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第18章

tanglewood tales(探戈林故事)-第18章

小说: tanglewood tales(探戈林故事) 字数: 每页4000字

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blossom。〃 

     And then it was delightful to witness the gratitude of this amiable bull; 

and how he was so full of joy and thankfulness that he capered higher than 



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ever。 He came running; and bowed his head before Europa; as if he knew 

her to be a king's daughter; or else recognized the important truth that a 

little girl is everybody's queen。 And not only did the bull bend his neck; he 

absolutely   knelt   down   at   her   feet;   and   made   such   intelligent   nods;   and 

other inviting gestures; that Europa understood what he meant just as well 

as if he had put it in so many words。 

     〃Come; dear child;〃 was what he wanted to say; 〃let me give you a ride 

on my back。〃 

     At the first thought of such a thing; Europa drew back。 But then she 

considered in her wise little head that there could be no possible harm in 

taking just one gallop on the back of this docile and friendly animal; who 

would certainly set her down the very instant she desired it。 And how it 

would   surprise   her   brothers   to   see   her   riding   across   the   green   meadow! 

And what merry times they might have; either taking turns for a gallop; or 

clambering on the gentle creature; all four children together; and careering 

round the field with shouts of laughter that would be heard as far off as 

King Agenor's palace! 

     〃I think I will do it;〃 said the child to herself。 

     And; indeed; why not? She cast a glance around; and caught a glimpse 

of Cadmus; Phoenix; and Cilix; who were still in pursuit of the butterfly; 

almost at the other end of the meadow。 It would be the quickest way of 

rejoining them; to get upon the white bull's back。 She came a step nearer 

to him therefore; andsociable creature that he washe showed so much 

joy at this mark of her confidence; that the child could not find in her heart 

to hesitate any longer。  Making one bound (for this little princess was   as 

active   as   a   squirrel);   there   sat   Europa   on   the   beautiful   bull;   holding   an 

ivory horn in each hand; lest she should fall off。 

     〃Softly; pretty bull; softly!〃 she said; rather frightened at what she had 

done。 〃Do not gallop too fast。〃 

     Having got the child on his back; the animal gave a leap into the air; 

and came down so like a feather that Europa did not know when his hoofs 

touched the ground。 He then began a race to that part of the flowery plain 

where     her   three  brothers    were;   and   where    they   had   just  caught   their 

splendid butterfly。 Europa screamed with delight; and Phoenix; Cilix; and 



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Cadmus stood gaping at the spectacle of their sister mounted on a white 

bull; not knowing whether to be frightened or to wish the same good luck 

for themselves。 The gentle and innocent creature (for who could possibly 

doubt that he was so?) pranced round among the children as sportively as 

a kitten。 Europa all the while looked down upon her brothers; nodding and 

laughing; but   yet   with a   sort   of stateliness in her   rosy little   face。 As the 

bull   wheeled   about   to   take   another   gallop   across   the   meadow;   the   child 

waved her hand; and said; 〃Good…bye;〃 playfully pretending that she was 

now bound on a distant journey; and might not see her brothers again for 

nobody could tell how long。 

     〃Good…bye;〃 shouted Cadmus; Phoenix; and Cilix; all in one breath。 

     But; together   with   her   enjoyment   of   the sport;   there   was   still   a   little 

remnant of fear in the child's heart; so that her last look at the three boys 

was a troubled one; and made them feel as if their dear sister were really 

leaving   them   forever。 And   what   do   you   think   the   snowy   bull   did   next? 

Why;   he   set   off;   as   swift   as   the   wind;   straight   down   to   the   seashore; 

scampered across the sand; took an airy leap; and plunged right in among 

the foaming billows。 The white spray rose in a shower over him and little 

Europa; and fell spattering down upon the water。 

     Then what a scream of terror did the poor child send forth! The three 

brothers screamed manfully; likewise; and ran to the shore as fast as their 

legs   would   carry   them;   with   Cadmus   at   their   head。   But   it   was   too   late。 

When   they   reached   the   margin   of   the   sand;   the   treacherous   animal   was 

already far away in the wide blue sea; with only his snowy head and tail 

emerging;  and   poor   little   Europa between them;  stretching out one hand 

towards her dear brothers; while she grasped the bull's ivory horn with the 

other。   And   there   stood   Cadmus;   Phoenix;   and   Cilix;   gazing   at   this   sad 

spectacle;   through   their   tears;   until   they   could   no   longer   distinguish   the 

bull's snowy head from the white…capped billows that seemed to boil up 

out   of   the   sea's   depths   around   him。   Nothing   more   was   ever   seen   of   the 

white bullnothing more of the beautiful child。 

     This was a mournful story; as you may well think; for the three boys to 

carry home to their parents。 King Agenor; their father; was the ruler of the 

whole   country;   but   he   loved   his   little   daughter   Europa   better   than   his 



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kingdom; or than all his other children; or than anything else in the world。 

Therefore; when Cadmus and his two brothers came crying home; and told 

him how that a white bull had carried off their sister; and swam with her 

over    the   sea;  the  king   was    quite   beside   himself    with   grief   and   rage。 

Although it was now twilight; and fast growing dark; he bade them set out 

instantly in search of her。 

     〃Never shall you see my face again;〃 he cried; 〃unless you bring me 

back my little Europa; to gladden me with her smiles and her pretty ways。 

Begone; and enter my presence no more; till you come leading her by the 

hand。〃 

     As   King   Agenor   said   this;   his   eyes   flashed   fire   (for   he   was   a   very 

passionate king); and he looked so terribly angry that the poor boys did not 

even venture to ask for their suppers; but slunk away out of the palace; and 

only paused on the steps a moment to consult whither they should go first。 

While     they    were   standing     there;   all  in  dismay;    their   mother;    Queen 

Telephassa   (who   happened   not   to   be   by   when   they  told   the   story  to   the 

king); came hurrying after them; and said that she too would go in quest of 

her daughter。 

     〃O;   no;   mother!〃   cried   the   boys。   〃The   night   is   dark;   and   there   is   no 

knowing what troubles and perils we may meet with。〃 

     〃Alas! my dear children;〃 answered poor Queen Telephassa; weeping 

bitterly; 〃that is only another reason why I should go with you。 If I should 

lose you; too; as well as my little Europa; what would become of me!〃 

     〃And   let   me   go   likewise!〃   said   their   playfellow   Thasus;   who   came 

running to join them。 

     Thasus was the son of a seafaring person in the neighborhood; he had 

been brought up with the young princes; and was their intimate friend; and 

loved   Europa   very   much;   so   they   consented   that   he   should   accompany 

them。   The   whole   party;   therefore;   set   forth   together。   Cadmus;   Phoenix; 

Cilix; and Thasus clustered round Queen Telephassa; grasping her skirts; 

and begging her to lean upon their shoulders whenever she felt weary。 In 

this manner they went down the palace steps; and began a journey; which 

turned   out   to 

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