I never saw snow until last month. We were crossing the barrowlands, me and the men my father sent to see me north, and this white stuff began to fall, like a soft rain.  到上个月为止，我都没见过雪。当时我正跟家父派来送我北上的人穿越荒冢地，天上就开始落下这种白白的东西，像阵柔软的雨。

　　At first I thought it was so beautiful, like feathers drifting from the sky, but it kept on and on, until I was frozen to the bone.  起初我觉得好美，像是从天而降的羽毛，但它下个不停，冻得我连骨头都快结冰。

　　The men had crusts of snow in their beards and more on their shoulders, and still it kept coming. I was afraid it would never end. 雪一直下，下到人们胡子里都是冰块，肩膀上也积满了雪，还是不停，我真怕它就这样下个没完。

　　Jon smiled. 琼恩只是微笑。

　　The Wall loomed before them, glimmering palely in the light of the half moon. In the sky above, the stars burned clear and sharp.  绝境长城高高地耸立在他们面前，在残月苍白的光芒照映下闪闪发亮。繁星在头顶的夜幕中燃烧，澄澈而锐利。

　　Are they going to make me go up there? Sam asked. His face curdled like old milk as he looked at the great wooden stairs. I'll die if I have to climb that. 他们会逼我上去吗？山姆问，他一眼扫到城上蜿蜒的木制长梯，脸顿时像结块的酸牛奶一样僵硬。要我爬上去我不死才怪。

　　There's a winch, Jon said, pointing. They can draw you up in a cage. 那边有个绞盘，琼恩指给他看，你可以坐在铁笼里吊上去。

　　Samwell Tarly sniffled. I don't like high places. 山姆威尔·塔利哼了一声：我讨厌高的地方。

　　It was too much. Jon frowned, incredulous. Are you afraid of everything? he asked. I don't understand. If you are truly so craven, why are you here?  这太离谱了。琼恩难以置信地皱起眉头。你到底有什么不怕？他问，我真搞不懂，假如你真这么窝囊，那你干嘛来这儿？

　　Why would a coward want to join the Night's Watch? 胆小鬼加入守夜人部队做什么？

　　Samwell Tarly looked at him for a long moment, and his round face seemed to cave in on itself.  山姆威尔·塔利久久地注视着他，那张大圆脸仿佛就要塌陷进去。

　　He sat down on the frost-covered ground and began to cry, huge choking sobs that made his whole body shake.  他在结霜的地面坐下，竟就这么哭了起来，抽抽噎噎，整个身体都在颤抖。