雪孩

文/安吉拉·卡特 绘/不归肉

雪孩

文/安吉拉·卡特 绘/不归肉

The Snow Child

Midwinter—invincible，immaculate①immaculate英 ［ɪ'mækjʊlət］ 美 ［ɪ'mækjələt］ adj. 完美的；洁净的；无瑕疵的You are rediscovering this ecstasy of Immaculate Love in your meditations， for a transitional expansion is occurring in this new energy.你们在你们的冥想中将重新发现这《完美的爱》带来的极乐，因为在此新能量中过渡性的扩展正在进行。. The Count and his wife go riding， he on a grey mare and she on a black one， she wrapped in the glittering pelts of black foxes； and she wore high，black， shining boots with scarlet heels， and spurs. Fresh snow fell on snow already fallen； when it ceased， the whole world was white. "I wish I had a girl as white as snow，" says the Count. They ride on. They come to a hole in the snow； this hole is filled with blood. He says， "I wish I had a girl as red as blood." So they ride on again； here is a raven，perched on a bare bough②bough 英 ［baʊ］ 美 ［baʊ］ n. 大树枝. "I wish I had a girl as black as that bird's feathers."

A s s o o n a s h e completed her description③description英 ［dɪ'skrɪpʃ（ə）n］ 美 ［dɪ'skrɪpʃən］ n. 描述，描写；类型；说明书，there she stood， beside the road，white skin， red mouth， black hair and stark naked； she was the child of his desire and the Countess hated her. The Count lifted her up and sat her in front of him on his saddle but the Countess had only one thought: how can I be rid of her？

The Countess dropped her glove in the snow and told the girl to get down to look for it； she meant to gallop④gallop英 ［'ɡæləp］ 美 ［'ɡæləp］ n. 疾驰；飞奔vi. 飞驰；急速进行；急急忙忙地说vt. 使飞跑；迅速运输off and leave her there but the Count said: "I'll buy you new gloves." At that， the furs sprang off the Countess's shoulders and twined round the naked girl. Then the Countess threw her diamond brooch⑤brooch英 ［brəʊtʃ］ 美 ［brotʃ］ n. （女用的）胸针，领针through the ice of a frozen pond，"Dive in and fetch it for me，" she said； she t h o u g h t t h e g i r l would drown. But the Count said，"Is she a fish to swim in such cold weather？" Then her boots leapt off the Countess's feet and on to the girl's legs. Now the Countess was bare as a bone and the girl furred and booted；the Count felt sorry for his wife. They came to a bush of roses， all in flower. "Pick me one，" said the Countess to the girl. "I can't deny you that，" said the Count.

So the girl picks a rose； pricks her finger on the thorn； bleeds；screams； falls.

The Countess reined in her stamping mare and watched narrowly.

Then the girl began to melt. Soon there was nothing left of her but a feather a bird might havedropped； a blood stain， like the trace of a fox's kill on the snow； and the rose she had pulled off the bush. Now the Countess had all her clothes on again. With her long hand， she stroked her furs. The Count picked up the rose， bowed and handed it to his wife； when she touched it，she dropped it.

"It bites！" she said.

隆冬——所向无敌，洁白无瑕。伯爵偕妻子出门，他骑一匹灰牝马，她骑黑马，身裹亮黑狐皮，足蹬光亮的高跟黑靴，靴跟猩红，还带着刺。新雪落在已落下的雪上，雪停之际，世界尽白。“我真希望有个女儿，白得像雪。”接着两人继续前行，发现雪中有个洞，洞中注满鲜血。我希望我能有个女儿，鲜红如血。然后他们继续前行，看见一只渡鸦栖息在光秃树枝上。“我真希望有个女儿，黑得像那鸟的羽毛。”

话才说完，女孩就站在路旁，白肤，红唇，黑发，赤身裸体；她是他欲望的孩子，伯爵夫人恨她。伯爵抱起女孩，让她坐在自己身前鞍上，但伯爵夫人只有一个念头：我该怎么摆脱她？

伯爵夫人把手套掉在雪地里，叫女孩下马去捡，想随即策马狂奔，把女孩丢在那里，但伯爵说：“我再给你买新手套。”话一出口，伯爵夫人肩上的狐皮应声飞起，包住女孩赤裸的身体。然后伯爵夫人将钻石胸针抛进结冰的池塘：“下水去帮我捞回来。”她说，想借此让女孩溺毙。但伯爵说“她又不是鱼，天气这么冷，怎能游泳？”这时伯爵夫人光裸入骨，女孩则身披毛皮脚穿长靴，伯爵为妻子感到难过。而后他们遇上一丛满树盛开的玫瑰。“给我摘一朵。”伯爵夫人对女孩说。“这我总不能拒绝你。”伯爵说。

于是女孩摘下一朵玫瑰，刺伤手指，流血，尖叫，倒地。

伯爵夫人勒住踏步的马，眯起眼睛。

女孩开始融化，不一会儿便消失无踪，只剩一根羽毛，可能是哪只鸟脱落的；一摊血，像狐狸在雪地猎杀的痕迹；以及她摘下的那朵玫瑰。现在衣物又回到伯爵夫人身上，她修长的手轻抚毛皮。伯爵拾起玫瑰，鞠个躬，递给妻子；她手一碰到花就猛然缩回，任它落地。

“它咬我！”她说。