tanglewood tales(探戈林故事)-第15章
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flourishing his immense arms about； as if he meant not merely to kill
Hercules； but to smash the whole world to pieces。
〃Come on！〃 roared this thundering Giant。 〃Let me hit you but one box
on the ear； and you'll never have the headache again。〃
Now Hercules （though strong enough； as you already know； to hold
the sky up） began to be sensible that he should never win the victory； if he
kept on knocking Antaeus down； for； by and by； if he hit him such hard
blows； the Giant would inevitably； by the help of his Mother Earth；
become stronger than the mighty Hercules himself。 So； throwing down his
club； with which he had fought so many dreadful battles； the hero stood
ready to receive his antagonist with naked arms。
〃Step forward；〃 cried he。 〃Since I've broken your pine tree； we'll try
which is the better man at a wrestling match。〃
〃Aha！ then I'll soon satisfy you；〃 shouted the Giant； for； if there was
one thing on which he prided himself more than another； it was his skill in
wrestling。 〃Villain； I'll fling you where you can never pick yourself up
again。〃
On came Antaeus； hopping and capering with the scorching heat of his
rage； and getting new vigor wherewith to wreak his passion； every time he
hopped。
But Hercules； you must understand； was wiser than this numskull of a
Giant； and had thought of a way to fight himhuge； earth…born monster
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that he wasand to conquer him too； in spite of all that his Mother Earth
could do for him。 Watching his opportunity； as the mad Giant made a rush
at him； Hercules caught him round the middle with both hands； lifted him
high into the air； and held him aloft overhead。
Just imagine it； my dear little friends。 What a spectacle it must have
been； to see this monstrous fellow sprawling in the air； face downwards；
kicking out his long legs and wriggling his whole vast body； like a baby
when its father holds it at arm's length towards the ceiling。
But the most wonderful thing was； that； as soon as Antaeus was fairly
off the earth； he began to lose the vigor which he had gained by touching it。
Hercules very soon perceived that his troublesome enemy was growing
weaker； both because he struggled and kicked with less violence； and
because the thunder of his big voice subsided into a grumble。 The truth
was that unless the Giant touched Mother Earth as often as once in five
minutes； not only his overgrown strength； but the very breath of his life；
would depart from him。 Hercules had guessed this secret； and it may be
well for us all to remember it； in case we should ever have to fight a battle
with a fellow like Antaeus。 For these earth…born creatures are only difficult
to conquer on their own ground； but may easily be managed if we can
contrive to lift them into a loftier and purer region。 So it proved with the
poor Giant； whom I am really a little sorry for； notwithstanding his uncivil
way of treating strangers who came to visit him。
When his strength and breath were quite gone； Hercules gave his huge
body a toss； and flung it about a mile off； where it fell heavily； and lay
with no more motion than a sand hill。 It was too late for the Giant's
Mother Earth to help him now； and I should not wonder if his ponderous
bones were lying on the same spot to this very day； and were mistaken for
those of an uncommonly large elephant。
But； alas me！ What a wailing did the poor little Pygmies set up when
they saw their enormous brother treated in this terrible manner！ If
Hercules heard their shrieks； however； he took no notice； and perhaps
fancied them only the shrill； plaintive twittering of small birds that had
been frightened from their nests by the uproar of the battle between
himself and Antaeus。 Indeed； his thoughts had been so much taken up with
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the Giant； that he had never once looked at the Pygmies； nor even knew
that there was such a funny little nation in the world。 And now； as he had
traveled a good way； and was also rather weary with his exertions in the
fight； he spread out his lion's skin on the ground； and； reclining himself
upon it； fell fast asleep。
As soon as the Pygmies saw Hercules preparing for a nap； they nodded
their little heads at one another； and winked with their little eyes。 And
when his deep； regular breathing gave them notice that he was asleep； they
assembled together in an immense crowd； spreading over a space of about
twenty…seven feet square。 One of their most eloquent orators （and a valiant
warrior enough； besides； though hardly so good at any other weapon as he
was with his tongue） climbed upon a toadstool； and； from that elevated
position； addressed the multitude。 His sentiments were pretty much as
follows； or； at all events； something like this was probably the upshot of
his speech：
〃Tall Pygmies and mighty little men！ You and all of us have seen what
a public calamity has been brought to pass； and what an insult has here
been offered to the majesty of our nation。 Yonder lies Antaeus； our great
friend and brother； slain； within our territory； by a miscreant who took him
at disadvantage； and fought him （if fighting it can be called） in a way that
neither man； nor Giant； nor Pygmy ever dreamed of fighting； until this
hour。 And； adding a grievous contumely to the wrong already done us； the
miscreant has now fallen asleep as quietly as if nothing were to be dreaded
from our wrath！ It behooves you； fellow…countrymen； to consider in what
aspect we shall stand before the world； and what will be the verdict of
impartial history； should we suffer these accumulated outrages to go
unavenged。
〃Antaeus was our brother； born of that same beloved parent to whom
we owe the thews and sinews； as well as the courageous hearts； which
made him proud of our relationship。 He was our faithful ally； and fell
fighting as much for our national rights and immunities as for his own
personal ones。 We and our forefathers have dwelt in friendship with him；
and held affectionate intercourse as man to man； through immemorial
generations。 You remember how often our entire people have reposed in
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his great shadow； and how our little ones have played at hide…and…seek in
the tangles of his hair； and how his mighty footsteps have familiarly gone
to and fro among us； and never trodden upon any of our toes。 And there
lies this dear brother this sweet and amiable friendthis brave and
faithful ally…this virtuous Giantthis blameless and excellent Antaeus
dead！ Dead！ Silent！ Powerless！ A mere mountain of clay！ Forgive my tears！
Nay； I behold your own。 Were we to drown the world with them； could the
world blame us？
〃But to resume： Shall we； my countrymen； suffer this wicked stranger
to depart unharmed； and triumph in his treacherous victory； among distant
communities of the earth？ Shall we not rather compel him to leave his
bones here on our soil； by the side o
