巴斯克威尔的猎犬 巴斯克维尔的诅咒（3）（在线收听）

"Of the origin of the Hound of the Baskervilles there have been many statements, yet as I

come in a direct line from Hugo Baskerville, and as I had the story from my father, who also had it

from his, I have set it down with all belief that it occurred even as is here set forth. And I would

have you believe, my sons, that the same Justice which punishes sin may also most graciously

forgive it, and that no ban is so heavy but that by prayer and repentance it may be removed. Learn

then from this story not to fear the fruits of the past, but rather to be circumspect in the future, that

those foul passions whereby our family has suffered so grievously may not again be loosed to our

undoing.

“关于巴斯克维尔的猎犬一事有过很多的说法， 我所以要写下来是因为我相信确曾发生

过象我所写的这样的事。 我是修果· 巴斯克维尔的直系后代， 这件事是我从我父亲那里听来

的， 而我父亲又是直接听我祖父说的。 儿子们， 但愿你们相信， 公正的神明能够惩罚那些有

罪的人， 但是只要他们能祈祷悔过， 无论犯了多么深重的罪， 也都能得到宽恕。 你们知道了

这件事， 也不用因为前辈们所得的恶果而恐惧， 只要自己将来谨慎就可以了， 以免咱们这家

族过去所尝到的深重的痛苦重新落在咱们这些败落的后代身上。

"Know then that in the time of the Great Rebellion (the history of which by the learned Lord

Clarendon I most earnestly commend to your attention) this Manor of Baskerville was held by

Hugo of that name, nor can it be gainsaid that he was a most wild, profane, and godless man. This,

in truth, his neighbours might have pardoned, seeing that saints have never flourished in those

parts, but there was in him a certain wanton and cruel humour which made his name a byword

through the West. It chanced that this Hugo came to love (if, indeed, so dark a passion may be

known under so bright a name) the daughter of a yeoman who held lands near the Baskerville

estate. But the young maiden, being discreet and of good repute, would ever avoid him, for she

feared his evil name. So it came to pass that one Michaelmas this Hugo, with five or six of his idle

and wicked companions, stole down upon the farm and carried off the maiden, her father and

brothers being from home, as he well knew. When they had brought her to the Hall the maiden

was placed in an upper chamber, while Hugo and his friends sat down to a long carouse, as was

their nightly custom. Now, the poor lass upstairs was like to have her wits turned at the singing

and shouting and terrible oaths which came up to her from below, for they say that the words used

by Hugo Baskerville, when he was in wine, were such as might blast the man who said them. At

last in the stress of her fear she did that which might have daunted the bravest or most active man,

for by the aid of the growth of ivy which covered (and still covers) the south wall she came down

from under the eaves, and so homeward across the moor, there being three leagues betwixt the

Hall and her father's farm.

“据说是在大叛乱时期［指英国１ ６ ４ ２ —１ ６ ６ ０ 年的内战而言。 ——译者注］（我

真心地向你们推荐， 应该读一读博学的克莱仑顿男爵所写的历史）， 这所巴斯克维尔大厦本

为修果· 巴斯克维尔所占用， 无可否认， 他是个最卑俗粗野、 最目无上帝的人了 。 事实上，

如果只是这一点的话， 乡 邻本是可以原谅他的， 因为在这一地区圣教从来就没有兴旺过。 他

的天性狂妄、 残忍， 在西部已是家喻户晓了。 这位修果先生偶然地爱上了（如果还能用这样

纯洁的字眼称呼他那卑鄙的情欲的话）在巴斯克维尔庄园附近种着几亩地的一个庄稼人的女

儿。 可是这位少女一向有着谨言慎行的好名声， 当然要躲着他了， 何况她还惧怕他的恶名。

后来有一次， 在米可摩斯节［基督教纪念圣徒麦可（Ｓ ｔ .Ｍｉ ｃ ｈ ａ ｅ ｌ ） 的节日（每年

９ 月２ ９ 日 ）。 ——译者注］ 那天， 这位修果先生知道她的父兄俩都出门去了， 就和五六个

游手好闲的下流朋友一起， 偷偷地到她家去把这个姑娘抢了回来。 他们把她弄进了庄园， 关

在楼上的一间小屋子里， 修果就和朋友们围坐狂欢痛饮起来， 他们在夜里是常常这样干的。

这时， 楼上的那位可怜的姑娘听到了楼下狂歌乱吼和那些不堪入耳的脏字， 已是惊恐万分不

知所措了。 有人说， 修果· 巴斯克维尔酒醉时所说的那些话， 不管是谁， 即使是重说一遍都

可能会遭到天谴。 最后， 她在恐惧已极的情况之下竟干出来一桩就连最勇敢和最狡黠的人都

会为之咋舌的事来。 她从窗口出来， 攀缘着至今仍爬满南墙的蔓藤由房檐下面一直爬了下

来， 然后就穿过沼地直往家里跑去了， 庄园离她家约有九英里的样子。