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4. Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump
4. 兔子巴比蒂和她的呱呱树桩
A long time ago, in a far-off land, there lived a foolish king who decided that he alone should have the power of magic.
很久很久以前，在一个遥远的地方，住着一个愚蠢的国王，他认为只应该让他一个人拥有魔法的力量。
He therefore commanded the head of his army to form a Brigade of Witch-Hunters, and issued them with a pack of ferocious black hounds.
因此，国王命令他军队的首领成立一支女巫追捕小分队，并分配给他们一批凶猛的黑色猎狗。
At the same time, the King caused proclamations to be read in every village and town across the land: “Wanted by the King, an Instructor in Magic.”
与此同时，他还在全国的城镇乡村发布公告：“国王招聘一位魔法教员。”
No true witch or wizard dared volunteer for the post, for they were all in hiding from the Brigade of Witch-Hunters.
那些真正的巫师，谁也不敢出来主动应聘，因为他们都躲避着女巫追捕小分队。
However, a cunning charlatan with no magical power saw a chance of enriching himself, and arrived at the palace, claiming to be a wizard of enormous skill.
然而，有一个根本不会魔法的狡猾的江湖骗子看到了发财的机会，他来到王宫，声称自己是一位技艺高超的巫师。
The charlatan performed a few simple tricks, which convinced the foolish King of his magical powers, and was immediately appointed Grand Sorcerer in Chief, the King's Private Magic Master.
江湖骗子变了几个简单的戏法，愚蠢的国王就相信他确实会魔法，立刻任命他为首席大魔法师和国王的私人魔法大师。
The charlatan bade the King give him a large sack of gold, so that he might purchase wands and other magical necessities.
江湖骗子吩咐国王给他一大袋金子，让他拿去买魔杖和其他魔法必需品。
He also requested several large rubies, to be used in the casting of curative charms, and a silver chalice or two, forthe storing and maturing of potions.
他还索要了几颗很大的红宝石，说要用来完成疗伤咒；还有一两只银质高脚杯，说要用来保存和酿制魔药。
All these things the foolish King supplied.
所有这些东西，愚蠢的国王都提供给了他。
The charlatan stowed the treasure safely in his own house and returned to the palace grounds.
江湖骗子把这些财宝存放在自己家里，然后回到了王宫的庭院里。
He did not know that he was being watched by an old woman who lived in a hovel on the edge of the grounds.
他不知道，一个住在庭院边小茅屋里的老太婆正在注视着他。
Her name was Babbitty, and she was the washerwoman who kept the palace linens soft, fragrant and white.
她名叫巴比蒂，是一个洗衣妇，负责把王宫里的床单被罩洗得柔软、芳香、洁白。
Peeping from behind her drying sheets, Babbitty saw the charlatan snap two twigs from one of the King's trees and disappear into the palace.
从她晾晒的床单后面偷偷看着，巴比蒂发现江湖骗子从国王的一棵树上折了两根树枝，然后进了王宫。
The charlatan gave one of the twigs to the King and assured him that it was a wand of tremendous power.
江湖骗子把一根树枝递给了国王，信誓旦旦地说这是一根威力无比的魔杖。
“It will only work, however,” said the charlatan, “when you are worthy of it.”
“不过，等你有资格了，它才会管用。”江湖骗子说。“等你有资格了，它才会管用。”
Every morning the charlatan and the foolishKing walked out into the palace grounds, where they waved their wands and shouted nonsense at the sky.
每天早晨，江湖骗子和愚蠢的国王来到王宫庭院，挥舞着他们的魔杖，冲着天空喊叫一些胡言乱语。
The charlatan was careful to perform more tricks, so that the King remained convinced of his Grand Sorcerer's skill, and of the power of the wands that had cost so much gold.
江湖骗子又谨慎地变了几个戏法，让国王相信他这位大魔法师确实技艺超群，花这么多金子弄来的魔杖确实威力无比。
