【中英双语】树魅 洛夫克拉夫特著｜ The Tree by H.P. Lovec

在阿卡迪亚的米纳努斯山青翠的山坡上，有一座宅邸的废墟被一片橄榄树林环绕着。

On a verdant slope of Mount Maenalus, in Arcadia, there stands an olive grove about the ruins of a villa. 

它的附近有一座坟墓，它过去曾如极尽宏伟的雕塑一般壮丽，

Close by is a tomb, once beautiful with the sublimest of sculptures

然而现在也和宅邸一样变成了废墟

but now fallen into as great decay as the house. 

在坟墓尽头的一端，有一棵异常巨大，形貌怪异的橄榄树，它的根须以一种奇妙的方式推开了染上岁月痕迹的潘特里克斯山大理石

At one end of the tomb, its curious roots displacing the time-stained blocks of Pantelicus marble grows an unnaturally 

染上岁月痕迹的潘特里克斯山大理石

large olive tree of oddly repellent shape

这棵树看起来就像一个怪诞的人，或是一具扭曲的尸体，

so alike to some grotesque human form, or a death-distorted body of a man, 

因此当月光在夜间照耀在扭曲的大树枝干上时，当地人都非常害怕从树前走过

that the country folk fear to pass it at night when the moon shines faintly through the crooked boughs. 

米纳努斯山是可怕的潘神选择的巢穴

Mount Maenalus is a chosen haunt of dreaded Pan, 

它有许多古怪的伙伴

whose strange companions are many, 

质朴单纯的青年们相信这棵树必定和那些诡异的潘神眷族有着某种丑恶的联系

and simple swains believe that the tree must have some hideous kinship with these weird Panisci

但居住在附近的老养蜂人给我讲了一个截然不同的故事

but an old bee-keeper who lives in the neighboring cottage told me a different story.

很久以前，在那座建在山坡上的宅邸还很崭新和灿烂的时候

Many years ago, when the hillside villa was new and resplendesent, 

有两位名叫卡洛斯和穆希迪斯的雕刻家住在这里

there dwelt within it two sculptors Kalos and Musides.

从吕底亚到拿波利无人不对他们作品的美决口称赞

From Lydia to Neapolis the beauty of their work was praised, 

无人不承认他们的雕刻技术巧夺天工

and none dared say that the one excelled the other in skill. 

卡洛斯雕刻的赫尔墨斯像被供奉在科林斯的神殿里

The Hermes of Kalos stood in a marble shrine in Corinth, 

穆希迪斯雕刻的雅典娜像站在雅典帕台农神庙附近的柱头上

and the Pallas of Musides surmounted a pillar in Athens near the Parthenon. 

所有人都敬仰并对他们感到惊奇

All men paid homage to Kalos and Musides, and marvelled that 

艺术家间的嫉妒丝毫没有妨碍到他们手足般的情谊

no shadow of artistic jealousy cooled the warmth of their brotherly kinship.

然而，尽管卡洛斯和穆希迪斯亲密无间，他们的性格完全不一样

But though Kalos and Musides dwelt in unbroken harmony, their natures were not alike. 

穆希迪斯每晚都陶醉在特希亚那都市的喧嚣中

Whilst Musides revelled by night amidst the urban gaieties of Tegea, 

卡洛斯则待在家中

Saios would remain at home; 

他经常避开奴隶们的耳目，独自一人憩在荫凉的橄榄林深处

stealing away from the sight of his slaves into the cool recesses of the olive grove. 

他会在那里冥想着充盈在心灵中的意象

There he would meditate upon the visions that filled his mind, 

构思着能把大理石变得栩栩如生，使它们的美变得永垂不朽的雕刻方案

and there devise the forms of beauty which later became immortal in breathing marble.

事实上，当地游手好闲的人说，卡洛斯在和森林之灵交流

Idle folk, indeed, said that Kalos conversed with the spirits of the grove, 

他是仿造在那里遇到的法乌恩和森林女神们雕刻雕像

and that his statues were a bit near images of the Fauns and Drads 

所以他从来不用活人做模特

he met there for he patterned his work after no living model.

卡洛斯和穆希迪斯声名远扬

So famous were Kalos and Musides, 

因此没有人会惊讶叙拉古的僭主为了建造城市

that none wondered when the Tyrant of Syracuse sent them deputies 

派遣使者到他们那里，订购一尊昂贵的提克像

to speak of the costly statue of Tyche which he had planned for his city. 

这座雕像的庞大和工致都非比寻常

Of great size and cunning workmanship must the statue be, 

它将会成为那片城邦的奇迹、旅行者的目标

for it was to form a wonder of nations and a goal of travellers. 

无论他们中谁的作品被选中，那么那位雕刻家获得的荣耀都将盖世无双

Exalted beyond thought would be he whose work should gain acceptance, 

为了这份荣耀，卡洛斯和穆希迪斯必须互相竞争

and for this honor Kalos and Musides were invited to compete. 

叙拉古的僭主夙知二人情同手足，这两位雕刻家一定不会向对方隐瞒什么

Their brotherly love was well known, and the crafty Tyrant surmised that each,

他们会互相帮助，

 instead of concealing his work from the other, 

由此就能造出两座世间前所未见的精美雕像，

would offer aid and advice; this charity producing two images of unheard of beauty, 

而更好的那一座的美就连诗人也未曾梦想

the lovelier of which would eclipse even the dreams of poets.

两位雕刻家愉快地接下了僭主的任务

With joy the sculptors hailed the Tyrant's offer, 

自那以后，奴隶们耳边就充斥着终日不绝的锤凿之音

so that in the days that followed their slaves heard the ceaseless blows of chisels.

卡洛斯和穆希迪斯都没有向对方隐瞒自己的雕像，但他们也从不向外人展示

Not from each other did Kalos and Musides conceal their work, but the sight was for them alone.

就这样，这两尊自创世之初就被禁锢的神像开始

Saving theirs, no eyes beheld the two divine figures released by skillful blows 

被两人用娴熟的技巧从大理石中块里解放出来，但没有一个人见过其中的过程

from the rough rocks that had imprisoned them since the world began.

夜幕降临之后，穆希迪斯到特希亚赴宴与此同时卡洛斯也正一个人在橄榄树林里徘徊

At night, as of yore, Musides sought the banquet halls of Tegea whilst Kalos wandered alone in the olive Grove. 

随着时间的推移，人们发现曾经活泼的穆希迪斯变得忧郁起来了

But as time passed, men observed a want of gaiety in the once sparkling Musides.

这很反常，他们说这样消沉的情绪

It was strange, they said amongst themselves that depression 

对于抓住如此难得的机会、有机会获得艺术上最高奖赏的人来说是非常不可思议的

should seize one with such a great chance to win art's loftiest reward.

又过去了许多月，穆希迪斯苦涩的脸上一直没有浮现出

Many months passed yet in the sour face of Musides came nothing of the sharp 

能符合现在状况的热情

expectancy which the situation should arouse.

终于有一天，穆希迪斯说卡洛斯得了病

Then one day Musides spoke of the illness of Kalos, 

没有人对穆希迪斯的难过感到意外，这两位雕刻家之间相互尊敬和爱戴人尽皆知

after which none marvelled again at his sadness, since the sculptors' attachment was known to be deep and sacred. 

许多人都去探望卡洛斯，发现他面色苍白

Subsequently many went to visit Kalos, and indeed noticed the pallor of his face; 

但他既满足又安详，在那样的神态下他的眼神远比穆希迪斯的眼神更加迷人

but there was about him a happy serenity which made his glance more magical than the glance of Musides 

在对比下，穆希迪斯的焦虑和烦乱相当明显。他把所有奴隶全都赶走

who was clearly distracted with anxiety and who pushed aside all the slaves 

他热心地亲手照料他的挚友，亲手给它喂食

in his eagerness to feed and wait upon his friend with his own hands.

厚重的帷幔下藏着那两尊尚未完成的提克雕像

Hidden beneath heavy curtains stood the two unfinished figures of Tyche, 

最近卡洛斯和穆希迪斯没再对它们动过一分一毫

little touched of late by the sick man and his faithful attendant.

卡洛斯莫名其妙地一天比一天虚弱，尽管是在无法究其原因的医生和他的挚友

As Kalos grew inexplicably weaker and weaker despite the ministrations of puzzled physicians 

精心照料下，他渴望着人们能常将他送进那片他挚爱的树林

and of his assiduous friend, he desired to be carried often to the grove which he so loved. 

然后他便会要求独处，仿佛他想和某些看不见的东西说话

There he would ask to be left alone, as if wishing to speak with unseen things. 

穆希迪斯让他如愿以偿

Musides ever granted his requests,

他的泪水盈满了他的眼眶，因为他觉得比起自己，卡洛斯更

though his eyes filled with visible tears at the thought that Kalos should 

关心法乌恩和森林女神们

care more for the fauns and the dryads than for him.

终于，最后的时日临近，卡洛斯开始谈及存在于人生彼方的事物，

At last the end drew near, and Kalos discoursed of things beyond this life. 

穆希迪斯一边啜泣着，一边许诺着要为他建一座比莫索拉斯陵还美的坟墓

Musides, weeping, promised him a sepulchre more lovely than the tomb of Mausolus; 

但卡洛斯说他不要任何大理石的荣耀

but Kalos bade him speak no more of marble glories. 

垂死的他现在只有一个愿望

Only one wish now haunted the mind of the dying man; 

就是从林中一颗特定的橄榄树上折下小枝，埋在他身旁靠近头部的位置

that twigs from certain olive trees in the grove be buried by his resting place-close to his head. 

一天夜里，卡洛斯单独坐在橄榄树林的黑暗中死去了

And one night, sitting alone in the darkness of the olive grove, Kalos died. 

悲痛的穆希迪斯为他的好友建了一座美得难以言表的大理石坟墓

Beautiful beyond words was the marble sepulchre which stricken Musides carved for his beloved friend. 

除了他和卡洛斯本人，几乎没人雕刻出这样的浮雕来:

None but Kalos himself could have fashioned such basreliefs, 

墓上的浮雕展示着极乐福地的辉煌

wherein were displayed all the splendours of Elysium. 

当然，穆希迪斯也没有忘记从林中的橄榄树上折下小枝，埋在卡洛斯头边

Nor did Musides fail to bury close to Kalos' head the olive twigs from the grove.

穆希迪斯的悲痛起初最为强烈，但他很快克制住自己，

As the first violence of Musides' grief gave place to resignation, 

把全身心投入到提克像的雕刻中

he labored with diligence upon his figure of Tyche. 

现在所有名誉都归于穆希迪斯一人，

All honour was now his, 

除了卡洛斯和穆希迪斯，没有人会再为叙拉古的僭主工作了

since the Tyrant of Syracuse would have the work of none save him or Kalos. 

他辛苦劳碌的雕刻任务变成了他每天的情感发泄

His task proved a vent for his emotion and he toiled more steadily each day, 

他连过去的纵情欢乐也抛开了

shunning from gaieties he once had relished. 

他的夜晚总在朋友的坟边度过

Meanwhile his evenings were spent beside the tomb of his friend, 

那里有颗小橄榄树长在死者头部附近

where a young olive tree had sprung up near the sleeper's head. 

这树长得及其的快，形态也很奇特

So swift was the growth of this tree, and so strange was its form, 

凡是目睹过的人都会惊奇得叫出声来

that all who beheld it exclaimed in surprised; 

穆希迪斯似乎对这棵树又着迷又反感

and Musides seemed at once fascinated and repelled.

卡洛斯逝去三年后，穆希迪斯，穆希迪斯派出信使去到叙拉古

Three years after the death of Kalos, Musides despatched a messenger to the Tyrant, 

人们在特希亚广场上口耳相传，说穆希迪斯已经完成了那座雕像

and it was whispered in the agora at Tegea that the mighty statue was finished. 

这时，长在墓旁的那棵树已经大的吓人

By this time the tree by the tomb had attained amazing proportions, 

比普通的橄榄树高出许多，粗壮的大枝就快要伸进穆希迪斯

exceeding all other trees of its kind, and sending out a singularly heavy branch above the apartment 

劳作的房屋顶上

in which Musides labored. 

许多人来看这颗不同寻常的树、

As many visitors came to view the prodigious tree, 

称颂雕刻家的手艺，穆希迪斯几乎没有独处的时候

as to admire the art of the sculptor, so that Musides was seldom alone. 

但他并不介意这么多人前来观赏

But he did not mind the multitude of guests; 

事实上，在这倾注了全部心血的作品完成后，他很害怕独处

indeed, he seemed to dread being alone now that his absorbing work was done. 

当冰冷的山风吹过橄榄林和墓旁的大树时

The bleak mountain wind, sighing through the olive grove and the tomb-tree, 

会发出仿佛说话一般的怪声

had an uncanny way of forming vaguely articulate sounds.

在僭主的使者们到达特希亚的那一晚

The sky was dark on the evening that the Tyrant's emissaries came to Tegea. 

现在已经揭晓，那个庞大的提克雕像将被运走

It was definitely known that they had come to bear away the great image 

而穆希迪斯将得到永恒的荣耀

of Tyche and bring eternal honour to Musides, 

典客盛情款待了这些使者

so their reception by the proxenoi was of great warmth. 

夜深时，米纳努斯山上刮起了暴风，

As the night wore on a violent storm of wind broke over the crest of Maenalus, 

从遥远的叙拉古来到这里的人不禁庆幸他们能在城里舒适地休息

and the men from far Syracuse were glad that they rested snugly in the town. 

他们谈到那位著名地僭主

They spoke of their illustrious Tyrant, 

城邦的辉煌，并为穆希迪斯拥有为僭主雕刻石像的荣誉而感到高兴

and of the splendour of his capital and exulted in the glory of the statue which Musides had wrought for him. 

接下来特希亚的人们将穆希迪斯的善良口口相传

And then the men of Tegea spoke of the goodness of Musides, 

他为挚友的逝去感到多么哀伤，还叹道，在能够竞争桂冠的卡洛斯死去后，

and of his heavy grief for his friend and how not even the coming laurels of art 

连艺术的荣誉也没办法抚慰他的心，

could console him in the absence of Kalos, who might have worn those laurels instead. 

还谈到那颗卡洛斯墓旁的树，就在他头附近的橄榄树

Of the tree which grew by the tomb, near the head of Kalos, they also spoke. 

狂风更加猛烈地尖啸，无论是叙拉古人还是阿卡迪亚人都在向埃俄罗斯祈祷

The wind shrieked more horribly, and both the Syracusans and the Arcadians prayed to Aiolos.

太阳升起后，典客领着僭主的使者登上坡道，走进雕刻家的宅邸

In the sunshine of the morning the proxenoi led the Tyrant's messengers up the slope to the abode of the sculptor, 

奇怪的是夜风完全停歇了

but the night wind had done strange things.

奴隶们的惊声从一片荒凉中传来

Slaves' cries ascended from a scene of desolation, 

可却看不见被橄榄树林包围、有着光耀柱廊的宽广大厅———

and no more amidst the olive grove rose the gleaming colonnades of that vast hall 

穆希迪斯曾梦想、劳作

wherein Musides had dreamed and toiled. 

他们能见到的，只有在孤独和颤抖中哀悼的塌陷庭院和低矮墙壁

Lone and shaken mourned the humble courts and the lower walls, 

从树上长出了一棵新得不可思议的沉重大枝

for upon the sumptuous greater peri-style had fallen squarely the heavy overhanging bough of the strange new tree, 

它正好落到被壮丽的柱廊环绕的广间内，用大理石建成的宏伟建筑被砸成了丑陋的碎石堆

reducing the stately poem of marble with odd completeness to a mound of unsightly ruins.

使者们和特希亚人呆若木鸡

Strangers and Tegeans stood aghast, 

他们把视线从废墟转移到那不祥的大树

looking from the wreckage to the great, 

只见大树的形状和人体诡异地相像，它的根须更是奇妙的伸进了卡洛斯那精雕细琢的坟墓里

sinister tree whose aspect was so weirdly human and whose roots reached so oddly into the sculptured sepulchre of Kalos. 

随着他们仔细调查倒塌的宅邸时，他们的恐惧和惊愕愈加强烈

And their fear and dismay increased when they searched the fallen apartment, 

温和的穆希迪斯和鬼斧神工的提克像

for of the gentle Musides, and of the marvellously fashioned image of Tyche, 

都消失的无影无踪

no trace could be discovered. 

巨大的废墟混沌一片

Amidst such stupendous ruin only chaos dwelt, 

两个城邦的代表都大失所望

and the representatives of two cities left disappointed; 

叙拉古的使者都无法带回雕像交差，特希亚人也失去了素享盛誉的艺术家

Syracusans that they had no statue to bear home, Tegeans that they had no artist to crown. 

最后，叙拉古去雅典买了一个也挺不错的雕像，

However, the Syracusans obtained after a while a very splendid statue in Athens, 

特希亚人则在广场上建了一个用来纪念穆希迪斯才华、美德和友爱的大理石神庙，

the Tegeans consoled themselves by erecting in the agora a marble temple commemorating the gifts, 

聊以自慰

virtues, and brotherly piety of Musides.

但是橄榄树林和卡洛斯墓前的那棵树却依然矗立

But the olive grove still stands, as does the tree growing out of the tomb of Kalos, 

老养蜂人告诉我，有时，当树的大枝被夜风吹过时，它会不断地重复一个词

and the old bee-keeper told me that sometimes the boughs whisper to one another in the night wind, 

”oida！oida！我知道！我知道！“

saying over and over again. "Oida! Oida! -I know! I know!"