BattleofTheCowshed牛棚大战
BythelatesummerthenewsofwhathadhappenedonAnimalFarmhadspreadacrosshalfthecouty.EverydaySnowballandNapoleonsentoutflightsofpigeonswhoseinstructionsweretominglewiththeanimalsonneighboringfarms,tellthemthestoryoftheRebellion,andteachthemthetuneof'BeastsofEngland'.
到了夏末,有关动物庄园里种种事件的消息,已经传遍了半个国家。每一天,斯诺鲍和拿破仑都要放出一群鸽子,鸽子的任务是混入附近庄园的动物中,告诉他们起义的史实,教他们唱“英格兰兽”。
MostofthistimeMr.JoneshadspentsittinginthetaproomoftheRedLionatWillingdon,complainingtoanyonewhowouldlistenofthemonstrousinjusticehehadsufferedinbeingturnedoutofhispropertybyapackofgood-for-nothinganimals.
这个时期,琼斯先生把大部分时间都在泡在威灵顿雷德兰的酒吧间了。他心怀着被区区畜牲撵出家园的痛苦,每逢有人愿意听,他就诉说一通他的冤屈。
Theotherfarmerssympathizedinprinciple,buttheydidnotatfirstgivehimmuchhelp.Atheart,eachofthemwassecretlywonderingwhetherhecouldnotsomehowturnJones'smisfortunetohisownadvantage.
别的庄园主基本上同情他,但起初没有给他太多帮助。他们都在心里暗暗寻思,看是否能多少从琼斯的不幸中给自己捞到什么好处。
ItwasluckythattheownersofthetwofarmswhichadjoinedAnimalFarmwereonpermanentlybadterms.Oneofthem,whichwasnamedFoxwood,wasalarge,neglected,old-fashionedfarm,muchovergrownbywoodland,withallitspastureswornoutanditshedgesinadisgracefulcondition.
幸而,与动物庄园毗邻的两个庄园关系一直很差。一个叫作福克斯伍德庄园,面积不小,却照管得很差。广阔的田地里尽是荒芜的牧场和丢人现眼的树篱。
Itsowner,Mr.Pilkington,wasaneasy-goinggentlemanfarmerwhospentmostofhistimeinfishingorhuntingaccordingtotheseason.Theotherfarm,whichwascalledPinchfield,wassmallerandbetterkept.ItsownerwasaMr.Frederick,atough,shrewdman,perpetuallyinvolvedinlawsuitsandwithanamefordrivinghardbargains.
庄园主皮尔金顿先生是一位随和的乡绅,随着季节不同,他不是钓鱼消闲,就是去打猎度日。另一个叫作平彻菲尔德庄园,小一点,但照料得不错。它的主人是弗雷德里克先生,一个精明的硬汉子,却总是牵扯在官司中,落了个好斤斤计较的名声。
Thesetwodislikedeachothersomuchthatitwasdifficultforthemtocometoanyagreement,evenindefenseoftheirowninterests.Nevertheless,theywereboththoroughlyfrightenedbytherebelliononAnimalFarm,andveryanxioustopreventtheirownanimalsfromlearningtoomuchaboutit.
这两个人向来不和,谁也不买谁的帐,即使事关他们的共同利益,他们也是如此。话虽如此,可是这一次,他们俩都被动物庄园的造反行动彻底吓坏了,急不可待地要对他们自己庄园里的动物封锁这方面的消息。
Atfirsttheypretendedtolaughtoscorntheideaofanimalsmanagingafarmforthemselves.Thewholethingwouldbeoverinafortnight,theysaid.TheyputitaboutthattheanimalsontheManorFarm(theyinsistedoncallingittheManorFarm;theywouldnottoleratethename"AnimalFarm")wereperpetuallyfightingamongthemselvesandwerealsorapidlystarvingtodeath.
开始的时候,他们对动物们自己管理庄园的想法故作嘲笑与蔑视。他们说,整个事态两周内就会结束。他们散布说,曼纳庄园(他们坚持称之为曼纳庄园,而不能容忍动物庄园这个名字)的畜牲总是在他们自己之间打斗,而且快要饿死了。
Whentimepassedandtheanimalshadevidentlynotstarvedtodeath,FrederickandPilkingtonchangedtheirtuneandbegantotalkoftheterriblewickednessthatnowflourishedonAnimalFarm.Itwasgivenoutthattheanimalstherepracticedcannibalism,torturedoneanotherwithred-hothorseshoes,andhadtheirfemalesincommon.
过一段时间,那里的动物显然并没有饿死,弗雷德里克和皮尔金顿就改了腔调,开始说什么动物庄园如今邪恶猖獗。他们说,传说那里的动物同类相食,互相用烧得通红的马蹄铁拷打折磨,还共同霸占他们中的雌性动物。
ThiswaswhatcameofrebellingagainstthelawsofNature,FrederickandPilkingtonsaid.However,thesestorieswereneverfullybelieved.Rumorsofawonderfulfarm,wherethehumanbeingshadbeenturnedoutandtheanimalsmanagedtheirownaffairs,continuedtocirculateinvagueanddistortedforms.
弗雷德里克和皮尔金顿说,正是在这一点上,造反是悖于天理的。然而,谁也没有完全听信这些说法。小道消息继续以各种形式流传,说有一座奇妙的庄园,在那儿人被撵走,动物们掌管自己的事务。
Andthroughoutthatyearawaveofrebelliousnessranthroughthecountryside.Bullswhichhadalwaysbeentractablesuddenlyturnedsavage.Sheepbrokedownhedgesanddevouredtheclover.Cowskickedthepailover.Huntersrefusedtheirfencesandshottheirridersontotheotherside.
整个那一年,在全国范围内造反之波此起彼伏。一向温顺的公牛突然变野了。羊毁坏了树篱,糟踏了苜蓿。母牛蹄翻了奶桶。猎马不肯越过围栏而把背上的骑手甩到了另一边。
Aboveall,thetuneandeventhewordsof'BeastsofEngland'wereknowneverywhere.Ithadspreadwithastonishingspeed.Thehumanbeingscouldnotcontaintheirragewhentheyheardthissong,thoughtheypretendedtothinkitmerelyridiculous.Theycouldnotunderstand,theysaid,howevenanimalscouldbringthemselvestosingsuchcontemptiblerubbish.
更有甚者,“英格兰兽”的曲子甚至还有歌词已经无处不知。它以惊异的速度流传着。尽管人们故意装作不屑一顾,认为它滑稽可笑,但是,当他们听到了这支歌,便怒不可遏。他们说,他们简直弄不明白,怎么就连畜牲们也竟能唱这样无耻的下流小调。
Anyanimalcaughtsingingitwasgivenafloggingonthespot.Andyetthesongwasirrepressible.Theblackbirdswhistleditinthehedges.Thepigeonscooeditintheelms.Itgotintothedinofthesmithiesandthetuneofthechurchbells.
那些因为唱这支歌而被逮住的动物,当场就会被责以鞭笞。可这支歌还是压抑不住的。乌鸦在树篱上啭鸣着唱它。鸽子在榆树上咕咕着唱它。歌声渗进铁匠铺的喧声,渗进教堂的钟声。
Andwhenthehumanbeingslistenedtoit,theysecretlytrembled,hearinginitaprophecyoftheirfuturedoom.EarlyinOctober,whenthecornwascutandstackedandsomeofitwasalreadythreshed,aflightofpigeonscamewhirlingthroughtheairandalightedintheyardofAnimalFarminthewildestexcitement.
它预示着人所面临的厄运,因而,他们听到这些便暗自发抖。十月初,玉米收割完毕并且堆放好了,其中有些已经脱了粒。有一天,一群鸽子从空中急速飞回,兴高采烈地落在动物庄园的院子里。
Jonesandallhismen,withhalfadozenothersfromFoxwoodandPinchfield,hadenteredthefive-barredgateandwerecomingupthecart-trackthatledtothefarm.Theywereallcarryingsticks,exceptJones,whowasmarchingaheadwithaguninhishands.
原来琼斯和他的所有伙计们,以及另外六个来自福克斯伍德庄园和平彻菲尔德庄园的人,已经进了五栅门,正沿着庄园的车道向这走来。除了一马当先的琼斯先生手里握着一支枪外,他们全都带着棍棒。
Obviouslytheyweregoingtoattempttherecaptureofthefarm.Thishadlongbeenexpected,andallpreparationshadbeenmade.Snowball,whohadstudiedanoldbookofJuliusCaesar'scampaignswhichhehadfoundinthefarmhouse,wasinchargeofthedefensiveoperations.
显然,他们企图夺回这座庄园。这是早就预料到了的,所有相应的准备工作也已经就绪。斯诺鲍负责这次防御战,他曾在庄主院的屋子里找到一本谈论儒略凯撒征战的旧书,并且钻研过。
Hegavehisordersquickly,andinacoupleofminuteseveryanimalwasathispost.Asthehumanbeingsapproachedthefarmbuildings,Snowballlaunchedhisfirstattack.Allthepigeons,tothenumberofthirty-five,flewtoandfrooverthemen'sheadsandmuteduponthemfrommid-air.
此时,他迅速下令,不出两分钟,动物们已经各就各位。当这伙人接近庄园的窝棚时,斯诺鲍发动第一次攻击。所有的鸽子,大概有三十五只左右,在这伙人头上盘旋,从半空中向他们一齐拉屎。
Andwhilethemenweredealingwiththis,thegeese,whohadbeenhidingbehindthehedge,rushedoutandpeckedviciouslyatthecalvesoftheirlegs.However,thiswasonlyalightskirmishingmaneuver,intendedtocreatealittledisorder,andthemeneasilydrovethegeeseoffwiththeirsticks.
趁着他们应付鸽子的“空袭”,早已藏在树篱后的一群鹅冲了出来,使劲地啄他们的腿肚子。而这还只是些小打小闹的计策,只不过制造点小混乱罢了。这帮人用棍棒毫不费力就把鹅赶跑了。
Snowballnowlaunchedhissecondlineofattack.Muriel,Benjamin,andallthesheep,withSnowballattheheadofthem,rushedforwardandproddedandbuttedthemenfromeveryside,whileBenjaminturnedaroundandlashedatthemwithhissmallhoofs.Butonceagainthemen,withtheirsticksandtheirhobnailedboots,weretoostrongforthem.
斯诺鲍接着发动第二次攻击。穆丽尔、本杰明和所有的羊,随着打头的斯诺鲍冲向前去,从各个方向对这伙人又戳又顶,而本杰明则回头用他的小蹄子对他们尥起蹶子来。可是,对动物们来说,这帮拎着棍棒、靴子上又带着钉子的人还是太厉害了。
Andsuddenly,atasquealfromSnowball,whichwasthesignalforretreat,alltheanimalsturnedandfledthroughthegatewayintotheyard.Themengaveashoutoftriumph.Theysaw,astheyimagined,theirenemiesinflight,andtheyrushedafterthemindisorder.ThiswasjustwhatSnowballhadintended.
突然,从斯诺鲍那里发出一声尖叫,这是退兵的信号,所有的动物转身从门口退回院子内。那些人发出得意的呼叫。正象他们所想象的那样,他们看到仇敌们溃不成军,于是就毫无秩序的追击着。这正是斯诺鲍所期望的。
Assoonastheywerewellinsidetheyard,thethreehorses,thethreecows,andtherestofthepigs,whohadbeenlyinginambushinthecowshed,suddenlyemergedintheirrear,cuttingthemoff.Snowballnowgavethesignalforthecharge.HehimselfdashedstraightforJones.
等他们完全进入院子后,三匹马,三头牛以及其余埋伏在牛棚里的猪,突然出现在他们身后,切断了他们的退路。这时,斯诺鲍发出了进攻的信号。他自己径直向琼斯冲出。
Jonessawhimcoming,raisedhisgunandfired.ThepelletsscoredbloodystreaksalongSnowball'sback,andasheepdroppeddead.Withouthaltingforaninstant,SnowballflunghisfifteenstoneagainstJones'slegs.Joneswashurledintoapileofdungandhisgunflewoutofhishands.
琼斯看见他冲过来,举起枪就开了火。弹粒擦过斯诺鲍背部,刻下了一道血痕,一只羊中弹伤亡。当时迟,那时快,斯诺鲍凭他那两百多磅体重猛地扑向琼斯的腿。琼斯一下子被推到粪堆上,枪也从手中甩了出去。
ButthemostterrifyingspectacleofallwasBoxer,rearinguponhishindlegsandstrikingoutwithhisgreatiron-shodhoofslikeastallion.Hisveryfirstblowtookastable-ladfromFoxwoodontheskullandstretchedhimlifelessinthemud.Atthesight,severalmendroppedtheirsticksandtriedtorun.
而最为惊心动魄的情景还在鲍克瑟那儿,他就像一匹没有阉割的种马,竟靠后腿直立起来,用他那巨大的钉着铁掌的蹄子猛打一气。他第一下就击中了一个福克斯伍德庄园的马夫的脑壳,打得他倒在泥坑里断了气。看到这个情形,几个人扔掉棍子就要跑。
Panicovertookthem,andthenextmomentalltheanimalstogetherwerechasingthemroundandroundtheyard.Theyweregored,kicked,bitten,trampledon.Therewasnotananimalonthefarmthatdidnottakevengeanceonthemafterhisownfashion.Eventhecatsuddenlyleaptoffaroofontoacowman'sshouldersandsankherclawsinhisneck,atwhichheyelledhorribly.
他们被惊恐笼罩着,接着,就在所有动物的追逐下绕着院子到处乱跑。他们不是被抵,就是被踢;不是被咬,就是被踩。庄园里的动物无不以各自不同的方式向他们复仇。就连那只猫也突然从房顶跳到一个放牛人的肩上,用爪子掐进他的脖子里,疼得他大喊大叫。
Atamomentwhentheopeningwasclear,themenweregladenoughtorushoutoftheyardandmakeaboltforthemainroad.Andsowithinfiveminutesoftheirinvasiontheywereinignominiousretreatbythesamewayastheyhadcome,withaflockofgeesehissingafterthemandpeckingattheircalvesalltheway.Allthemenweregoneexceptone.
趁着门口没有挡道的机会,这伙人喜出望外,夺路冲出院子,迅速逃到大路上。就这样,他们这次侵袭,在五分钟之内,又从进来的路上灰溜溜地败逃了。一路上又有鹅在啄着他们的腿肚子,嘘嘘的轰赶他们。除了一个人之外,这帮人全都跑了。
BackintheyardBoxerwaspawingwithhishoofatthestable-ladwholayfacedowninthemud,tryingtoturnhimover.Theboydidnotstir."Heisdead,"saidBoxersorrowfully."Ihadnointentionofdoingthat.IforgotthatIwaswearingironshoes.WhowillbelievethatIdidnotdothisonpurpose?"
回到院子里,鲍克瑟用蹄子扒拉一下那个脸朝下趴在地上的马夫,试图把它翻过来,这家伙一动也不动。“他死了”,鲍克瑟难过地说。“我本不想这样干。我忘了我还钉着铁掌呢。谁相信我这是无意的呢?”
"Nosentimentality,comrade!"criedSnowballfromwhosewoundsthebloodwasstilldripping."Wariswar.Theonlygoodhumanbeingisadeadone.""Ihavenowishtotakelife,notevenhumanlife,"repeatedBoxer,andhiseyeswerefulloftears.
“不要多愁善感,同志!”伤口还在滴滴答答流血的斯诺鲍大声说到。“打仗就是打仗,只有死人才是好人。”“我不想杀生,即使对人也不”,鲍克瑟重复道,两眼还含着泪花。
"WhereisMollie?"exclaimedsomebody.Mollieinfactwasmissing.Foramomenttherewasgreatalarm;itwasfearedthatthemenmighthaveharmedherinsomeway,orevencarriedheroffwiththem.Intheend,however,shewasfoundhidinginherstallwithherheadburiedamongthehayinthemanger.
不知是谁大声喊道:“莫丽哪儿去了?”莫丽确实失踪了。大家感到一阵惊慌,他们担心人设了什么计伤害了她,更担心人把她抢走了。结果,却发现她正躲在她的厩棚里,头还钻在料槽的草中。
Shehadtakentoflightassoonasthegunwentoff.Andwhentheotherscamebackfromlookingforher,itwastofindthatthestable-lad,whoinfactwasonlystunned,hadalreadyrecoveredandmadeoff.
她在枪响的时候就逃跑了。后来又发现,那个马夫只不过昏了过去,就在他们寻找莫丽时,马夫苏醒过来,趁机溜掉了。
Theanimalshadnowreassembledinthewildestexcitement,eachrecountinghisownexploitsinthebattleatthetopofhisvoice.Animpromptucelebrationofthevictorywasheldimmediately.Theflagwasrunupand'BeastsofEngland'wassunganumberoftimes,thenthesheepwhohadbeenkilledwasgivenasolemnfuneral,ahawthornbushbeingplantedonhergrave.
这时,动物们又重新集合起来,他们沉浸在无比的喜悦之中,每一位都扯着嗓子把自己在战斗中的功劳表白一番。当下,他们立即举行了一个即兴的庆功仪式。庄园的旗帜升上去了,“英格兰兽”唱了许多遍,接着又为那只被杀害的羊举行了隆重的葬礼,还为她在墓地上种了一棵山楂树。
AtthegravesideSnowballmadealittlespeech,emphasizingtheneedforallanimalstobereadytodieforAnimalFarmifneedbe.Theanimalsdecidedunanimouslytocreateamilitarydecoration,"AnimalHero,FirstClass,"whichwasconferredthereandthenonSnowballandBoxer.
斯诺鲍在墓前作了一个简短的演说,他强调说,如果需要的话,每个动物都当为动物庄园准备牺牲。动物们一致决定设立一个“一级动物英雄”军功勋章,这一称号就地立即授予斯诺鲍和鲍克瑟。
Itconsistedofabrassmedal(theywerereallysomeoldhorse-brasseswhichhadbeenfoundintheharness-room),tobewornonSundaysandholidays.Therewasalso"AnimalHero,SecondClass,"whichwasconferredposthumouslyonthedeadsheep.Therewasmuchdiscussionastowhatthebattleshouldbecalled.
并有一枚铜质奖章(那是在农具室里发现的一些旧的、货真价实的黄铜制做的),可在星期天和节日里佩戴。还有一枚“二级动物英雄”勋章,这一称号追认给那只死去的羊。关于对这次战斗如何称谓的事,他们讨论来,讨论去。
Intheend,itwasnamedtheBattleoftheCowshed,sincethatwaswheretheambushhadbeensprung.Mr.Jones'sgunhadbeenfoundlyinginthemud,anditwasknownthattherewasasupplyofcartridgesinthefarmhouse.ItwasdecidedtosetthegunupatthefootoftheFlagstaff,likeapieceofartillery,andtofireittwiceayear--onceonOctoberthetwelfth,theanniversaryoftheBattleoftheCowshed,andonceonMidsummerDay,theanniversaryoftheRebellion.
最后决定命名为“牛棚大战”,因为伏击就是在那儿发起的。他们还把琼斯先生那支掉在泥坑里的枪找到了,又在庄主院里发现了存贮的子弹。于是决定把枪架在旗杆脚下,像一门大炮一样,并在每年鸣枪两次,一次在十月十二日的“牛棚大战”纪念日,一次在施洗约翰节,也就是起义纪念日。
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