Jo was the first to wake in the grey dawn of Christmas morning. —
乔是第一个在圣诞节的黎明中醒来的。 —

No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when a little sock fell down because it was so crammed with goodies. —
壁炉上没有挂满长筒袜，一刹那，她感到像很久以前一样失望，那时候一个小袜子因为装满了好东西而掉了下来。 —

Then she remembered her mother’s promise, and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. —
然后她记起了母亲的承诺，伸手从枕头下拿出一本蟠龙装帧的小书。 —

She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guide-book for any pilgrim going the long journey. —
她非常熟悉这本书，因为它讲述了有史以来最美好的生活，乔觉得这是一本任何长途旅行的朝圣者都应该遵循的真正指南。 —

She woke Meg with a ‘Merry Christmas’, and bade her see what was under her pillow. —
她用“圣诞快乐”唤醒了梅格，并要求她看看枕头下面有什么。 —

A green-covered book appeared with the same picture inside, and a few words written their mother, which made their one present very precious their eyes. —
梅格拿出一本绿色封面的书，里面有同样的插图，还有母亲写的几句话，这使得这份唯一的礼物在她们眼中变得非常珍贵。 —

Presently Beth and Amy woke, to rummage a find their little books also - one, dove-coloured, the other blue; —
不久之后，贝丝和艾米醒来，翻箱倒柜地找到了他们各自的小书-一个鸽子色的，另一个是蓝色的。 —

and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day.
他们一起坐着看着这些书，聊着它们，而东方也渐渐因为新的一天而泛起了玫瑰色。

In spite of her small vanities, Margaret had a sweet a pious nature, which unconsciously influenced her sister especially Jo, who loved her very tenderly, and obeyed her because her advice was so gently given.
尽管玛格丽特有一些小虚荣心，但她的本性温和又善良，无意中影响了她特别是深深爱她的姐姐乔，乔总是听从她的忠告，因为她的忠告总是那么温和。

‘Girls,’ said Meg seriously, looking from the tumbled head beside her to the two little night-capped ones in the room beyond, ‘Mother wants us to read and love and mind these books, and we must begin at once. —
“姑娘们，”梅格认真地说，她从她身旁乱糟糟的头发看向房间里的两个带着小帽子的孩子，“妈妈希望我们读这些书并且喜欢并遵守它们，我们必须立即开始。” —

We used to be faithful about it; but since Father went away, and all this war trouble unsettled us, we have neglected many things. —
以前我们对此是忠实的；可是自从爸爸离开以来，以及所有这些战争麻烦使我们心乱了，我们疏忽了很多事情。 —

You can do as you please; —
你们可以随心所欲； —

but I shall keep my book on the table here, and read a little every morning as soon as I wake for I know it will do me good, and help me through the day.’
但是我会把我的书放在这里的桌子上，每天早上一醒来就读一点，因为我知道这会对我有好处，并且帮助我度过这一天。

Then she opened her new book and began to read. —
然后她打开了她的新书开始阅读。 —

Jo put her arm round her, and, leaning cheek to cheek, read also with the quiet expression so seldom seen on her restless face.
乔搂住她，脸贴着脸，也静静地读着，这是在她不安的脸上很少见到的宁静表情。

‘How good Meg is! Come, Amy, let’s do as they do. —
‘梅真是好棒！来吧，艾米，我们也照她们的样子做。 —

I’ll help you with the hard words, and they’ll explain things if we don’t understand,’ whispered Beth, very much impressed by the pretty books and her sisters’ example. —
如果我们不懂，我会帮你解释难的词，她们会解释给我们听的，’ 贝丝吐气如兰，对这些漂亮的书以及她姐姐们的表率感到非常震撼。 —

‘I’m glad mine is blue,’ said Amy; —
‘我很高兴我的是蓝色的，’ —

and then the rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned, and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.
艾米说。然后，房间里变得非常静谧，翻书的声音轻轻响起，冬日的阳光悄悄地照射在明亮的头发和认真的脸上，带来圣诞的问候。

‘Where is Mother?’ asked Meg, as she and Jo ran down to thank her for their gifts, half an hour later. ‘Goodness only knows. —
‘妈妈在哪里？’梅格问道，她和乔在半小时后跑下楼去感谢她们的礼物。’ 天晓得。 —

Some poor creeter come a-beggin’, and your ma went straight off to see what was needed. —
有个可怜的家伙来乞讨，你妈妈径直走去看看需要什么呢。 —

There never was such a woman for givin’ away vittles and drink, clothes, and firin’,’ replied Hannah, who had lived with the family since Meg was born, and was considered by them all more as a friend than a servant.
从梅格出生起，汉娜就一直和这个家庭生活在一起，他们都更把她当作朋友而不是佣人，’ 回答道。她从来就没有像她一样慷慨给予食物、饮料、衣服和木柴。

‘She will be back soon, I think; so fry your cake, and have everything ready,’ said Meg, looking over the presents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper time. —
“我觉得她很快就会回来了，所以烤好你的蛋糕，准备好一切，” 梅格说着，她看着装在篮子里放在沙发下面的礼物，准备在适当的时候拿出来。 —

‘Why, where is Amy’s bottle of cologne?’ she added, as the little flask did not appear. —
“为什么艾米的香水瓶不见了？”她补充道，小小的瓶子没有出现。 —

‘She took it out a minute ago, and went off wit it to put a ribbon on it, or some such notion,’ replied Jo dancing about the room to take the first stiffness off the new army-slippers.
“她刚才拿了出来，拿着去给它系上一根丝带，或者是什么其他的念头，”乔回答着，在房间里跳来跳去，以舞动新军用拖鞋上的生硬感觉。

‘How nice my handkerchiefs look, don’t they! —
“看我的手帕多漂亮啊，是不是！ —

Hannah washed and ironed them for me, and I marked them a myself,’ said Beth, looking proudly at the somewhat uneven letters which had cost her such labour.
汉娜给我洗好熨好了，我亲自给它们做上标记的，” 贝丝自豪地看着那些有些不太整齐的字母，这些字母费了她不少工夫。

‘Bless the child! she’s gone and put “Mother” on these instead of “M. March”. —
“天啊，这孩子！她把这个上面写成了“妈妈”而不是“M. 马奇”。太好笑了！” —

How funny!’ cried Jo, taking up one.
乔喊道，拿起其中一个手帕。

‘Isn’t it right? I thought it was better to do it so, because Meg’s initials are ’M. M.’, and I don’t want anyone to use these but Marmee,’ said Beth, looking troubled.
“不是应该这样吗？我觉得这样做更好，因为梅格的名字缩写是“M. M.”，我不想让其他人用这些，只想让妈妈用，” 贝丝苦恼地说道。

‘It’s all right, dear, and a very pretty idea - quite sensible, too, for no one can ever mistake them now. —
‘没关系，亲爱的，这是一个非常漂亮的主意 - 也很合理，因为现在再也没有人能把它们弄混了。 —

It will please her very much, I know,’ said Meg, with a frown for Jo and a smile for Beth.
‘我知道这会让她很高兴，’梅格说，对着乔皱了皱眉头，对着贝丝微笑。

‘There’s Mother. Hide the basket, quick!’ cried Jo, as door slammed, and steps sounded in the hall.
‘妈妈来了。快藏起来。’乔叫道，因为门砰地一声关上了，大厅里传来了脚步声。

Amy came in hastily, and looked rather abashed when she saw her sisters all waiting for her.
艾米急匆匆地走进来，当她看到姐姐们都在等她时，有些尴尬的样子。

‘Where have you been, and what are you hiding behind you?’ asked Meg, surprised to see, by her hood and cloak that lazy Amy had been out so early.
‘你去哪里了，你背后藏着什么？’梅格问道，惊讶地看到，从她的帽子和披风可以看出，那个懒散的艾米竟然这么早就出去了。

‘Don’t laugh at me, Jo! I didn’t mean anyone should know till the time came. —
‘别笑话我，乔！我本来没打算让任何人知道，直到时机成熟。 —

I only meant to change the little bottle for a big one, and I gave all my money to get it, and I’m truly trying not to be selfish any more.’
我只是想把那个小瓶子换成一个大的，我把所有的钱都用来买了它，我真的在努力不再自私了。

As she spoke, Amy showed the handsome flask which replaced the cheap one; —
艾米说话的时候，展示了一个漂亮的瓶子，取代了廉价的那个。 —

and looked so earnest and humble her little effort to forget herself that Meg hugged her on spot, and Jo pronounced her in ‘a trump’, while Beth ran to the window and picked her finest rose to ornament the stately bottle.
她看起来那么诚恳和谦逊，为了忘记自己，梅格立刻拥抱了她，乔宣称她是“一个靠得住的人”，而贝丝则跑到窗前采了一朵最美的玫瑰来装饰那庄严的瓶子。

‘You see, I felt ashamed of my present, after reading and talking about being good this morning, so I ran round the corner and changed it the minute I was up; —
“你看，我在早上读书和谈论要做好人后，对我的礼物感到羞愧，所以我立刻跑到角落换了一个；” —

and I’m so glad, for mine is the handsomest now.’
“我很高兴，因为现在我的礼物是最漂亮的。”

Another bang of the street door sent the basket under the sofa, and the girls to the table, eager for breakfast.
街门又一声巨响，篮子被塞到了沙发下面，姑娘们则来到餐桌前，渴望着早餐。

‘Merry Christmas, Marmee! Many of them! —
“圣诞快乐，亲爱的妈妈！ —

Thank you for our books; we read some, and mean to, every day,’ they cried, in chorus.
希望你度过一个快乐的圣诞节！谢谢你给我们的书；我们每天都会读一些。”

‘Merry Christmas, little daughters! —
“圣诞快乐，亲爱的女儿们！ —

I’m glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. —
我很高兴你们立刻就开始阅读，希望你们能坚持下去。 —

But I want to say one word before we sit down. —
但在我们坐下之前，我想说一句话。” —

Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little new-born baby. —
“离这里不远处有一个贫穷的妇人，她有一个刚出生的小宝宝。 —

Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there; —
六个孩子挤在一张床上，以免着凉冻死。 那里没有吃的; —

and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. —
最大的男孩来告诉我他们又饥又冷。 —

My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present?’
我的女儿们，你们愿意将你们的早餐当作圣诞礼物给他们吗？

They were all unusually hungry, having waited nearly an hour, and for a minute no one spoke; —
他们都异常饥饿，等了将近一个小时，一分钟没有人说话； —

only a minute, for Jo exclaimed impetuously:
只有一分钟，Jo冲动地喊道：

‘I’m so glad you came before we began!’
“我很高兴你们在我们开始前来了！”

‘May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children?’ said Beth, eagerly.
“我可以去帮忙给那些可怜的孩子们搬东西吗？”Beth热切地问道。

‘I shall take the cream and the muffins,’ added Amy, heroically, giving up the articles she most liked.
“我会把奶油和松饼带去。”Amy英勇地说着，放弃了她最喜欢的东西。

Meg was already covering the buckwheats, and piling the bread into one big plate.
Meg已经盖上了薄饼，把面包堆在一个大盘子里。

‘I thought you’d do it,’ said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied. —
“我就知道你们会这样做。” Mrs. March微笑着说，似乎很满意。 —

‘You shall all go, and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and milk for breakfast, and make it up at dinner-time.’
“你们都可以去，帮我一起做，等我们回来，我们就会有面包和牛奶作为早餐，并在午餐时间来偿还。”

They were soon ready, and the procession set out. —
很快，他们准备好了，队伍出发了。 —

Fortunately it was early, and they went through back streets, few people saw them, and no one laughed at the queer party.
幸运的是，那时还很早，他们走过了背街小巷，很少有人看到他们，也没有人嘲笑这奇怪的队伍。

A poor, bare, miserable room it was, with broken windows, no fire, ragged bed-clothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt, trying to keep warm.
那是一个贫穷、荒凉、可怜的房间，窗户破碎，没有火，破破烂烂的被褥，一个生病的母亲，哭泣的婴儿，一群苍白、饥饿的孩子挤在一床破旧的被子下，试图保暖。

How the big eyes stared and blue lips smiled as the girl went in!
当这个女孩进来时，大眼睛瞪得大大的，蓝嘴唇微笑了起来！

‘Ach, mein Gott! it is good angels come to us!’ said in poor woman, crying for joy.
“啊，天哪！好天使来了！”那个可怜的妇人欣喜地说着，激动得哭了起来。

‘Funny angels in hoods and mittens,’ said Jo and set them laughing.
“有趣的天使穿着帽子和手套，”乔说，引得他们都笑了起来。

In a few minutes it really did seem as if kind spirits had been at work there. —
几分钟后，似乎真的有善良的精灵在那里工作过。 —

Hannah, who had carried wood, made a fire, and stopped up the broken panes with old hats an her own cloak. —
哈娜带来柴火，生了一堆火，用旧帽子和她自己的披肩堵住破碎的窗玻璃。 —

Mrs. March gave the mother tea and gruel and comforted her with promises of help, while she dressed the little baby as tenderly as if it had been her own. —
马奇夫人给那位母亲倒了茶和稀饭，安慰她并承诺帮助她，同时像对待自己的孩子一样温柔地给小婴儿穿衣服。 —

The girls, meantime, spread the table, set the children round the fire, and fed them like so many hungry birds - laughing, talking, and trying to understand the funny broken English.
同时，女孩们摆好桌子，把孩子们围在火炉旁，像一群饥饿的小鸟一样喂养他们-他们笑着，说着话，试图理解那滑稽的破英语。

‘Das ist gut!’
“那很好！”

‘Die Engelkinder!’ cried the poor things, as they ate, and warmed their purple hands at the comfortable blaze.
“天使孩子！”可怜的孩子们大叫着，边吃边把他们紫红的手伸向舒适的燃烧。

The girls had never been called angel children before and thought it very agreeable, especially Jo, who had been considered a ‘Sancho’ ever since she was born. —
女孩们从来没有被称为天使孩子过，所以觉得很愉快，尤其是乔，自从她出生以来一直被认为是个”圣乔”。 —

That was a very happy breakfast, though they didn’t get any of it; —
尽管她们没有得到任何东西，但那是一个非常快乐的早餐； —

and when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think they were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.
当她们离开时，留下了舒适，我相信整个城市中没有比这四个更快乐的人，她们是饥饿的小女孩们，在圣诞早晨送出了她们的早餐，并满足于面包和牛奶。

‘That’s loving our neighbour better than ourselves, and I like it,’ said Meg, as they set out their presents, while their mother was upstairs collecting clothes for the poor Hummels.
“这比我们更爱我们的邻居，我喜欢这样。”梅格说着，她们在母亲楼上收集衣物给可怜的哈默尔家准备礼物。

Not a very splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles; —
虽然表演不太精彩，但是其中包含了许多深深的爱意； —

and the tall vase red roses, white chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave quite an elegant air to the table.
摆在桌子中间的高大花瓶里插满了红玫瑰、白菊花和蔓藤，给整个桌子增添了一丝优雅的氛围。

‘She’s coming! Strike up, Beth! Open the door, Amy! Three cheers for Marmee!’ cried Jo, prancing about, while Meg went to conduct Mother to the seat of honour.
“她来了！贝丝，奏乐！艾米，打开门！为妈妈欢呼三声！”乔跳来跳去地喊道，而梅格则去迎接母亲前去坐上最尊贵的位置。贝丝奏起了欢快的进行曲，艾米打开门，梅格以庄严的态度担任护送的角色。某琳·马奇夫人既惊讶又感动，她看着礼物，看着附带的小纸条，眼中充满了笑意。

Beth played her gayest march, Amy threw open the door and Meg enacted escort with great dignity. —
拖鞋立刻穿上，新手帕被放进了口袋里面，散发着艾米的香水气味，玫瑰花别在胸前， —

Mrs. March was both surprised and touched; —
精美的手套被宣布为“合适极了”。 —

and smiled with her eyes full a she examined her presents, and read the little notes which accompanied them. —
她佩戴了项链、摆弄了戒指，又举起了杯子，品尝了蛋糕，感到无比幸福。这个生日惊喜让她感动不已，她感到自己是世界上最幸福的母亲。 —

The slippers went on at once, a new handkerchief was slipped into her pocket, well scented with Amy’s cologne, the rose was fastened in her bosom, and the nice gloves were pronounced a ‘perfect fit’.
她感谢着每份礼物，并对每个人的关心和爱意心怀感激。

There was a good deal of laughing and kissing and explaining, in the simple, loving fashion which makes these home festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterwards, and then all fell to work.
有很多笑声、亲吻和解释，以简单、充满爱意的方式进行，这使得这样的家庭节日在当时非常愉快，长久以后也是美好的回忆，然后大家都开始工作。

The morning charities and ceremonies took so much time that the rest of the day was devoted to preparations for the evening festivities.
早上的慈善事业和仪式花费了很多时间，所以剩下的一天都用来准备晚上的庆祝活动。

Not rich enough to afford any great outlay for private performances, the girls put their wits to work, and necessity - being the mother of invention - made whatever they needed. —
由于不富裕，无法进行大规模的私人表演，姑娘们动起脑筋，绝望中创造了她们所需要的东西，因为需要是发明之母。 —

Very clever were some of their productions - paste board guitars, antique lamps made of old-fashioned butter boats covered with silver paper, gorgeous robes of old cotton glittering with tin spangle from a pickle factory, and armour covered with the same useful diamond-shaped bits, left ii the sheets when the lids of tin preserve-pots were cut out. —
她们的一些制作非常聪明——用纸板做的吉他、用银纸包裹的古老黄油船制成的古董灯、用旧棉布做的华丽长袍，上面闪闪发亮的锡箔来自一个腌菜工厂，还有用相同有用的菱形碎片覆盖的盔甲，那些菱形碎片是剪剥装罐头盖子时留下的。 —

The furniture was used to being turned topsy-turvy, and the big chamber was the scene of many innocent revels.
家具已经习惯了被翻倒了底朝天，大室成了许多无辜狂欢的场所。

No gentlemen were admitted; —
没有绅士被接纳； —

so Jo played male parts to her heart’s content, and took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet-leather boots given her by a friend. —
因此乔随心所欲地扮演男性角色，并对一位朋友送给她的一双褐色皮靴感到非常满意。 —

These boots, an old foil, and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some picture, were Jo’s chief treasures, and appeared on all occasions. —
这些靴子、一把旧剑以及一件艺术家用来画图的刺绣上衣是乔最珍贵的财物，无论何时何地都会出现。 —

The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece; —
队伍的人数较少，要求两位主角扮演多个角色； —

ant they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work the did in learning three or four different parts, whisking in ant out of various costumes, and managing the stage besides. —
他们肯定应该得到一些赞赏，因为他们辛勤地学习了三四个不同的角色，忙着穿梭在各种服装中，还要管理舞台。 —

It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society.
这对他们的记忆力来说是非常好的训练，也是一种无害的娱乐，还能填充许多本来会闲下来、寂寞或者在没有益处的社交中度过的时间。

On Christmas night, a dozen girls piled on to the bed which was the dress-circle, and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state of expectancy. —
在圣诞夜，十几个女孩挤在被子上，这个被子就好比一个看台，坐在蓝黄相间的花呢帘子前，期待之情溢于言表。 —

There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain, a trifle of lamp-smoke, and an occasional giggles from Amy, who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment. —
帷幕后传来一阵窸窣声和低语声，还有艾米偶尔的咯咯笑声，因为她在这激动人心的时刻容易兴奋得歇斯底里。 —

Presently a bell sounded, the curtains flew apart, and the Operatic Tragedy began.
不一会儿，传来一个钟声，帷幕飞快地拉开，歌剧悲剧开始了。

‘A gloomy wood’, according to the one play-bill, we represented by a few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor and a cave in the distance. —
根据一个剧刊上写的‘阴暗的树林’，我们用几株放在花盆里的灌木、坐于地板上的绿色粗毯和远处的一个洞穴来代表。 —

This cave was made with clothes-horse for a roof, bureaus for walls; —
这个洞穴是用晾衣架做成的屋顶，是用衣柜当做墙； —

and in it was small furnace in full blast, with a black spot on it, and a old witch bending over it. —
洞穴里有一个正高温炉全力运转的小熔炉，上面有个黑点，一位老巫婆正在炉上弯腰。 —

The stage was dark, and the glow of the furnace had a fine effect, especially as real steam issued from the kettle when the witch took off the cover. —
舞台是黑暗的，炉火的微光起到了很好的效果，尤其是当巫婆揭开盖子时，炉里冒出真正的蒸汽。 —

A moment was allowed for the first thrill to subside; the: —
让第一次刺激过后稍事停留；雨果，那个恶棍， —

Hugo, the villain, stalked in with a clanking sword at hi side, a slouched hat, black beard, mysterious cloak, and the boots. —
身披一件神秘的斗篷，带着一个响亮的剑在身边走进场景，头戴倒檐帽，黑胡子，还有一双靴子。 —

After pacing to and fro in much agitation, he struck his forehead, and burst out in a wild strain, singing of his hatred to Roderigo, his love for Zara, and his pleasing resolution to kill the one and win the other. —
他焦躁不安地来回踱步，打了一下自己的额头，然后狂吟起来，唱着对罗德里戈的仇恨、对扎拉的爱以及他决意杀死罗德里戈并赢得扎拉的愉快决心。 —

The gruff tones of Hugo’s voice, with an occasional shout when his feeling overcame him, were very impressive, and the audience applauded the moment he paused for breath. —
雨果的粗犷嗓音，偶尔在情感压倒他的时候大喊一声，非常令人印象深刻，观众们在他喘息片刻时鼓掌喝彩。 —

Bowing with the air of one accustomed to public praise, he stole to the cavern and ordered Hagar to come forth with a commanding ‘What ho, minion! I need thee!’
他带着一副习惯受到赞扬的姿态鞠了一躬，偷偷溜到洞穴口，命令哈嘎出来，声音威严地说：“喂，小妖精！我需要你！”

Out came Meg, with grey horse-hair hanging about her face, a red and black robe, a staff, and cabbalistic signs upon her cloak. —
梅格走出来了，脸上挂着灰色的假发，身穿一件红黑相间的长袍，手拿一根权杖，披着斗篷上绣着一些秘密符号。 —

Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo. —
雨果要求一个让扎拉爱上他的药剂，还要一个摧毁罗德里戈的药剂。 —

Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philtre:
哈嘎用一曲激情四溢的旋律答应了两个要求，并开始召唤将带来爱情药剂的灵魂：

‘Hither, hither, from my home,
“从我的家乡，请过来，前来。”

Airy sprite, I bid thee come!
空灵的精灵，我命你前来！

Born of roses, fed on dew,
由玫瑰所生，以露水为食，

Charms and potions canst thou brew?
你能调制咒语和药剂吗？

Bring me here, with elfin speed,
带着精灵般的速度，将我带到这里，

The fragrant philtre which I need;
我需要的芬芳媚骨的爱药；

Make it sweet and swift and strong,
让它甜美、迅猛且坚固，

Spirit, answer now my song!’
灵魂啊，现在回应我的歌！

A soft strain of music sounded, and then at the back of the cave appeared a little figure in cloudy white, with glittering wings, golden hair, and a garland of roses on its head. —
一阵柔和的音乐声响起，然后在洞穴的后面出现了一个穿着云雾般的白色衣裳、有着闪闪发光的翅膀、金色头发和脑后戴着一圈玫瑰花冠的小人儿。挥动着魔法棒， —

Waving a wand, it sang:
它唱道：

‘Hither I come,
“我从空中的家园飞来，

From my airy home,
离那银色的月球遥远，

Afar in the silver moon.
带着这个魔法咒语，

Take this magic spell, And use it well,
好好利用，

Or its power will vanish soon!’
不然它的力量会很快消失！”

And, dropping a small, gilded bottle at the witch’s feet, the spirit vanished. —
然后，小精灵在女巫的脚下扔下一个小小的镀金瓶子，就消失了。 —

Another chant from Hagar produced an other apparition - not a lovely one; —
哈加通过咒语又引来了另一个幽灵 - 并不可爱； —

for, with a bang, as ugly black imp appeared, and, having croaked a reply tossed a dark bottle at Hugo, and disappeared with a mocking laugh. —
因为，随着一声咯咯声，一个丑陋的黑色恶魔出现了，它嘎嘎一笑，抛向雨果一个黑暗的瓶子，然后消失了。 —

Having warbled his thanks and put the potions is his boots, Hugo departed; —
雨果虚礼地感谢并将魔药放进他的靴子里，然后离开了； —

and Hagar informed the audience that, as he had killed a few of her friends in times past, she has cursed him, and intends to thwart his plans, and be revenged on him. —
哈加告诉观众，由于他在过去杀了她一些朋友，她诅咒了他，并打算阻挠他的计划和报复他。 —

Then the curtain fell, and the audience reposed and ate candy while discussing the merits of the play.
然后帷幕落下，观众们在讨论着剧本的优点的同时休息和吃糖果。

A good deal of hammering went on before the curtain rose again; —
幕布再次升起前进行了大量的敲击声； —

but when it bme evident what a masterpiece of stage-carpentering had been got ups no one murmured at the delay. —
但当人们意识到台上一个舞台装修杰作出现时，没有人对延迟感到不满。 —

It was truly superb! —
那真是太棒了！ —

A tower rose to the ceiling half-way up appeared a window, with a lamp burning at it and behind the white curtain appeared Zara in a lovely blue and silver dress, waiting for Roderigo. —
一座塔楼从天花板上升起，至半高处出现了一个窗户，窗户上有一盏亮着灯的灯，而在白色的帷幕后面，穿着迷人的蓝色银色裙子的莎拉正等待着罗德里戈。 —

He came in gorgeous array, with plumed cap, red cloak, chestnut love-locks, guitar, and the boots, of course. —
他穿着华丽的服装，戴着羽毛帽，披着红色斗篷，梳着栗色长发，手持吉他，当然还有靴子。 —

Kneeling at the foot of the tower, he sang a serenade in melting tones. Zara replied, and, after a musical dialogue, consented to fly. —
他跪在塔楼底部，用柔美的音调唱了一首小夜曲。莎拉回应着，经过一段音乐对话后，同意逃跑。 —

Then came the grand effect of the play. —
然后是整场戏的高潮。 —

Roderigo produced a rope ladder, with five steps to it, threw up one end, and invited Zara to descend. —
罗德里戈拿出一条绳梯，有五个台阶，抛上一端，并邀请莎拉下来。 —

Timidly she crept from her lattice, put her hand on Roderigo’s shoulder, and was about to leap gracefully down, when, in Alas! alas for Zara!’ she forgot her train - it caught in the window, the tower tottered, leant forward, fell with a crash, and buried the unhappy lovers in the ruins!
莎拉害羞地从窗楼爬出来，把手放在罗德里戈的肩膀上，正要优雅地跳下去，就在这时，啊！啊！可怜的莎拉！她忘了她的列车 - 它被卡在窗户上，塔倾斜，向前倾斜，发出一声巨响，把不幸的恋人们埋在废墟中！

A universal shriek arose as the russet boots waved wildly from the wreck, and a golden head emerged, exclaiming, ‘I told you so! I told you so!’ With wonderful presence of mind, Don Pedro, the cruel sire, rushed in, dragged out his daughter, with a hasty aside:
一阵普遍的尖叫声随着赤色靴子在残骸中疯狂摇摆，一个金色的头冒出来，喊道：“我告诉过你们！我告诉过你们！”多佩德罗，这个残忍的父亲，以惊人的冷静，冲进来，把他的女儿拖了出来，他匆匆地说了一句：

‘Don’t laugh! Act as if it was all right!’ - and, ordering Roderigo up, banished him from the kingdom with wrath and scorn. —
“别笑！表现得好像一切都没事！” - 说完后，他命令罗德里戈离开王国，带着愤怒和嘲笑。 —

Though decidedly shaken by the fall of the tower upon him, Roderigo defied the old gentleman, and refused to stir. This dauntless example fired Zara: —
尽管塔楼的倒塌使罗德里戈受到了严重震撼，但他对老人公公宣称不动摇，并拒绝离开。这种无畏的榜样激励了扎拉： —

she also defied her sire, and he ordered them both to the deepest dungeons of the castle. —
她也蔑视了她的父亲，于是他将他们俩下令关进了城堡最深的地牢。 —

A stout little retainer came in with chains, and led them away, looking very much frightened, and evidently forgetting the speech he ought to have made.
一个强壮的小仆人拿着链子走进来，把他们带走，他看起来非常害怕，显然忘记了该说什么。

Act third was the castle hall; and here Hagar appeared, having come to free the lovers and finish Hugo. She hears him coming, and hides; —
第三幕发生在城堡大厅；在这里，黑姑娘出现了，她是来解救恋人并结束雨果的。她听到雨果的脚步声，于是躲了起来； —

sees him put the potions into two cups of wine, and bid the timid little servant in Bear them to the captives in their cells, and tell them I shall come anon.’ The servant takes Hugo aside to tell him something, an Hagar changes the cups for two others which are harmless Ferdinando, the ‘minion’, carries them away, and Hagar puts back the cup which holds the poison meant for Roderigo. —
她看到他把药物放在两杯酒中，并命令那个胆小的仆人把它们带给囚禁在牢房里的人，并告诉他们我很快就会来。仆人把雨果带到一边告诉他一些事情，而哈加为了两个无害的人把杯子换掉，费迪南多，这个“小喽啰”，把它们带走，然后哈加把装有毒药的杯子放回去，原本是给罗德里戈的。 —

Hugo, getting thirsty after a long warble, drinks it, loses his wits, and, after a good deal of clutching and stamping, falls flat and dies; —
雨果，由于长时间的演唱后渴了，喝下了这杯水，头脑迷糊了，然后经过一番抓挠和踩踏，倒下了，死了； —

while Hagar informs him what she has done in a song of exquisite power and melody.
同时，哈加通过一首旋律优美而有力的歌曲告诉了他她做了些什么。

This was a truly thrilling scene, though some person might have thought that the sudden tumbling down of quantity of long hair rather marred the effect of the villain death. —
这确实是一个非常激动人心的场景，虽然有些人可能会认为一大把长发的突然散落相当破坏了反派角色死亡时的效果。 —

He was called before the curtain, and with great propriety appeared, leading Hagar, whose singing was considered more wonderful than all the rest of the performance put together.
雨幕降下时，他被叫上前台，非常恰当地带着哈加出现，她的歌声被认为比整个表演的其他部分都更加奇妙。

Act fourth displayed the despairing Roderigo on the point of stabbing himself, because he has been told that Zara has deserted him. —
第四幕展示了拿着刀准备自杀的绝望罗德里戈，因为他被告知扎拉已经离弃了他。 —

Just as the dagger is at his heart, a lovely son is sung under his window, informing him that Zara is true, but in danger, and he can save her, if he will. —
就在匕首指向他的心脏时，一首美妙的歌曲从他的窗下传来，告诉他扎拉是真实的，但她处于危险之中，如果他愿意的话，他可以拯救她。 —

A key thrown in, which unlocks the door, and in a spasm of rapture he tears off his chains, and rushes away to find an rescue his lady-love.
一把扔进来的钥匙解开了门，他由于狂喜而摆脱了束缚，冲向外面，寻找并救出他的挚爱。

Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between Zara and Don Pedro. He wishes her to go into a convent, but she won’t hear of it; —
第五幕以扎拉和唐·佩德罗之间的激烈争论开始。他希望她进入修道院，但她不同意。 —

and, after a touching appeal, is about to fain when Roderigo dashes in and demands her hand. —
经过感人的恳求之后，她即将昏厥，此时罗德里戈闯入并要求娶她。 —

Don Pedro refuses, because he is not rich. —
唐·佩德罗拒绝，因为他没钱。 —

They shout and gesticulate tremendously, but cannot agree, and Roderigo about to bear away the exhausted Zara, when the timid servant enters with a letter and a bag from Hagar, who ha mysteriously disappeared. —
他们大声说着、手舞足蹈，但无法达成一致，罗德里戈正要带走筋疲力尽的扎拉，这时胆小的仆人拿着一封信和一个袋子进来了，信是哈加尔送来的，哈加尔神秘地消失了。 —

The letter informs the party that she bequeaths untold wealth to the young pair, and an awful doom to Don Pedro, if he doesn’t make them happy. —
信中告诉他们，哈加尔向年轻的情侣留下了无法计量的财富，并对唐·佩德罗表示了可怕的厄运，如果他不能让他们幸福。 —

The bag is opened, and several quarts of tin money shower down upon the stage, till it is quite glorified with the glitter. —
钱袋打开，几坛的锡币倾泻而下，直到舞台上闪闪发光。 —

This entirely softens the in ‘stern sire’: —
这完全软化了这位“严厉的父亲”： —

he consents without a murmur, all join in a joyful chorus, and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro’s blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.
他毫不抱怨地同意了，大家一起欢快地唱起合唱，幕布降下，爱人们跪下接受唐·佩德罗的祝福，姿态犹如最浪漫的优雅。

Tumultuous applause followed, but received an unexpected check; —
热烈的掌声随之而来，但却突然被一个出人意料的阻碍所打断； —

for the cot-bed, on which the ‘dress-circle’ was built, suddenly shut up, and extinguished the enthusiastic audience. —
因为承载“正厅”的儿童床突然合起来，使得兴奋的观众们全都失声大笑。 —

Roderigo and Don Pedro flew to the rescue and all were taken out unhurt, though many were speechless with laughter. —
罗德里戈和唐·佩德罗赶紧出手相助，所有人都安全无恙，尽管许多人都笑得说不出话来。 —

The excitement had hardly subsided, when Hannah appeared, with ‘Mrs. March’s compliments, and would the ladies walk down to supper’.
兴奋似乎还没平息，汉娜就出现了，“马奇夫人邀请各位女士下楼用晚餐”。

This was a surprise, even to the actors; and, when they saw the table, they looked at one another in rapturous amazement. —
这对演员们来说也是个惊喜；当他们看到餐桌时，彼此都惊讶得目瞪口呆。 —

It was like Marmee to get up a little treat for them; —
像马米一样为她们准备一点点小吃， —

but anything so fine as this was unheard of since the departed days of plenty. —
但自从丰衣足食的日子过去后，从未听说过像这样美味的东西。 —

There was ice-cream - actually two dishes of it, pink and white - and cake and fruit and distracting French bonbons, and, in the middle of the table, four great bouquets of hot-house flowers.
桌子上有冰淇淋，实际上有两盘，一盘粉色，一盘白色，还有蛋糕、水果和诱人的法式糖果，而在桌子中央，摆放着四束温室花卉。

It quite took their breath away; —
这使她们难以置信； —

and they stared first at the table and then at their mother, who looked as if she enjoyed it immensely.
她们先是盯着桌子看，然后再看她们的母亲，她看起来非常喜欢这一切。

‘Is it fairies?’ asked Amy.
“这是仙女吗？”艾米问道。

‘It’s Santa Claus,’ said Beth.
“是圣诞老人。”贝丝说。

‘Mother did it’; and Meg smiled her sweetest, in spite her grey beard and white eyebrows.
“是妈妈做的。”梅格笑得格外甜美，尽管她有灰色的胡须和白色的眉毛。

‘Aunt March had a good fit, and sent the supper,’ cried Jo, with a sudden inspiration.
“是奥叔叔抽风了，他送来了晚餐。” 乔突然有了灵感。

‘All wrong. Old Mr. Laurence sent it,’ replied Mr March.
“全错了，是劳伦斯先生送来的。”马奇先生回答道。

‘The Laurence boy’s grandfather! —
“劳伦斯那个男孩的爷爷！ —

What in the world put such a thing into his head? We don’t know him!’ exclaimed Meg.
他怎么会想到这样的事情呢？我们都不认识他啊！” 梅格惊呼道。

‘Hannah told one of his servants about your breakfast party. —
汉娜告诉了他的一个仆人关于你的早餐派对。 —

He is an odd old gentleman, but that pleased him. He knew my father, years ago; —
他是个古怪的老绅士，但他很高兴。他多年前认识我的父亲； —

and he sent me a polite note this afternoon, saying he hoped I would allow him to express his friendly feeling towards my children by sending them few trifles in honour of the day. —
他今天下午给我写了一封礼貌的便条，说他希望我可以允许他以送一些小礼物给我的孩子们来表达他对他们的友好感。 —

I could not refuse; and you have a little feast at night to make up for the bread-and-milk breakfast.’
我不能拒绝，所以你们晚上可以享受一顿小小的盛宴来弥补早餐的简单。

‘That boy put it into his head, I know he did! —
‘我知道是那个男孩给他想到的， —

He’s capital fellow, and I wish we could get acquainted. —
我知道他是个好家伙，我希望我们能认识他。 —

He loon as if he’d like to know us; —
他看起来好像想认识我们; —

but he’s bashful, and Meg is prim she won’t let me speak to him when we pass,’ said Jo as the plates went round, and the ice began to melt out sight, with ‘Ohs!’ and ‘Ahs!’ of satisfaction.
但他很害羞，梅格也很老实，我们经过时她不会让我跟他说话。’乔边说边传递着盘子，冰淇淋在眼前融化，伴随着满意的“哦！”和“啊！”声。

‘You mean the people who live in the big house net door, don’t you?’ asked one of the girls. —
‘你是指住在隔壁大房子里的人吗？’其中一个女孩问道。 —

‘My mother knows old Mr. Laurence; —
‘我妈妈认识老劳伦斯先生; —

but says he’s very proud, and doesn’t like to mix with his neighbours. —
但她说他非常傲慢，不喜欢和邻居们交往。 —

He keeps his grandson shut up, when he isn’t riding or walking with his tutor, and make him study very hard. —
只有当他的导师骑马或步行时，他才让他的孙子待在家中，让他努力学习。 —

We invited him to our party, but he didn’t come. —
我们邀请他来参加我们的派对，但他没有来。 —

Mother says he’s very nice, though he never speaks to us girls.’
妈妈说他很好，尽管他从来不和我们女孩说话。

‘Our cat ran away once, and he brought her back, and we talked over the fence, and were getting on capitally - all about cricket, and so on - when he saw Meg coming, and walked off. —
有一次我们的猫跑掉了，他把她带回来了，我们就在篱笆边聊起了天，谈论着板球等等，就在这时他看到梅格过来了，就走开了。 —

I mean to know him some day; for he needs fun, I’m sure he does,’ said Jo decidedly.
我一定要认识他的，因为我确定他需要快乐，’ 乔坚定地说道。

‘I like his manners, and he looks like a little gentleman; —
我喜欢他的举止，他看起来像个小绅士， —

so I’ve no objection to your knowing him, if a Proper opportunity comes. —
所以如果有合适的机会，我不反对你认识他。 —

He brought the flowers himself; —
他亲自带来了这些花， —

and I should have asked him in, if I had been sure what was going on upstairs. —
如果我确信楼上发生了什么事，我本来会邀请他进来的。 —

He looked so wistful as he went away, hearing the frolic, and evidently having none of his own.’
当他离开时，他看起来非常渴望，听着玩乐声，显然自己没有参与其中。

‘It’s a mercy you didn’t, Mother!’ laughed Jo, looking at her boots. —
‘幸好你没有邀请他进来，妈妈!’ 乔笑着看着她的靴子。 —

‘But we’ll have another play, some time, that he can see. —
“但我们会再演一出戏，到时他可以看。 —

Perhaps he’ll help act; wouldn’t that be jolly?’
也许他会帮忙演戏，那会很开心吧？”

‘I never had such a fined bouquet before! How pretty it is!’ And Meg examined her flowers with great interest.
“我以前从来没有过这么漂亮的花束！它真漂亮！”梅格很感兴趣地仔细查看着她的花束。

‘They are lovely. But Beth’s roses are sweeter to me,’ said Mrs. March, smelling the half-dead posy in her belt.
“它们很美。但对我来说，贝丝养的玫瑰更香甜。”玛奇夫人闻了闻她腰间那束半死不活的花束。

Beth nestled up to her, and whispered softly, ‘I wish I could send my bunch to Father. —
贝丝依偎在她身边，轻声说：“我希望我能把我的花束送给爸爸。 —

I’m afraid he isn’t having such a merry Christmas as we are.’
我担心他的圣诞节没有我们这么愉快。”