《安徒生童话英文版》第299章

　　asked the learned man.

　　"I saw everything, as you shall hear. But- it really is notpride on my part, as a free man and possessing the knowledge that Ido, besides my position, not to speak of my wealth- I wish you wouldsay you to me instead of thou."

　　"I beg your pardon," said the learned man; "it is an old habit,which it is difficult to break. You are quite right; I will try tothink of it. But now tell me everything that you saw."

　　"Everything," said the shadow; "for I saw and know everything."

　　"What was the appearance of the inner rooms?" asked the scholar."Was it there like a cool grove, or like a holy temple? Were thechambers like a starry sky seen from the top of a high mountain?"

　　"It was all that you describe," said the shadow; "but I did not goquite in- I remained in the twilight of the ante-room- but I was ina very good position,- I could see and hear all that was going on inthe court of poetry."

　　"But what did you see? Did the gods of ancient times passthrough the rooms? Did old heroes fight their battles over again? Werethere lovely children at play, who related their dreams?"

　　"I tell you I have been there, and therefore you may be surethat I saw everything that was to be seen. If you had gone there,you would not have remained a human being, whereas I became one; andat the same moment I became aware of my inner being, my inbornaffinity to the nature of poetry. It is true I did not think muchabout it while I was with you, but you will remember that I was alwaysmuch larger at sunrise and sunset, and in the moonlight even morevisible than yourself, but I did not then understand my innerexistence. In the ante-room it was revealed to me. I became a man; Icame out in full maturity. But you had left the warm countries. As aman, I felt ashamed to go about without boots or clothes, and thatexterior finish by which man is known. So I went my own way; I cantell you, for you will not put it in a book. I hid myself under thecloak of a cake woman, but she little thought who she concealed. Itwas not till evening that I ventured out. I ran about the streets inthe moonlight. I drew myself up to my full height upon the walls,which tickled my back very pleasantly. I ran here and there, lookedthrough the highest windows into the rooms, and over the roofs. Ilooked in, and saw what nobody else could see, or indeed ought to see;in fact, it is a bad world, and I would not care to be a man, but thatmen are of some importance. I saw the most miserable things going onbetween husbands and wives, parents and children,- sweet, incomparablechildren. I have seen what no human being has the power of knowing,although they would all be very glad to know- the evil conduct oftheir neighbors. Had I written a newspaper, how eagerly it wouldhave been read! Instead of which, I wrote directly to the personsthemselves, and great alarm arose in all the town I visited. Theyhad so much fear of me, and yet how dearly they loved me. Theprofessor made me a professor. The tailor gave me new clothes; I amwell provided for in that way. The overseer of the mint struck coinsfor me. The women declared that I was handsome, and so I became theman you now see me. And now I must say adieu. Here is my card. Ilive on the sunny side of the street, and always stay at home in rainyweather." And the shadow departed.

　　"This is all very remarkable," said the learned man.

　　Years passed, days and years went by, and the shadow came again."How are you going on now?" he asked.

　　"Ah!"