Monday, August 2, 2010

美人計

There was in Persia in the fifth century a king called Cavades. When he was deposed and imprisoned by his subjects, his queen, who alone remained attached to him, never failed to bring him necessaries with her own hands, though she was not permitted to see him.

One day, the queen noticed that the jailer appeared captivated by her beauty, and she soothed him so far as to be allowed access to her husband. Her visits were at length premitted to take place free from observation, and one evening she changed clothes with her husband. Thus disguised, Cavades stole out of the prison. He fled to the king of the Euthalites, by whose assistance he was afterwards restored to his throne and kingdom.

五世紀波斯有個國王叫卡瓦德斯。他被臣下推翻了,繫在獄中,只有王后依舊忠於他,雖然不獲准和他見面,卻總是親自給他送必需品。

有一天,王后發覺獄卒似乎被她美色所迷,就致力討好這獄卒,終於獲許見丈夫。後來,她甚至可以在沒有看守之下探監。一天晚上,她和丈夫更換衣服。卡瓦德斯男扮女裝,溜出監獄,逃去投靠優泰萊特人的國王,獲他協助,最後奪回王位和國家。

【附注】 At length兩字連用,可以解作「終於」或「最後」,也可解作「詳細地」,例如:( 1) We waited for hours and hours. At length he arrived(我們等了好幾小時,他終於來了)。( 2) He spoke at length about the matter(他詳細談到這件事)。

(古德明)

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