活见鬼!，”弥若兹一边大声叫嚷，一边从椅子上跳了起来，“你今天也中了邪吗?你以为我在为拒绝挑战而寻找借口吗?你还不如当面叫我懦夫。” |
| "No man of your Majesty's age," said Glozelle, "would be called coward by any wise soldier for refusing the combat with a great warrior in the flower of his youth." |
眼看达到了目的，两个大臣装做恭恭敬敬的样子，不再吭声了。 |
| "So I'm to be a dotard with one foot in the grave, as well as a dastard," roared Miraz. "I'll tell you what it is, my Lords. With your womanish counsels (ever shying from the true point, which is one of policy) you have done the very opposite of your intent. I had meant to refuse it. But I'll accept it. Do you hear, accept it! I'll not be shamed because some witchcraft or treason has frozen both your bloods." |
“我明白了，”瞪着眼盯了他们半晌，弥若兹终于说道，“你们是两个胆小如鼠的家伙，却把我也当成与你们一样无用的东西!找拒绝的理由，找不战的借口。好畦，你们还是不是军人?你们还是不是台尔马人的子孙?你们还算是男子汉吗?假如我拒绝挑战(尽管我有充分的理由这么做，而且我的经验、我的感觉都告诉我应该这么做)，你们就会认为，并且使别人相信，我是由于胆怯才拒绝挑战，对不对?” |
| "We beseech your Majesty -" said Glozelle, but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out his acceptance to Edmund. |
“以陛下这般年纪，拒绝一个血气方刚的青年斗士的挑战，没有人会称之为怯懦的。” |
| The two lords looked at one another and chuckled quietly. |
“这么说，我已经半截入土、行将就木了，是吗?”弥若兹咆哮起来，“我要让你们亲眼看一看，我的阁下!你们这种婆娘式的劝告，结果适得其反!我原打算拒绝这挑战，可现在我宣布，我正式接受它。你们听清楚没有，我接受了!应该感到羞耻的是你们!” |
| "I knew he'd do it if he were properly chafed," said Glozelle. "But I'll not forget he called me coward. It shall be paid for." |
“我们为陛下的安全深表……”哥洛的话还没有说完，弥若兹早已疾步走出帐篷。他们听到他大声对爱德蒙宣布应战的决定，互相挤挤眼睛，无声地笑了起来。. |
| There was a great stirring at Aslan's How when the news came back and was communicated to the various creatures. Edmund, with one of Miraz's captains, had already marked out the place for the combat, and ropes and stakes had been put round it. Two Telmarines were to stand at two of the corners, and one in the middle of one side, as marshals of the lists. Three marshals for the other two corners and the other side were to be furnished by the High King. Peter was just explaining to Caspian that he could not be one, because his right to the throne was what they were fighting about, when suddenly a thick, sleepy voice said, "Your Majesty, please." Peter turned and there stood the eldest of the Bulgy Bears. |
“我知道，只要把他激怒起来，他就准会接受挑战。”哥洛说，“可是我不会忘记，他把我叫做懦夫!他将为此付出代价的!” |
| "If you please, your Majesty," he said, "I'm a bear, I am." |
使者带回的消息不胫而走，在阿斯兰堡垒引起一阵激动。爱德蒙和弥若兹手下的一个队长共同划出了决斗的场地，并打下界桩，用绳子圈了起来。双方将各派三个人站立在决斗场的两端，作为决斗的助手和公证人。这时候，彼得正忙着给凯斯宾鼓气，使他相信自己绝非孤军作战，因为他们进行的是一场正义的战争。突然，他们身边响起了一个带点儿睡意的粗嗓子：“陛下，能听我说一句话吗?”彼得转过身来，看清那是一只年长的大棕熊。“陛下，是我大棕熊，陛下。” |
| "To be sure, so you are, and a good bear too, I don't doubt," said Peter. |
“我认得 |