English Original
THERE was once a King who had a son who asked in marriage the daughter of a mighty King; she was called Maid Maleen, and was very beautiful. As her father wished to give her to another, the prince was rejected; but as they both loved each other with all their hearts, they would not give each other up, and Maid Maleen said to her father, "I can and will take no other for my husband." Then the King flew into a passion, and ordered a dark tower to be built, into which no ray of sunlight or moonlight should enter. When it was finished, he said, "Therein shalt thou be imprisoned for seven years, and then I will come and see if thy perverse spirit is broken." Meat and drink for the seven years were carried into the tower, and then she and her waiting-woman were led into it and walled up, and thus cut off from the sky and from the earth. There they sat in the darkness, and knew not when day or night began.
The King's son often went round and round the tower, and called their names, but no sound from without pierced through the thick walls. What else could they do but lament and complain? Meanwhile the time passed, and by the diminution of the food and drink they knew that the seven years were coming to an end. They thought the moment of their deliverance was come; but no stroke of the hammer was heard, no stone fell out of the wall, and it seemed to Maid Maleen that her father had forgotten her. As they only had food for a short time longer, and saw a miserable death awaiting them, Maid Maleen said, "We must try our last chance, and see if we can break through the wall." She took the bread-knife, and picked and bored at the mortar of a stone, and when she was tired, the waiting-maid took her turn. With great labour they succeeded in getting out one stone, and then a second, and a third, and when three days were over the first ray of light fell on their darkness, and at last the opening was so large that they could look out.
The sky was blue, and a fresh breeze played on their faces; but how melancholy everything looked all around! Her father's castle lay in ruins, the town and the villages were, so far as could be seen, destroyed by fire, the fields far and wide laid to waste, and no human being was visible. When the opening in the wall was large enough for them to slip through, the waiting-maid sprang down first, and then Maid Maleen followed. But where were they to go? The enemy had ravaged the whole kingdom, driven away the King, and slain all the inhabitants. They wandered forth to seek another country, but nowhere did they find a shelter, or a human being to give them a mouthful of bread, and their need was so great that they were forced to appease their hunger with nettles. When, after long journeying, they came into another country, they tried to get work everywhere; but wherever they knocked they were turned away, and no one would have pity on them. At last they arrived in a large city and went to the royal palace. There also they were ordered to go away, but at last the cook said that they might stay in the kitchen and be scullions.
The son of the King in whose kingdom they were, was, however, the very man who had been betrothed to Maid Maleen. His father had chosen another bride for him, whose face was as ugly as her heart was wicked. The wedding was fixed, and the maiden had already arrived; but because of her great ugliness, however, she shut herself in her room, and allowed no one to see her, and Maid Maleen had to take her her meals from the kitchen. When the day came for the bride and the bridegroom to go to church, she was ashamed of her ugliness, and afraid that if she showed herself in the streets, she would be mocked and laughed at by the people. Then said she to Maid Maleen, "A great piece of luck has befallen thee. I have sprained my foot, and cannot well walk through the streets; thou shalt put on my wedding-clothes and take my place; a greater honour than that thou canst not have!" Maid Maleen, however, refused it, and said, "I wish for no honour which is not suitable for me." It was in vain, too, that the bride offered her gold. At last she said angrily, "If thou dost not obey me, it shall cost thee thy life. I have but to speak the word, and thy head will lie at thy feet." Then she was forced to obey, and put on the bride's magnificent clothes and all her jewels.
When she entered the royal hall, every one was amazed at her great beauty, and the King said to his son, "This is the bride whom I have chosen for thee, and whom thou must lead to church." The bridegroom was astonished, and thought, "She is like my Maid Maleen, and I should believe that it was she herself, but she has long been shut up in the tower, or dead." He took her by the hand and led her to church. On the way was a nettle-plant, and she said,
"Oh, nettle-plant,
Little nettle-plant,
What dost thou here alone?
I have known the time
When I ate thee unboiled,
When I ate thee unroasted."
"What art thou saying?" asked the King's son. "Nothing," she replied, "I was only thinking of Maid Maleen." He was surprised that she knew about her, but kept silence. When they came to the foot-plank into the churchyard, she said,
"Foot-bridge, do not break,
I am not the true bride."
"What art thou saying there?" asked the King's son. "Nothing," she replied, "I was only thinking of Maid Maleen." "Dost thou know Maid Maleen?" "No," she answered, "how should I know her; I have only heard of her." When they came to the church-door, she said once more,
"Church-door, break not,
I am not the true bride."
"What art thou saying there?" asked he. "Ah," she answered, "I was only thinking of Maid Maleen." Then he took out a precious chain, put it round her neck, and fastened the clasp. Thereupon they entered the church, and the priest joined their hands together before the altar, and married them. He led her home, but she did not speak a single word the whole way. When they got back to the royal palace, she hurried into the bride's chamber, put off the magnificent clothes and the jewels, dressed herself in her gray gown, and kept nothing but the jewel on her neck, which she had received from the bridegroom.
When the night came, and the bride was to be led into the prince's apartment, she let her veil fall over her face, that he might not observe the deception. As soon as every one had gone away, he said to her, "What didst thou say to the nettle-plant which was growing by the wayside?" "To which nettle-plant?" asked she; "I don't talk to nettle-plants." "If thou didst not do it, then thou art not the true bride," said he. So she bethought herself, and said,
"I must go out unto my maid,
Who keeps my thoughts for me."
She went out and sought Maid Maleen. "Girl, what hast thou been saying to the nettle?" "I said nothing but,
"Oh, nettle-plant,
Little nettle-plant,
What dost thou here alone?
I have known the time
When I ate thee unboiled,
When I ate thee unroasted."
The bride ran back into the chamber, and said, "I know now what I said to the nettle," and she repeated the words which she had just heard. "But what didst thou say to the foot-bridge when we went over it?" asked the King's son. "To the foot-bridge?" she answered. "I don't talk to foot-bridges." "Then thou art not the true bride." She again said,
"I must go out unto my maid,
Who keeps my thoughts for me,"
And ran out and found Maid Maleen, "Girl, what didst thou say to the foot-bridge?" "I said nothing but,
"Foot-bridge, do not break,
I am not the true bride."
"That costs thee thy life!" cried the bride, but she hurried into the room, and said, "I know now what I said to the foot-bridge," and she repeated the words. "But what didst thou say to the church-door?" "To the church-door?" she replied; "I don't talk to church-doors." "Then thou art not the true bride." She went out and found Maid Maleen, and said, "Girl, what didst thou say to the church-door?" "I said nothing but,
"Church-door, break not,
I am not the true bride."
"That will break thy neck for thee!" cried the bride, and flew into a terrible passion, but she hastened back into the room, and said, "I know now what I said to the church-door," and she repeated the words. "But where hast thou the jewel which I gave thee at the church-door?" "What jewel?" she answered; "thou didst not give me any jewel." "I myself put it round thy neck, and I myself fastened it; if thou dost not know that, thou art not the true bride." He drew the veil from her face, and when he saw her immeasurable ugliness, he sprang back terrified, and said, "How comest thou here? Who art thou?" "I am thy betrothed bride, but because I feared lest the people should mock me when they saw me out of doors, I commanded the scullery-maid to dress herself in my clothes, and to go to church instead of me." "Where is the girl?" said he; "I want to see her, go and bring her here." She went out and told the servants that the scullery-maid was an impostor, and that they must take her out into the court-yard and strike off her head. The servants laid hold of Maid Maleen and wanted to drag her out, but she screamed so loudly for help, that the King's son heard her voice, hurried out of his chamber and ordered them to set the maiden free instantly. Lights were brought, and then he saw on her neck the gold chain which he had given her at the church-door. "Thou art the true bride," said he, "who went with me to the church; come with me now to my room."
When they were both alone, he said, "On the way to church thou didst name Maid Maleen, who was my betrothed bride; if I could believe it possible, I should think she was standing before me thou art like her in every respect." She answered, "I am Maid Maleen, who for thy sake was imprisoned seven years in the darkness, who suffered hunger and thirst, and has lived so long in want and poverty. To-day, however, the sun is shining on me once more. I was married to thee in the church, and I am thy lawful wife." Then they kissed each other, and were happy all the days of their lives. The false bride was rewarded for what she had done by having her head cut off.
The tower in which Maid Maleen had been imprisoned remained standing for a long time, and when the children passed by it they sang,
"Kling, klang, gloria.
Who sits within this tower?
A King's daughter, she sits within,
A sight of her I cannot win,
The wall it will not break,
The stone cannot be pierced.
Little Hans, with your coat so gay,
Follow me, follow me, fast as you may."
by the Brothers Grimm
中文翻译
从前，有一位国王，他的儿子向一位强大国王的女儿求婚；她名叫少女玛琳，非常美丽。由于她的父亲想把她嫁给别人，王子遭到了拒绝；但他们俩全心全意地相爱，都不愿放弃彼此。少女玛琳对父亲说：“我不能，也绝不会嫁给别人。”国王勃然大怒，下令建造一座黑暗的塔楼，不许一丝阳光或月光照入。塔楼建成后，他说：“你将被囚禁在里面七年，然后我会来看看你那执拗的性子是否已被磨平。”七年的食物和饮水被搬进塔楼，随后她和她的侍女被带进去，塔门被封死，从此与天地隔绝。她们坐在黑暗中，不知昼夜。王子常常绕着塔楼转，呼唤她们的名字，但任何声音都无法穿透厚厚的墙壁。除了哀叹和抱怨，她们还能做什么呢？
时光流逝，通过食物和饮水的减少，她们知道七年即将结束。她们以为获救的时刻到了；但听不到锤击声，也没有石头从墙上掉落，少女玛琳觉得父亲已经忘记了她。由于食物所剩无几，眼看悲惨的死亡在等待着她们，少女玛琳说：“我们必须尝试最后的机会，看看能否凿穿墙壁。”她拿起切面包的刀，开始抠挖一块石头的灰浆，她累了就由侍女接替。经过巨大的努力，她们成功挖出了一块石头，接着是第二块、第三块。三天后，第一缕光线照进了她们的黑暗，最后洞口大到她们可以向外张望了。
天空湛蓝，清新的微风拂过她们的脸庞；但周围的一切看起来多么凄凉啊！她父亲的城堡已成废墟，城镇和村庄，目之所及，都被大火摧毁，田野荒芜，不见人烟。当墙上的洞口大到足以让她们钻出去时，侍女先跳了下去，少女玛琳紧随其后。但她们该去哪里呢？敌人已经蹂躏了整个王国，赶走了国王，屠杀了所有居民。她们向前流浪，去寻找另一个国家，但处处都找不到栖身之所，也找不到一个人给她们一口面包。她们的需求如此迫切，以至于不得不靠荨麻来缓解饥饿。经过长途跋涉，她们来到另一个国家，四处寻找工作；但无论敲响哪家的门，她们都被赶走，没有人同情她们。最后，她们来到一座大城市，走进了王宫。在那里她们也被命令离开，但最终厨师说她们可以留在厨房做帮工。
然而，她们所在王国的王子，正是曾与少女玛琳订婚的那个人。他的父亲为他选了另一位新娘，其面容之丑陋与心地之邪恶不相上下。婚礼已确定，那位少女也已抵达；但由于她极其丑陋，她把自己关在房间里，不许任何人见她，少女玛琳不得不从厨房给她送饭。当新娘和新郎去教堂的日子到来时，她为自己的丑陋感到羞愧，害怕如果出现在街上，会被人们嘲笑。于是她对少女玛琳说：“你交上大运了。我扭伤了脚，不便在街上行走；你穿上我的婚纱，代替我的位置；你不可能得到比这更大的荣耀了！”然而，少女玛琳拒绝了，她说：“我不想要任何不适合我的荣耀。”新娘给她金子也是徒劳。最后她生气地说：“如果你不服从我，这将让你付出生命的代价。我只需说一句话，你的头就会落在你脚下。”于是她被迫服从，穿上了新娘华丽的衣服和所有珠宝。
当她走进王宫大厅时，所有人都惊叹于她的美貌，国王对儿子说：“这就是我为你选的新娘，你必须带她去教堂。”新郎很惊讶，心想：“她像我的少女玛琳，我几乎要相信就是她本人了，但她早已被关在塔里，或者死了。”他牵着她的手，带她去教堂。路上有一株荨麻，她说：
“哦，荨麻，小荨麻，
你为何独自在此？
我曾记得那时，
我生吃过你，
我未烤便食你。”
“你在说什么？”王子问。“没什么，”她回答，“我只是想起了少女玛琳。”他很惊讶她知道少女玛琳，但保持了沉默。当他们走到通往教堂墓地的木板桥时，她说：
“小桥啊，别断裂，
我不是真正的新娘。”
“你在那里说什么？”王子问。“没什么，”她回答，“我只是想起了少女玛琳。”“你认识少女玛琳吗？”“不，”她答道，“我怎么会认识她；我只是听说过她。”当他们来到教堂门口时，她再次说道：
“教堂门啊，别碎裂，
我不是真正的新娘。”
“你在那里说什么？”他问。“啊，”她回答，“我只是想起了少女玛琳。”然后他拿出一条珍贵的项链，戴在她的脖子上，扣好了搭扣。随后他们进入教堂，牧师在圣坛前将他们的手合在一起，为他们举行了婚礼。他带她回家，但一路上她一言不发。回到王宫后，她急忙跑进新娘的房间，脱下华丽的衣服和珠宝，穿上自己的灰色长袍，只留下了新郎给她的那条项链。
夜晚来临，新娘要被领进王子的房间时，她让面纱遮住脸，以免他察觉欺骗。等所有人都离开后，他对她说：“你对路边长着的那株荨麻说了什么？”“哪株荨麻？”她问；“我不和荨麻说话。”“如果你没说过，那你不是真正的新娘，”他说。于是她想了想，说：
“我必须去找我的侍女，
她替我保管着我的思绪。”
她出去找到少女玛琳。“丫头，你对荨麻说了什么？”“我只说了：
“哦，荨麻，小荨麻，
你为何独自在此？
我曾记得那时，
我生吃过你，
我未烤便食你。”
新娘跑回房间，说：“我现在知道我对荨麻说了什么，”并重复了她刚刚听到的话。“但我们过桥时，你对桥说了什么？”王子问。“对桥？”她回答。“我不和桥说话。”“那你不是真正的新娘。”她再次说：
“我必须去找我的侍女，
她替我保管着我的思绪，”
然后跑出去找到少女玛琳，“丫头，你对桥说了什么？”“我只说了：
“小桥啊，别断裂，
我不是真正的新娘。”
“这会要了你的命！”新娘喊道，但她急忙跑回房间，说：“我现在知道我对桥说了什么，”并重复了那些话。“那你对教堂门说了什么？”“对教堂门？”她回答；“我不和教堂门说话。”“那你不是真正的新娘。”她出去找到少女玛琳，说：“丫头，你对教堂门说了什么？”“我只说了：
“教堂门啊，别碎裂，
我不是真正的新娘。”
“这会折断你的脖子！”新娘喊道，勃然大怒，但她赶紧回到房间，说：“我现在知道我对教堂门说了什么，”并重复了那些话。“但我给你的那条项链在哪里？”“什么项链？”她回答；“你没给过我任何项链。”“我亲手把它戴在你脖子上，亲手扣好的；如果你不知道这个，你就不是真正的新娘。”他掀开她的面纱，看到她无比丑陋的面容，吓得向后一跳，说：“你怎么在这里？你是谁？”“我是你订婚的新娘，但我害怕人们看到我出门会嘲笑我，所以我命令厨房女佣穿上我的衣服，代替我去教堂。”“那女孩在哪里？”他说；“我想见她，去把她带来。”她出去告诉仆人们，那个厨房女佣是个骗子，必须把她带到院子里砍头。仆人们抓住少女玛琳，想把她拖出去，但她大声呼救，王子听到了她的声音，急忙冲出房间，命令他们立刻放了这位少女。灯光拿来后，他看到了她脖子上那条他在教堂门口给她的金项链。“你才是真正的新娘，”他说，“那个和我一起去教堂的人；现在跟我来我的房间。”
当他们独处时，他说：“在去教堂的路上，你提到了少女玛琳，她是我订婚的新娘；如果可能，我几乎要以为站在我面前的就是她，你各方面都像她。”她回答说：“我就是少女玛琳，为了你，我在黑暗中囚禁了七年，忍受饥渴，在匮乏和贫困中生活了这么久。然而今天，阳光再次照耀着我。我在教堂与你结了婚，我是你合法的妻子。”然后他们亲吻了彼此，从此幸福地生活在一起。假新娘为她所做的一切得到了报应——被砍了头。
囚禁过少女玛琳的那座塔楼矗立了很久，当孩子们经过时，他们会唱：
“叮，当，荣耀啊。
谁坐在这塔里？
一位国王的女儿，她坐在里面，
我无法见她一面，
墙壁不会破裂，
石头无法刺穿。
小汉斯，穿着漂亮外套，
快跟我来，快跟我来，越快越好。”
格林兄弟 著