“Right, sister,” answered the other, “therefore we must show her as much kindness as possible.” After they had taken this resolution, they went up, and behaved so affectionately to their sister, that poor Beauty cried for joy. When the week was expired, they cried and seemed so sorry to part with her, that she promised to stay a week longer.
In the meantime, Beauty was thinking about the uneasiness she was likely to cause poor Beast,[60] whom she sincerely loved, and really longed to see again. The tenth night she spent at her father’s, she dreamed she was in the palace garden, and that she saw Beast lying on the grass, who, in a dying voice, reproached her with her ingratitude. Beauty woke up and burst into tears.[61] “Am I not very wicked,” said she, “to act so unkindly to Beast, that has studied so much, to please me in everything? Is it his fault if he is so ugly? He is kind and good, and that is sufficient. Why did I refuse to marry him? I should be happier with the monster than my sisters are with their husbands; it is neither wit, nor a fine person, in a husband, that makes a woman happy, but virtue, sweetness of temper,[62] and complaisance, and Beast has all these valuable qualifications. It is true, I do not feel the tenderness of affection for him,[63] but I find I have the highest gratitude, esteem, and friendship; I will not make him miserable, were I to be so ungrateful I should never forgive myself.[64]” Saying this Beauty rose, put her ring on the table, and then laid down again. When she waked the next morning, she was overjoyed to find herself in the Beast’s palace.
She put on one of her best dresses to please him, and waited for evening with the utmost impatience. When the clock struck nine, the Beast didn’t appear. Beauty then feared she had been the cause of his death; she ran crying all about the palace in despair. She looked for him everywhere, but couldn’t find him. Then she recollected her dream, and ran to the garden, where she dreamed she saw him. There she found poor Beast stretched out, quite senseless, and, as she imagined, dead. She threw herself upon him without any dread,[65] and finding his heart beat still, she fetched some water from the canal, and poured it on his head. Beast opened his eyes, and said to Beauty, “You forgot your promise, and I was so afflicted for having lost you, that I resolved to starve myself, but since I have the happiness of seeing you once more, I die satisfied.”
“No, dear Beast,” said Beauty, “you must not die. Live to be my husband; from this moment I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours. I thought I had only a friendship for you, but the grief I now feel convinces me, that I cannot live without you.” When Beauty said these words, she saw the palace sparkle with light;[66] and fireworks, instruments of music, everything seemed to give notice of some great event.[67] She turned to her dear Beast, for whom she trembled with fear; but how great was her surprise! Beast disappeared, and she saw, at her feet the loveliest prince; who returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm,[68] under which he had so long resembled a Beast. Though this prince was worthy of all her attention, she could not forbear asking where Beast was.[69]
“You see him at your feet, said the prince. A wicked fairy had condemned me to remain under that shape until a beautiful girl should consent to marry me.”
Beauty, agreeably surprised, gave the charming prince her hand to rise; they went together into the castle, and Beauty was overjoyed to find, in the great hall, her father and his whole family, whom the beautiful lady, that appeared to her in her dream, had conveyed there.
“Beauty,” said this lady, “come and receive the reward of your judicious choice; you have preferred virtue before either wit or beauty, and deserve to find a person in whom all these qualifications are united. You are going to be a great queen. I hope the throne will not lessen your virtue, or make you forget yourself. As to you, ladies,” said the fairy to Beauty’s two sisters, “I know your hearts, and all the malice they contain. Become two statues, but, under this transformation, still retain your reason. You shall stand before your sister’s palace gate, and be it your punishment; and it will not be in your power to return to your former state,[70] until you own your faults, but I am very much afraid that you will always remain statues. Though pride, anger and idleness are sometimes conquered.[71]”
Immediately the fairy gave a stroke with her wand,[72] and in a moment all that were in the hall were transported into the prince’s dominions. He married Beauty, and lived with her many years, and their happiness was complete.
Exercises
1. Translate into English:
вздохнуть, рядом с изголовьем кровати, одеться, завидовать, одетая как принцесса, задержать на неделю, плакала от радости, тем временем, умирающим голосом, ценный, благодарность, в крайнем нетерпении, причина смерти, заморить себя голодом, клясться, получить вознаграждение, наказание, владения.
2. Answer the questions.
1. Where did Beauty find herself in the morning?
2. What did she learn about her sisters?
Примечания
1
she still went by the name of Beauty – ее все так же называли «Красавица»
2
they were great fortunes – они были богатыми
3
All at once – Неожиданно
4
for they had lovers, who they were sure would be glad to have them, though they had no fortune – поскольку у них есть возлюбленные, которые не оставят их, несмотря на их бедность
5
was sadly grieved at the loss of her fortune – сильно горевала о потере благосостояния
6
applied themselves to husbandry and tillage – занялись ведением хозяйства и вспахиванием земли
7
flattered themselves with the hopes of returning to town – стали тешить себя надеждой о возвращении в город
8
Since you have the goodness to think of me – Раз уж ты так великодушен, что думаешь обо мне
9
they went to law with him about the merchandise – начались судебные разбирательства о его товарах
10
and after a great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose – после большого количества бессмысленных хлопот и беспокойств
11
he lost himself – он сбился с пути
12
that it threw him twice off his horse – что он дважды падал с лошади
13
plentifully set out with but one cover laid – с большим количеством блюд, но всего лишь на одну персону
14
he drew near the fire – он устроился у огня
15
Thank you, good Madam Fairy – благодарю вас, Госпожа Фея
16
obliged to you for all your favours – признателен вам за вашу благосклонность
17
say your prayers – помолиться
18
do not imagine, I am to be moved by any of your flattering speeches – не надейся, что сумеешь меня разжалобить своими речами
19
had no mind – и в мыслях не было
20
upon oath – поклявшись
21
he burst into tears – разрыдался
22
and said all manner of ill-natured things – и наговорили много плохого в адрес
23
to distinguish herself – выделиться, показаться особенной
24
shed a tear – проронить слезу
25
shall not suffer upon my account – не будет страдать из-за меня
26
or perish in the attempt – либо погибнем в попытке сделать это
27
he retired to rest – отошел ко сну
28
to his great astonishment – к его великому изумлению
29
in his absence – в его отсутствие
30
to force some tears – чтобы вызвать у себя слезы
31
has a mind – намеревается
32
plentiful entertainment – зд. обильные яства
33
took courage – набралась храбрости
34
he could not help crying bitterly – он не смог удержаться от слез
35
she could not help admiring – не могла не восхититься
36
Swift obedience meets them still – все быстро исполнится
37
with a very dejected countenance – с очень печальным видом
38
their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister – их радость от того, что они избавились от сестры
39
will you give me leave to see you sup? – позволишь ли мне повидаться с тобой во время ужина?
40
almost conquered her dread of the monster – почти перестала бояться чудовище
41
she had like to have fainted away – чуть не лишилась чувств
42
recovered her fright – преодолела свой страх
43
paid her a visit – наносил ей визит
44
with good common sense – здравомысляще
45
so accustomed her to his deformity – настолько привыкла к его жуткому облику
46
There was but one thing that gave Beauty any concern – Ее беспокоило только одно
47
I ought to think myself happy – мне следует думать, что я счастлив
48
had pined himself sick for the loss of her – исстрадался от того, что потерял ее
49
I had rather die myself – Я скорее сам умру
50
poor Beast will die with grief – несчастное Чудовище умрет от горя
51
let me stay – позволь мне побыть
52
You shall be there tomorrow morning – Ты должна будешь вернуться завтра утром
53
when you have a mind to come back – когда захочешь вернуться
54
bidding her good night – желая ей спокойной ночи
55
gave a loud shriek – пронзительно закричала
56
but so fond of his own person – но настолько самолюбивым
57
sickened with envy – умирали от зависти
58
an idea occurred to me – мне пришла в голову идея
59
for breaking her word – за то, что она не сдержала слово
60
she was likely to cause poor Beast – она собиралась причинить бедному Чудовищу
61
burst into tears – разрыдалась
62
sweetness of temper – добрый нрав
63
I do not feel the tenderness of affection for him – у меня нет к нему нежной привязанности
64
were I to be so ungrateful I should never forgive myself – я никогда себя не прощу, если буду такой неблагодарной
65
She threw herself upon him without any dread – Она бросилась к нему без какого бы то ни было страха
66
she saw the palace sparkle with light – она увидела, что дворец озарился светом
67
seemed to give notice of some great event – казалось, объявили о каком-то важном событии
68
who returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm – который благодарил ее за то, что она сняла заклятие
69
she could not forbear asking where Beast was – она не могла не спросить о том, куда подевалось Чудовище
70
to return to your former state – вернуть свое прежнее обличье
71
are sometimes conquered – иногда бывает можно преодолеть
72
gave a stroke with her wand – взмахнула своей палочкой