美國語文第六冊 第243期:磚石切磚石(3)
“我的孩子，”阿里答道，“把那個匣子給我留下，我會給你其他任何人也不會給你的價錢。
Choose whatever you wish in Jidda, and in two hours I will give you an equal weight of what you have chosen in exchange for your Indian stones.'
在吉達不論你選擇賣給誰，我都會在兩小時內給你與你從印度帶來的寶石一樣重的鉆石。”
"On returning home, night brought reflection. I learned that Ali had been deceiving me.
“回去后我徹夜難眠。我曉得阿里在騙我。
What he had given to the slave was nothing but a bit of crystal.
他給奴隸的不過是一塊水晶罷了。
I demanded my casket, Ali refused to restore it. Venerable magistrate, my sole hope is in your justice."
我想要回我的匣子，阿里拒絕原物奉還。尊敬的法官大人，我唯一的希望就是您主持公正了。”
It was now Ali's turn to speak. "Illustrious cadi," said he, "It is true that we made a bargain, which I am ready to keep.
現在輪到阿里為自己辯護。“明察秋毫的法官大人，”他說，“事實上我確實做了一筆交易，我準備履行自己的承諾。
The rest of the young man's story is false. What matters it what I gave the slave?
這個年輕人說的其他事情都是假的。至于我給奴隸什么東西有什么關系呢?
Did I force the stranger to leave the casket in my hands?
難道是我從這位年輕人手上把匣子搶過來的不成?
Why does he accuse me of treachery? Have I broken my word, and has he kept his?"
他為什么要指控我有欺詐行為?如果說我不守信的話，難道他就守信嗎?”
"Young man," said the cadi to the Banian, "have you witnesses to prove that Ali deceived you?
“年輕人，”地方法官對印度商人說，“你有證人證明阿里欺騙你嗎?
If not, I shall put the accused on his oath, as the law decrees."
如果沒有，我將把他的誓言作為判決的依據。”
A Koran was brought. Ali placed his hand on it, and swore three times that he had not deceived the stranger.
說著，拿來《古蘭經》。阿里手按《古蘭經》，發(fā)了三遍誓，說他不會欺騙初來乍到的外鄉(xiāng)人。
"Wretch," said the Banian, "thou art among those whose feet go down to destruction, thou hast thrown away thy soul."
“簡直無恥之極，”印度商人說，“你就屬于那種腳一踩到地就會帶來破壞的人，早把靈魂和良心扔到一邊了。”
