《打火匣》，1835 年
the tinder-box, 1835
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安徒生早期的童话故事借鉴了口头讲故事的传统，这些传统热衷于残酷、暴力、粗俗和低俗，并且以一种滑稽的模式发展，这与《卖火柴的小女孩》这类故事的虔诚基调非常不同。
Andersen’s early fairy tales draw on oral storytelling traditions that revel in cruelty, violence, earthiness, and vulgarity and move in a burlesque mode very different from the pious tone of tales like “the Little match Girl.”
因为其荒谬的过度情节（《打火匣》中的士兵犯了从忘恩负义、杀人到盗窃和弑君等一切罪行），但也因为其极为迷人的时刻（三条狗对婚礼充满惊奇），这个故事保留了一定的吸引力，使其尽管有许多暴力情节转折却依然流传。
In part because of its preposterous excesses (the soldier in “the tinderbox” is guilty of everything from ingratitude and homicide to theft and regicide) but also its exquisitely charming moments (the three dogs filled with wonder at the wedding), the story has retained a certain appeal that allows it to stay alive despite its many violent turns.
《打火匣》是安徒生《童话集》的开篇故事，是他童话的第一部分。
“the tinderbox” was the opening tale of Andersen’s Eventyr, the first installment of his fairy tales.
它基于一个名为《蜡烛精灵》的丹麦民间故事，并且多次暗指其他童话故事 ——《长发公主》（塔中的公主）、《汉赛尔与格莱特》（谷粒的踪迹）和《阿里巴巴和四十大盗》（门的标记）。
It is based on a danish folktale known as “the Spirit of the candle” and has multiple allusions to other fairy tales—“Rapunzel” (the princess in the tower), “hansel and Gretel” (the trail of grain), and “Ali baba and the Forty thieves” (the marking of doors).
在他早期的儿童故事中，安徒生从不同文化的口头讲故事传统中借用了故事的片段，将它们拼凑在一起形成一个完整的叙述。
In his early stories for children, Andersen borrowed bits and pieces of tales from the oral storytelling traditions of various cultures, cobbling them together to form a plete narrative.
直到 1837 年《小美人鱼》出版之后，他才完全依靠自己的想象力来创作童话故事。
It was only after the publication of “the Little mermaid” in 1837 that he relied fully on his own powers of imagination to construct fairy tales.
《打火匣》中的士兵主角与格林兄弟和其他欧洲收集者的故事中的退伍军人有许多共同特征。
the soldier - hero of “the tinderbox” shares many traits with war veterans found in stories by the Grimms and other European collectors.
他残忍、贪婪又冲动，对于听这个故事的孩子来说，他算不上是个好榜样。
brutal, greedy, and impetuous, he is not much of a role model for children listening to the story.
事实上，关于战后归来士兵的故事通常是面向成年观众而非儿童的，不过安徒生添加了足够的魔法和奇思妙想，使这个故事对老少都有吸引力。
Indeed, stories about soldiers returning from war were generally intended for adult audiences rather than for children, although Andersen adds enough magic and whimsy to make the tale attractive for young and old.
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一个士兵正沿着大路行军：
A soldier came marching along the high road:
“左，右 —— 左，右。”
“Left, right — left, right.”
他背着背包，腰间佩剑；
he had his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side;
他参加过战争，现在正在回家的路上。
he had been to the wars, and was now returning home.
当他继续前行时，在路上遇到了一个长相非常可怕的老巫婆。
As he walked on, he met a very frightful - looking old witch in the road.
她的下唇耷拉到胸前，她停下来说道：“晚上好，士兵；
her under - lip hung quite down on her breast, and she stopped and said, “Good evening, soldier;
你有一把非常漂亮的剑，还有一个大背包，你是一个真正的士兵；
you have a very fine sword, and a large knapsack, and you are a real soldier;
所以你想要多少钱就可以得到多少钱。”
so you shall have as much money as ever you like.”
“谢谢你，老巫婆。” 士兵说道。
“thank you, old witch,” said the soldier.
“你看到那棵大树了吗？” 巫婆指着他们旁边的一棵树说道。
“do you see that large tree,” said the witch, pointing to a tree which stood beside them.
“嗯，它里面完全是空的，你必须爬到树顶，到那时你会看到一个洞，通过这个洞你可以下到树里很深的地方。
“well, it is quite hollow inside, and you must climb to the top, when you will see a hole, through which you can let yourself down into the tree to a great depth.
我会在你身上系一根绳子，这样当你向我呼喊时，我就可以把你拉上来。”
I will tie a rope round your body, so that I can pull you up again when you call out to me.”
“但是我到树里面去做什么呢？”
“but what am I to do, down there in the tree?”
士兵问道。
asked the soldier.
“去拿钱，” 她回答道；
“Get money,” she replied;
“因为你要知道，当你到达树下的地面时，你会发现自己在一个大厅里，有三百盏灯照亮着。”
“for you must know that when you reach the ground under the tree, you will find yourself in a large hall, lighted up by three hundred lamps;
你会看到三扇门，它们很容易就能打开，因为所有的锁上都插着钥匙。
you will then see three doors, which can be easily opened, for the keys are in all the locks.
一走进这些门通向的第一个房间，你就会看到一个大箱子立在地板中央，箱子上坐着一只狗，它的眼睛有茶杯那么大。
on entering the first of the chambers, to which these doors lead, you will see a large chest, standing in the middle of the floor, and upon it a dog seated, with a pair of eyes as large as teacups.
但是你根本不必害怕它；
but you need not be at all afraid of him;
我会给你我的蓝格子围裙，你必须把它铺在地板上，然后大胆地抓住狗，把它放在围裙上。
I will give you my blue checked apron, which you must spread upon the floor, and then boldly seize hold of the dog, and place him upon it.
然后你就可以打开箱子，从里面拿走你想要的那么多便士，它们只是铜币；
You can then open the chest, and take from it as many pence as you please, they are only copper pence;
但是如果你想要银币，你就必须走进第二个房间。
but if you would rather have silver money, you must go into the second chamber.
在这里你会看到另一只狗，它的眼睛有磨坊的轮子那么大；
here you will find another dog, with eyes as big as mill - wheels;
但是不要让这个困扰你。
but do not let that trouble you.
把它放在我的围裙上，然后拿走你想要的钱。
place him upon my apron, and then take what money you please.
然而，如果你最喜欢金子，就走进第三个房间，那里有另一个装满金子的箱子。
If, however, you like gold best, enter the third chamber, where there is another chest full of it.
坐在这个箱子上的狗非常可怕；
the dog who sits on this chest is very dreadful;
它的眼睛有塔那么大，但是不要在意它。
his eyes are as big as a tower, but do not mind him.
如果它也被放在我的围裙上，它就不能伤害你，你就可以从箱子里拿走你想要的金子。”
If he also is placed upon my apron, he cannot hurt you, and you may take from the chest what gold you will.”
“这是个不错的故事，” 士兵说；
“this is not a bad story,” said the soldier;
“但是我要给你什么呢，你这个老巫婆？
“but what am I to give you, you old witch?
因为，当然了，你不会打算白白告诉我这一切的。”
for, of course, you do not mean to tell me all this for nothing.”
“不，” 巫婆说；
“No,” said the witch;
“但是我不要一个便士。
“but I do not ask for a single penny.
只要答应给我带一个旧打火匣来，上次我祖母下去的时候把它落在那儿了。”
only promise to bring me an old tinder - box, which my grandmother left behind the last time she went down there.”
“很好；
“Very well;
“我答应。
I promise.
现在把绳子系在我身上吧。”
Now tie the rope round my body.”
“给你绳子，” 巫婆回答道；
“here it is,” replied the witch;
“这是我的蓝格子围裙。”
“and here is my blue checked apron.”
绳子一系好，士兵就爬上树，从树洞里下到下面的地面；
As soon as the rope was tied, the soldier climbed up the tree, and let himself down through the hollow to the ground beneath;
在这里，正如巫婆告诉他的那样，他发现了一个大厅，里面几百盏灯都亮着。
and here he found, as the witch had told him, a large hall, in which many hundred lamps were all burning.
然后他打开了第一扇门。
then he opened the first door.
“啊！” 那里坐着一只狗，眼睛有茶杯那么大，正盯着他看。
“Ah!” there sat the dog, with the eyes as large as teacups, staring at him.
“你是个漂亮的家伙，” 士兵说着，抓住它，把它放在巫婆的围裙上，同时把口袋从箱子里装得满满的。
“You’re a pretty fellow,” said the soldier, seizing him, and placing him on the witch’s apron, while he filled his pockets from the chest with as many pieces as they would hold.
然后他盖上盖子，又让狗坐在上面，走进了另一个房间。果然，那里坐着一只眼睛有磨坊轮子那么大的狗。
then he closed the lid, seated the dog upon it again, and walked into another chamber, And, sure enough, there sat the dog with eyes as big as mill - wheels.
“你最好别那样看着我，” 士兵说；
“You had better not look at me in that way,” said the soldier;
“你会让自己流眼泪的；”
“you will make your eyes water;”
然后他也把它放在围裙上，打开了箱子。
and then he seated him also upon the apron, and opened the chest.
但是当他看到箱子里有那么多银币时，他很快就扔掉了所有已经拿的铜币，然后口袋和背包里都装满了银币。
but when he saw what a quantity of silver money it contained, he very quickly threw away all the coppers he had taken, and filled his pockets and his knapsack with nothing but silver.
然后他走进第三个房间，那里的狗真的很可怕；
then he went into the third room, and there the dog was really hideous;
它的眼睛，真的，有塔那么大，在脑袋里像轮子一样转来转去。
his eyes were, truly, as big as towers, and they turned round and round in his head like wheels.
“早上好，” 士兵碰了碰帽子说道，因为他这辈子从来没见过这样的狗。
“Good morning,” said the soldier, touching his cap, for he had never seen such a dog in his life.
但是更仔细地看了狗之后，他觉得自己已经够有礼貌了，于是他把狗放在地上，打开了箱子。
but after looking at him more closely, he thought he had been civil enough, so he placed him on the floor, and opened the chest.
天哪，好多金子啊！足够买下所有卖糖果的女人的糖棒；
Good gracious, what a quantity of gold there was! enough to buy all the sugar - sticks of the sweet - stuff women;
世界上所有的锡兵、鞭子和木马，甚至整个城镇本身。确实，数量巨大。
all the tin soldiers, whips, and rocking - horses in the world, or even the whole town itself there was, indeed, an immense quantity.
于是士兵现在扔掉了他拿的所有银币，而是用金子装满了他的口袋和背包；
So the soldier now threw away all the silver money he had taken, and filled his pockets and his knapsack with gold instead;
不仅是他的口袋和背包，甚至他的帽子和靴子也装满了，以至于他几乎走不动路。
and not only his pockets and his knapsack, but even his cap and boots, so that he could scarcely walk.
他现在真的很富有了；
he was really rich now;
于是他把狗放回箱子上，关上门，然后通过树洞向上喊道：“现在把我拉上去吧，你这个老巫婆。”
so he replaced the dog on the chest, closed the door, and called up through the tree, “Now pull me out, you old witch.”
“你拿到打火匣了吗？”
“have you got the tinder - box?”
巫婆问道。
asked the witch.
“没有；
“No;
我承认我完全忘了。”
I declare I quite forgot it.”
于是他回去取了打火匣，然后巫婆把他从树里拉了上来，他又站在了大路上，口袋、背包、帽子和靴子里都装满了金子。
So he went back and fetched the tinder - box, and then the witch drew him up out of the tree, and he stood again in the high road, with his pockets, his knapsack, his cap, and his boots full of gold.
“你打算拿打火匣做什么？”
“what are you going to do with the tinder - box?”
士兵问道。
asked the soldier.
“这与你无关，” 巫婆回答道；
“that is nothing to you,” replied the witch;
“你已经拿到钱了，现在把打火匣给我。”
“you have the money, now give me the tinder - box.”
“我告诉你，” 士兵说，“如果你不告诉我你打算拿它做什么，我就拔出剑砍下你的头。”
“I tell you what,” said the soldier, “if you don’t tell me what you are going to do with it, I will draw my sword and cut off your head.”
“不。” 巫婆说。
“No,” said the witch.
士兵立刻砍下了她的头，她就躺在地上了。
the soldier immediately cut off her head, and there she lay on the ground.
然后他把所有的钱都包在她的围裙里，像捆包裹一样把它背在背上，把打火匣放在口袋里，然后向最近的城镇走去。
then he tied up all his money in her apron, and slung it on his back like a bundle, put the tinder - box in his pocket, and walked off to the nearest town.
那是一个非常不错的城镇，他住进了最好的旅店，点了一顿全是他最爱吃的菜的晚餐，因为现在他富有了，有很多钱。
It was a very nice town, and he put up at the best inn, and ordered a dinner of all his favorite dishes, for now he was rich and had plenty of money.
给他擦靴子的仆人认为，对于这样一位富有的绅士来说，他穿的这双靴子实在是太破旧了，因为他还没有买新的呢。
the servant, who cleaned his boots, thought they certainly were a shabby pair to be worn by such a rich gentleman, for he had not yet bought any new ones.
然而，第二天，他购置了一些好衣服和合适的靴子，于是我们的士兵很快就被当作一位体面的绅士，人们都来拜访他，告诉他城里所有值得一看的奇观，以及国王美丽的女儿 —— 公主的事。
the next day, however, he procured some good clothes and proper boots, so that our soldier soon became known as a fine gentleman, and the people visited him, and told him all the wonders that were to be seen in the town, and of the king’s beautiful daughter, the princess.
“我在哪里能见到她呢？”
“where can I see her?”
士兵问道。
asked the soldier.
“根本见不到她，” 他们说；
“She is not to be seen at all,” they said;
“她住在一座巨大的铜城堡里，周围是城墙和塔楼。
“she lives in a large copper castle, surrounded by walls and towers.
除了国王本人，没有人能进出，因为有一个预言说她将嫁给一个普通士兵，而国王一想到这样的婚姻就无法忍受。”
No one but the king himself can pass in or out, for there has been a prophecy that she will marry a mon soldier, and the king cannot bear to think of such a marriage.”
“我非常想见见她，” 士兵想；
“I should like very much to see her,” thought the soldier;
但是他得不到许可去见她。
but he could not obtain permission to do so.
不过，他度过了一段非常愉快的时光；
however, he passed a very pleasant time;
他去剧院，在国王的花园里驾车游玩，还给穷人很多钱，他这样做非常善良；
went to the theatre, drove in the king’s garden, and gave a great deal of money to the poor, which was very good of him;
他还记得过去身无分文的时候是什么样的。
he remembered what it had been in olden times to be without a shilling.
现在他富有了，有漂亮的衣服，还有很多朋友，他们都宣称他是个好人，是个真正的绅士，这一切让他非常高兴。
Now he was rich, had fine clothes, and many friends, who all declared he was a fine fellow and a real gentleman, and all this gratified him exceedingly.
但他的钱不会永远花不完；
but his money would not last forever;
由于他每天花销和赠送出去很多钱，却没有收入，最后他发现自己只剩下两先令了。
and as he spent and gave away a great deal daily, and received none, he found himself at last with only two shillings left.
所以他不得不离开他那优雅的房间，住在屋顶下的一个小阁楼里，在那里他得自己擦靴子，甚至用一根大针来补靴子。
So he was obliged to leave his elegant rooms, and live in a little garret under the roof, where he had to clean his own boots, and even mend them with a large needle.
他的朋友没有一个来看他，要爬的楼梯太多了。
None of his friends came to see him, there were too many stairs to mount up.
一个漆黑的夜晚，他甚至连买蜡烛的一便士都没有；
one dark evening, he had not even a penny to buy a candle;
突然，他想起在打火匣里有一小截蜡烛，那是他从老巫婆帮他进入的那棵老树里带出来的。
then all at once he remembered that there was a piece of candle stuck in the tinder - box, which he had brought from the old tree, into which the witch had helped him.
他找到了打火匣，但是他刚用打火石和钢片擦出几点火星，门就突然打开了，他在树洞里见过的那只眼睛有茶杯那么大的狗站在了他面前，说道：“主人，有什么吩咐？”
he found the tinder - box, but no sooner had he struck a few sparks from the flint and steel, than the door flew open and the dog with eyes as big as teacups, whom he had seen while down in the tree, stood before him, and said, “what orders, master?”
“哈罗，” 士兵说；
“hallo,” said the soldier;
“嗯，这个打火匣真不错，如果它能带给我所有我想要的东西的话。”
“well this is a pleasant tinder - box, if it brings me all I wish for.”
“给我拿些钱来，” 他对狗说。
“bring me some money,” said he to the dog.
它一会儿就不见了，很快就回来了，嘴里叼着一大袋铜币。
he was gone in a moment, and presently returned, carrying a large bag of coppers in his month.
在这之后，士兵很快就发现了打火匣的价值。
the soldier very soon discovered after this the value of the tinder - box.
如果他擦一次打火石，坐在铜币箱子上的狗就会出现；
If he struck the flint once, the dog who sat on the chest of copper money made his appearance;
如果擦两次，狗就会从银箱子那里来；
if twice, the dog came from the chest of silver;
如果擦三次，那只眼睛像塔一样的看守金子的狗就会出现。
and if three times, the dog with eyes like towers, who watched over the gold.
士兵现在有了很多钱；
the soldier had now plenty of money;
他回到他那优雅的房间，又穿上他漂亮的衣服出现了，这样他的朋友们马上又认出了他，又像以前一样奉承他。
he returned to his elegant rooms, and reappeared in his fine clothes, so that his friends knew him again directly, and made as much of him as before.
过了一段时间，他开始觉得很奇怪，竟然没有人能看一眼公主。
After a while he began to think it was very strange that no one could get a look at the princess.
“每个人都说她非常美丽，” 他暗自想道；
“Every one says she is very beautiful,” thought he to himself;
“但如果她被关在一个被许多塔楼环绕的铜城堡里，那又有什么用呢。
“but what is the use of that if she is to be shut up in a copper castle surrounded by so many towers.
我有没有办法能见到她呢。
can I by any means get to see her.
等等！我的打火匣在哪里？”
Stop! where is my tinder - box?”
然后他擦出了火，瞬间，那只眼睛有茶杯那么大的狗就站在了他面前。
then he struck a light, and in a moment the dog, with eyes as big as teacups, stood before him.
“现在是午夜，” 士兵说，“然而我非常想见见公主，哪怕就一会儿。”
“It is midnight,” said the soldier, “yet I should very much like to see the princess, if only for a moment.”
狗立刻消失了，士兵还没来得及四处张望，它就带着公主回来了。
the dog disappeared instantly, and before the soldier could even look round, he returned with the princess.
她正趴在狗背上睡着，看起来如此可爱，以至于每个看到她的人都会知道她是一位真正的公主。
She was lying on the dog’s back asleep, and looked so lovely, that every one who saw her would know she was a real princess.
尽管他是个真正的士兵，但还是忍不住吻了她。
the soldier could not help kissing her, true soldier as he was.
然后狗带着公主跑回去了；
then the dog ran back with the princess;
但是早上，当她和国王与王后一起吃早餐时，她告诉他们她夜里做了一个多么奇特的梦，梦到一只狗和一个士兵，她骑在狗背上，被士兵吻了。
but in the morning, while at breakfast with the king and queen, she told them what a singular dream she had had during the night, of a dog and a soldier, that she had ridden on the dog’s back, and been kissed by the soldier.
“这确实是个非常美妙的故事，” 王后说。
“that is a very pretty story, indeed,” said the queen.
于是第二天晚上，宫廷里的一位老妇人被安排在公主的床边守夜，去弄清楚这到底是一个梦，还是别的什么情况。
So the next night one of the old ladies of the court was set to watch by the princess’s bed, to discover whether it really was a dream, or what else it might be.
士兵非常渴望再次见到公主，于是夜里他又召唤狗去把公主带来，并且尽快带着她跑。
the soldier longed very much to see the princess once more, so he sent for the dog again in the night to fetch her, and to run with her as fast as ever he could.
但是老妇人穿上了雨靴，尽可能快地在后面追赶他，发现他把公主带进了一所大房子里。
but the old lady put on water boots, and ran after him as quickly as he did, and found that he carried the princess into a large house.
她想如果她用粉笔在门上画一个大十字，这会有助于她记住这个地方。
She thought it would help her to remember the place if she made a large cross on the door with a piece of chalk.
然后她就回家睡觉了，狗很快就带着公主回来了。
then she went home to bed, and the dog presently returned with the princess.
但是当狗看到士兵住的房子的门上被画了一个十字时，他拿了另一支粉笔在城里所有的门上都画了十字，这样侍女就可能找不到正确的门了。
but when he saw that a cross had been made on the door of the house, where the soldier lived, he took another piece of chalk and made crosses on all the doors in the town, so that the lady - in - waiting might not be able to find out the right door.
第二天一大早，国王和王后陪着这位老妇人以及所有的宫廷官员，去看公主去了哪里。
Early the next morning the king and queen acpanied the lady and all the officers of the household, to see where the princess had been.
“在这里，” 当他们来到第一扇画着十字的门时，国王说道。
“here it is,” said the king, when they came to the first door with a cross on it.
“不，我亲爱的丈夫，一定是那扇门，” 王后指着第二扇也画着十字的门说道。
“No, my dear husband, it must be that one,” said the queen, pointing to a second door having a cross also.
“这里有一个，那里还有一个！” 他们都惊叫道；
“And here is one, and there is another!” they all exclaimed;
因为四面八方所有的门上都有十字。
for there were crosses on all the doors in every direction.
所以他们觉得再继续找下去也没有用了。
So they felt it would be useless to search any farther.
但是王后是一个非常聪明的女人；
but the queen was a very clever woman;
她能做的远不止是坐马车出行。
she could do a great deal more than merely ride in a carriage.
她拿起她的大金剪刀，把一块丝绸剪成方块，做了一个整洁的小袋子。
She took her large gold scissors, cut a piece of silk into squares, and made a neat little bag.
她把这个袋子装满荞麦粉，然后把它系在公主的脖子上；
this bag she filled with buckwheat flour, and tied it round the princess’s neck;
然后她在袋子上剪了一个小口子，这样公主一路走的时候面粉就可以撒在地上。
and then she cut a small hole in the bag, so that the flour might be scattered on the ground as the princess went along.
夜里，狗又来了，背着公主，带着她跑到士兵那里，士兵非常爱她，并且希望自己是个王子，这样他就可以娶她为妻了。
during the night, the dog came again and carried the princess on his back, and ran with her to the soldier, who loved her very much, and wished that he had been a prince, so that he might have her for a wife.
狗没有注意到面粉是如何从城堡墙一直撒到士兵的房子，甚至撒到他带着公主爬进去的窗户那里的。
the dog did not observe how the flour ran out of the bag all the way from the castle wall to the soldier’s house, and even up to the window, where he had climbed with the princess.
因此，早上国王和王后发现了他们的女儿去了哪里，士兵被抓起来关进了监狱。
therefore in the morning the king and queen found out where their daughter had been, and the soldier was taken up and put in prison.
哦，当他坐在那里的时候，里面是多么黑暗和令人讨厌啊，人们对他说：“明天你就要被绞死了。”
oh, how dark and disagreeable it was as he sat there, and the people said to him, “to - morrow you will be hanged.”
这可不是什么好消息，而且，他把打火匣落在旅店里了。
It was not very pleasant news, and besides, he had left the tinder - box at the inn.
早上，他透过小窗户的铁栅栏看到人们正匆匆出城去看他被绞死；
In the morning he could see through the iron grating of the little window how the people were hastening out of the town to see him hanged;
他听到鼓声阵阵，看到士兵们在行进。
he heard the drums beating, and saw the soldiers marching.
每个人都跑出去看他们士兵行刑队伍，一个鞋匠学徒，穿着皮围裙和拖鞋，跑得飞快，以至于他的一只拖鞋飞了出去，撞在士兵透过铁栅栏往外看的墙上。
Every one ran out to look at them, and a shoemaker’s boy, with a leather apron and slippers on, galloped by so fast, that one of his slippers flew off and struck against the wall where the soldier sat looking through the iron grating.
“喂，你这个鞋匠学徒，你不必这么匆忙，” 士兵向他喊道。
“hallo, you shoemaker’s boy, you need not be in such a hurry,” cried the soldier to him.
“在我到来之前没什么可看的；
“there will be nothing to see till I e;
但是如果你跑到我住过的房子那里，把我的打火匣拿来，你就能得到四先令，但你必须尽快去。”
but if you will run to the house where I have been living, and bring me my tinder - box, you shall have four shillings, but you must put your best foot foremost.”
鞋匠学徒很喜欢能得到四先令这个主意，所以他跑得飞快，取来了打火匣，把它交给了士兵。
the shoemaker’s boy liked the idea of getting the four shillings, so he ran very fast and fetched the tinder - box, and gave it to the soldier.
现在我们来看看发生了什么事。
And now we shall see what happened.
在城外竖起了一个大绞刑架，周围站着士兵和数千民众。
outside the town a large gibbet had been erected, round which stood the soldiers and several thousands of people.
国王和王后坐在华丽的宝座上，正对着法官和整个议会。
the king and the queen sat on splendid thrones opposite to the judges and the whole council.
士兵已经站在梯子上了；
the soldier already stood on the ladder;
但是当他们正要把绳子套在他脖子上的时候，他说一个可怜的罪犯在受死之前提出的一个无辜请求常常会被答应。
but as they were about to place the rope around his neck, he said that an innocent request was often granted to a poor criminal before he suffered death.
他非常想抽一袋烟，因为这将是他在世上抽的最后一袋烟了。
he wished very much to smoke a pipe, as it would be the last pipe he should ever smoke in the world.
国王不能拒绝这个请求，于是士兵拿出他的打火匣，擦了一次、两次、三次火 —— 瞬间所有的狗都出现了；
the king could not refuse this request, so the soldier took his tinder - box, and struck fire, once, twice, thrice, — and there in a moment stood all the dogs;
—— 那只眼睛像茶杯一样大的狗，那只眼睛像磨坊的轮子一样大的狗，还有第三只，它的眼睛像塔一样。
— the one with eyes as big as teacups, the one with eyes as large as mill - wheels, and the third, whose eyes were like towers.
“现在救救我，别让我被绞死，” 士兵喊道。
“help me now, that I may not be hanged,” cried the soldier.
这些狗扑向法官和所有的议员们；
And the dogs fell upon the judges and all the councillors;
咬住一个人的腿，咬住另一个人的鼻子，把他们抛到几英尺高的空中，结果他们掉下来摔得粉碎。
seized one by the legs, and another by the nose, and tossed them many feet high in the air, so that they fell down and were dashed to pieces.
“不要碰我，” 国王说。
“I will not be touched,” said the king.
但是最大的那只狗抓住了他，还有王后，也把他们像其他人一样扔了出去。
but the largest dog seized him, as well as the queen, and threw them after the others.
然后士兵和所有的人都害怕了，喊道：“好士兵，你将成为我们的国王，你将娶美丽的公主为妻。”
then the soldiers and all the people were afraid, and cried, “Good soldier, you shall be our king, and you shall marry the beautiful princess.”
于是他们把士兵扶上国王的马车，三只狗跑在前面，喊道：“万岁！” 小男孩们用手指吹着口哨，士兵们举枪致敬。
So they placed the soldier in the king’s carriage, and the three dogs ran on in front and cried “hurrah!” and the little boys whistled through their fingers, and the soldiers presented arms.
公主从铜城堡里出来，成为了王后，这让她非常高兴。
the princess came out of the copper castle, and became queen, which was very pleasing to her.
婚礼庆典持续了整整一个星期，狗坐在桌子旁边，睁大眼睛看着。
the wedding festivities lasted a whole week, and the dogs sat at the table, and stared with all their eyes.