美國語文第六冊 第30期:受驚的藝術(shù)家(6)
“哦，您看著給個價吧。”杜霍布賴特答道。
"Hem! it is too odd to please, I should think; I can promise you no more than three thalers."
“哼!太差勁了，真不好給價呢;我向你保證，絕對不會超過3個泰勒(德國15至19世紀(jì)的銀幣)。”
Poor Samuel sighed deeply.
可憐的杜霍布賴特深深嘆了口氣。
He had spent on that piece the nights of many months.
要知道，為了畫這幅畫，他度過了許多不眠之夜，長達(dá)數(shù)個月之久。
But he was starving now; and the pitiful sum offered would give bread for a few days.
可是，他現(xiàn)在饑腸轆轆。對方出的這筆少的不可憐的錢只夠他吃幾天面包。
He nodded his head to the auctioneer, and retiring took his seat in a corner. The sale began.
于是，他沖拍賣商點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，一屁股坐到角落里的椅子上。拍賣開始了。
After some paintings and engravings had been disposed of, Samuel's was exhibited.
在展示了幾幅畫和雕刻作品后，薩繆爾的這幅畫掛了出來。
"Who bids at three thalers? Who bids?" was the cry. Duhobret listened eagerly, but none answered.
“誰出3泰勒?誰出?”杜霍布賴特急切地聽著，可是沒有人應(yīng)答。
"Will it find a purchaser?" said he despondingly, to himself.
“會有買家嗎?”他沮喪地自語道。
Still there was a dead silence.
仍然沒有人出價。
He dared not look up;
見此情景，他都不敢抬頭看了。
for it seemed to him that all the people were laughing at the folly of the artist, who could be insane enough to offer so worthless a piece at a public sale.
在他看來，仿佛所有人都在嘲弄他的愚蠢。畢竟，在公開拍賣會上誰會發(fā)瘋到出錢買一文不值的東西呢。
"What will become of me?" was his mental inquiry.
“我會落到什么結(jié)果呢?”他在心里詰問道。
"That work is certainly my best;" and he ventured to steal another glance.
“那幅畫作肯定是我最優(yōu)秀的作品，”想到這兒，他壯起膽子瞥了一眼。
"Does it not seem that the wind actually stirs those boughs and moves those leaves!
“大風(fēng)當(dāng)然先折斷大樹枝，才刮走樹葉的!
