the metal pig-第1章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　FAIRY　TALES　OF　HANS　CHRISTIAN　ANDERSEN

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　METAL　PIG

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　by　Hans　Christian　Andersen



　　　　IN　the　city　of　Florence；　not　far　from　the　Piazza　del　Granduca；

runs　a　little　street　called　Porta　Rosa。　In　this　street；　just　in

front　of　the　market…place　where　vegetables　are　sold；　stands　a　pig；

made　of　brass　and　curiously　formed。　The　bright　color　has　been

changed　by　age　to　dark　green；　but　clear；　fresh　water　pours　from　the

snout；　which　shines　as　if　it　had　been　polished；　and　so　indeed　it

has；　for　hundreds　of　poor　people　and　children　seize　it　in　their

hands　as　they　place　their　mouths　close　to　the　mouth　of　the　animal；

to　drink。　It　is　quite　a　picture　to　see　a　half…naked　boy　clasping　the

well…formed　creature　by　the　head；　as　he　presses　his　rosy　lips

against　its　jaws。　Every　one　who　visits　Florence　can　very　quickly

find　the　place；　he　has　only　to　ask　the　first　beggar　he　meets　for　the

Metal　Pig；　and　he　will　be　told　where　it　is。

　　　　It　was　late　on　a　winter　evening；　the　mountains　were　covered　with

snow；　but　the　moon　shone　brightly；　and　moonlight　in　Italy　is　like　a

dull　winter's　day　in　the　north；　indeed　it　is　better；　for　clear　air

seems　to　raise　us　above　the　earth；　while　in　the　north　a　cold；　gray；

leaden　sky　appears　to　press　us　down　to　earth；　even　as　the　cold　damp

earth　shall　one　day　press　on　us　in　the　grave。　In　the　garden　of　the

grand　duke's　palace；　under　the　roof　of　one　of　the　wings；　where　a

thousand　roses　bloom　in　winter；　a　little　ragged　boy　had　been　sitting

the　whole　day　long；　a　boy；　who　might　serve　as　a　type　of　Italy；

lovely　and　smiling；　and　yet　still　suffering。　He　was　hungry　and

thirsty；　yet　no　one　gave　him　anything；　and　when　it　became　dark；　and

they　were　about　to　close　the　gardens；　the　porter　turned　him　out。　He

stood　a　long　time　musing　on　the　bridge　which　crosses　the　Arno；　and

looking　at　the　glittering　stars；　reflected　in　the　water　which　flowed

between　him　and　the　elegant　marble　bridge　Della　Trinita。　He　then

walked　away　towards　the　Metal　Pig；　half　knelt　down；　clasped　it　with

his　arms；　and　then　put　his　mouth　to　the　shining　snout　and　drank　deep

draughts　of　the　fresh　water。　Close　by；　lay　a　few　salad…leaves　and

two　chestnuts；　which　were　to　serve　for　his　supper。　No　one　was　in　the

street　but　himself；　it　belonged　only　to　him；　so　he　boldly　seated

himself　on　the　pig's　back；　leaned　forward　so　that　his　curly　head　could

rest　on　the　head　of　the　animal；　and；　before　he　was　aware；　he　fell

asleep。

　　　　It　was　midnight。　The　Metal　Pig　raised　himself　gently；　and　the

boy　heard　him　say　quite　distinctly；　〃Hold　tight；　little　boy；　for　I

am　going　to　run；〃　and　away　he　started　for　a　most　wonderful　ride。

First；　they　arrived　at　the　Piazza　del　Granduca；　and　the　metal　horse

which　bears　the　duke's　statue；　neighed　aloud。　The　painted

coats…of…arms　on　the　old　council…house　shone　like　transparent

pictures；　and　Michael　Angelo's　David　tossed　his　sling；　it　was　as　if

everything　had　life。　The　metallic　groups　of　figures；　among　which

were　Perseus　and　the　Rape　of　the　Sabines；　looked　like　living

persons；　and　cries　of　terror　sounded　from　them　all　across　the　noble

square。　By　the　Palazzo　degli　Uffizi；　in　the　arcade；　where　the　nobility

assemble　for　the　carnival；　the　Metal　Pig　stopped。　〃Hold　fast；〃　said

the　animal；　〃hold　fast；　for　I　am　going　up　stairs。〃

　　　　The　little　boy　said　not　a　word；　he　was　half　pleased　and　half

afraid。　They　entered　a　long　gallery；　where　the　boy　had　been　before。

The　walls　were　resplendent　with　paintings；　here　stood　statues　and

busts；　all　in　a　clear　light　as　if　it　were　day。　But　the　grandest

appeared　when　the　door　of　a　side　room　opened；　the　little　boy　could

remember　what　beautiful　things　he　had　seen　there；　but　to…night

everything　shone　in　its　brightest　colors。　Here　stood　the　figure　of　a

beautiful　woman；　as　beautifully　sculptured　as　possible　by　one　of　the

great　masters。　Her　graceful　limbs　appeared　to　move；　dolphins　sprang　at

her　feet；　and　immortality　shone　from　her　eyes。　The　world　called　her

the　Venus　de'　Medici。　By　her　side　were　statues；　in　which　the　spirit　of

life　breathed　in　stone；　figures　of　men；　one　of　whom　whetted　his　sword；

and　was　named　the　Grinder；　wrestling　gladiators　formed　another

group；　the　sword　had　been　sharpened　for　them；　and　they　strove　for

the　goddess　of　beauty。　The　boy　was　dazzled　by　so　much　glitter；　for　the

walls　were　gleaming　with　bright　colors；　all　appeared　living　reality。

　　　　As　they　passed　from　hall　to　hall；　beauty　everywhere　showed　itself；

and　as　the　Metal　Pig　went　step　by　step　from　one　picture　to　the

other；　the　little　boy　could　see　it　all　plainly。　One　glory　eclipsed

another；　yet　there　was　one　picture　that　fixed　itself　on　the　little

boy's　memory；　more　especially　because　of　the　happy　children　it

represented；　for　these　the　little　boy　had　seen　in　daylight。　Many

pass　this　picture　by　with　indifference；　and　yet　it　contains　a　treasure

of　poetic　feeling；　it　represents　Christ　descending　into　Hades。　They

are　not　the　lost　whom　the　spectator　sees；　but　the　heathen　of　olden

times。　The　Florentine；　Angiolo　Bronzino；　painted　this　picture；　most

beautiful　is　the　expression　on　the　face　of　the　two　children；　who

appear　to　have　full　confidence　that　they　shall　reach　heaven　at　last。

They　are　embracing　each　other；　and　one　little　one　stretches　out　his

hand　towards　another　who　stands　below　him；　and　points　to　himself；　as

if　he　were　saying；　〃I　am　going　to　heaven。〃　The　older　people　stand　as

if　uncertain；　yet　hopeful；　and　they　bow　in　humble　adoration　to　the

Lord　Jesus。　On　this　picture　the　boy's　eyes　rested　longer　than　on　any

other：　the　Metal　Pig　stood　still　before　it。　A　low　sigh　was　heard。

Did　it　come　from　the　picture　or　from　the　animal？　The　boy　raised　his

hands　towards　the　smiling　children；　and　then　the　Pig　ran　off　with

him　through　the　open　vestibule。

　　　　〃Thank　you；　thank　you；　you　beautiful　animal；〃　said　the　little　boy；

caressing　the　Metal　Pig　as　it　ran　down　the　steps。

　　　　〃Thanks　to　yourself　also；〃　replied　the　Metal　Pig；　〃I　have　helped

you　and　you　have　helped　me；　for　it　is　only　when　I　have　an　innocent

child　on　my　back　that　I　receive　the　power　to　run。　Yes；　as　you　see；　I

can　even　venture　under　the　rays　of　the　lamp；　in　front　of　the　picture

of　the　Madonna；　but　I　may　not　enter　the　church；　still　from　without；

and　while　you　are　upon　my　back；　I　may　look　in　through　the　open　door。

Do　not　get　down　yet；　for　if　you　do；　then　I　shall　be　lifeless；　as　you

have　seen　me　in　the　Porta　Rosa。〃

　　　　〃I　will　stay　with　you；　my　dear　creature；〃　said　the　little　boy。

So　then　they　went　on　at　a　rapid　pace　through　the　streets　of

Florence；　till　they　came　to　the　square　before　the　church　of　Santa

Croce。　The　folding…doors　flew　open；　and　light　streamed　from　the

altar　through　the　church　into　the　deserted　square。　A　wonderful　blaze

of　light　streamed　from　one　of　the　monuments　in　the　left…side　aisle；

and　a　thousand　moving　stars　seemed　to　form　a　glory　round　it；　even

the　coat…of…arms　on　the　tomb…stone　shone；　and　a　red　ladder　on　a　blue

field　gleamed　like　fire。　It　was　the　grave　of　Galileo。　The　monument

is　unadorned；　but　the　red　ladder　is　an　emblem　of　art；　signifying

that　the　way　to　glory　leads　up　a　shining　ladder；　on　which　the　prophets

of　mind　rise　to　heaven；　like　Elias　of　old。　In　the　right　aisle　of　the

church　every　statue　on　the　richly　carved　sarcophagi　seemed　endowed

with　life。　Here　stood　Michael　Angelo；　there　Dante；　with　the　laurel

wreath　round　his　brow；　Alfieri　and　Machiavelli；　for　here　side　by

side　rest　the　great　men…　the　pride　of　Italy。　The　church　itself　is　very

beautiful；　even　more　beautiful　than　the　marble　cathedral　at

Florence；　though　not　so　large。　It　seemed　as　if　the　carved　vestments

stirred；　and　as　if　the　marble　figures　they　covered　raised　their

heads　higher；　to　gaze　upon　the　brightly　colored　glowing　altar　where

the　white…robed　boys　swung　the　golden　censers；　amid　music　and　song；

while　the　strong　fragrance　of　incense　filled　the　church；　and

streamed　forth　into　the　square。　The　boy　stretched　forth　his　hands

towards　the　light；　and　at　the　same　moment　the　Metal　Pig　started

again　so　rapidly　that　he　was　obliged　to　cling　tightly　to　him。　The　wind

whistled　in　his　ears；　he　heard　the　church　door　creak　on　its　hinges

as　it　closed；　and　it　seemed　to　him　as　if　he　had　lost　his　senses…

then　a　cold　shudder　passed　over　him；　and　he　awoke。

　　　　It　was　morning；　the　Metal　Pig　stood　in　its　old　place　on　the

Porta　Rosa；　and　the　boy　found　he　had　slipped　nearly　off　its　back。　Fear

and　trembling　came　upon　him　as　he　thought　of　his　mother；　she　had

sent　him　out　the　day　before　to　get　some　money；　he　had　not　done　so；　and

now　he　was　hungry　and　thirsty。　Once　more　he　clasped　the　neck　of　his

metal　horse；　kissed　its　nose；　and　nodded　farewell　to　it。　Then　he

wandered　away　into　one　of　the　narrowest　streets；　where　there　was

scarcely　room　for　a　loaded　donkey　to　pass。　A　great　iron…bound　door

stood　ajar；　he　passed　through；　and　climbed　up　a　brick　staircase；

with　dirty　walls　and　a　rope　for　a　balustrade；　till　he　came　to　an

open　gallery　hung　with　rags。　From　here　a　flight　of　steps　led　down　to　a

court；　where　from　a　well　water　was　drawn　up　by　iron　rollers　to　the

different　stories　of　the　house；　and　where　the　water…buckets　hung

side　by　side。　Sometimes　the　roller　and　the　bucket　danced　in　the　air；

splashing　the　water　all　over　the　court。　Another　broken…down

staircase　led　from　the　gallery；　and　two　Russian　sailors　running　down

it　almost　upset　the　poor　boy。　They　were　coming　from　their　nightly

carousal。　A　woman　not　very　young；　with　an　unpleasant　face　and　a

quantity　of　black　hair；　followed　them。　〃What　have　you　brought　home？〃

she　asked。　when　she　saw　the　boy。

　　　　〃Don't　be　angry；〃　he　pleaded；　〃I　received　nothing；　I　have

nothing　at　all；〃　and　he　seized　his　mother's　dress　and　would　have

kissed　it。　Then　they　went　into　a　little　room。　I　need　not　describe

it；　but　only　say　that　there　stood　in　it　an　earthen　pot　with　handles；

made　for　holding　fire；　which　in　Italy　is　called　a　marito。　This　pot　she

took　in　her　lap；　warmed　her　fingers；　and　pushed　the　boy　with　her

elbow。

　　　　〃Certainly　you　must　have　some　money；〃　she　said。　The　boy　began　to

cry；　and　then　she　struck　him　with　her　foot　till　he　cried　out　louder。

　　　　〃Will　you　be　quiet？　or　I'll　break　your　screaming　head；〃　and　she

swung　about　the　fire…pot　which　she　held　in　her　hand；　while　the　boy

crouched　to　the　earth　and　screamed。

　　　　Then　a　neighbor　came　in；　and　she　had　also　a　marito　under　her

arm。　〃Felicita；〃　she　said；　〃what　are　you　doing　to　the　child？〃

　　　　〃The　child　is　mine；〃　she　answered；　〃I　can　murder　him　if　I　like；

and　you　too；　Giannina。〃　And　then　she　swung　about　the　fire…pot。　The

other　woman　lifted　up　hers　to　defend　herself；　and　the　two　pots　clashed

together　so　violently　that　they　were　dashed　to　pieces；　and　fire　and

ashes　flew　about　the　room。　The　boy　rushed　out　at　the　sight；　sped

across　the　courtyard；　and　fled　from　the　house。　The　poor　child　ran　till

he　was　quite　out　of　breath；　at　last　he　stopped　at　the　church；　the

doors　of　which　were　opened　to　him　the　night　before；　and　went　in。

Here　everything　was　bright；　and　the　boy　knelt　down　by　the　first　tomb

on　his　right；　th