《睡谷传奇》开篇：英文原著带中文翻译

A pleasing land of drowsy head it was, Of dreams that wave before the half-shut eye; And of gay castles in the clouds that pass, Forever flushing round a summer sky. CASTLE OF INDOLENCE.

这是一片令人心旷神怡的昏昏欲睡之地，半闭的眼前浮动着种种梦境，还有那掠过夏日天空的华丽云中城堡。《懒人城堡》。

In the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators the Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of St. Nicholas when they crossed, there lies a small market town or rural port, which by some is called Greensburgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name of Tarry Town. This name was given, we are told, in former days, by the good housewives of the adjacent country, from the inveterate propensity of their husbands to linger about the village tavern on market days. Be that as it may, I do not vouch for the fact, but merely advert to it, for the sake of being precise and authentic. Not far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley or rather lap of land among high hills, which is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A small brook glides through it, with just murmur enough to lull one to repose; and the occasional whistle of a quail or tapping of a woodpecker is almost the only sound that ever breaks in upon the uniform tranquillity.

在哈得孙河东岸那些宽阔海湾中的一个湾怀里，在古荷兰航海者称为塔潘泽的那片开阔河面上，他们渡河时总是谨慎地收帆，祈求圣尼古拉保佑，那里坐落着一个小集镇，或者说乡间港口，有人叫它绿堡，但更普遍也更恰当的称呼是瞌睡镇。据说，这个名字是早年附近乡下的贤惠主妇们起的，因为她们的丈夫每逢集市日总要赖在村里的酒馆里不走。不管怎样，我并不担保确有其事，只是提一提，以求准确可靠。离这个村子不远，大约两英里吧，在高山之间有一个小山谷，或者说一片山间的凹地，是全世界最幽静的地方之一。一条小溪从中滑过，水声轻得刚好催人入眠，偶尔一声鹌鹑的啼叫或啄木鸟的啄击，几乎是唯一打破这片浑然宁静的声响。

I recollect that, when a stripling, my first exploit in squirrel-shooting was in a grove of tall walnut-trees that shades one side of the valley. I had wandered into it at noontime, when all nature is peculiarly quiet, and was startled by the roar of my own gun, as it broke the Sabbath stillness around and was prolonged and reverberated by the angry echoes. If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising than this little valley.

我记得，还在少年时，我第一次打松鼠，就是在山谷一侧那片高大的胡桃树林里。正午时分，万物格外寂静，我信步走了进去，自己的枪声骤然响起，打破了四周安息日般的静谧，又被愤怒的回声拖长、震荡，把我吓了一跳。倘若我有朝一日想找个退隐之处，悄悄躲开尘世和它的纷扰，在梦中静静度完烦扰一生的余日，我知道没有比这个小山谷更合适的地方了。

From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW, and its rustic lads are called the Sleepy Hollow Boys throughout all the neighboring country. A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere. Some say that the place was bewitched by a High German doctor, during the early days of the settlement; others, that an old Indian chief, the prophet or wizard of his tribe, held his powwows there before the country was discovered by Master Hendrick Hudson. Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvellous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air. The whole neighborhood abounds with local tales, haunted spots, and twilight superstitions; stars shoot and meteors glare oftener across the valley than in any other part of the country, and the nightmare, with her whole ninefold, seems to make it the favorite scene of her gambols.

由于这地方懒洋洋的安闲，也由于当地居民的特殊性情，他们是早期荷兰移民的后裔，这个幽僻的山谷长久以来就被称为瞌睡谷，谷里的乡下小伙子在附近一带都被叫作瞌睡谷少年。一种昏沉如梦的气息似乎笼罩着这片土地，弥漫在空气之中。有人说，这地方在拓荒初期被一个德国高地医生施了魔法，也有人说，早在亨德里克·哈得孙先生发现这片地方之前，一位印第安老酋长，也就是他部落里的先知或巫师，曾在这里举行祭典。可以肯定的是，这地方至今仍受某种巫术力量的支配，对善良的居民们的心灵施了咒，使他们终日恍恍惚惚。他们迷信各种离奇的说法，容易陷入恍惚和幻象，常常看见奇怪的景象，听见空中的音乐和说话声。附近一带到处是本地传说、闹鬼的地方和黄昏时分的迷信，流星和彗星掠过山谷上空，比全国任何地方都更频繁，而梦魇带着她的九重魔军，似乎也把这里当成了她最爱嬉戏的场所。