牛津書蟲系列 神秘及幻想故事集 04 William Wilson

William Wilson

威廉·威爾遜

william Wilson is not my name.But I shall use it in this story because my real name is too well known， too hated in every corner of the world. My evil crimes have made sure of that.And as the day of my death comes nearer，I feel the need to write， to explain to you how my life of crime began.

威廉·威爾遜并不是我的名字，但我將在這個故事中使用它，因為我的真名實姓早已在世界上每一個角落廣為人知、深受憎惡了。我所犯下的邪惡罪行確保了這一點。由于我的死期正一天天臨近，我覺得有必要訴諸筆墨，向諸位解釋一下我的犯罪生涯是如何開始的。

Most men become evil slowly.They start with little crimes and then move on to bigger ones.But I am different.I moved into real crime with just one big step.Has any man lived a life as evil as mine? But now， the shadow of death fills me with fear;day and night I have the most terrible dreams.Perhaps someone， somewhere， will feel sorry for me.Listen to my story…

人們走向墮落大都是一步步地來，開始時犯些小過錯，接下來罪行便愈犯愈大。但我的情形完全不同。我只消邁上一大步便墮入了真正的罪惡深淵。曾經有人像我一樣經歷過如此邪惡的一生嗎?可是現(xiàn)在，死亡的陰影使我的內心充滿了恐懼，我沒日沒夜地做最可怕的噩夢。也許在某個地方有某個人會為我感到難過。請聽我的故事……

I was a wild and excitable child.My parents worried about me and often tried to punish me， but they never succeeded in changing me.I refused to obey them and I never followed any orders that they gave me.I wanted to be free so I listened only to myself.

我小時候是個野性十足、容易激動的孩子，我父母很為我操心，總想懲罰我，但他們從未成功地令我有所改變。我拒不服從他們，從不照著他們給我的指令去做。我一心想自由自在地生活，于是干什么都是我行我素。

The first school that I can remember was a large and very old house in a small， quiet English village.As I write，I can sill feel the coolness of the shadowy gardens near the house. I can smell the sweetness of the flowers and hear the deep sound of the church bells as they rang every hour.

我記得我上的第一所學校是位于英格蘭一座僻靜的小村莊中的一棟非常古舊的大房子。我現(xiàn)在一邊寫，一邊還能感覺到房子旁邊那幽暗的花園里的絲絲涼意，還能嗅到花朵的芬芳，聽到每當整點時便敲響的深沉的教堂鐘聲。

These feelings give me some moments of happiness as I sit here in black misery， waiting for death.In fact，it is here，in this school，that my story really begins…

當我無比凄慘地在這里坐以待斃的時候，這些感覺給了我片刻的歡悅。事實上，我的故事就是從這里、從這所學校真正開始的……

The school building was large and dd.The big gardens were closed in by a high wall，with broken glass at the top，just like a prison.We only went out three times a week.On Saturday afternoons we took a walk in some fields near the school，under the watchful eye of one of our teachers.On Sundays we went out twice，morning and evening，to go to the village church.

學校的校舍規(guī)模宏大，年代久遠。大大的花園被一道高墻緊緊圍住，墻頭還插著碎玻璃片，活像一座監(jiān)獄。我們一個星期只能出去三次。到了星期六下午，我們要在一位老師的密切監(jiān)視下去學校附近的田野里散一圈步。星期天我們能出去兩次，早一次晚一次，都是去村里的教堂。

I was not bored or unhappy during my life at school.Children can amuse themselves very easily，and in my imagination，I lived an exciting life，full of mystery and interest.But in the real world，the days were always the same-we woke up and went to bed，we walked in the fields and played in the play-ground…The playground was，indeed，a very special place.It was a place where friends were made and lost，a place always full of trouble and excitement.

我的讀書生涯并未令我感到厭煩和不快，孩子們總是能夠很輕易地找到自我娛樂的法子。在我的想像中，我過著一種激動人心的生活，生活中充滿了神秘和有趣的事情;但是在真實的世界中，一個個日子總是千篇一律——我們醒來，睡去，去田野里散步，在操場上玩耍……說實在的，操場可真是一個非常特別的地方。這是個交到朋友、失去朋友的地方，是個總是充滿了麻煩和騷動的地方。

I was the kind of boy who liked to give orders，not to take them.I always wanted to win every game，every fight，and to be first in everything.All the other boys，even those a bit older than myself，were happy to follow and obey me.All，that is，except one.His name was the same as mine，so I shall call him William William，too.We were not from the same family，but we both had the same name.This was not surprising because my name was not an unusual one.

我是那種喜歡對別人發(fā)號施令、而不喜歡聽人家指揮的男孩，總是想贏得每一場游戲、每一場爭斗，想在任何一件事上當老大。所有其他男孩，甚至那些比我稍微大一點的，都樂于追隨我，服從我。所有人都如此，只是有一個人除外。他的名字和我的一模一樣，所以我將同樣把他也稱為威廉·威爾遜。我們倆并不是來自同一個家庭，但都叫同一個名字。這沒什么可奇怪的，因為我的名字又不是那么不常見。

This William Wilson refused to obey me.He argued with me， both in class and in the playground，and tried to stop the other boys from following me.Actually，I think I was the only boy who realized what he was doing.He did everything very cleverly and silently， and in this way nobody really noticed it.But I-I noticed what he did，and I was frightened by it.

這個威廉·威爾遜拒絕服從我。他跟我爭執(zhí)不下，從課堂里吵到操場上，還試圖阻止其他男孩追隨我。實際上，我想我是唯一一個意識到他在這樣做的男孩。他將每一件事都做得非常巧妙、不動聲色，這樣，就不會有人真正注意到了。然而我——我注意到了他的所作所為，并且因此害怕起來。

I was afraid that Wilson was stronger than I was.I became worried and angry when I saw the other boys follow him instead of me.But Wilson was always cool and calm.Nothing ever troubled him.He seemed to want one thing only-to see me fright-ened and unhappy.But at the same time I sometimes noticed that he showed a friendliness towards me-which was most unwelcome to me.

我真怕威爾遜比我更強大。每當我看見其他男孩撇下我去追隨他，我就變得心急如焚，怒不可遏。但威爾遜總是那樣冷靜、鎮(zhèn)定。什么都不曾讓他為難。他似乎只需要一件事——看我受驚嚇和悶悶不樂。但與此同時，我注意到，他有時向我作出了友好的表示——這可是最讓我不能接受的。

It is difficult for me to describe my feelings towards Wilson.I didn't hate him，but neither did I like him.I think that，more than anything，I felt afraid of him.At the same time I wanted to know more about him.I wanted to find something that frightened or worried him.But I could find nothing.There was nothing strange in the way he looked or walked.Nothing，that is，except for one thing-his voice.His voice was strange.When he spoke，he could never speak loudly.In fact， he never spoke above a whisper.

我很難形容我對威爾遜的感情。我不恨他，但也不喜歡他。我想，最主要的感情是，我害怕他;同時我又想對他有更多的了解，以便從中找出一些令他提心吊膽和焦躁不安的東西。但我一無所獲。他的模樣或走路的樣子都沒有什么古怪之處，但是稱得上特別的有一樣——就是他的聲音。他的聲音很古怪。他開口的時候，從來不能高聲講話。事實上，他的說話聲比耳語也強不了多少。

Wilson was quick to find the one thing that I really did not like.It was my name.Although I come from an old and famous family，my name is a very everyday one.It could belong to any unimportant workman.I had always hated my name， but now I hated it even more because both of us had the same name.I heard it twice as often.And there was something that worried me even more deeply.We seemed to look alike as well.We were as tall as one another，we were both thin，and even our faces were alike.Because our names were the same，I knew that the older boys thought that we were brothers， but nobody seemed to notice that we looked alike.But Wilson noticed it and he also saw that I was angry about it.Nothing ever escaped him.He always knew my deepest feelings.

威爾遜機敏地發(fā)現(xiàn)有一件東西是我真正不喜歡的。那就是我的名宇。盡管我出身于聲名顯赫的古老世家，但我的名字卻是個大路貨，它可以歸任何一個微不足道的勞動者所有。我一向憎惡我這名字，但現(xiàn)在對它的深惡痛絕又加深了一層，因為我們兩個用的都是這同一個名字，我現(xiàn)在聽到它的次數(shù)成了先前的兩倍。還有一件事情更是令我深為煩惱。我們兩個看上去非常相像，個頭一般高，都很瘦，甚至面容都很相像。我知道因為我們兩個的名字一樣，大一些的男孩子們都以為我們是兄弟，但好像還沒有人注意到我們長相類似。然而，威爾遜注意到了這一點，還看出我對此非常生氣。什么也逃不過他的眼睛。他總能洞悉我心底隱藏得最深的情感。

After a while he started to dress like me，and even to walk like me.Luckily，he could not speak like me when I spoke loudly，but when I spoke in a whisper，his whisper was just like mine.

過了一陣子，他開始在穿著打扮、甚至走路的步態(tài)上模仿我。還好，我高聲講話的時候他模仿不了我，但是，一旦我悄聲低語，他的悄聲低語就同我的惟妙惟肖。

All these things troubled me deeply.I could see that Wilson enjoyed making me angry，and he used to laugh at me secretly.Strangely， the other boys never noticed how he made fun of me，and copied me in every way.I was the only one who noticed it.

所有這一切都深深困擾著我。我看得出威爾遜為惹我生氣而樂不可支，而且常常在背地里笑話我。奇怪的是，其他男孩竟然從未覺察到他是如何拿我開玩笑，如何千方百計地模仿我。注意到這一點的只有我一個人。

Very often he used to give me advice，telling me quietly what I should do or what I should say.I hated him even more when he did this.Today，of course， I realize that his advice was always very good and sensible.What a pity that I never followed it!

他非常頻繁地向我提出忠告，輕聲指點我應當怎樣做事，怎樣講話。他這么做的時候我就更加厭惡他。當然了，時至今日，我認識到這些忠告往往是大有益處、入情入理的。多么可惜啊，我竟然從未照著去做過!

As time went by，I became more and more angry with him.Why should he，or anyone， give me advice?My feelings towards him changed and I actually began to hate him.He noticed this and tried not to come near me so much.

時光流逝，我對他的怒氣也與日俱增。憑什么要讓他，或者隨便什么人，來向我提出告誡?我對他的感情改變了，實際上我已開始憎恨他。他注意到這一點，便盡量不與我過分接近。

One day，towards the end of my fifth year at school we had a violent argument.While we were arguing， he showed his feelings more openly than usual，and a very strange idea came into my mind.I thought-how can I describe it?-I thought just for a second or two that I had known him before，a long，long time ago，when we were very young children.It was，as I say，a strange and very stupid idea，and I forgot it as quickly as I could.

我入學校讀書將近五個年頭的時候，有一天，在我們之間爆發(fā)了一場激烈的爭吵。在吵架過程中，他比往常更為公開地表達了自己的思想感情，這時，一個非常奇怪的念頭出現(xiàn)在我的頭腦之中。我想——叫我怎么說呢?——也就那么一兩秒鐘吧，我想，我是早就認識他的，在很久很久以前、當我們還都是小孩子的時候就認識他了。正如我所說，這是個非常愚蠢的古怪想法，于是我盡可能快地把它忘掉了。

But that night，when every one was asleep，I got out of bed.Then I walked through the dark building，with a small lantern in my hands，until I reached Wilson's room.I left the lantern outside and went near to his bed.Yes，he was a sleep.I returned to get my lantern and went back to his bed.I had planned to do something cruel to him while he slept.But as I looked at the sleeping boy，my heart beat faster and I was filled with fear.Was this really what William Wilson looked like? Did he look just the same when he was awake?I knew that he was as tall as I was.I knew，too，that he walked like me and talked like me，and copied me in every way that he could.But was it possible that the person in that bed looked so like me in every way?I began to shake with fear，and my body turned ice-cold.Surely he couldn't look like this!Was I really looking at a boy who was not just a copy of me，but…

但是當天晚上，每個人都入睡之后，我下了床，然后手持一盞小提燈，穿過黑洞洞的大樓，找到威爾遜的房間。我把提燈留在門外，自己走到他的床邊。是的，他已經睡著了。我轉身拿到提燈，再走回到他床邊。我已經盤算好了在他熟睡時狠狠地整他一下子。但是，我一看見那男孩的睡態(tài)，心跳便加快了，而且充滿了恐懼。威廉·威爾遜真地就是這個樣子嗎?他醒著時看上去也是這同一副模樣嗎?我知道他和我一般高。我還知道他像我一樣走路，像我一樣說話，盡其所能千方百計地模仿我。但是要說床上睡著的那人怎么看都與我酷似，這怎么可能呢?我開始因恐懼而瑟瑟發(fā)抖，渾身上下變得冰冷冰冷的。他絕對不可能是這個樣子!難道我真地是在眼睜睜看著一個男孩，他并不是我的一個什么復制品，而是……

I was more frightened than I had ever been in my life.I went silently out of his room，left the school building and never returned there again.

我害怕極了，這輩子都沒這么害怕過。我悄沒聲息地溜出他的房間，離開了學校大樓，從此再沒回去過。

After several lazy months at home，I was sent to Eton，one of the most famous English bys' schools.There，I soon forgot William Wilson and the strange fears I had felt.

在家里游手好閑地待了幾個月后，我被送進了伊頓公學，英國最負盛名的男校之一。到了那里，我不久便將威廉·威爾遜和我曾感受到的恐懼忘掉了。

If I thought about them at all， I used to laugh at myself.

假如我真要想起他們來，我便總是嘲笑我自己。

My life at Eton lasted for three wild and evil years.I learnt to be clever and secret，and was interested only in new ways of amusing myself.I chose the worst kind of students for my friends，and spent all my time in evil enjoyment.One night，when I was in my third year，I invited some students to a party in my rooms.We drank and played cards all through the night.As well as the wine， we had other， perhaps more dangerous，Pleasures.As the first morning light started to appear，I suggested a new evil amusement. Then I noticed that somebody was opening my door and I heard a servant's voice， ‘There's somebody outside who wants to speak to you，sir.He seems to be in a hurry.’

我在伊頓公學過了三年狂放不羈、頻頻作惡的生活。我學會了行事機敏、隱秘，僅僅對種種尋歡作樂的新辦法感興趣。我選擇那種最差勁的學生做朋友，把時間全部花在腐化墮落的享樂上面。在我念第三個學年的一天晚上，我邀請一些學生到我的房間里來聚會，我們通宵喝酒、打牌。除了葡萄酒，我們還另有一些也許更危險的樂趣。當?shù)谝坏莱抗猬F(xiàn)出時，我建議大家干一件新的壞事作為消遣。這時，我發(fā)現(xiàn)有人在開我的房門，又聽見一個仆人的聲音：“外面有個人要同您講話，先生。他好像急匆匆的。”

I walked， with difficulty， to the hall， as I was feeling very drunk with the wine.It was still too dark to see clearly，but I could just see the shape of a young man.He was as tall as I was， and was wearing the same clothes as myself. I could not see his face.

因為飲酒過量，我已經醉得不成樣子，費了很大力氣才走到客廳里。天氣仍然很暗，什么也看不大清楚，我只能辨出一個年輕人的輪廓來。他和我一般高矮，穿的衣服也同我的一模一樣。我看不清他的面孔。

He came up to me and whispered the words‘William Wilson!’ in my ear.I knew the voice at once.It was impossible to mistake it.Those two words were enough to fill me with fear.Before I could look into his face， he had disappeared.

他向我走來，對著我的耳朵低語道：“威廉·威爾遜!”我立即聽出了這個聲音。那是不可能弄錯的。單是這兩個詞就足以讓我滿心驚懼。還沒等我仔細看看他的臉，他已消失得無影無蹤了。

The meeting only lasted a few seconds， but for some weeks I could not forget it.I thought of it all the time.Who and what was this william Wilson? Where did he come from? What did he want from me?My questions stayed unanswered， but I did discover one thing.I learnt that William Wilson had left my last school on the same day that I myself had run away from it.

這次會面僅僅持續(xù)了幾秒鐘，但此后的幾個星期都讓我無法忘記。我時時刻刻想著這事。這個威廉·威爾遜是誰，是什么?他從哪里來?他想從我這兒得到什么?我的這些問題一直得不到解答，不過有一件事我搞清楚了。我得知，就在我逃離上一次就讀的那所學校的同一天，威廉·威爾遜也離開了學校。

Soon I forgot about him again，and not long afterwards I went up to Oxford University.My parents were not sensible people and they always gave me a lot of money.I was able to live a fashionable， expensive life， and to choose as my friends the sons of the richest families of England.

很快，我再一次忘掉了他;此后不久，我又進了牛津大學。我父母很不明智，他們給了我大量的錢，于是我得以過著入時、奢侈的生活，與英國最富有的家族的子弟交朋友。現(xiàn)在絲毫沒有任何東西來阻止我了。我大肆揮霍錢財，日日夜夜都在冒險的、激動人心的享樂中度過。

There was nothing at all to stop me now.I spent my money wildly， and passed my days and nights in dangerous and exciting pleasures. At Oxford I spent a lot of my time gambling.I became，in fact，a most clever and successful gambler-no better than a thief.I played cards in order to win money from the other students and become even richer.Of course， I was careful to play only with students who were bad at playing cards.In this way I could be sure of winning every time.My friends were not clever enough to see what I was doing.

在牛津，我將大量時間花在賭博上面。事實上，我已成為一個最為狡猾、成功的賭棍——比一個賊也強不到哪兒去。我跟其他學生玩紙牌，就是為了從他們那里贏錢，讓自己變得更為富有。當然了，我很小心，總是找那些牌技不佳的學生玩，這樣一來，就能確保每一次都大獲全勝。我的朋友們不夠聰明，看不出我搞的把戲。

In my second year at University I met a new student called Glendinning.He came from an old English family and was one of the richest students in the university.I soon realized that he was very unintelligent and because of this he was，of course，a very suitable person for me to gamble with!I started to play cards with him often，and for some time I made sure that he always won.

上大學二年級的時候，我結識了一個名叫格蘭丁寧的新生，他出身于一個古老的英格蘭世家，是學校里最有錢的學生之一。我很快發(fā)現(xiàn)，此人智力極端低下，正因為如此，他理所當然是我的一個非常合適的賭博對象!我開始經常性地同他一起玩紙牌，而且一段時間里總是讓他贏。

At last I decided that the time was right and I made my plans carefully.I met Glendinning at the rooms of a friend of mine，a Mr.Preston(who had no idea of my secret plan).Eight or ten other friends were also invited.In this way Glendinning had no idea that I planned to gamble with him that evening.In fact，at the party，it was he who first suggested playing cards.

終于，我認為時機成熟了，便仔細地制定了計劃。我在一位朋友家里碰見了格蘭丁尼，這位朋友是普雷斯頓先生(他對我的秘密計劃一無所知)。還有八個或十個朋友也應邀來做客，這樣一來，格蘭丁尼就不會想到那天晚上我是早有預謀地要同他賭博了。其實，在那天的聚會中還是他首先提議玩紙牌的呢。

We played for many long hours.In the end，by my careful plan，I was playing alone against Glendinning，while the others watched our game.Glendinning had drunk a lot of wine during the evening and his hands were beginning to shake a little-from fear or from the wine，I wasn't sure.He had already lost a large amount of money.Then he did what I had hoped for.He took another long drink of wine and said， ‘Let's double the stakes.’Beginners always think they can win back what they have lost in this way.

我們拖拖拉拉地玩了好幾個鐘頭，到了最后，在我的精心安排下，牌桌上只剩下我和格蘭丁尼單打獨斗了，其他人則在一旁觀戰(zhàn)。這一晚上格蘭丁尼喝了不少酒，他的手都微微發(fā)抖了——是因為害怕還是因為醉酒，我拿不準。他已經輸?shù)袅艘淮蠊P錢。然后，正如我所期望的那樣，他又足足地灌了一大口酒，說道：“咱們把賭注加倍吧。”大凡新手，總是以為他們這么干就能把輸?shù)舻腻X贏回來。

At first I pretended to refuse.Then he became angry，so，naturally，I had to agree.My plan was working excellently.We continued playing，and in less than an hour my winnings were four times as big.Glendinning's face was now as white as a sheet.Everyone around the table started talking， and to my surprise I heard the words，‘That's the end of Glendinning.He's just lost everything he had!’

一開始我假意推三阻四。然后他發(fā)起火來，于是，很自然，我只好答應了。我的計劃正在得以順利實施。我們接著玩下去，不到一個鐘頭，我贏的錢數(shù)就翻了兩番。格蘭丁尼的臉色這時變得像紙一樣慘白，圍在桌邊的所有人都開始議論紛紛。我聽到的一番話令我大為吃驚：“格蘭丁尼完蛋了。他已經輸?shù)袅巳控敭a!”

I had heard that Glendinning was very rich indeed-rich enough to lose a lot of money and not to worry about it.Now，I understood from the whispers around the table，that this was not true.I had，in fact，won everything he owned，and so destroyed him.

我原來聽說格蘭丁尼其實非常富有——足夠讓他輸?shù)粢淮蠊P錢而又用不著為此著急上火?，F(xiàn)在，我從牌桌旁人們的竊竊私語中得知，事實并非如此。實際上，我把他贏了個傾家蕩產，并且就此毀了他。

Nobody spoke.Glendinning had covered his face with his hands and everyone clearly felt very sorry for him.Even I began to feel a little worried，and wondered what I should do.

沒有人說話。格蘭丁尼用雙手捂著臉，大家顯然都為他感到難過。連我都覺得有點不安，不知該怎樣做才好。

As we stood in silence，the doors suddenly opened and a strong wind filled the room.It blew out all the candles in the room and we were left in darkness.But in the few seconds before the candles went out，we noticed that a man had entered the room.He was about as tall as I was，and his face and body were hidden by a long cloak.As we stood in the darkness，we could feel him standing in the room.

我們正默默無語地站著，突然，房門打開了，一股強風吹進了屋子，將屋子中所有的蠟燭都吹滅了，我們便陷入一片黑暗之中。但就在蠟燭熄滅之前幾秒鐘，我們注意到一個人已經進了這間屋子。他大概同我一般高矮，臉和身體都被一領長斗篷遮住了。當我們置身于黑暗之中時，我們能夠感覺到他就站在屋子里。

Then he began to speak.He spoke in a whisper，and his voice filled me with fear.‘Gentlemen，’he said.‘I am here because I have something important to tell you.I am afraid that you do not really know the man who has just won so much money from Glendinning.Let me tell you how to learn more about him.Please look very carefully inside his left sleeve and at the several little packets inside the large pockets of his jacket.’Immediately after these words he left the room，as silently as he had entered it.

然后他開口講話了。他的說話聲宛如耳語，這聲音令我頓時充滿了恐懼。“先生們，”他說道，“我到這兒來是因為有重要的事情要告訴諸位。我恐怕你們并不真正了解剛剛從格蘭丁尼手中贏了這樣一大筆錢的那個人。我來告訴你們怎樣進一步摸清他的底細。請十分仔細地查看他左邊衣袖的里側，還有他上衣大口袋里面的那幾個小包。”他說完這番話，便立即離開了這間屋子，像他進來時一樣悄無聲息。

That moment was one of the worst moments of my life.I had no time to do anything.My friends fell on me angrily，lit the candles again，and searched my clothes.They found the single cards hidden carefully inside my left sleeve，and in my pockets they discovered the packets of special cards which helped me to win every game I played.

那一刻是我一生中經歷過的最糟糕的時刻之一。我沒機會做任何動作了。我的朋友們憤怒地向我撲來，重新點起蠟燭，檢查了我的衣眼。他們發(fā)現(xiàn)我的左衣袖里面小心地藏著些單張的紙牌，又在我的衣袋里找到幾包特殊的紙牌，這些牌幫助我在玩的每一盤牌戲中取勝。

My friends stood around me in a circle and looked at me in silence.Mr.Preston then picked up a cloak from the floor.‘Mr.Wilson，’he said.‘Here is your cloak. You will，I hope，leave my room，and then leave Oxford immediately.’

我的朋友們圍著我站成一圈，一言不發(fā)地望著我。然后普雷斯頓先生從地板上拾起一件斗篷。“威爾遜先生，”他說，“這是你的斗篷。我希望你離開我的房間，然后馬上離開牛津。”

I wanted to hit him，but something stopped me.It was the cloak that Preston was holding in his hands.Although it looked like my cloak，I knew that it wasn't，because my own cloak was already over my left arm.It was a very unusual and expensive cloak，which a shop had made specially for me.How was it possible that there was now another cloak just like it?

我想揍他，但什么東西阻止了我。是普雷斯頓手里拿著的那件斗篷。盡管它看上去像是我的斗篷，但我知道它不是，因為我自己的斗篷早就在我的左胳膊上搭著了。那是件與眾不同、非常昂貴的斗篷，是一家商店為我特制的。現(xiàn)在，另有一件斗篷同它極為相像，這怎么可能呢?

I thought back to the moment when the stranger had come into the room.Yes，he had been wearing a cloak too… Full of fear，I quickly took the cloak from Mr.Preston and left the room.The next morning I left Oxford and escaped to Europe.I was now known to be a cheat at cards and every door in England would be closed against me.

我回想起陌生人闖進屋子的那一刻。是的，他也披著一件斗篷……我滿心恐懼，迅速從普雷斯頓先生手中接過斗篷，離開了這間屋子。第二天早晨，我離開了牛津，逃到歐洲大陸上去。我現(xiàn)在因為玩牌作弊而臭名昭著，英格蘭的每一扇門都將對我關閉了。

But bad luck travelled with me.In fact I soon realized that my troubles at Oxford had been only the beginning… Soon after I arrived in Paris，I met William Wilson again.There，too，he destroyed my evil hopes.Everywhere I went， year after year，he appeared like a ghost and came between me and my plans.In Rome he stopped me from getting what I wanted.In Vienna，too-in Berlin，and even in Moscow!Wasn't there anywhere where I could be left alone?I went from city to city，trying to escape from him.But I couldn't feel free.I couldn't be alone.He followed me everywhere.

但是壞運氣一直伴隨著我。其實，我不久就認識到，我在牛津惹的麻煩僅僅是個開始……我到了巴黎之后不久，便又遇到了威廉·威爾遜。他在那里繼續(xù)摧毀著我作惡的希望。年復一年，無論我走到哪兒，他都要像個鬼魂一樣現(xiàn)身，在我和我的計劃之間橫插一杠子。在羅馬，他阻止我去得到我想要的東西;在維也納，我同樣難遂心愿;在柏林，甚至在莫斯科，也是如此!難道就沒有一個讓我不受干擾的地方嗎?我一座城市一座城市地漫游，試圖躲開他，但一直不能獲得自由的感覺，不能一個人獨處。他跟著我到每一個地方。

Again and again I used to ask myself these questions.‘Who is he?Where does he come from?What does he want from me?’But I could find no answer.I thought deeply about all the times when I had seen him.In every city，I realized，Wilson had done the same thing.He had not stopped my plans all the time，but only when they were evil and dangerous，either to others or to myself.I understood all this，but still I was very angry.Why couldn't Wilson leave me alone? Why couldn't he let me live in the way I wanted to?

我總是一遍又一遍地問自己這些問題：“他是誰?他從哪里來?他想從我這兒得到什么?”但我找不出任何答案。我深入反省每一次見到他的情形，意識到，威爾遜在每一座城市所做的都是同一件事情。他并不是總在阻止我實施自己的計劃，而僅僅當那些計劃是邪惡的和危險的(無論對其他人還是對我自己)之時，才不讓它們得逞。這些我都明白，但我還是非常憤怒。為什么威爾遜就不能不干涉我呢?為什么他就不能讓我按照自己的意愿生活呢?

I realized another thing too.Every time Wilson appeared，he had never let me see his face.I had always noticed his clothes.It was difficult not to notice them because they were always the same as mine.But he kept his face hidden from me.Why did he do this?Did he really think that I was so stupid?Did he think I hadn't realized who he was?The man who followed me everywhere and destroyed my plans again and again was the same William Wilson of my schooldays!But let me continue with my story.

我還意識到另外一件事。威爾遜每次出現(xiàn)的時候，從來都不讓我看見他的臉。我過去一直留意他的穿著。我很難不去留意這一點，因為他總是穿著和我一樣的衣服。然而他把自己的面孔向我掩藏起來了。他為什么要這樣做?難道他真地以為我是如此愚蠢嗎?難道他覺得我沒有認出他是誰嗎?那個跟著我到每一個地方、一遍又一遍地摧毀我的計劃的人，就是我學生時代那同一個威廉·威爾遜!可是，讓我接著講我的故事。

Until now I had felt afraid of Wilson and had obeyed him.The mystery of his sudden arrivals， his cleverness， his deep understanding of me-all these things filled me with fear.I always obeyed him，although I hated myself for doing it.But recently I had become a very heavy drinker.Wine made me feel brave and strong，able to fight anybody who tried to stop me.At the same time I began to think that Wilson was becoming weaker.Was this really happening or was it just a dream? I cannot tell，but I do know that my own feelings were becoming more and more violent.I began to feel a burning hope-soon I would break free from this terrible enemy and never take his orders again.

到了此時，我已經對威爾遜誠惶誠恐、惟命是從了。他那神秘的突然現(xiàn)身，他的聰明才智，他對我深入透徹的理解——所有這一切令我心中充滿了恐懼。我總是服從他，盡管這樣做讓我痛恨自己。但是，近來我成了一個非常嚴重的酗酒者。酒讓我覺得自己勇敢而強大，能夠跟任何一個試圖阻止我的人打架。與此同時，我又開始覺得威爾遜在變得越來越弱校此事是真地發(fā)生了，還是僅僅是一個夢而已?我分辨不清楚，但分明知道我自己的感情變得越來越狂暴了。我開始感覺到心中燃起了希望——不久我就會從這個可怕的對頭手中掙脫出來，獲得自由，從此再也不用聽他的指揮了。

One evening，in 18-，I was in Rome and was invited to a big party in the palace of Duke Di Broglio.The Duke was old and boring，but his wife was young and beautiful，and not very sensible.I had evil plans for her.She and I had agreed to meet，during the party， in a quiet room where we could be alone.

18××年某一天的晚上，我正在羅馬，應邀參加了在迪·布羅里奧公爵府上舉行的盛大晚會。公爵年事已高，甚是乏味，但他的妻子卻年輕貌美，而且不怎么太聰明。我設了個毒計來擺布她。我和她已經說好在晚會期間跑到一個背靜的房間里去幽會，在那里我們可以不受打擾。

As I walked from room to room looking for her in the crowds，I suddenly felt a hand touch my arm.Then I heard a whisper in my ears.Angrily I turned round and saw a man.He was wearing the same clothes as I was，but his face was covered with a black mask.I caught him by his arm.‘Stop!’I shouted.‘I have had enough trouble from you!This is the last time you'll follow me anywhere!Come with me now into the next room.If you don't，I shall kill you right now，here where you stand!’

正當我一個房間一個房間地在人群中找她的時候，我突然感覺到有一只手碰了碰我的胳膊，然后聽見耳畔一陣低語。我氣沖沖地轉過身，看見了一個男人。他身穿和我的一模一樣的衣服，但是臉上戴著一副黑面具。我一把抓住他的胳膊。“行了!”我嚷道。“我已經被你折騰得夠嗆了!這是你最后一次到處跟蹤我!現(xiàn)在，馬上跟我到隔壁房間去。你要是不去的話，我現(xiàn)在就殺了你，讓你當場喪命!”

I took him into a small room nearby and pushed him violently to the floor.He got to his feet shakily， and stood up against the wall.I then closed the door and ordered him to fight.For a second he did not move.Then he silently took out his swood.

我把他拽到旁邊的一間小屋里，粗暴地將他推倒在地。他顫抖著爬起來，靠墻站著。然后我關上屋門，向他發(fā)出挑戰(zhàn)。有一剎那，他沒有動彈，然后才默默地拔出了佩劍。

It was a short fight.I was wild and excited and felt stronger than I had ever felt before.After only a few seconds I pushed him against the wall and plunged my sword into his body again and again.

決斗持續(xù)了沒多久。我狂躁不堪，興奮異常，覺得自己前所未有地力大過人。剛斗了幾秒鐘，我便將他逼到墻邊，一次又一次地將手中的劍刺進他的身體。

At that moment somebody tried to open the door.I ran to check that the door was locked and then ran back towards my enemy. How can I describe what I saw at that moment?During those few seconds when I had turned to the door，the room had become strangely different.There was now a large mirror at the end of the room.I was sure that it had not been there before.As I stepped up to the mirror，I saw myself，walking forward shakily，my face white and covered with blood.

這時，有人想打開房門。我奔過去檢查一下，見門鎖得好好的，便又朝我的對手跑回來。我該如何描述那一刻我所見到的情景呢?就在我跑過去檢查門鎖的幾秒鐘之內，這房間已經非常奇異地變得大為不同了?，F(xiàn)在，房間的盡頭立起了一面大鏡子，我敢保證它先前并不是在那兒的。我朝鏡子走去，看見了我自己，渾身戰(zhàn)栗著向前走，面孔煞白，還沾滿了鮮血。

Or so I thought.But I was wrong.It was my enemy，Wilson，who stood before me in his last moments of life.His mask and cloak lay on the floor.His face was now uncovered.And I saw，in terror，that his face was my own!

要么就是我以為如此。但我錯了。那是我的死對頭威爾遜，在他生命的最后時刻站在了我面前。他的面具和斗篷扔在地板上。他的臉上現(xiàn)在沒遮任何東西。于是我萬分驚恐地發(fā)現(xiàn)，他的臉就是我自己的臉!

Then Wilson spoke，but no longer in a whisper，and I thought I heard my own voice speaking as he said： ‘You have won，and I have lost.But from this moment you，too，are dead-dead to the world，to Heaven，and to hope!You lived in me-and，in my death，look in my face，which is your own，and see how you have murdered yourself.’

然后威爾遜開口說話了，但不再用那種耳語的聲音;他一面說，我一面覺得聽到的是我自己的聲音：“你贏了，我輸了。但是從這一刻起，你也死了——對世界，對天堂，對希望，都是死了的!你活在我之中——那么，我這一死，看看我的臉吧，這也是你自己的臉，看看你是怎樣殺害了你自己的。”