On an evening in the latter part of May a middle-aged man was walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott, in the adjoining Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor. —-
今年五月下旬的一个傍晚，一个中年男子正从沙斯顿步行回家，目的地是邻近的布莱克摩尔谷的马洛特村。 —-

The pair of legs that carried him were rickety, and there was a bias in his gait which inclined him somewhat to the left of a straight line. —-
支撑他前行的这双腿有些摇摇欲坠，他的步态稍微有些偏左。 —-

He occasionally gave a smart nod, as if in confirmation of some opinion, though he was not thinking of anything in particular. —-
他偶尔会自信地点一下头，仿佛在确认某个观点，尽管他并没有特定的想法。 —-

An empty egg-basket was slung upon his arm, the nap of his hat was ruffled, a patch being quite worn away at its brim where his thumb came in taking it off. —-
他的手臂上挂着一个空空的鸡蛋篮，帽子上的绒毛都有些凌乱，帽檐处甚至有一个磨损的地方，那是他用拇指脱帽时磨得的。 —-

Presently he was met by an elderly parson astride on a gray mare, who, as he rode, hummed a wandering tune. —-
他不久遇到了一位骑在灰色母马上的老牧师，他骑着马时哼着流浪的曲调。 —-

`Good night t’ee,’ said the man with the basket.
“晚安，先生。”篮子男说。

`Good night, Sir John,’ said the parson.
“晚安，约翰爵士。”牧师说。

The pedestrian, after another pace or two, halted, and turned round.
篮子男走了几步后停下来，转过身来。

`Now, sir, begging your pardon; we met last market-day on this road about this time, and I zaid “Good-night”, and you made reply “Good night, Sir John”, as now.’
“现在，先生，不好意思；我们上次上月市的时候在这条路上碰面过，就在这个时候，我说了‘晚安’，你回答我‘晚安，约翰爵士’，就像现在。”

`I did,’ said the parson.
“是的，”牧师说。

`And once before that - near a month ago.’
“再之前一次，大约一个月前。”

`I may have.’
“可能吧。”

`Then what might your meaning be in calling me “Sir John” these different times, when I be plain Jack Durbeyfield, the haggler?’
“那么，你用‘约翰爵士’这个称呼多次称呼我，我只是简简单单的杰克·德比菲尔德，一个小贩，你是什么意思？”

The parson rode a step or two nearer.
牧师骑近了一步。

`It was only my whim,’ he said; and, after a moment’s hesitation: —-
“那只是我的一时兴起，”他说，沉默片刻后。 —-

‘It was on account of a discovery I made some little time ago, whilst I was hunting up pedigrees for the new county history. —-
”这是我在一段时间前发现的一个情况，当时我在为新县史寻找家谱。“ —-

I am Parson Tringham, the antiquary, of Stagfoot Lane. Don’t you really know, Durbeyfield, that you are the lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the d’Urbervilles, who derived their descent from Sir Pagan d’Urberville, that renowned knight who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, as appears by Battle Abbey Roll?’
”我是古物学家斯托根雷恩，来自斯塔格富特巷。德北菲尔德，难道你不知道你是古老的贵族家族德伯维尔家族的直系后裔吗？他们的血统可以追溯到帕冈·德伯维尔爵士，这位著名的骑士是与威廉征服者一起从诺曼底来到英格兰的，这在巴特尔修道院名单中有记载。“

`Never heard it before, sir!’
“先生，我以前从未听说过这些！”

`Well it’s true. Throw up your chin a moment, so that I may catch the profile of your face better. —-
”好吧，这是真的。抬起下巴，让我更好地捕捉你脸庞的轮廓。“ —-

Yes, that’s the d’Urberville nose and chin - a little debased. —-
”是的，那是德伯维尔家族的鼻子和下巴 —— 虽然有点被瑕疵。“ —-

Your ancestor was one of the twelve knights who assisted the Lord of Estremavilla in Normandy in his conquest of Glamorganshire. —-
”你的祖先是十二位骑士之一，他协助诺曼底的埃斯特雷马维维尔勋爵征服了格拉摩根郡。“ —-

Branches of your family held manors over all this part of England; —-
”你们家族的分支遍布英格兰这一地区的庄园； —-

their names appear in the Pipe Rolls in the time of King Stephen. —-
”他们的名字出现在史蒂芬国王时期的国税卷中。“ —-

In the reign of King John one of them was rich enough to give a manor to the Knights Hospitallers; —-
”在约翰国王时代，他们家族中的一位足够富有，赠予圣约翰骑士团一座庄园； —-

and in Edward the Second’s time your forefather Brian was summoned to Westminster to attend the great Council there. —-
”在爱德华二世时期，你的祖先布莱恩被传唤到威斯敏斯特参加那里的大议会。“ —-

You declined a little in Oliver Cromwell’s time, but to no serious extent, and in Charles the Second’s reign you were made Knights of the Royal Oak for your loyalty. —-
”在奥利弗·克伦威尔时代，你们有了一些衰落，但不严重，而在查理二世时代，你们因忠诚而被封为皇家橡树骑士。“ —-

Aye, there have been generations of Sir Johns among you, and if knighthood were hereditary, like a baronetcy, as it practically was in old times, when men were knighted from father to son, you would be Sir, John now.’
”是的，你们之中一代代有着约翰爵士，如果爵位像男爵一样可以世袭，就像在过去的时代，爵位从父亲传给儿子，那么你现在就是爵士约翰了。“

`Ye don’t say so!’
”你不是说真的吧！“

In short,' concluded the parson, decisively smacking his leg with his switch,there’s hardly such another family in England.’
”总而言之，“牧师断然地用手中的鞭子轻轻拍打着大腿，“在英格兰几乎找不到第二个家族了。“

`Daze my eyes, and isn’t there?’ said Durbeyfield. —-
”天哪，难道是这样吗？“ —-

‘And here have I been knocking about, year after year, from pillar to post, as if I was no more than the commonest feller in the parish. —-
“我这些年来到处奔波，像个普通乡下人一样，从这儿到那儿，也不过如此。” —-

.. And how long hev this news about me been knowed, Pa’son Tringham?’
“那么，特林厄姆牧师，关于我，这个消息已经传开多久了？”

The clergyman explained that, as far as he was aware, it had quite died out of knowledge, and could hardly bc said to be known at all. —-
牧师解释说，据他所知，这个消息已经完全被遗忘，几乎可以说已经不再为人所知。 —-

His own investigations had begun on a day in the preceding spring when, having been engaged in tracing the vicissitudes of the d’Urberville family, he had observed Durbeyfield’s name on his waggon, and had thereupon been led to make inquiries about his father and grandfather till he had no doubt on the subject.
“我的调查始于去年春天的一天，当时我正在调查德伯维尔家族的变迁时，看到了德贝菲尔德的名字在他的四轮马车上，于是开始询问他的父亲和祖父，直到对此毫无疑问。”

`At first I resolved not to disturb you with such a useless piece of information,’ said he. —-
“一开始，我决定不告诉你这样一条毫无用处的信息，”他说。 —-

`However, our impulses are too strong for our judgment sometimes. —-
“然而，我们的冲动有时会克制不住我们的判断。” —-

I thought you might perhaps know something of it all the while.’
“我想也许你一直对此了解。”

Well, I have heard once or twice,tis true, that my family had seen better days afore they came to Blackmoor. —-
“嗯，我确实偶尔听说过，我们家在来到布莫尔之前曾过得更好。” —-

But I took no notice o’t, thinking it to mean that we had once kept two horses where we now keep only one. —-
“但我没在意，以为这只是指我们以前养过两匹马，现在只养了一匹。” —-

I’ve got a wold silver spoon, and a wold graven seal at home, too; —-
“家里还有一个古老的银匙和一个古老的刻印印章，这倒是真的；但，天啊，匙和印章算什么呢？” —-

but, Lord, what’s a spoon and seal?… And to think that I and these noble d’Urbervilles were one flesh all the time. —-
“想到我和这些高贵的德伯维尔家族一脉相承，真是难以置信。” —-

‘Twas said that my gr’t-grandfer had secrets, and didn’t care to talk of where he came from. —-
“据说我的曾祖父有秘密，不愿谈起他来自哪里。” —-

.. And where do we raise our smoke, now, parson, if I may make so bold; —-
“那么，牧师，如若我敢问，我们现在上哪儿冒烟呢？我是说，我们德伯维尔人现在住在哪里？” —-

I mean, where do we d’Urbervilles live?’
“你们已经不住在任何地方了。作为一个郡内家族，你们已经灭绝了。”

`You don’t live anywhere. You are extinct - as a county family.’
“欢迎返回查尔斯· 拉维勒，”特林厄姆牧师回答。“从庐山县，杜伯维尔家族已经绝迹。”

That's bad.' <span><tang1>那太糟糕了。’

Yes - what the mendacious family chronicles call extinct in the male line - that is, gone down - gone under.' <span><tang1>是的 - 那个虚伪的家族编年史所称的在男性血统上灭绝 - 即，消失了 - 灭亡了。’

Then where do we lie?' <span><tang1>那么我们在哪里？’

At Kingsbere-sub-Greenhill: rows and rows of you in your vaults, with your effigies under Purbeck-marble canopies.' <span><tang1>在Kingsbere-sub-Greenhill：您们排成一排，躺在地窖里，您们的雕像在Purbeck大理石的华丽凉棚下。’

And where be our family mansions and estates?' <span><tang1>我们的家族庄园和领地在哪里？’

You haven't any.' <span><tang1>您们没有。’

Oh? No lands neither?' <span><tang1>哦？也没有土地吗？’

None; though you once had 'em in abundance, as I said, for your family consisted of numerous branches. --- <span><tang1>没有；尽管我说过，您们曾经拥有大量，因为您的家族由许多支系组成。’ —-

In this county there was a seat of yours at Kingsbere, and another at Sherton, and another at Milipond, and another at Lullstead, and another at Wellbridge.’
`在这个郡里，有您们的一个座位在Kingsbere，另一个在Sherton，再一个在Milipond，另一个在Lullstead，另一个在Wellbridge。’

And shall we ever come into our own again?' <span><tang1>我们还会重拾昔日的荣耀吗？’

Ah - that I can't tell!' <span><tang1>啊 - 那我无法预言！’

And what had I better do about it, sir?' asked Durbeyfield, after a pause. <span><tang1>那我该怎么做，先生？’ 杜比菲尔德停顿片刻后问道。

Oh - nothing, nothing; except chasten yourself with the thought of "how are the mighty fallen". --- <span><tang1>哦 - 什么都不用做，除了自我惩戒，默念“何其荣耀而堕落”， —-

It is a fact of some interest to the local historian and genealogist, nothing more. —-
这对于当地的历史学家和家谱学家来说是个有趣的事实，不过仅此而已。 —-

There are several families among the cottagers of this county of almost equal lustre. Good night.’
这个郡里有几个小农户家庭的声望几乎相当。晚安。’

But you'll turn back and have a quart of beer wi' me on the strength o't, Pa'son Tringham? --- <span><tang1>但你会回头跟我一起喝一夸脱啤酒，不是吗，特林厄姆牧师？ —-

There’s a very pretty brew in tap at The Pure Drop - though, to be sure, not so good as at Rolliver’s.’
在“纯净之滴”有一种非常好喝的酿造啤酒 - 虽然不及罗利弗家的那么好。

No, thank you - not this evening, Durbeyfield. You've had enough already.' --- <span><tang1>不，谢谢 - 今晚不喝了，邓伯菲尔德。你已经喝多了。 —-

Concluding thus the parson rode on his way, with doubts as to his discretion in retailing this curious bit of lore.
于是牧师终结了这段话，犹豫着是否该传播这个奇怪的秘密。

When he was gone Durbeyfield walked a few steps in a profound reverie, and then sat down upon the grassy bank by the roadside, depositing his basket before him. —-
他走后，邓伯菲尔德陷入了深思，然后坐在路旁的草坡上，把篮子放在面前。 —-

In a few minutes a youth appeared in the distance, walking in the same direction as that which had been pursued by Durbeyfield. —-
几分钟后，一个年轻人出现在远处，沿着邓伯菲尔德走过的方向前行。 —-

The latter, on seeing him, held up his hand, and the lad quickened his pace and came near.
看到他，邓伯菲尔德举起手，那年轻人加快了步伐，走近了。

Boy, take up that basket! I want'ee to go on an errand for me.' <span><tang1>男孩，拿起那个篮子！我要你给我跑个腿。

The lath-like stripling frowned. ‘Who be you, then, John Durbeyfield, to order me about and call me “boy”? —-
薄似板条的小伙子皱着眉头。“约翰·邓伯菲尔德，你算什么，竟敢命令我，还叫我“男孩”？ —-

You know my name as well as I know yours!’
你叫我什么，我叫你的名字！

Do you, do you? That's the secret - that's the secret! --- <span><tang1>是吗，是吗？这就是秘密 - 这就是秘密！ —-

Now obey my orders, and take the message I’m going to charge ‘ee wi’… . —-
现在听从我的命令，把我要交待你的事情传达出去…。 —-

Well, Fred, I don’t mind telling you that the secret is that I’m one of a noble race - it has been just found out by me this present afternoon P.M.’ And as he made the announcement, Durbeyfield, declining from his sitting position, luxuriously stretched himself out upon the bank among the daisies.
嗯，弗雷德，我不介意告诉你，秘密就是我属于一个高贵的家族 - 我在今天下午刚刚发现这件事情的。’他说完，并且宣布的同时，邓伯菲尔德舒适地伸展开身子，躺在了银莲花丛中。

The lad stood before Durbeyfield, and contemplated his length from crown to toe.
少年站在邓伯菲尔德面前，从头到脚仔细打量着他的身躯。

`Sir John d’Urberville - that’s who I am,’ continued the prostrate man. —-
“约翰·德厄维尔爵士 - 这就是我的身份，”躺在地上的邓伯菲尔德继续说道。’ —-

‘That is if knights were baronets - which they be. —-
「如果骑士们是男爵 - 他们确实是。 —-

‘Tis recorded in history all about me. Dost know of such a place, lad, as Kingsbere-sub-Greenhill?’
“这在历史上有关于我的一切。孩子，你知道有一个叫金斯贝-格林希尔的地方吗？」

`Ees. I’ve been there to Greenhill Fair.’
「知道的。我去过那里参加格林希尔庙会。」

`Well, under the church of that city there lie—‘
「好吧，在那个城市的教堂下面躺着 -」

`’Tisn’t a city, the place I mean; leastwise ‘twaddn’ when I was there—‘twas a little one-eyed, blinking sort o’ place.’
「我指的地方不是城市，至少我去的时候不是 - 那是一个独眼、眨巴巴的地方。」

`Never you mind the place, boy, that’s not the question before us. —-
「别在意地名，孩子，问题不在于此。 —-

Under the church of that there parish lie my ancestors - hundreds of ‘em - in coats of mail and Jewels, in gr’t lead coffins weighing tons and tons. —-
在那个教区的教堂下埋葬着我的祖先 - 数以百计 - 身披铁甲和珠宝，铅棺重达吨吨。 —-

There’s not a man in the county o’ South-Wessex that’s got grander and nobler skillentons in his family than I.’
南韦斯克斯郡没有一个人的家族比我更有壮丽和高贵的祖先。」

`Oh?’
「哦？」

`Now take up that basket, and goo on to Marlott, and when you’ve come to The Pure Drop Inn, tell ‘em to send a horse and carriage to me immediately, to carry me hwome. —-
「现在拿起篮子，继续去马洛特，到了《清水旅店》就告诉他们派辆马车立刻来接我回家。 —-

And in the bottom o’ the carriage they be to put a noggin o’ rum in a small bottle, and chalk it up to my account. —-
并在马车的底部放一个小瓶装满朗姆酒，并记在我的账上。 —-

And when you’ve done that goo on to my house with the basket, and tell my wife to put away that washing, because she needn’t finish it, and wait till I come hwome, as I’ve news to tell her.’
当你做完这些后，再去我的家把篮子交给妻子，告诉她暂停洗衣，等我回来，因为我有消息要告诉她。」

As the lad stood in a dubious attitude, Durbeyfield put his hand in his pocket, and produced a shilling, one of the chronically few that he possessed.
当男孩摇摇晃晃地站在那时，德比菲尔德伸手从口袋里掏出一先令，这是他日常所拥有的极少之一。

`Here’s for your labour, lad.’
「这是给你的劳动费，孩子。」

This made a difference in the young man’s estimate of the position.
这改变了年轻人对这个职位的看法。

Yes, Sir John. Thank 'ee. Anything else I can do for 'ee, Sir John?' <span><tang1>是的，约翰爵士。谢谢你。还有什么我可以为你做的，约翰爵士？’

Tell 'em at hwome that I should like for supper, - well, lamb's fry if they can get it; --- <span><tang1>告诉他们在家，我想要晚餐吃-嗯，如果他们能弄到的话是羊杂; —-

and if they can’t, black-pot; and if they can’t get that, well, chitterlings will do.’
如果他们弄不到，就吃黑锅；如果他们弄不到那个，那么猪肠就可以了。’

Yes, Sir John.' <span><tang1>是的，约翰爵士。’

The boy took up the basket, and as he set out the notes of a brass band were heard from the direction of the village.
那个男孩拿起篮子，就在他出发的时候，从村庄的方向传来了一支铜管乐队的音乐声。

What's that?' said Durbeyfield.Not on account o’ I?’
那是什么？' 杜贝菲尔德说。不是因为我吧？’

'Tis the women's club-walking, Sir John. Why, your dater is one o' the members.' <span><tang1>那是妇女俱乐部的行走队，约翰爵士。你的女儿也是其中的成员。’

To be sure - I'd quite forgot it in my thoughts of greater things! --- <span><tang1>当然-我在考虑更重要的事情时忘了这个了！’ —-

Well, vamp on to Marlott, will ye, and order that carriage, and maybe I’ll drive round and inspect the club.’
`好吧，去马洛特吧，你去订那辆马车，也许我会开车去视察一下俱乐部。’

The lad departed, and Durbeyfield lay waiting on the grass and daisies in the evening sun. —-
那个年轻人离开了，杜贝菲尔德躺在夕阳下的草地和雏菊上等待着。 —-

Not a soul passed that way for a long while, and the faint notes of the band were the only human sounds audible within the rim of blue hills.
很长一段时间没有一个人路过，淡淡的铜管乐队声是蔚蓝山丘中仅有的人类声响。