The Squire's Bride

The Squire's Bride, a Norwegian folktale, retold by Vera Ogden Baker, illustrated by Joel Snyder.

《乡绅的新娘》，一则挪威民间故事， 薇拉·奥格登·贝克 重述， 乔尔·斯奈德 绘。

Feeling lonely, long ago and far away, a rich squire rode out to look over his land. He watched his field workers harvesting hay. The squire smiled, for he would soon be able to sell the hay for gold.

很久很久以前，在很远的地方， 有个富有的乡绅觉得孤单，就骑马出门巡视自己的土地。 他看着田里的雇工们收割干草。 乡绅笑了，因为他很快就能把这些干草卖掉换金子啦。

A red leaf landed on the squire's nose. Then more and more leaves floated on the air. He frowned, remembering how long and lonely winter was.

一片红叶子落在了乡绅的鼻子上。 紧接着，越来越多的叶子在空中飘来飘去。 他皱起眉头，想起冬天又漫长又孤单。

The squire spotted a lovely girl in the field. I shall make her my wife, he thought. Will you marry me, he asked. You will have a big house and wear beautiful clothes, he said. But the girl refused his offer.

乡绅在田里看到了一个可爱的姑娘。 他想：我要娶她当我的妻子。 他问：“你愿意嫁给我吗？” 他又说：“你会住大房子，穿漂漂亮亮的衣服。” 可姑娘拒绝了他的求婚。

A promise made. The squire was angry. He promised to pay her father's debt if the father could get his daughter to marry the squire. Arrange the wedding, said her father, and when you are ready, send for my daughter.

约定已定。 乡绅气坏了。 他承诺会替姑娘的父亲还清债务，只要父亲能劝女儿嫁给那个乡绅。 姑娘的父亲说：“去筹备婚礼吧， 等你准备好了，就派人来接我女儿。”

The Squire's cooks spent days making a feast, and the maids cleaned his big house to a shine. He invited all the neighbors and hired the parson. When everything was ready, he sent a boy to the girl's father. Tell him to send what he promised, the Squire ordered, and be quick.

乡绅家的厨师花了好几天准备宴席， 女佣们把他的大房子擦得亮闪闪的。 他邀请了所有邻居，还雇了牧师来主持婚礼。 万事俱备后，他派了个小厮去姑娘的父亲那儿。 乡绅吩咐道：“告诉他把答应好的东西送过来，动作快点。”