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The same corner five years laterNothing has changed muchIt is a night in SpringThe arc—lamp discovers faces with a favorless crueltyThe street noises are the same but more intermittent and dulled with a quality of fatigueTwo people pass, one black and one whiteThey are tiredThey both yawn, but neither laughsThere is no laughter from the two streetsFrom the street of the whites the tenor, more nasal than ever and a bit drunken, wails in high barber—shop falsetto the last half of the chorus of "When I Lost You. " The Negro voice, a bit maudlin in turn, replies with the last half of "Waitin 'for the Robert E. Lee. " SilenceShorty entersHe looks tougher than ever, the typical gangsterHe stands waiting, singing a bit drunkenly, peering down the street.
同一个街角，五年后。一切都没有太大改变。春天的一个夜晚。在弧光灯的照射下，一张张冷峻忧郁的脸庞显露了出来。街上充斥着同样的嘈杂声，只是更为断断续续，单调沉闷且疲惫不堪。两个人走过，一个黑人，一个白人。他们都很疲倦。他们打着哈欠，均没有笑声。两条街道上也没有欢笑。白人街区传来男高音的歌声，鼻音比之前任何时候都更为浓重，还带着点喝醉了的感觉，在悲伤地用假声唱出《当我失去你》的后半部分。一个黑人的声音应和着，歌声也有些感伤，唱的是《等待罗伯特·李》的后半部分。一片寂静。矮个子走上台来。他看上去比以往更为彪悍，典型的一副流氓样子。他站在那里等着什么人，醉醺醺地哼着小曲，凝视着街道。
SHORTY—（indignantly） Yuh bum！ Ain't yuh ever comin '？ （He begins to sing）And sewed up in her yeller kimona, She had a blue—barreled forty—five gun, For to get her man Who'd done her wrong. （Then he comments scornfully） Not her, dough！ No gat for her. She ain't got de noive. A little sugar. Dat'll fix her. （Ella entersShe is dressed poorly, her face is pale and hollow—eyed, her voice cold and tired. ）
矮个子——（怒气腾腾地）混蛋！到底还来不来？（他开始唱道） “她穿着黄色的和服做针线活，手上握着一把蓝色枪管的四十五口径手枪，将用来取她心上人的性命，那人辜负了她。” （唱完他轻蔑地评论）但是她不会的！她不会有枪的。她没这胆量。一点点好处。就足以摆平她。（埃拉登场。她衣着寒碜，脸色苍白，眼眶凹陷，声音冰冷而疲惫。）
SHORTY—Yuh got de message？
矮个子——你知道消息了，是吧？
ELLA—Here I am.
埃拉——是呀，所以我来了。
SHORTY—How yuh been？
矮个子——最近过得怎么样？
ELLA—All right. （A pauseHe looks at her puzzledly. ）
埃拉——不赖。（停顿。他不解地看着她。）
SHORTY—（a bit embarrassedly） Well, I s' pose yuh'd like me to give yuh some dope on Mickey, huh？
矮个子——（有点儿局促地）哎，我猜你想从我这打听一些米基的消息吧，嗯？
ELLA—No.
埃拉——不是。
SHORTY—Mean to say yuh don't wanter know where he is or what he's doin '？
矮个子——你的意思是，你不想知道他在哪里或他在做什么？
ELLA—No.
埃拉——不想。
SHORTY—Since when？
矮个子——打什么时候起这样子的？
ELLA—A long time.
埃拉——很久以前。
SHORTY—（after a pause—with a rat—like viciousness） Between you 'n me, kid, you'll get even soon—you' n all de odder dames he's tossed. I 'm on de inside. I've watched him trainin’. His next scrap, watch it！ He'll go！ It won't be de odder guy. It'll be all youse dames he's kidded—and de ones what's kidded him. Youse'll all be in de odder guy's corner. He won't need no odder seconds. Youse'll trow water on him, and sponge his face, and take de kinks out of his socker—and Mickey'll catch it on de button—and he won't be able to take it no more—’ cause all your weight—you and de odders—’ ll be behind dat punch. Ha ha！ （He laughs an evil laugh. ） And Mickey'll go—down to his knees first—（He sinks to his knees in the attitude of a groggy boxer. ）
矮个子——（停顿一会儿——不怀好意地）悄悄告诉你，姑娘，你很快就能复仇了——你和所有其他那些被他欺凌的人。我知道内情。我看过他训练。他的下一场拳击赛，看着吧！倒霉的一定会是他！而不是他的对手。只会是你们这些他欺骗过的女人——和那些骗过他的人。所有人都会站到他对手那一边。他不需要任何别的帮手。你们会往他身上泼水，用海绵拭干他的脸颊，还要帮他舒缓由于重击造成的抽筋——接着米基的下巴尖就要被揍开花了，并且他再也无力承受——因为你们使上了所有吃奶的劲——你和所有姑娘们的仇恨——都会集中在那一拳之上。哈哈！（他发出一声邪恶的笑。）接着米基会像这样——先跪下来——（他像是个被打得摇摇晃晃的拳击手一样弯下膝盖。）
ELLA—I'd like to see him on his knees！
埃拉——我倒想看看他跪倒的样子。
SHORTY—And den—flat on his pan—dead to de world—de boidies singin 'in de trees—ten—out！ （He suits his action to the words, sinking flat on the pavement, then rises and laughs the same evil laugh. ）
矮个子——然后——他瘫倒在地上——昏迷不醒——鸟儿在树梢歌唱——倒数十下——出局！（他边说还边配上了动作，最后直挺挺地躺在了地上，然后他爬起来像之前那样邪恶地大笑。）
ELLA—He's been out—for me—a long time. （a pause） Why did you send for me？
埃拉——我已经和他没有联系——很久了。（停顿）你为什么要叫我来呢？
SHORTY—He sent me.
矮个子——他让我来找你的。
ELLA—Why？
埃拉——为什么？
SHORTY—To slip you dis wad o 'dough. （He reluctantly takes a roll of bills from his pocket and holds it out to her. ）
矮个子——他托我捎点儿钱来给你。（他不情愿地从口袋里掏出一卷钞票，交给了她。）
ELLA—（looks at the money indifferently） What for？
埃拉——（冷漠地看着那卷钞票）干嘛用？
SHORTY—For you.
矮个子——给你的啊。
ELLA—No.
埃拉——我不要。
SHORTY—For de kid den.
矮个子——留着给孩子花吧。
ELLA—The kid's dead.
埃拉——孩子死了。
He took diphtheria.
他患了白喉病。
SHORTY—Hell yuh say！ When？
矮个子——你开什么玩笑！什么时候死的？
ELLA—A long time.
埃拉——死了很久了。
SHORTY—Why didn't you write Mickey—？
矮个子——你为什么不写信告诉米基——？
ELLA—Why should I？ He'd only be glad.
埃拉——我为什么要说？他巴不得呢。
SHORTY—（after a pause） Well—it's better.
矮个子——（停顿了一下）嗯——这样更好。
ELLA—Yes.
埃拉——是的。
SHORTY—You made up wit yer family？
矮个子——你和家里关系缓和些没？
ELLA—No chance.
埃拉——不可能。
SHORTY—Livin 'alone？
矮个子——现在一个人住吗？
ELLA—In Brooklyn.
埃拉——在布鲁克林。
SHORTY—Workin '？
矮个子——工作呢？
ELLA—In a factory.
埃拉——在一家工厂。
SHORTY—You're a sucker. There's lots of softer snaps fer you, kid—
矮个子——你真是个笨蛋。有很多你能做的轻松工作啊，姑娘——
ELLA—I know what you mean. No.
埃拉——我知道你什么意思。不行。
SHORTY—Don't yuh wanter step out no more—have fun—live？
矮个子——难道你不想走出来——活得开心点吗？
ELLA—I 'm through.
埃拉——我熬过来了。
SHORTY—（mockingly） Jump in de river, huh？ T 'ink it over, baby. I kin start yuh right in my stable. No one'll bodder yuh den. I got influence.
矮个子——（讥讽地）跳河，嗯？再想想吧，宝贝。我可以让你在我这里干活。那样就没有人敢骚扰你了。我有点儿势力的。
ELLA—（without emphasis） You're a dirty dog. Why doesn't someone kill you？
埃拉——（缓和地）你是条癞皮狗。怎么没人把你杀了呢？
SHORTY—Is dat so！ What're you？ They say you been travelin 'round with Jim Crow.
矮个子——是嘛！那你呢？他们都说你和黑乌鸦吉姆到处厮混去了。
ELLA—He's been my only friend.
埃拉——他是我唯一的朋友。
SHORTY—A nigger！
矮个子——他只不过是个黑鬼罢了！
ELLA—The only white man in the world！ Kind and white. You're all black—black to the heart.
埃拉——他是这世上唯一的 “白人” ！善良而正派。你们都是污浊的黑人——内心黑暗不堪。
SHORTY—Nigger—lover！ （He throws the money in her faceIt falls to the street. ） Listen, you！ Mickey says he's off of yuh for keeps. Dis is de finish！ Dat's what he sent me to tell you. （glances at her searchingly—a pause） Yuh won't make no trouble？
矮个子——黑鬼的情妇！（他把钱摔在她脸上。钱散落在街道上。）你给我听着！米基说他跟你再也没关系了。这就算是个了结！他就让我来告诉你这些。（用探寻的眼光盯着她——停顿）你不会再找他麻烦了是吧？
ELLA—Why should I？ He's free. The kid's dead. I 'm free. No hard feelings—only—I'll be there in spirit at his next fight, tell him！ I'll take your tip—the other corner—second the punch—nine—ten—out！ He's free！ That's all. （She grins horribly at Shorty. ） Go away, Shorty.
埃拉——我为什么要找他麻烦？他可以解脱了。孩子已经死了。我也解脱了。我不会怪他——只是——你告诉他，我不会参加他的下一场拳击赛，但我会很关注的！我会听取你的建议——站在另一边——加上一拳——九——十——出局！他自由了！就是这样。（她狰狞地朝矮个子咧嘴笑着。）你走吧，矮个子。
SHORTY—（looking at her and shaking his head—maudlinly） Groggy！ Groggy！ We're all groggy！ Gluttons for punishment！ Me for a drink. So long.
矮个子——（看着她，摇摇头——感慨地）不清醒！不清醒！我们都不清醒！这是贪得无厌的报应！我要去喝一杯了。再见。
（He goesA Salvation Army band comes toward the cornerThey are playing and singing "Till We Meet at Jesus' Feet. " They reach the end as they enter and stop before EllaThe Captain steps forward. ）
（他走开。一个救世军乐队来到街角。他们边演奏边唱着《直到我们在耶稣脚边相遇》。他们上场时就已经唱到了歌曲的尾声，然后停在埃拉跟前。乐队队长走上前来。）
CAPTAIN—Sister—
队长——姊妹——
ELLA—（picks up the money and drops it in his hat—mockingly） Here. Go save yourself. Leave me alone.
埃拉——（拾起钞票并将其丢在他的帽子里——挖苦地）拿去吧。拿去拯救你自己吧。让我清静清静。
A WOMAN SALVATIONIST—Sister—
一位女救世军成员——姊妹——
ELLA—Never mind that. I 'm not in your line—yet. （as they hesitate, wonderingly） I want to be alone（To the thud of the big drum they march offElla sits down on a box, her hands hanging at her sidesPresently Jim Harris comes inHe has grown into a quietly—dressed, studious—looking Negro with an intelligent yet queerly—baffled face. ）
埃拉——不用谢。伴着大鼓的砰砰声，他们继续前进。埃拉坐在一个箱子上，双手垂在身旁。现在吉姆·哈里斯上。他已长成一位着装淡雅，充满学术气息的黑人，表情充满了智慧，却又带着些奇怪的迷茫。
JIM—（with a joyous but bewildered cry） Ella！ I just saw Shorty—
吉姆——（叫声欢快却带着疑惑）埃拉！我刚刚看到矮个子——
ELLA—（smiling at him with frank affection） He had a message from Mickey.
埃拉——（向他坦然地微笑）他给我捎了米基的口信。
JIM—（sadly） Ah！
吉姆——（难过地）啊！
ELLA—（pointing to the box behind her） Sit down. （He does soA pause—then she says indifferently） It's finished. I 'm free, Jim.
埃拉——（指着她身旁的箱子）坐吧。（他坐下了。停顿——然后她满不在乎地说）我和他结束了。我解脱了，吉姆。
JIM—（wearily） We're never free—except to do what we have to do.
吉姆——（精神萎靡地）我们永远都不能解脱——除非去完成我们不得不做的事。
ELLA—What are you getting gloomy about all of a sudden？
埃拉——为什么你突然对所有事情都感到失望沮丧呢？
JIM—I've got the report from the school. I've flunked again.
吉姆——我拿到学校发来的成绩报告单了。我又挂科了。
ELLA—Poor Jim.
埃拉——可怜的吉姆。
JIM—Don't pity me. I'd like to kick myself all over the block. Five years—and I 'm still plugging away where I ought to have been at the end of two.
吉姆——不要可怜我。我宁愿在大街上大声责骂自己。整整五年了——我还在苦苦挣扎着学习第二学年年底就该通过的学科。
ELLA—Why don't you give it up？
埃拉——你为什么不放弃呢？
JIM—No！
吉姆——不！
ELLA—After all, what's being a lawyer？
埃拉——话说回来，当了律师又能怎样呢？
JIM—A lot—to me—what it means. （intensely） Why, if I was a Member of the Bar right now, Ella, I believe I'd almost have the courage to—
吉姆——对我来说——意味着——很多。（热切地）嗨，如果我现在是律师公会承认的律师，埃拉，我相信我就会有勇气——
ELLA—What？
埃拉——干什么呢？
JIM—Nothing. （after a pause—gropingly） I can't explain—just—but it hurts like fire. It brands me in my pride. I swear I know more 'n any member of my class. I ought to, I study harder. I work like the devil. It's all in my head—all fine and correct to a T. Then when I' m called on—I stand up—all the white faces looking at me—and I can feel their eyes—I hear my own voice sounding funny, trembling—and all of a sudden it's all gone in my head—there's nothing remembered—and I hear myself stuttering—and give up—sit down—They don't laugh, hardly ever. They're kind. They're good people. （in a frenzy） They're considerate, damn them！ But I feel branded！
吉姆——没什么。（停顿——试探地）我解释不来——只是——这种感觉如烈火般灼伤着我。它烙在了我的自尊上。我发誓我比我们班上任何一位同学都懂得多。我应该懂得更多的，因为我学习得比他们都努力。我玩命似的学习。然而当我被点名起来回答问题时——我站起来——一张张白色面孔看着我——我可以感觉到他们的目光——然后我听见自己发出滑稽的声音，颤抖着——顷刻间脑袋一片空白——什么也记不起来了——我听到自己开始结巴——最后我放弃了——坐了下来——他们不笑话我，从来都不。他们是善良的。他们都是好人。（发狂地）他们都很体贴，去他们的！但是我感觉被烙上了污名！
ELLA—Poor Jim.
埃拉——可怜的吉姆。
JIM—（going on painfully） And it's the same thing in the written exams. For weeks before I study all night. I can't sleep anyway. I learn it all, I see it, I understand it. Then they give me the paper in the exam room. I look it over, I know each answer—perfectly. I take up my pen. On all sides are white men starting to write. They're so sure—even the ones that I know know nothing. But I know it all—but I can't remember any more—it fades—it goes—it's gone. There's a blank in my head—stupidity—I sit like a fool fighting to remember a little bit here, a little bit there—not enough to pass—not enough for anything—when I know it all！
吉姆——（痛苦地继续）笔试考试也是同样的情况。考试前连续数周我都熬夜苦读。我怎么也睡不着。我学习了所有知识，我知道的，所有的知识我都理解。然后考场上他们发下试卷。我扫过一眼卷子，每一题我都知道答案——标准答案。我提笔。四周的白人都开始答题。他们充满自信——即便是那些我知道其一无所知的人。虽然所有的题我都会做——但是我再也想不起来答案了——它们逐渐消逝——远去——消失了。我的大脑一片空白——愚蠢——我像个傻子一样坐在那里，挣扎着这边回忆起一个片段——那边拼凑出另一段——但是还是不够，不足以及格——不足以完成任何事——可我却知道所有答案！
ELLA—（compassionately） Jim. It isn't worth it. You don't need to—
埃拉——（同情地）吉姆。你不用这样。你没必要去——
JIM—I need it more than anyone ever needed anything. I need it to live.
吉姆——我比任何人都渴望得到这些。我需要它来支撑我活下去。
ELLA—What'll it prove？
埃拉——这能证明得了什么呢？
JIM—Nothing at all much—but everything to me.
吉姆——什么都证明不了——但是对我来说意味着全部。
ELLA—You're so much better than they are in every other way.
埃拉——你在其他所有方面都远比他们优秀。
JIM—（looking up at her） Then—you understand？
吉姆——（抬头看她）那么——你可以理解我吗？
ELLA—Of course. （affectionately） Don't I know how fine you've been to me！ You've been the only one in the world who's stood by me—the only understanding person—and all after the rotten way I used to treat you.
埃拉——当然了。（深情地）我怎么会不知道你对我有多好！你一直是这世界上唯一一个给予过我帮助的人——唯一谅解我的人——并且是在我过去那样对待你之后。
JIM—But before that—way back so high—you treated me good. （He smiles. ）
吉姆——但在那之前——很久以前——你待我很好。（他微笑着。）
ELLA—You've been white to me, Jim. （She takes his hand. ）
埃拉——你在我眼里一直都是个白人，吉姆。（她牵起他的手。）
JIM—White—to you！
吉姆——白人——对你来说！
ELLA—Yes.
埃拉——是啊。
JIM—All love is white. I've always loved you. （this with the deepest humility）
吉姆——所有的爱都是纯白的。我一直都爱着你。（此处带着极度的谦逊。）
ELLA—Even now—after all that's happened！
埃拉——即便是现在——在发生了那些事情之后！
JIM—Always.
吉姆——从未改变过。
ELLA—I like you, Jim—better than anyone else in the world.
埃拉——我喜欢你，吉姆——胜过世界上任何一个人。
JIM—That's more than enough, more than I ever hoped for.
吉姆——这就够了，这已经远远吵过我的期盼了。
（The organ grinder comes to the cornerHe plays the chorus of "Annie Laurie. " They sit listening, hand in hand. ） Would you ever want to marry me, Ella？
（手摇风琴艺人来到街角。他演奏着《安妮·劳里》的曲子。他们坐在那里静静聆听，手牵着手。）你愿意嫁给我吗，埃拉？
ELLA—Yes, Jim.
埃拉——我愿意，吉姆。
JIM—（as if this quick consent alarmed him） No, no, don't answer now. Wait！ Turn it over in your mind！ Think what it means to you！ Consider it—over and over again！ I 'm in no hurry, Ella. I can wait months—years—
吉姆——（似乎是这个不加思索的肯定答复警醒了他）不，不，不要现在回答我。再等等！在你心里好好思量一番！想想这对你意味着什么！考虑一下——再三考虑一下！我不着急，埃拉。我可以等上数月——数年——
ELLA—I 'm alone. I've got to be helped. I've got to help someone—or it's the end—one end or another.
埃拉——我孤身一人。我需要帮助。我也想帮助别人——不管用哪种方式都行。
JIM—（eagerly） Oh, I'll help—I know I can help—I'll give my life to help you—that's what I've been living for—
吉姆——（热切地）噢，我会帮你——我知道我可以帮你的——我会不惜牺牲我的生命帮助你——这正是我活着的意义——
ELLA—But can I help you？ Can I help you？
埃拉——但是我能帮你吗？我能帮你吗？
JIM—Yes！ Yes！ We'll go abroad where a man is a man—where it don't make that difference—where people are kind and wise to see the soul under skins. I don't ask you to love me—I don't dare to hope nothing like that！ I don't want nothing—only to wait—to know you like me—to be near you—to keep harm away—to make up for the past—to never let you suffer any more—to serve you—to lie at your feet like a dog that loves you—to kneel by your bed like a nurse that watches over you sleeping—to preserve and protect and shield you from evil and sorrow——to give my life and my blood and all the strength that's in me to give you peace and joy—to become your slave！—yes, be your slave—your black slave that adores you as sacred！
吉姆——当然！当然了！我们到国外去，那里人人平等——那里不将黑人白人区别对待——那里的人们善良且都充满智慧，能发掘人类内心深处的灵魂。我不强求你要爱我——我不敢渴望能得到你的爱！我什么也不想要——只想静静等待——等待得知你喜欢我——等待着可以接近你——不让你受伤害——我要弥补过去——不再让你再受苦——侍奉你——像条爱你的狗一样躺在你脚边——像保姆一样跪拜在你床边看你熟睡——保护你，呵护你，使你不受恶魔和忧伤的侵扰——把我的生命，我的血肉交付于你，让它们为你带来欢乐与平静——我要成为你的奴隶——是的，做你的奴隶——做你的黑仆，崇拜你，视你为神明！
（He has sunk to his kneesIn a frenzy of self—abnegation, as he says the last words he beats his head on the flagstones. ）
（他跪了下来。他失控地说出那些自我牺牲的言语，当说到最后几个字时，他用脑袋撞击着石板地面。）
ELLA—（overcome and alarmed） Jim！ Jim！ You're crazy！ I want to help you, Jim—I want to help—
埃拉——（感动得一塌糊涂，随后清醒过来）吉姆！吉姆！你疯了！我愿意帮你，吉姆——我要帮你——
（The Curtain Falls）
（幕落）