夜莺

　　IN China, you know, the emperor is Chinese, and all those about him are Chinese also. The story I am going to tell you happened a great many years ago, so it is well to hear it now before it is forgotten.

　　The emperor's palace was the most beautiful in the world. It was built entirely of porcelain, and very costly, but so delicate and brittle that whoever touched it was obliged to be careful. In the garden could be seen the most singular flowers, with pretty silver bells tied to them, which tinkled so that every one who passed could not help noticing the flowers. Indeed, everything in the emperor's garden was remarkable, and it extended so far that the gardener himself did not know where it ended. Those who traveled beyond its limits knew that there was a noble forest, with lofty trees, sloping down to the deep blue sea, and the great ships sailed under the shadow of its branches. In one of these trees lived a nightingale, who sang so beautifully that even the poor fishermen, who had so many other things to do, would stop and listen. Sometimes, when they went at night to spread their nets, they would hear her sing, and say, "Oh, is not that beautiful?" But when they returned to their fishing, they forgot the bird until the next night. Then they would hear it again, and exclaim "Oh, how beautiful is the nightingale's song!"

　　Travelers from every country in the world came to the city of the emperor, which they admired very much, as well as the palace and gardens; but when they heard the nightingale, they all declared it to be the best of all. And the travelers, on their return home, related what they had seen; and learned men wrote books, containing descriptions of the town, the palace, and the gardens; but they did not forget the nightingale, which was really the greatest wonder. And those who could write poetry composed beautiful verses about the nightingale, who lived in a forest near the deep sea. The books traveled all over the world, and some of them came into the hands of the emperor; and he sat in his golden chair, and, as he read, he nodded his approval every moment, for it pleased him to find such a beautiful description of his city, his palace, and his gardens. But when he came to the words, "the nightingale is the most beautiful of all," he exclaimed, "What is this? I know nothing of any nightingale. Is there such a bird in my empire? and even in my garden? I have never heard of it. Something, it appears, may be learnt from books."

　　Then he called one of his lords-in-waiting, who was so high-bred, that when any in an inferior rank to himself spoke to him, or asked him a question, he would answer, "Pooh," which means nothing.

　　"There is a very wonderful bird mentioned here, called a nightingale," said the emperor; "they say it is the best thing in my large kingdom. Why have I not been told of it?"

　　"I have never heard the name," replied the cavalier; "she has not been presented at court."

　　"It is my pleasure that she shall appear this evening." said the emperor; the whole world knows what I possess better than I do myself."

　　"I have never heard of her," said the cavalier; "yet I will endeavor to find her."

　　But where was the nightingale to be found? The nobleman went up stairs and down, through halls and passages; yet none of those whom he met had heard of the bird. So he returned to the emperor, and said that it must be a fable, invented by those who had written the book. "Your imperial majesty," said he, "cannot believe everything contained in books; sometimes they are onlyfiction, or what is called the black art."

　　"But the book in which I have read this account," said the emperor, "was sent to me by the great and mighty emperor of Japan, and therefore itcannot contain a falsehood. I will hear the nightingale, she must be here this evening; she has my highest favor; and if she does not come, the whole court shall be trampled upon after supper is ended."

　　"Tsing-pe!" cried the lord-in-waiting, and again he ran up and down stairs, through all the halls and corridors; and half the court ran with him, for they did not like the idea of being trampled upon. There was a great inquiry about this wonderful nightingale, whom all the world knew, but who was unknown to the court.

　　At last they met with a poor little girl in the kitchen, who said, "Oh, yes, I know the nightingale quite well; indeed, she can sing. Every evening I have permission to take home to my poor sick mother the scraps from the table; she lives down by the sea-shore, and as I come back I feel tired, and I sit down in the wood to rest, and listen to the nightingale's song. Then the tears come into my eyes, and it is just as if my mother kissed me."

　　"Little maiden," said the lord-in-waiting, "I will obtain for you constant employment in the kitchen, and you shall have permission to see the emperor dine, if you will lead us to the nightingale; for she is invited for this evening to the palace." So she went into the wood where the nightingale sang, and half the court followed her. As they went along, a cow began lowing.

　　"Oh," said a young courtier, "now we have found her; what wonderful power for such a small creature; I have certainly heard it before."

　　"No, that is only a cow lowing," said the little girl; "we are a long way from the place yet."

　　Then some frogs began to croak in the marsh.

　　"Beautiful," said the young courtier again. "Now I hear it, tinkling like little church bells."

　　"No, those are frogs," said the little maiden; "but I think we shall soon hear her now:" and presently the nightingale began to sing.

　　"Hark, hark! there she is," said the girl, "and there she sits," she added, pointing to a little gray bird who was perched on a bough.

　　"Is it possible?" said the lord-in-waiting, "I never imagined it would be a little, plain, simple thing like that. She has certainly changed color at seeing so many grand people around her."

　　"Little nightingale," cried the girl, raising her voice, "our most gracious emperor wishes you to sing before him."

　　"With the greatest pleasure," said the nightingale, and began to sing most delightfully.

　　"It sounds like tiny glass bells," said the lord-in-waiting, "and see how her little throat works. It is surprising that we have neverheard this before; she will be a great success at court."

　　"Shall I sing once more before the emperor?" asked the nightingale, who thought he was present.

　　"My excellent little nightingale," said the courtier, "I have the great pleasure of inviting you to a court festival this evening, where you will gain imperial favor by your charming song."

　　"My song sounds best in the green wood," said the bird; but still she came willingly when she heard the emperor's wish.

　　The palace was elegantly decorated for the occasion. The walls and floors of porcelain glittered in the light of a thousand lamps. Beautiful flowers, round which little bells were tied, stood in the corridors: what with the running to and fro and the draught, these bells tinkled so loudly that no one could speak to be heard. In the center of the great hall, a golden perch had been fixed for the nightingale to sit on. The whole court was present, and the little kitchen-maid had received permission to stand by the door. She was not installed as a real court cook. All were in full dress, and every eye was turned to the little gray bird when the emperor nodded to her to begin. The nightingale sang so sweetly that the tears came into the emperor's eyes, and then rolled down his cheeks, as her song became still more touching and went to every one's heart. The emperor was so delighted that he declared the nightingale should have his gold slipper to wear round her neck, but she declined the honor with thanks: she had been sufficiently rewarded already. "I have seen tears in an emperor's eyes," she said, "that is my richest reward. An emperor's tears have wonderful power, and are quite sufficient honor for me;" and then she sang again more enchantingly than ever.

　　"That singing is a lovely gift;" said the ladies of the court to each other; and then they took water in their mouths to make them utter the gurgling sounds of the nightingale when they spoke to any one, so that they might fancy themselves nightingales. And the footmen and chambermaids also expressed their satisfaction, which is saying a great deal, for they are very difficult to please. In fact the nightingale's visit was most successful. She was now to remain at court, to have her own cage, with liberty to go out twice a day, and once during the night. Twelve servants were appointed to attend her on these occasions, who each held her by a silken string fastened to her leg. There was certainly not much pleasure in this kind of flying.

　　The whole city spoke of the wonderful bird, and when two people met, one said "night," and the other said "gale," and they understood whatwas meant, for nothing else was talked of. Eleven peddlers' children were named after her, but not of them could sing a note.

　　One day the emperor received a large packet on which was written "The Nightingale." "Here is no doubt a new book about our celebrated bird," said the emperor. But instead of a book, it was a work of art contained in a casket, an artificial nightingale made to look like a living one, and covered all over with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. As soon as the artificial bird was wound up, it could sing like the real one, and could move its tail up and down, which sparkled with silver and gold. Round its neck hung a piece of ribbon, on which was written "The Emperor of China's nightingale is poor compared with that of the Emperor of Japan's."

　　"This is very beautiful," exclaimed all who saw it, and he who had brought the artificial bird received the title of "Imperial nightingale-bringer-in-chief."

　　"Now they must sing together," said the court, "and what a duet it will be." But they did not get on well, for the real nightingale sang in its own natural way, but the artificial bird sang only waltzes.

　　"That is not a fault," said the music-master, "it is quite perfect to my taste," so then it had to sing alone, and was as successful as the real bird; besides, it was so much prettier to look at, for it sparkled like bracelets and breast-pins. Three and thirty times did it sing the same tunes without being tired; the people would gladly have heard it again, but the emperor said the living nightingale ought to sing something. But where was she? No one had noticed her when she flew out at the open window, back to her own green woods.

　　"What strange conduct," said the emperor, when her flight had been discovered; and all the courtiers blamed her, and said she was a very ungrateful creature.

　　"But we have the best bird after all," said one, and then they would have the bird sing again, although it was the thirty-fourth time they had listened to the same piece, and even then they had not learnt it, for it was rather difficult. But the music-master praised the bird in the highest degree, and even asserted that it was better than a real nightingale, not only in its dress and the beautiful diamonds, but also in its musical power. "For you must perceive, my chief lord and emperor, that with a real nightingale we can never tell what is going to be sung, but with this bird everything is settled. It can be opened and explained, so that people may understand how the waltzes are formed, and why one note follows upon another."

　　"This is exactly what we think," they all replied, and then the music-master received permission to exhibit the bird to the people on the following Sunday, and the emperor commanded that they should be present to hear it sing. When they heard it they were like people intoxicated; however it must have been with drinking tea, which is quite a Chinese custom. They all said

　　"Oh!" and held up their forefingers and nodded, but a poor fisherman, who had heard the real nightingale, said, "it sounds prettily enough, and the melodies are all alike; yet there seems something wanting, I cannot exactly tell what."

　　And after this the real nightingale was banished from the empire, and the artificial bird placed on a silk cushion close to the emperor's bed. The presents of gold and precious stones which had been received with it were round the bird, and it was now advanced to the title of "Little Imperial Toilet Singer," and to the rank of No. 1 on the left hand; for the emperor considered the left side, on which the heart lies, as the most noble, and the heart of an emperor is in the same place as that of other people.

　　The music-master wrote a work, in twenty-five volumes, about the artificial bird, which was very learned and very long, and full of the most difficult Chinese words; yet all the people said they had read it, and understood it, for fear of being thought stupid and having their bodies trampled upon.

　　So a year passed, and the emperor, the court, and all the other Chinese knew every little turn in the artificial bird's song; and for that same reason it pleased them better. They could sing with the bird, which they often did. The street-boys sang, "Zi-zi-zi, cluck, cluck, cluck," and the emperor himself could sing it also. It was really most amusing.

　　One evening, when the artificial bird was singing its best, and the emperor lay in bed listening to it, something inside the bird sounded "whizz."

　　Then a spring cracked. "Whir-r-r-r" went all the wheels, running round, and then the music stopped. The emperor immediately sprang out of bed, and called for his physician; but what could he do? Then they sent for a watchmaker; and, after a great deal of talking and examination, the bird was put into something like order; but he said that it must be used very carefully, as the barrels were worn, and it would be impossible to put in new ones without injuring the music. Now there was great sorrow, as the bird could only be allowed to play once a year; and even that was dangerous for the works inside it. Then the music-master made a little speech, full of hard words, and declared that the bird was as good as ever; and, of course no one contradicted him.

　　Five years passed, and then a real grief came upon the land. The Chinese really were fond of their emperor, and he now lay so ill that he was not expected to live. Already a new emperor had been chosen and the people who stood in the street asked the lord-in-waiting how the old emperor was; but he only said, "Pooh!" and shook his head.

　　Cold and pale lay the emperor in his royal bed; the whole court thought he was dead, and every one ran away to pay homage to his successor. The chamberlains went out to have a talk on the matter, and the ladies'-maids invited company to take coffee. Cloth had been laid down on the halls and passages, so that not a footstep should be heard, and all was silent and still. But the emperor was not yet dead, although he lay white and stiff on his gorgeous bed, with the long velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels. A window stood open, and the moon shone in upon the emperor and the artificial bird. The poor emperor, finding he could scarcely breathe with a strange weight on his chest, opened his eyes, and saw Death sitting there. He had put on the emperor's golden crown, and held in one hand his sword of state, and in the other his beautiful banner. All around the bed and peeping through the long velvet curtains, were a number of strange heads, some very ugly, and others lovely and gentle-looking. These were the emperor's good and bad deeds, which stared him in the face now Death sat at his heart.

　　"Do you remember this?" "Do you recollect that?" they asked one after another, thus bringing to his remembrance circumstances that made the perspiration stand on his brow.

　　"I know nothing about it," said the emperor. "Music! music!" he cried; "the large Chinese drum! that I may not hear what they say." But they still went on, and Death nodded like a Chinaman to all they said. "Music! music!" shouted the emperor. "You little precious golden bird, sing, pray sing! I have given you gold and costly presents; I have even hung my golden slipper round your neck. Sing! sing!"

　　But the bird remained silent. There was no one to wind it up, and therefore it could not sing a note.

　　Death continued to stare at the emperor with his cold, hollow eyes, and the room was fearfully still. Suddenly there came through the open window the sound of sweet music. Outside, on the bough of a tree, sat the living nightingale. She had heard of the emperor's illness, and was therefore come to sing to him of hope and trust. And as she sung, the shadows grew paler and paler; the blood in the emperor's veins flowed more rapidly, and gave life to his weak limbs; and even Death himself listened, and said, "Go on, little nightingale, go on."

　　"Then will you give me the beautiful golden sword and that rich banner? and will you give me the emperor's crown?" said the bird.

　　So Death gave up each of these treasures for a song; and the nightingale continued her singing. She sung of the quiet churchyard, where the white roses grow, where the elder-tree wafts its perfume on the breeze, and the fresh, sweet grass is moistened by the mourners' tears. Then Death longed to go and see his garden, and floated out through the window in the form of a cold, white mist.

　　"Thanks, thanks, you heavenly little bird. I know you well. I banished you from my kingdom once, and yet you have charmed away the evil faces from my bed, and banished Death from my heart, with your sweet song. How can I reward you?"

　　"You have already rewarded me," said the nightingale. "I shall never forget that I drew tears from your eyes the first time I sang to you. These are the jewels that rejoice a singer's heart. But now sleep, and grow strong and well again. I will sing to you again."

　　And as she sung, the emperor fell into a sweet sleep; and how mild and refreshing that slumber was! When he awoke, strengthened and restored, the sun shone brightly through the window; but not one of his servants had returned they all believed he was dead; only the nightingale still sat beside him, and sang.

　　"You must always remain with me," said the emperor. "You shall sing only when it pleases you; and I will break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces."

　　"No; do not do that," replied the nightingale; "the bird did very well as long as it could. Keep it here still. I cannot live in the palace, and build my nest; but let me come when I like. I will sit on a bough outside your window, in the evening, and sing to you, so that you may be happy, and have thoughts full of joy. I will sing to you of those who are happy, and those who suffer; of the good and the evil, who are hidden around you. The little singing bird flies far from you and your court to the home of the fisherman and the peasant's cot. I love your heart better than your crown; and yet something holy lingers round that also. I will come, I will sing to you; but you must promise me one thing."

　　"Everything," said the emperor, who, having dressed himself in his imperial robes, stood with the hand that held the heavy golden sword pressed to his heart.

　　"I only ask one thing," she replied; "let no one know that you have a little bird who tells you everything. It will be best to conceal it." So saying, the nightingale flew away.

　　The servants now came in to look after the dead emperor; when, lo! there he stood, and, to their astonishment, said, "Good morning."

　　在中国，你们知道，皇帝是中国人，他周围的人也都是中国人。我这会儿要跟你讲的这个故事发生在许多年以前，因此最好趁它还没有被忘记，现在就来听听它。我要讲的这个皇帝，他那皇宫是天底下最美丽的。它整个儿由瓷砖砌成，价值非常昂贵，但是它太脆薄易碎，谁摸它都得十分小心。在花园里可以看到最珍奇的花卉，其中最美丽的，上面系着小银铃，丁零丁零响，这样人人经过就不会不注意到那些花了。

　　的确，皇帝的花园里样样东西都安排得极其精巧。这花园大得连总园丁自己也不知道它到哪里为止。沿着它一直走，最后，会来到一座宏伟的树林，树木很高，倒映在一些很深的湖上。树林一直通到大海，海又蓝又深，连大船也能紧靠岸边在树影下开过。在这些树当中，有一棵上面待着一只夜莺，它唱得那么动听，每夜出来撒网的渔夫听到了也要停下来听它唱，不禁说： 鈥溹蓿�天啊，它唱得多美啊！鈥澋�是他不能久久听下去，因为他得去干活，打起鱼来，他很快就把鸟忘掉了。然而第二天夜里一听到它的歌声，他又要重复昨夜那句话：鈥溙彀。�它唱得多美啊！鈥�

　　世界各国的人来到皇帝的京城瞻仰他的皇宫和花园；但是一听到那夜莺的歌唱，全都说这才是所有东西当中最好的。这些旅行者回国以后，介绍他们的见闻；有学问的人还写成书，书中描写这座京城、皇宫和花园；但是他们没有忘记那只夜莺，不，它总是在头一章就被提到了。会写诗的人写美丽的长诗来歌颂这只住在海边树林中的夜莺。

　　这些书畅销全球，其中一本还传到了这位皇帝的手里；他坐在他那把金交椅上读了起来，一面读一面不时点头，因为他看到把他这座京城、他的皇宫和他的花园如此称赞，感到十分高兴。但是接下来他读到了鈥溒渲幸�数夜莺最美丽鈥澱饩浠啊�

　　鈥準裁矗∫馆海课腋�本不知道有什么夜莺，我可从来没有听说过。然而它就在我的帝国里，甚至就在我的花园里。看来读书可以知道一些事情。鈥�

　　于是他把他的一个侍臣召来。这个侍臣是如此高贵，任何比他地位低的人对他说话，或者问他一件事情，他只是回答一声鈥溑掴�潱�这个字什么意思也没有。

　　鈥溦饫锾岬揭恢缓苡忻�的奇怪的鸟，这只鸟叫做夜莺，鈥澱饣厥腔实鄱运�说话；鈥溗�们说这是我整个庞大帝国里最了不起的东西。我为什么从来没有听说过它呢？鈥�

　　鈥溦饷�字我连听也没有听说过，鈥澱馕皇坛蓟卮鹚担�鈥溗�从来没有被进贡到宫里来。鈥�

　　鈥溛乙�它今天晚上就送到这里，鈥澔实勖�令说，鈥溔�世界都知道，我竟然不知道。鈥�

　　鈥溛乙泊永疵挥刑�说过，鈥澥坛蓟故撬担�鈥湶还�我一定尽力去找到它。鈥�

　　但是说说容易，这只夜莺到哪里去找呢？这位侍臣走遍整个皇宫，又是上楼又是下楼，走遍一个个大厅和一条条长廊，但是他遇到的人没有一个听说过有这只鸟。于是他回禀皇帝，说这一定是个神话，是写书的人编造的。

　　鈥湵菹虏荒芫⌒攀椋�鈥澦�说，鈥溣惺笔槔镄吹亩�西纯属虚构，或所谓无中生有。鈥�

　　鈥湹�是我刚读到的这本书，鈥澔实鬯担�鈥準侨毡竟�天皇送给我的，因此不可能有假。我一定要听到这只夜莺的歌声！今天晚上就要 听到！它如果不送到，要打全宫的人的肚子，而且是在刚吃饱以后。鈥�

　　鈥溩裰迹♀�澥坛几吆粢簧�。他重新又是上楼又是下楼，走遍一个个大厅和一条条长廊；半个皇宫的人和他一起跑，因为他们不想给打肚子。他们到处去打听这只了不起的夜莺，全世界都知道它，唯独皇宫里不知道。

　　最后他们来到厨房，一个穷苦的小女孩正在干活，擦着锅子。她说：鈥溹蓿�对，我知道这只夜莺；没错，我熟悉它，它唱得美极了。我得到允许，每天晚上把残羹剩饭送回家去给我生病的可怜母亲；她就住在下面海边。路很远，回来的时候，我累了就坐在树林里休息，听那只夜莺唱歌。我会听得热泪盈眶，就像是我的妈妈在吻我。鈥�

　　鈥溞⊙就罚�鈥澥坛妓担�鈥溛乙欢ㄔ诔�房里给你个固定的活儿干，而且可以侍候皇上用膳，只要你把我们带到夜莺那里去；因为要邀请它今晚进宫。鈥�

　　于是她到林中夜莺唱歌的地方，半个皇宫的人跟在她后面走。他们一路走时，一头母牛哞哞叫起来。

　　鈥溹蓿�鈥澮晃荒昵崾坛妓担�鈥溝衷谖颐钦业剿�了。这么小的一只动物，力气多么惊人啊，叫得那么响；这声音我肯定先前听到过。鈥�

　　鈥湶欢裕�那只是牛叫，鈥澇�房小丫头说；鈥湹揭馆旱牡胤剑�我们还有根长的路要走呢。鈥�

　　接着经过沼泽地，青蛙呱呱叫了起来。

　　鈥満锰�，鈥澒�廷祭司叹道，鈥溝衷谖姨�到它了，清脆得像教堂小钟的声音。鈥�

　　鈥湶欢裕�那只是些青蛙叫，鈥澇�房小丫头说，鈥湶还�我想现在很快就要听到它的声音了。鈥�

　　不久，夜莺唱了起来。

　　鈥溎蔷褪撬�，鈥澬⊙就匪担�鈥溙�啊，听啊，它就在上面那树枝上。鈥澦�指着树枝上一只灰色小鸟。

　　鈥溦饪赡苈穑库�澞俏皇坛妓担�鈥溛掖永疵幌氲剿�会是那样的，它看上去普普通通、平平凡凡！它看到有那么多贵人一下子围住了它，一定是大惊失色了吧。鈥�

　　鈥溞∫馆海�鈥澬⊙就诽岣呱ぷ咏械溃�鈥溛颐亲钊蚀鹊幕实巯Ｍ�你在他面前唱歌。鈥�

　　鈥湻浅＠忠狻ｂ�澮馆核底牛�开始唱得要多悦耳有多悦耳。

　　鈥溗�听上去像是玻璃小铃挡，鈥澥坛继镜溃�鈥溓扑�的小歌喉颤动得多么好。真奇怪，我们以前竟然没有听到过这歌声；它在皇宫里一定会大获成功。鈥�

　　鈥溡�我在皇帝面前再唱一支歌吗？鈥澮馆何实溃�它以为皇帝在场。

　　鈥溛业亩ミ蛇傻男∫馆海�鈥澥坛妓担�鈥溛矣行已�请你今晚参加一个宫廷盛会，皇上希望你在那里用你最迷人的歌使他入迷。鈥�

　　鈥溛业母柙诼躺�树林里唱起来最好听。鈥澮馆核担徊还�它听说是皇帝希望它去，还是乐意地跟着他们到皇宫去了。

　　皇宫里为了这件事情布置得非常考究。瓷砖墙和瓷砖地在上千盏灯的亮光中闪耀。走廊上放着挂有小铃挡的最美丽的花，随着人们跑来跑去，微风飘过，这些铃挡丁令丁令响得连说话也听不见。

　　在皇帝宝座所在的大厅当中，已经装好了一根金的小栖棍。全皇宫的人都出席了，那厨房小丫头也得到恩准站在门口。她已经被封为宫廷厨仆。所有的人衣冠楚楚，每一只眼睛盯住了这只灰色小鸟。皇帝向夜莺点点头让它开始唱。

　　夜莺唱得那么甜润，眼泪涌上了皇帝的眼睛；当泪水滚下皇帝的脸颊时，它唱得更是从未有过的好听。它唱的歌打动每个人的心，皇帝太喜欢它了，传旨给这夜莺在脖子上套上他的金丝围脖。再没有比这更高的荣誉了。但是夜莺谢绝了，说它已经得到了足够的奖赏。

　　鈥溛乙丫�看到了皇帝的眼泪，鈥澦�说，鈥溎鞘歉�我最丰厚的奖赏。皇帝的眼泪具有特殊的力量，上帝知道，这奖赏足够了。鈥澖幼潘�又唱了一支歌。

　　鈥溦媸俏颐谴永疵挥刑�到过的美妙歌喉，鈥澟�侍臣们相互说；从此以后，对人说话她们就先含上一点水，好让说出来的话带有格格的声音，也就可以自以为是夜莺了。男仆女仆也都表示满意，这很说明问题，因为要付他们喜欢是极不容易的、说实在话，夜莺进宫来获得了最大的成功。

　　如今它在宫中留下，有自己的鸟笼，可以白天出来两次，夜里出来一次。出来时指定十二名仆人侍候它，每天握住系在它腿上的一根丝线。这样的飞法实在一点也不快活。

　　全城都在谈论这只了不起的鸟，两个人相遇时，这个说鈥溡光�潱�那个就说鈥溳衡�潱�他们懂得这内中的意思，因为大家开口就只谈夜莺。有十一个小贩的孩子取名鈥溡馆衡�潱�但是他们一个也不会唱歌。

　　有一天皇帝收到一个大包裹，上面写着鈥溡馆衡�澚礁鲎帧�

　　鈥満廖抟晌剩�这又是一本写我们这只名鸟的新书，鈥澔实鬯怠５�拆开来一看，这不是书，而是一件装在盒子里的工艺品，一只人造的夜莺，看上去和活的一样，然而是金和银做的，全身镶满钻石、红宝石和蓝宝石。给这只人造夜莺一上发条，它能唱出真夜莺唱的一支歌，唱起来尾巴还能一上一下地动，发出银色和金色的闪光。它的脖子上挂着一条缎带，上面写着：鈥溔毡竟�天皇的夜莺不能和中国皇帝的夜莺比美。鈥�

　　鈥溦庵灰馆好兰�了。鈥澣�皇宫的人说。把这人造夜莺送来的人立即被封为鈥溁始沂紫�夜莺使者鈥潯�

　　鈥溝衷诒匦肴盟�们一起唱，鈥澔使�里的人说，鈥溎墙�是多么好听的两重唱啊。鈥澯谑蔷驼饷窗臁５�是它们配合得一点不好，因为真夜莺自由自在地想唱什么就唱什么，而人造夜莺只会唱一支圆舞曲。

　　鈥溦獠荒芄炙�，鈥澒�廷乐师说，鈥溗�唱得完全符合节拍，正是我的音乐流派。鈥澯谑侨嗽煲馆褐缓枚莱�，大家一致认为它唱得和真夜莺同样美；再加上它看上去漂亮多了，它的钻石、红宝石和蓝宝石像手镯和胸针一样闪闪发光。

　　人造夜莺能把同一首曲子唱上三十三遍而丝毫不累，人们还乐意听第三十四遍，但是皇帝说也该让真夜莺唱唱了，可是它上哪儿去啦？谁也没有注意到。它已经飞出了打开的窗子，回到它自己翠绿的林中去了。

　　鈥溦馐鞘裁匆馑迹♀�澐⑾炙�飞走以后，皇帝生气他说。宫中所有的人都骂它，说它忘恩负义。

　　鈥湶还�我们到底留下了一只最好的鸟，鈥澦�们说，接着这只鸟再唱。它依旧唱同一首曲子，因为它不会唱别的。但是这首曲子很复杂，因此朝臣们还是没有把它记住。宫廷乐师把这只鸟捧上了天，认为它比真夜莺还要好，不仅它外表的美丽宝石比真夜莺好，它内在的音乐才能也比真夜莺好。

　　鈥溡蛭�你们必须认识到，我的陛下和诸位先生，那只真夜莺根本靠不住。对于一只真夜莺，我们永远说不出它接下去将唱什么，但是对于这只人造的鸟，一切都是安排好了的。总共只有一首曲子，一切都可以解释清楚。我们可以打开它并加以说明，这样人们就明白圆舞曲的结构，为什么一个音符跟着另一个音符。鈥濃�溦庹�是我们所想要的。鈥澊蠹彝�声回答说。接着宫廷乐师得到许可，下星期日要向公众展示这只鸟。

　　皇帝命令大家必须到场听它唱歌。人们照办，一听到它的歌唱都变得醉醺醺的，不过这一定是由于喝了茶，因为喝茶是地道的中国习惯。他们都用食指指着天，点着头说：鈥溹蓿♀��

　　但是一个听过真夜莺唱歌的穷渔夫嘟哝说：鈥溗�听上去的确漂亮，很像真的鸟唱歌，但是唱的歌老一套；同时好像还缺了点什么，我也说不清楚到底缺了什么。鈥�

　　从此以后，真夜莺被驱逐出这个帝国。

　　这只人造夜莺被放在皇帝床边一个绸垫子上，用它得到的礼物，都是些金银珠宝围住它，它现在被封为鈥溁实塾�用小歌手鈥潱�等级是左边第一等；因为皇帝认为心房在左边，左边是最高贵的一边。即使是皇帝，他的心房也和普通老百姓的心房在同一个位置上。

　　关于这只人造鸟，宫廷乐师写了一部巨著，达二十五卷之多，不但写得渊博高深，篇幅又长，而且全是用最难的中国字写出来的；所有的人买来都说读过了，读懂了，因为怕被人认为蠢钝而给打肚子。

　　就这样，一年过去了，人造鸟唱的歌的每一个音符，皇帝、全皇宫的人和所有其他中国人都能背出来，大家之所以那么喜欢它，因为他们也会唱，也这么唱了。街上的孩子唱：鈥溸催催矗�咯咯咯；鈥澔实郾救艘渤�：鈥溸催催矗�咯咯咯。鈥澱馐翟谑呛猛婕�了！

　　但是有一天晚上，人造鸟正唱得最精彩，皇帝躺在床上正听得出了神的时候，鸟的内部忽然发出鈥溹亦意�澤�。接着一根发条断了，所有的齿轮鈥溛匚剽�澮徽舐易�，音乐随即停止了。

　　皇帝连忙跳下床，把他的御医召来；但是御医有什么办法呢？接着召来钟表匠；经过好大一番研究和检查，鸟总算是勉强修好；不过钟表匠说以后必须小心使用它，因为发条盒已经损坏，新的又没法装。这鸟只能省着用，不能让它常演唱。

　　这真是一个大悲剧！现在这人造鸟一年只能唱一次，甚至连这样也会对整个内部机器有危险。接着宫廷乐师作了一次小演讲，充满难懂的字眼，说这鸟和原先一样好；他既然这么说，它自然也就是和原先一样好。

　　五年过去，这时候国上上降临了真正的悲哀。虽然大家爱戴他们这个老皇帝，然而他现在患了重病，所有人一致认为他没有希望了。虽然新的皇帝已经选定，但是站在街上的人还是问那侍臣，老皇帝怎么样了；而他只是摇摇头，说一声：鈥溑蓿♀��

　　皇帝躺在他金碧辉煌的龙床上，身体冰凉，脸色苍白；整个皇宫的人都认定他死了，个个跑去朝觐他的继承人。侍女们出去谈论这件事，女侍臣们找伴喝咖啡。各个大厅和所有走廊都铺上了布，不让听到一点脚步声，周围一片死寂。

　　但是皇帝还没有死，虽然他躺在他那张挂着丝绒帘幔、垂着沉重金丝穗子的华丽床上，脸色苍白，身体僵直。窗子开着，月亮照在皇帝和那只人造鸟身上。

　　可怜的皇帝只觉得胸前被压得出奇地沉重，连气也喘不过来，于是睁开眼睛，看到死神正坐在那里。他戴上了皇帝的金冠，一只手握着皇帝的金宝剑，一只手握着他的皇旗。床的四周有许多奇怪的脑袋从长长的丝绒床幔问窥探进来，有些非常丑陋，有些好看温柔。这些脑袋代表皇帝做过的好事和坏事，现在死神已经坐在皇帝的心口上，它们正盯着皇帝的脸看。

　　鈥溎慵堑谜饧�事吗？鈥濃�溎阆肫鹆四羌�事吗？鈥澦�们接二连三地问道，这就使他回想起许多往事，使他的额头冒出了冷汗。

　　鈥湶唬�不，我一点也不记得！这不是真的！鈥澔实劢械溃�鈥溡衾郑∫衾郑】烨弥泄�大鼓啊！鈥澦�央求说，鈥溔梦也灰�听到他们说的话。鈥�

　　但是它们仍旧说下去，死神对它们说的话都像中国人那样点头。

　　鈥溡衾郑∫衾郑♀�澔实鄞蠼校�鈥溎阏庵徽涔蟮男〗鹉瘢�唱歌啊，求求你唱歌啊！我给了你黄金和贵重的礼物；我甚至把我的金丝围脖挂在你的脖子上。唱啊！求求你唱啊！鈥澋�是人造夜莺一声不响。没有人给它上发条，因此它一个音也唱不出来。

　　死神继续用他骷髅头上的空眼窝盯着皇帝，房间里静得可怕。

　　忽然之间，透过开着的窗子传进来最甜美的歌声。外面，在一棵树的树枝上停着一只活的夜莺。它听说皇帝生病受折磨，因此来给他唱安慰和希望的歌。它一唱，床幔间那些脸逐渐消失；皇帝血管里的血流得更快，给他虚弱的四肢带来了活力；连死神自己也边倾听边说：鈥湷�吧，小夜莺，唱下去！鈥�

　　鈥溎敲矗�你肯把那把金宝剑和那面皇旗给我吗？你肯把那顶金皇冠给我吗？鈥澮馆核怠�

　　于是死神为了一支曲子交出了这些财宝；夜莺继续唱它的歌。它歌唱那安静的教堂墓地，那里生长着白玫瑰，那里接骨木树在微风中散发着芳香，鲜草被哀悼者的眼泪打湿。于是死神渴望着去看看他的花园，化成一股寒冷的白雾，从窗口飘了出去。

　　鈥溞恍唬�谢谢，鈥澔实矍崆崴担�鈥溎阏馍袷サ男∧瘢�我记得你。我曾经把你驱逐出我的帝国，然而你回来为我歌唱，用你甜蜜的歌把那些鬼脸从我的床边驱走，把死神从我的心上赶跑。我该怎么奖赏你呢？鈥�

　　鈥溎阋丫�奖赏过我了，鈥澮馆核担�鈥溛矣涝恫换嵬�记，我第一次给你唱歌的时候引得你流下了眼泪。这些眼泪是使歌唱者的心充满喜悦的珠宝。不过现在你睡吧，养好身体，恢复健康，我要再为你歌唱。鈥�

　　这灰色小鸟又唱起来；在它的歌声中，皇帝沉入甜蜜的酣睡中；这一觉是多么安宁和舒服啊！

　　等到他恢复了体力和精力醒来时，太阳明亮地照进窗子。但是他的仆人一个也没有回来鈥斺�斔�们都相信他已经死了；只有那只夜莺依然蹲在他的身边，歌唱着。

　　鈥溎惚匦胗涝读粝吕春臀以谝黄穑�鈥澔实鬯担�鈥溎憧梢园�怎么唱就怎么唱；我要把那人造鸟砸个粉碎。鈥�

　　鈥湶唬�不要这样做，鈥澮馆夯卮鹚担�鈥溦庵荒裨谒�还能唱的时候唱得非常好。仍旧把它保存在这里吧。我不能住在这个皇宫里，不能在这里筑我的巢；但是在我愿意来的时候就让我来好了。我晚上将在你窗外的树枝上给你唱歌，让你高兴，让你深思。我不仅要给你歌唱幸福的人，而且要给你歌唱受苦的人。我要歌唱在你周围发生和还隐藏着的善和恶。我这小小的鸣禽要远离你和你的皇宫飞到贫穷渔夫的家和农民的农舍去。我爱你那颗心胜过爱你那顶皇冠；然而皇冠也存在着它神圣之处。我会来的！我会为你歌唱的！但是你必须答应我一件事。鈥�

　　鈥準裁词挛叶即鹩δ恪ｂ�澔实鬯担�这时候他已经穿好了他的皇袍，站在那里，握着那把沉重的金宝剑，把它按在他的心口。

　　鈥溛抑磺肭笠患�事，鈥澮馆夯卮穑�鈥湶灰�让任何人知道你有一只告诉你所有事情的小鸟，这样会更好。鈥澮馆核低暾饩浠埃�就飞走了。

　　仆人们现在进来料理死了的皇帝。他们一下子站在那里张口结舌，皇帝却对他们说：鈥溎忝呛怠ｂ��