泰西50轶事(四之一)：征服者威廉的儿子 江铭辉五梦网
泰西50轶事(Fifty Famous Stories Retold)，是永恒的短篇故事，它收集的故事：包括浩瀚历史的著名英雄和他们的罗曼史，故事内容有勇气、毅力和情感。故事人物包括拿破仑、罗宾汉，乔治华盛顿、成吉思汗等人。这些故事都是老少咸宜的故事，我将它逐篇翻译，并配合图画，供大家欣赏。
泰西50轶事第四篇：征服者威廉的儿子
原文及翻译如下：
The Sons of William the Conqueror
征服者威廉的儿子
THERE was once a great king of England who was called William the Conqueror, and he had three sons.
英国曾经有一个伟大的国王，他被叫做征服者威廉(图1)。他有三个儿子。
图1：征服者威廉
One day King William seemed to be thinking of something that made him feel very sad; and the [14] wise men who were about him asked him what was the matter.
一天，国王威廉似乎想着一些使他觉得很忧虑的事情;于是他身边的那些聪明的臣子们就问他是什么事。
"I am thinking," he said, "of what my sons may do after I am dead.
"我在想着，"他说，"在我去世后，我的儿子们能做些什么。
For, unless they are wise and strong, they cannot keep the kingdom which I have won for them. Indeed, I am at a loss to know which one of the three ought to be the king when I am gone."
因为，除非他们是聪明和坚强，他们都不能保有我为他们所赢得的王国。事实上，我茫然不知在我去世后，他们三个之中那一个应当做国王。
"O king!" said the wise men, "if we only knew what things your sons admire the most, we might then be able to tell what kind of men they will be. Perhaps, by asking each one of them a few questions, we can find out which one of them will be best fitted to rule in your place."
"啊！国王，"二聪明的臣子们说，"只要我们知道你的儿子最赞美的是什么事，我们就能够告诉你他们将会成什么样的人物。也许，问他们每个人几个问题，我们能找出他们之中谁会是最适合继承你的王位，统治这个国家。
"The plan is well worth trying, at least," said the king. "Have the boys come before you, and then ask them what you please."
"这个计策至少很值得去试一下，"国王说，"让孩子们到你们面前，然后随你们喜软什么，就问他们什么。
The wise men talked with one another for a little while, and then agreed that the young princes should be brought in, one at a time, and that the same questions should be put to each.
聪明的臣子们互相谈论一会儿，就同意把年轻的王子们带进来，一次只能一个，逐一的问他们同样的问题。
The first who came into the room was Robert. He was a tall, willful lad, and was nicknamed Short Stocking.
第一个进入屋子的是罗伯特。他是一个高大，任性的小伙子，他的绰号为短长统袜(长度到膝和脚踝之间的袜子。)
"Fair sir," said one of the men, "answer me this question: If, instead of being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of a bird would you rather be?"
"好先生,"臣子中的一个说，"回答我这个问题，如果你不是一个孩子，
上帝喜欢把你变成一只鸟，那么你宁愿做哪一种鸟呢?
"A hawk," answered Robert. "I would rather be a hawk, for no other bird reminds one so much of a bold and gallant knight."
"一只鹰,"罗伯特答道。"我宁愿做一只鹰，因为没有一只别的鸟，使我想到骑士是多么胆大和英勇。"
图2：臣子中的一个说，"上帝喜欢把你变成一只鸟，你宁愿做哪一种鸟呢? "罗伯特答道。"我宁愿做一只鹰"
The next who came was young William, his father's namesake and pet. His face was jolly and round, and because he had red hair he was nicknamed Rufus, or the Red.
第二个进来的是小威廉，他与他父亲同名而且受宠着，他的面容是愉快的，圆圆的，而且由于他有红色的头发，他的绰号为卢福斯或红色的。
"Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, instead of being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of a bird would you rather be?"
"好先生，"聪明的臣子说，"回答我这个问题：如果你不是一个孩子，上帝把喜欢把你变成一只鸟，那么你宁愿做那一种鸟呢?」
"An eagle," answered William. "I would rather be an eagle, because it is strong and brave. It is feared by all other birds, and is therefore the king of them all."
"一只鹫，"威廉答道。我宁愿做一只鹫，因为牠既强壮又勇敢。所有其他的鸟都惧怕牠。因此牠是所有鸟类中之王。」(图3)
图3：臣子中的一个说，"上帝喜欢把你变成一只鸟，你宁愿做哪一种鸟呢? "红发威廉答道。"我宁愿做一只鹫"
Lastly came the youngest brother, Henry, with quiet steps and a sober, thoughtful look. He had been taught to read and write, and for that reason he was nicknamed Beauclerc, or the Handsome Scholar.
最后进来的是最小的弟弟学利。他带着镇静的脚步"和一种清醒有思想的面貌。他已经被教会了阅读和写字了。而且为了这个缘故，他的绰号为学者，或美才子。
"Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, instead of being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of a bird would you rather be?"
"好先生，"聪明的臣子说，"回答我这个问题:如果你不是一个孩子，上帝喜欢把你变成一只鸟，那么你宁愿做那一种鸟呢? "
"A starling," said Henry. "I would rather be a starling, because it is good-mannered and kind and a joy to every one who sees it, and it never tries to rob or abuse its neighbor."
"一只燕八哥，"亨利说，"我宁愿做一只燕八哥，因为牠的态度文雅又温和，每个人看到牠都会发生好感，并且牠永远不会去抢夺或虐待牠的邻居。"(图4)
图4：臣子中的一个说，"上帝喜欢把你变成一只鸟，你宁愿做哪一种鸟呢? "小亨利答道。"我宁愿做一只燕八哥"
Then the wise men talked with one another for a little while, and when they had agreed among themselves, they spoke to the king.
然后聪明的臣子们互相讨论了一会儿，当他们之间互相同意后，他们就去向国王说。
"We find," said they, "that your eldest son, Robert, will be bold and gallant. He will do some great deeds, and make a name for himself; but in the end he will be overcome by his foes, and will die in prison.
"我们发现，"他们说，"你的大儿子罗伯特，将来是胆大、勇猛的。他会做出些大功绩，并且为他自己立些功名;但是结果他会被他的仇敌所征服，而且将死在监狱之中。"
"The second son, William, will be as brave and strong as the eagle but he will be feared and hated for his cruel deeds. He will lead a wicked life, and will die a shameful death.
"第二个儿子威廉，将会像一只鹫那样的勇敢和坚强
;但是因为他的残酷行为，人们将会害怕他且怀恨他。他会走上那邪恶的生活，而且羞辱而死。
"The youngest son, Henry, will be wise and prudent and peaceful. He will go to war only when he is forced to do so by his enemies. He will be loved at home, and respected abroad; and he will die in peace after having gained great possessions."
「最小的儿子亨利，将会是聪明而谨慎，而爱好和平的。他仅在被敌人逼迫时，才会走上战争之路。他在国内为人民所爱戴，在国外受人尊敬；在他拥有了极大的产业后，他会在和平中死去。
Years passed by, and the three boys had grown up to be men. King William lay upon his death-bed, and again he thought of what would become of his sons when he was gone. Then he remembered what the wise men had told him; and so he declared that Robert should have the lands which he held in France, that William should be the King of England, and that Henry should have no land at all, but only a chest of gold.
几年以后。这三个孩子都长大成人了。当威廉王躺在他临死的床上时。他又想到他去世后。他们的儿子们会变成什么样子。于是他想起聪明的臣子们告诉他的事;所以他宣布罗伯将拥有他在法国的所有领土，威廉将做英国的国王，而亨利即寸土末封，而仅仅得到一箱的金子。
So it happened in the end very much as the wise men had foretold. Robert, the Short Stocking, was bold and reckless, like the hawk which he so much admired. He lost all the lands that his father had left him, and was at last shut up in prison, where he was kept until he died.
后来，他们的遭遇，正如聪明的侍臣们所预言的一样。罗伯特，绰号短长种统袜的，大胆而莽撞，像他所赞赏的鹰一样。他失去他父亲传给他的所有领土，最后被关闭在监狱中，直到他死后为止。
William Rufus was so overbearing and cruel that he was feared and hated by all his people. He led a wicked life, and was killed by one of his own men while hunting in the forest.
红色威廉是如此的傲慢和残酷，以致他的人民都惧怕他，痛恨他，他过着邪恶的生活，当他在森林中打猎时，被他自己的一个随从杀死。
And Henry, the Handsome Scholar, had not only the chest of gold for his own, but he became by and by the King of England and the ruler of all the lands that his father had had in France.
至于亨利，邦个美才子，不仅保有他自己的一箱金子，并且逐渐的成为英国的国王，同时又成为他父亲曾在法国所有领土的统治者。