the elfin hill-第2章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
clattering noise like thunder or the sound of an organ; spreading
their white foam on every side。 He told of the salmon that leaps in
the rushing waters; while the water…god plays on his golden harp。 He
spoke of the bright winter nights; when the sledge bells are
ringing; and the boys run with burning torches across the smooth
ice; which is so transparent that they can see the fishes dart forward
beneath their feet。 He described everything so clearly; that those who
listened could see it all; they could see the saw…mills going; the
men…servants and the maidens singing songs; and dancing a rattling
dance;… when all at once the old goblin gave the old elfin maiden a
kiss; such a tremendous kiss; and yet they were almost strangers to
each other。
Then the elfin girls had to dance; first in the usual way; and
then with stamping feet; which they performed very well; then followed
the artistic and solo dance。 Dear me; how they did throw their legs
about! No one could tell where the dance begun; or where it ended; nor
indeed which were legs and which were arms; for they were all flying
about together; like the shavings in a saw…pit! And then they spun
round so quickly that the death…horse and the grave…pig became sick
and giddy; and were obliged to leave the table。
〃Stop!〃 cried the old goblin;〃 is that the only house…keeping they
can perform? Can they do anything more than dance and throw about
their legs; and make a whirlwind?〃
〃You shall soon see what they can do;〃 said the elf king。 And then
he called his youngest daughter to him。 She was slender and fair as
moonlight; and the most graceful of all the sisters。 She took a
white chip in her mouth; and vanished instantly; this was her
accomplishment。 But the old goblin said he should not like his wife to
have such an accomplishment; and thought his boys would have the
same objection。 Another daughter could make a figure like herself
follow her; as if she had a shadow; which none of the goblin folk ever
had。 The third was of quite a different sort; she had learnt in the
brew…house of the moor witch how to lard elfin puddings with
glow…worms。
〃She will make a good housewife;〃 said the old goblin; and then
saluted her with his eyes instead of drinking her health; for he did
not drink much。
Now came the fourth daughter; with a large harp to play upon;
and when she struck the first chord; every one lifted up the left
leg (for the goblins are left…legged); and at the second chord they
found they must all do just what she wanted。
〃That is a dangerous woman;〃 said the old goblin; and the two sons
walked out of the hill; they had had enough of it。 〃And what can the
next daughter do?〃 asked the old goblin。
〃I have learnt everything that is Norwegian;〃 said she; 〃and I
will never marry; unless I can go to Norway。〃
Then her youngest sister whispered to the old goblin; 〃That is
only because she has heard; in a Norwegian song; that when the world
shall decay; the cliffs of Norway will remain standing like monuments;
and she wants to get there; that she may be safe; for she is so afraid
of sinking。〃
〃Ho! ho!〃 said the old goblin; 〃is that what she means? Well; what
can the seventh and last do?〃
〃The sixth comes before the seventh;〃 said the elf king; for he
could reckon; but the sixth would not come forward。
〃I can only tell people the truth;〃 said she。 〃No one cares for
me; nor troubles himself about me; and I have enough to do to sew my
grave clothes。〃
So the seventh and last came; and what could she do? Why; she
could tell stories; as many as you liked; on any subject。
〃Here are my five fingers;〃 said the old goblin; 〃now tell me a
story for each of them。〃
So she took him by the wrist; and he laughed till he nearly
choked; and when she came to the fourth finger; there was a gold
ring on it; as if it knew there was to be a betrothal。 Then the old
goblin said; 〃Hold fast what you have: this hand is yours; for I
will have you for a wife myself。〃
Then the elfin girl said that the stories about the ring…finger
and little Peter Playman had not yet been told。
〃We will hear them in the winter;〃 said the old goblin; 〃and
also about the fir and the birch…trees; and the ghost stories; and
of the tingling frost。 You shall tell your tales; for no one over
there can do it so well; and we will sit in the stone rooms; where the
pine logs are burning; and drink mead out of the golden
drinking…horn of the old Norwegian kings。 The water…god has given me
two; and when we sit there; Nix comes to pay us a visit; and will sing
you all the songs of the mountain shepherdesses。 How merry we shall
be! The salmon will be leaping in the waterfalls; and dashing
against the stone walls; but he will not be able to come in。 It is
indeed very pleasant to live in old Norway。 But where are the lads?〃
Where indeed were they? Why; running about the fields; and blowing
out the will…o'…the…wisps; who so good…naturedly came and brought
their torches。
〃What tricks have you been playing?〃 said the old goblin。 〃I
have taken a mother for you; and now you may take one of your aunts。〃
But the youngsters said they would rather make a speech and
drink to their good fellowship; they had no wish to marry。 Then they
made speeches and drank toasts; and tipped their glasses; to show that
they were empty。 Then they took off their coats; and lay down on the
table to sleep; for they made themselves quite at home。 But the old
goblin danced about the room with his young bride; and exchanged boots
with her; which is more fashionable than exchanging rings。
〃The cock is crowing;〃 said the old elfin maiden who acted as
housekeeper; now we must close the shutters; that the sun may not
scorch us。〃
Then the hill closed up。 But the lizards continued to run up and
down the riven tree; and one said to the other; 〃Oh; how much I was
pleased with the old goblin!〃
〃The boys pleased me better;〃 said the earth…worm。 But then the
poor miserable creature could not see。
THE END
。