名著精讀:《小婦人》第二章:聖誕快樂 第10節

"A gloomy wood," according to the one playbill, was represented by a few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor, and a cave in the distance. This cave was made with a clothes horse for a roof, bureaus for walls, and in it was a small furnace in full blast, with a black pot on it and an old witch bending over it. 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. A moment was allowed for the first thrill to subside, then Hugo, the villain, stalked in with a clanking sword at his side, a slouching hat, black beard, mysterious cloak, and the boots. After pacing to and fro in much agitation, he struck his forehead, and burst out in a wild strain, singing of his hatred for Roderigo, his love for Zara, and his pleasing resolution to kill the one and win the other. The gruff tones of Hugo's voice, with an occasional shout when his feelings overcame him, were very impressive, and the audience applauded the moment he paused for breath. 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!"

幾株盆栽灌木、鋪在地板上的綠色厚毛呢，以及遠處的一個洞穴構成了節目單上的"陰森森的樹林"，洞穴用曬衣架做洞頂，衣櫃做牆壁，裏頭有一個熊熊燃燒着的小爐子，一個老巫婆正俯身把弄爐上的一個黑鍋。舞臺陰森黑暗，熊熊的爐火營造了良好的舞臺效果。女巫揭開鍋蓋，鍋裏冒出陣陣蒸氣，令人叫絕。第一陣高潮過後，歹徒雨果闊步上常他嘴上蓄着黑鬍子，頭上歪戴着一頂帽子，腳踏長靴，身披神祕外衣，腰間佩一把噹啷作響的寶劍。他焦躁不安地來回走了幾步，猛然一拍額頭，放聲高歌，唱他對羅德力戈的恨、對薩拉的愛，以及要殺掉仇人、贏得莎拉的心願。雨果粗啞的嗓音和感情暴發時偶然發出的一聲大喝給觀衆留下極其深刻的印象，他剛停下要歇口氣，大家便報以熱烈的掌聲。他習以爲常地躬身謝過，又輕輕走到洞穴，大模大樣地命黑格出來：“呔！奴才！出來！”

Out came Meg, with gray horsehair hanging about her face, a red and black robe, a staff, and cabalistic signs upon her cloak. Hugo demanded a potion to make Zara adore him, and one to destroy Roderigo. Hagar, in a fine dramatic melody, promised both, and proceeded to call up the spirit who would bring the love philter.

梅格出來，臉上掛着灰色馬鬃，身穿黑紅二色長袍，手持柺杖，大衣上畫着神祕符號。雨果向他索取兩種魔藥，一種可以使莎拉愛他，另一種用來毒死羅德力戈。黑格唱起優美的歌兒，答應把兩種魔藥都給他，接着他把送魔藥的小精靈叫出來。

bill n. 戲單, 節目單

e n. 厚羊毛毯, 粗呢

ace n. 爐子,熔爐,悶熱地帶,嚴峻考驗

This room is like a furnace.
這屋子熱得象火爐一樣。

king n. 發出丁當聲

The clanking tractor went along, shooting smoke out of its belly.
拖拉機鏗鏗地開了過去, 從車肚裏噴出煙來。

ching adj. 沒精打采的, 懶散的

What do you think you are doing slouching across the parade ground like a bay of rags?
像一袋破布一樣零零散散、沒精打采地走過排練場，你們以爲你們在幹什麼？

ation n. 激動,鼓動,攪動

His talk about apartheid created agitation.
他的關於種族隔離的談話激起了騷動。

f adj. 粗魯的，生硬的，粗糙的，粗啞的

Don't be put off by his gruff exterior; he's really very kind underneath.
別介意他表現粗野, 其實他心地很善良.

listic adj. 神妙的, 猶太教神祕哲學的