安徒生童话-第108部分

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　old　man？〃　asked　thesparrows。

〃I　know　who　he　is；〃　said　an　old　raven；　who　sat　on　the　fence；　andwas　condescending　enough　to　acknowledge　that　we　are　all　equal　in　thesight　of　Heaven；　even　as　little　birds；　and　therefore　he　talked　withthe　sparrows；　and　gave　them　the　information　they　wanted。　〃I　know　whothe　old　man　is；〃　he　said。　〃It　is　Winter；　the　old　man　of　last　year；he　is　not　dead　yet；　as　the　calendar　says；　but　acts　as　guardian　tolittle　Prince　Spring　who　is　ing。　Winter　rules　here　still。　Ugh！the　cold　makes　you　shiver；　little　ones；　does　it　not？〃

〃There！　Did　I　not　tell　you　so？〃　said　the　smallest　of　the　sparrows。〃The　calendar　is　only　an　invention　of　man；　and　is　not　arrangedaccording　to　nature。　They　should　leave　these　things　to　us；　we　arecreated　so　much　more　clever　than　they　are。〃

One　week　passed；　and　then　another。　The　forest　looked　dark；　thehard…frozen　lake　lay　like　a　sheet　of　lead。　The　mountains　haddisappeared；　for　over　the　land　hung　damp；　icy　mists。　Large　black　crowsflew　about　in　silence；　it　was　as　if　nature　slept。　At　length　asunbeam　glided　over　the　lake；　and　it　shone　like　burnished　silver。But　the　snow　on　the　fields　and　the　hills　did　not　glitter　as　before。The　white　form　of　Winter　sat　there　still；　with　his　un…wandering　gazefixed　on　the　south。　He　did　not　perceive　that　the　snowy　carpet　seemedto　sink　as　it　were　into　the　earth；　that　here　and　there　a　littlegreen　patch　of　grass　appeared；　and　that　these　patches　were　coveredwith　sparrows。

〃Tee…wit；　tee…wit；　is　spring　ing　at　last？〃

Spring！　How　the　cry　resounded　over　field　and　meadow；　and　throughthe　dark…brown　woods；　where　the　fresh　green　moss　still　gleamed　onthe　trunks　of　the　trees；　and　from　the　south　came　the　two　firststorks　flying　through　the　air；　and　on　the　back　of　each　sat　a　lovelylittle　child；　a　boy　and　a　girl。　They　greeted　the　earth　with　a　kiss；and　wherever　they　placed　their　feet　white　flowers　sprung　up　frombeneath　the　snow。　Hand　in　hand　they　approached　the　old　ice…man；Winter；　embraced　him　and　clung　to　his　breast；　and　as　they　did　so；　in　amoment　all　three　were　enveloped　in　a　thick；　damp　mist；　dark　and　heavy；that　closed　over　them　like　a　veil。　The　wind　arose　with　mighty　rustlingtone；　and　cleared　away　the　mist。　Then　the　sun　shone　out　warmly。　Winterhad　vanished　away；　and　the　beautiful　children　of　Spring　sat　on　thethrone　of　the　year。

〃This　is　really　a　new　year；〃　cried　all　the　sparrows；　〃now　we　shallget　our　rights；　and　have　some　return　for　what　we　suffered　in　winter。〃

Wherever　the　two　children　wandered；　green　buds　burst　forth　on　bushand　tree；　the　grass　grew　higher；　and　the　corn…fields　became　lovelyin　delicate　green。

The　little　maiden　strewed　flowers　in　her　path。　She　held　herapron　before　her：　it　was　full　of　flowers；　it　was　as　if　they　sprunginto　life　there；　for　the　more　she　scattered　around　her；　the　moreflowers　did　her　apron　contain。　Eagerly　she　showered　snowy　blossomsover　apple　and　peach…trees；　so　that　they　stood　in　full　beauty　beforeeven　their　green　leaves　had　burst　from　the　bud。　Then　the　boy　and　thegirl　clapped　their　hands；　and　troops　of　birds　came　flying　by；　no　oneknew　from　whence；　and　they　all　twittered　and　chirped；　singing〃Spring　has　e！〃　How　beautiful　everything　was！　Many　an　old　dame　cameforth　from　her　door　into　the　sunshine；　and　shuffled　about　with　greatdelight；　glancing　at　the　golden　flowers　which　glittered　everywherein　the　fields；　as　they　used　to　do　in　her　young　days。　The　world　grewyoung　again　to　her；　as　she　said；　〃It　is　a　blessed　time　out　hereto…day。〃　The　forest　already　wore　its　dress　of　dark…green　buds。　Thethyme　blossomed　in　fresh　fragrance。　Primroses　and　anemones　sprungforth；　and　violets　bloomed　in　the　shade；　while　every　blade　of　grasswas　full　of　strength　and　sap。　Who　could　resist　sitting　down　on　sucha　beautiful　carpet？　and　then　the　young　children　of　Spring　seatedthemselves；　holding　each　other's　hands；　and　sang；　and　laughed；　andgrew。　A　gentle　rain　fell　upon　them　from　the　sky；　but　they　did　notnotice　it；　for　the　rain…drops　were　their　own　tears　of　joy。　They　kissedeach　other；　and　were　betrothed；　and　in　the　same　moment　the　buds　of　thetrees　unfolded；　and　when　the　sun　rose；　the　forest　was　green。　Hand　inhand　the　two　wandered　beneath　the　fresh　pendant　canopy　of　foliage；while　the　sun's　rays　gleamed　through　the　opening　of　the　shade；　inchanging　and　varied　colors。　The　delicate　young　leaves　filled　the　airwith　refreshing　odor。　Merrily　rippled　the　clear　brooks　and　rivuletsbetween　the　green；　velvety　rushes；　and　over　the　many…colored　pebblesbeneath。　All　nature　spoke　of　abundance　and　plenty。　The　cuckoo　sang；and　the　lark　carolled；　for　it　was　now　beautiful　spring。　The　carefulwillows　had；　however；　covered　their　blossoms　with　woolly　gloves；　andthis　carefulness　is　rather　tedious。　Days　and　weeks　went　by；　and　theheat　increased。　Warm　air　waved　the　corn　as　it　grew　golden　in　thesun。　The　white　northern　lily　spread　its　large　green　leaves　over　theglossy　mirror　of　the　woodland　lake；　and　the　fishes　sought　theshadows　beneath　them。　In　a　sheltered　part　of　the　wood；　the　sun　shoneupon　the　walls　of　a　farm…house；　brightening　the　blooming　roses；　andripening　the　black　juicy　berries；　which　hung　on　the　loadedcherry…trees；　with　his　hot　beams。　Here　sat　the　lovely　wife　ofSummer；　the　same　whom　we　have　seen　as　a　child　and　a　bride；　her　eyeswere　fixed　on　dark　gathering　clouds；　which　in　wavy　outlines　of　blackand　indigo　were　piling　themselves　up　like　mountains；　higher　andhigher。　They　came　from　every　side；　always　increasing　like　a　rising；rolling　sea。　Then　they　swooped　towards　the　forest；　where　every　soundhad　been　silenced　as　if　by　magic；　every　breath　hushed；　every　birdmute。　All　nature　stood　still　in　grave　suspense。　But　in　the　lanes　andthe　highways；　passengers　on　foot　or　in　carriages　were　hurrying　to　finda　place　of　shelter。　Then　came　a　flash　of　light；　as　if　the　sun　hadrushed　forth　from　the　sky；　flaming；　burning；　all…devouring；　anddarkness　returned　amid　a　rolling　crash　of　thunder。　The　rain　poureddown　in　streams；…　now　there　was　darkness；　then　blinding　light；…　nowthrilling　silence；　then　deafening　din。　The　young　brown　reeds　on　themoor　waved　to　and　fro　in　feathery　billows；　the　forest　boughs　werehidden　in　a　watery　mist；　and　still　light　and　darkness　followed　eachother；　still　came　the　silence　after　the　roar；　while　the　corn　and　theblades　of　grass　lay　beaten　down　and　swamped；　so　that　it　seemedimpossible　they　could　ever　raise　themselves　again。　But　after　a　whilethe　rain　began　to　fall　gently；　the　sun's　rays　pierced　the　clouds；and　the　water…drops　glittered　like　pearls　on　leaf　and　stem。　Thebirds　sang；　the　fishes　leaped　up　to　the　surface　of　the　water；　thegnats　danced　in　the　sunshine；　and　yonder；　on　a　rock　by　the　heavingsalt　sea；　sat　Summer　himself；　a　strong　man　with　sturdy　limbs　and　long；dripping　hair。　Strengthened　by　the　cool　bath；　he　sat　in　the　warmsunshine；　while　all　around　him　renewed　nature　bloomed　strong；luxuriant；　and　beautiful：　it　was　summer；　warm；　lovely　summer。　Sweetand　pleasant　was　the　fragrance　wafted　from　the　clover…field；　where　thebees　swarmed　round　the　ruined　tower；　the　bramble　twined　itself　overthe　old　altar；　which；　washed　by　the　rain；　glittered　in　the　sunshine；and　thither　flew　the　queen　bee　with　her　swarm；　and　prepared　wax　andhoney。　But　Summer　and　his　bosom…wife　saw　it　with　different　eyes；　tothem　the　altar…table　was　covered　with　the　offerings　of　nature。　Theevening　sky　shone　like　gold；　no　church　dome　could　ever　gleam　sobrightly；　and　between　the　golden　evening　and　the　blushing　morningthere　was　moonlight。　It　was　indeed　summer。　And　days　and　weekspassed；　the　bright　scythes　of　the　reapers　glittered　in　thecorn…fields；　the　branches　of　the　apple…trees　bent　low；　heavy　withthe　red　and　golden　fruit。　The　hop；　hanging　in　clusters；　filled　the　airwith　sweet　fragrance；　and　beneath　the　hazel…bushes；　where　the　nutshung　in　great　bunches；　rested　a　man　and　a　woman…　Summer　and　hisgrave　consort。

〃See；〃　she　exclaimed；　〃what　wealth；　what　blessings　surround　us。Everything　is　home…like　and　good；　and　yet；　I　know　not　why；　I　longfor　rest　and　peace；　I　can　scarcely　express　what　I　feel。　They　arealready　ploughing　the　fields　again；　more　and　more　the　people　wishfor　gain。　See；　the　storks　are　flocking　together；　and　following　theplough　at　a　short　distance。　They　are　the　birds　from　Egypt；　who　carriedus　through　the　air。　Do　you　remember　how　we　came　as　children　to　thisland　of　the　north；　we　brought　with　us　flowers　and　bright　sunshine；　andgreen　to　the　forests；　but　the　wind　has　been　rough　with　them；　andthey　are　now　bee　dark　and　brown；　like　the　trees　of　the　south；　butthey　do　not；　like　them；　bear　golden　fruit。〃

〃Do　you　wish　to　see　golden　fruit？〃　said　the　man；　〃then　rejoice；〃and　he　lifted　his　arm。　The　leaves　of　the　forest　put　on　colors　of　redand　gold；　and　bright　tints　covered　the　woodlands。　The　rose…bushesgleamed　with　scarlet　hips；　and　the　branches　of　the　elder…trees　hungdown　with　the　weight　of　the　full；　dark　berries。　The　wild　chestnutsfell　ripe　from　their　dark；　green　shells；　and　in　the　forests　theviolets　bloomed　for　the　second　time。　But　the　queen　of　the　yearbecame　more　and　more　silent　and　pale。

〃It　blows　cold；〃　she　said；　〃and　night　brings　the　damp　mist；　I　longfor　the　land　of　my　childhood。〃　Then　she　saw　the　storks　fly　awayevery　one；　and　she　stretched　out　her　hands　towards　them。　She　looked　atthe　empty　nests；　in　one　of　them　grew　a　long…stalked　corn　flower；　inanother　the　yellow　mustard　seed；　as　if　the　nest　had　been　placedthere　only　for　its　fort　and　protection；　and　the　sparrows　wereflying　round　them　all。

〃Tweet；　where　has　the　master　of　the　nest　gone？〃　cried　one；　〃Isuppose　he　could　not　bear　it　when　the　wind　blew；　and　therefore　hehas　left　this　country。　I　wish　him　a　pleasant　journey。〃

The　forest　leaves　became　more　and　more　yellow；　leaf　after　leaffell；　and　the　stormy　winds　of　Autumn　howled。　The　year　was　now　faradvanced；　and　upon　the　fallen；　yellow　leaves；　lay　the　queen　of　theyear；　looking　up　with　mild　eyes　at　a　gleaming　star；　and　her　husbandstood　by　her。　A　gust　of　wind　swept　through　the　foliage；　and　the　leavesfell　in　a　shower。　The　summer　queen　was　gone；　but　a　butterfly；　the　lastof　the　year；　flew　through　the　cold　air。　Damp　fogs　came；　icy　windsblew；　and　the　long；　dark　nights　of　winter　approached。　The　ruler　of　theyear　appeared　with　hair　white　as　snow；　but　he　knew　it　not；　hethought　snow…flakes　falling　from　the　sky　covered　his　head；　as　theydecked　the　green　fields　with　a　thin；　white　covering　of　snow。　Andthen　the　church　bells　rang　out　for　Christmas　time。

〃The　bells　are　ringing　for　the　new…born　year；〃　said　the　ruler；〃soon　will　a　new　ruler　and　his　bride　be　born；　and。　I　shall　go　torest　with　my　wife　in　yonder　light…giving　star。〃

In　the　fresh；　green　fir…wood；　where　the　snow　lay　all　around；　stoodthe　angel　of　Christmas；　and　consecrated　the　young　trees　that　were　toadorn　his　feast。

〃May　there　be　joy　in　the　rooms；　and　under　the　green　boughs；〃said　the　old　ruler　of　the　year。　In　a　few　weeks　he　had　bee　a　veryold　man；　with　hair　as　white　as　snow。　〃My　resting…time　draws　near；the　young　pair　of　the　year　will　soon　claim　my　crown　and　sceptre。〃

〃But　the　night　is　still　thine；〃　said　the　angel　of　Christmas；〃for　power；　but　not　for　rest。　Let　the　snow　lie　warmly　upon　thetender　seed。　Learn　to　endure　the　thought　that　another　is　worshippedwhilst　thou　art　still　lord。　Learn　to　endure　being　forgotten　whileyet　thou　livest。　The　hour　of　thy　freedom　will　e　when　Springappears。〃

〃And　when　will　Spring　e？〃　asked　Winter。

〃It　will　e　when　the　stork　returns。〃

And　with　white　locks　and　snowy　beard；　cold；　bent；　and　hoary；　butstrong　as　the　wintry　storm；　and　firm　as　the　ice；　old　Winter　sat　on　thesnowdrift…covered　hill；　looking　towards　the　south；　where　Winter　hadsat　before；　and　gazed。　The　ice　glittered；　the　snow　crackled；　theskaters　skimmed　over　the　polished　surface　of　the　lakes；　ravens　andcrows　formed　a　pleasing　contrast　to　the　white　ground；　and　not　a　breathof　wind　stirred；　and　in　the　still　air　old　Winter　clenched　his　fists；and　the　ice　lay　fathoms　deep　between　the　lands。　Then　came　the　sparrowsagain　out　of　the　town；　and　asked；　〃Who　is　that　old　man？〃　The　raven　satthere　still；　or　it　might　be　his　son；　which　is　the　same　thing；　and　hesaid　to　them；…

〃It　is　Winter；　the　old　man　of　the　former　year；　he　is　not　dead；as　the　calendar　says；　but　he　is　guardian　to　the　spring；　which　ising。〃

〃When　will　Spring　e？〃　asked　the　sparrows；　〃for　we　shall　havebetter　times　then；　and　a　better　rule。　The　old　times　are　worthnothing。〃

And　in　quiet　thought　old　Winter　looked　at　the　leafless　forest；where　the　graceful　form　and　bends　of　each　tree　and　branch　could　beseen；　and　while　Winter　slept；　icy　mists　came　from　the　clouds；　andthe　ruler　dreamt　of　his　youthful　days　and　of　his　manhood；　and　in　themorning　dawn　the　whole　forest　glittered　with　hoar　frost；　which　the　sunshook　from　the　branches；…　and　this　was　the　summer　dream　of　Winter。

〃When　will　Spring　e？〃　asked　the　sparrows。　〃Spring！〃　Again　theecho　sounded　from　the　hills　on　which　the　snow　lay。　The　sunshine　becamewarmer；　the　snow　melted；　and　the　birds　twittered；　〃Spring　ising！〃　And　high　in　the　air　flew　the　first　stork；　and　the　secondfollowed；　a　lovely　child　sat　on　the　back　of　each；　and　they　sank　downon　the　open　field；　kissed　the　earth；　and　kissed　the　quiet　old　man；and；　as　the　mist　from　the　mountain　top；　he　vanished　away　anddisappeared。　And　the　story　of　the　year　was　finished。

〃This　is　all　very　fine；　no　doubt；〃　said　the　sparrows；　〃and　it　isvery　beautiful；　but　it　is　not　according　to　the　calendar；　therefore；　itmust　be　all　wrong。〃

THE　END。

　　1872

　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　THE　SUNBEAM　AND　THE　CAPTIVE

　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen

IT　is　autumn。　We　stand　on　the　ramparts；　and　look　out　over　the　sea。We　look　at　the　numerous　ships；　and　at　the　Swedish　coast　on　theopposite　side　of　the　sound；　rising　far　above　the　surface　of　the　waterswhich　mirror　the　glow　of　the　evening　sky。　Behind　us　the　wood　issharply　defined；　mighty　trees　surround　us；　and　the　yellow　leavesflutter　down　from　the　branches。　Below；　at　the　foot　of　the　wall；　standsa　gloomy　looking　building　enclosed　in　palisades。　The　space　betweenis　dark　and　narrow；　but　still　more　dismal　must　it　be　behind　the　irongratings　in　the　wall　which　cover　the　narrow　loopholes　or　windows；for　in　these　dungeons　the　most　depraved　of　the　criminals　are　confined。A　ray　of　the　setting　sun　shoots　into　the　bare　cells　of　one　of　thecaptives；　for　God's　sun　shines　upon　the　evil　and　the　good。　Thehardened　criminal　casts　an　impatient　look　at　the　bright　ray。　Then　alittle　bird　flies　towards　the　grating；　for　birds　twitter　to　the　justas　well　as　to　the　unjust。　He　only　cries；　〃Tweet；　tweet；〃　and　thenperches　himself　near　the　grating；　flutters　his　wings；　pecks　afeather　from　one　of　them；　puffs　himself　out；　and　sets　his　featherson　end　round　his　breast　and　throat。　The　bad；　chained　man　looks　at　him；and　a　more　gentle　expression　es　into　his　hard　face。　In　his　breastthere　rises　a　thought　which　he　himself　cannot　rightly　analyze；　but　thethought　has　some　connection　with　the　sunbeam；　with　the　bird；　andwith　the　scent　of　violets；　which　grow　luxuriantly　in　spring　at　thefoot　of　the　wall。　Then　there　es　the　sound　of　the　hunter's　horn；merry　and　full。　The　little　bird　starts；　and　flies　away；　the　sunbeamgradually　vanishes；　and　again　there　is　darkness　in　the　room　and　in　theheart　of　that　bad　man。　Still　the　sun　has　shone　into　that　heart；　andthe　twittering　of　the　bird　has　touched　it。

Sound　on；　ye　glorious　strains　of　the　hunter's　horn；　continueyour　stirring　tones；　for　the　evening　is　mild；　and　the　surface　of