The week’s reading, after March 3Недельное чтение после 3 марта
Poor PeopleБедные люди
Бедные люди
Tolstoy’s own prose retelling (1908) of Victor Hugo’s poem “Les pauvres gens” in La Légende des siècles (1859): Hugo’s story in its ten parts and in order, with most of what Hugo says in his own voice left out, and changed in sense in places. It took the place of V. Mikulich’s prose version, printed in the first edition.
В рыбачьей хижине сидит у огня Жанна, жена рыбака, и чинит старый парус. На дворе свистит и воет ветер и, плескаясь и разбиваясь о берег, гудят волны... На дворе темно и холодно, на море буря, но в рыбачьей хижине тепло и уютно. Земляной пол чисто выметен; в печи не потух еще огонь; на полке блестит посуда. На кровати с опущенным белым пологом спят пятеро детей под завывание бурного моря. Муж-рыбак с утра вышел на своей лодке в море и не возвращался еще. Слышит рыбачка гул волн и рев ветра. Жутко Жанне.
In a fisherman’s hut Jeanne, the fisherman’s wife, sits by the fire mending an old sail. Outside the wind whistles and howls, and the waves boom, splashing and breaking on the shore… Outside it is dark and cold, there is a storm at sea, but in the fisherman’s hut it is warm and snug. The earthen floor is swept clean; the fire in the stove has not yet gone out; the dishes gleam on the shelf. On the bed, its white curtain let down, five children sleep to the howling of the stormy sea. Her husband, the fisherman, went out to sea in his boat in the morning and has not come back yet. The fisherman’s wife hears the boom of the waves and the roar of the wind. Jeanne is full of dread.
Старые деревянные часы с хриплым боем пробили десять, одиннадцать... Мужа всё нет. Жанна задумывается. Муж не жалеет себя, в холод и бурю ловит рыбу. Она сидит с утра до вечера за работой. И что же? Еле-еле кормятся. А у ребяток всё нет обуви: и летом и зимой бегают босиком; и хлеб едят не пшеничный, — хорошо и то, что хватает ржаного. Только и приправы к еде, что рыба. «Ну, да слава богу, дети здоровы. Нечего жаловаться, — думает Жанна и опять прислушивается к буре. — Где-то он теперь? Сохрани его, господи, спаси и помилуй!» — говорит она и крестится.
The old wooden clock, with its hoarse chime, struck ten, eleven… Still her husband does not come. Jeanne falls to thinking. Her husband does not spare himself; in cold and storm he is out fishing. She sits at her work from morning till night. And what comes of it? They barely get enough to eat. And the little ones still have no shoes: summer and winter they run barefoot; and the bread they eat is not wheat — it is something that there is enough rye to go around. The only relish to their food is fish. “Well, thank God, the children are healthy. There’s nothing to complain of,” thinks Jeanne, and again she listens to the storm. “Where can he be now? Keep him, Lord, save him and have mercy!” she says, and crosses herself.
Спать еще рано. Жанна встает, накидывает на голову толстый платок, зажигает фонарь и выходит на улицу посмотреть, не тише ли стало море, не светает ли, и горит ли лампа на маяке, и не видать ли лодки мужа. Но на море ничего не видно. Ветер рвет с нее платок и чем-то оторванным стучит в дверь соседней избушки, и Жанна вспоминает о том, что она еще с вечера хотела зайти проведать больную соседку. «Некому и приглядеть за ней», — подумала Жанна и постучала в дверь. Прислушалась... Никто не отвечает.
It is still too early for bed. Jeanne gets up, throws a thick shawl over her head, lights a lantern, and goes outside to see whether the sea has grown calmer, whether day is breaking, whether the lamp is burning in the lighthouse, and whether her husband’s boat is in sight. But nothing can be seen on the sea. The wind tears at her shawl and bangs something torn loose against the door of the neighboring cottage, and Jeanne remembers that since the evening she has been meaning to drop in and see how her sick neighbor is. “There’s no one even to look after her,” Jeanne thought, and she knocked at the door. She listened… No one answers.
«Плохое вдовье дело, — думает Жанна, стоя у порога. — Хоть и немного детей — двое, а всё одной обдумать надо. А тут еще болезнь! Эх, плохое вдовье дело. Зайду, проведаю».
“It’s a hard thing to be a widow,” thinks Jeanne, standing at the threshold. “Not many children, true — just two — but still she has to think of everything alone. And now illness on top of it! Ah, it’s a hard thing to be a widow. I’ll go in and see how she is.”
Жанна постучалась еще и еще. Никто не отвечал.
Jeanne knocked again and again. No one answered.
— Эй, соседка! — крикнула Жанна. «Уж не случилось ли что», — подумала она и толкнула дверь.
“Hey, neighbor!” Jeanne called out. “Could something have happened?” she thought, and pushed the door open.
В избушке было сыро и холодно. Жанна подняла фонарь, чтобы оглядеть, где больная. И первое, что ей бросилось в глаза, это — постель прямо против двери, и на постели она, соседка, лежит на спине так тихо и неподвижно, как лежат только мертвые. Жанна поднесла фонарь еще ближе. Да, это она. Голова закинута назад; на холодном, посиневшем лице спокойствие смерти. Бледная, мертвая рука, будто потянувшаяся за чем-то, упала и свесилась с соломы. И тут же, недалеко от мертвой матери, двое маленьких детей, кудрявых и толстощеких, прикрытых старым платьем, спят, скорчившись и прижавшись друг к другу белокурыми головками. Видно, мать, умирая, еще успела закутать им ножки старым платком и накрыть их своим платьем. Дыхание их ровно и спокойно. Они спят сладко и крепко.
In the cottage it was damp and cold. Jeanne raised the lantern to see where the sick woman was. And the first thing that caught her eye was the bed, right opposite the door, and on the bed the neighbor herself, lying on her back as quietly and motionlessly as only the dead lie. Jeanne brought the lantern still closer. Yes, it is she. Her head is thrown back; on the cold, bluish face is the calm of death. A pale, dead hand, as though it had reached out for something, has fallen and hangs down from the straw. And right there, not far from the dead mother, two small children, curly-headed and chubby-cheeked, covered with an old dress, lie asleep, curled up, their fair little heads pressed together. Evidently the mother, as she was dying, still had time to wrap their little feet in an old shawl and cover them with her own dress. Their breathing is even and calm. They are sleeping sweetly and soundly.
Жанна снимает колыбельку с детьми и, закутав их платком, несет домой. Сердце ее сильно бьется; она сама не знает, как и зачем она сделала это, но она знает, что не могла не сделать то, что сделала.
Jeanne lifts the little cradle with the children and, wrapping them in a shawl, carries them home. Her heart is pounding; she does not know herself how or why she did it, but she knows that she could not have helped doing what she did.
Дома она кладет непроснувшихся детей на кровать с своими детьми и торопливо задергивает полог. Она бледна и взволнована. Точно мучит ее совесть. «Что-то скажет он?.. — сама с собой говорит она. — Шутка ли, пятеро своих ребятишек — мало еще ему было с ними заботы... Это он?.. Нет, нет еще!.. И зачем было брать!.. Прибьет он меня! Да и поделом, я и стою того. Вот он! Нет!.. Ну, тем лучше!..»
At home she lays the children, still asleep, on the bed with her own children and hurriedly draws the curtain. She is pale and agitated. It is as though her conscience were tormenting her. “What will he say?…” she says to herself. “It’s no joke — five little ones of his own — as if he hadn’t worry enough with them… Is that him?… No, not yet!… And why did I have to take them!… He’ll beat me! And serve me right, I deserve it. There he is! No!… Well, so much the better!…”
Дверь скрипнула, будто кто вошел. Жанна вздрогнула и приподнялась со стула.
The door creaked, as if someone had come in. Jeanne gave a start and half rose from her chair.
«Нет. Опять никого! Господи, и зачем я это сделала?.. Как ему теперь в глаза взгляну?..» И Жанна задумывается и долго сидит молча у кровати.
“No. Nobody again! Lord, why did I do it?… How will I look him in the eye now?…” And Jeanne falls to thinking and sits a long while in silence by the bed.
Дождь перестал; рассвело, но ветер гудит и море ревет попрежнему.
The rain has stopped; it is daylight, but the wind booms and the sea roars as before.
Вдруг дверь распахнулась, в комнату ворвалась струя свежего морского воздуха, и высокий, смуглый рыбак, волоча за собой мокрые, разорванные сети, входит в горницу со словами:
Suddenly the door flew open, a stream of fresh sea air burst into the room, and a tall, swarthy fisherman, dragging his wet, torn nets behind him, comes into the house with the words:
— Вот и я, Жанна!
“Here I am, Jeanne!”
— Ах, это ты! — говорит Жанна и останавливается, не смея поднять на него глаз.
“Ah, it’s you!” says Jeanne, and stops short, not daring to raise her eyes to him.
— Ну, уж ночка! Страх!
“Well, what a night! Fearful!”
— Да, да, погода была ужасная! Ну, а как ловля?
“Yes, yes, the weather was terrible! Well, and how was the fishing?”
— Дрянь, совсем дрянь! Ничего не поймал. Только сети разорвал. Плохо, плохо!.. Да, я тебе скажу, и погодка ж была! Кажется, такой ночи и не запомню. Какая там ловля! Слава богу, что жив домой добрался... Ну, а ты что тут без меня делала?
“Rotten, plain rotten! Didn’t catch a thing. Only tore the nets. Bad, bad!… Yes, I tell you, that was some weather! I don’t think I can remember such a night. What fishing could there be! Thank God I got home alive… Well, and what were you doing here without me?”
Рыбак втащил сети в комнату и сел у печки.
The fisherman dragged the nets into the room and sat down by the stove.
— Я? — сказала Жанна, бледнея. — Да что ж я... Сидела шила... Ветер так завывал, что страшно становилось. Боялась за тебя.
“Me?” said Jeanne, turning pale. “Why, what would I be doing… I sat and sewed… The wind howled so that it got frightening. I was afraid for you.”
— Да, да, — пробормотал муж, — погода чертовски скверная! Да что поделаешь!
“Yes, yes,” muttered her husband, “the weather’s devilish bad! But what can you do!”
Оба помолчали.
Both were silent for a while.
— А знаешь, — сказала Жанна, — соседка-то Симон умерла.
“And do you know,” said Jeanne, “our neighbor Simon has died.”
— Ну?
“Really?”
— И не знаю, когда; верно, еще вчера. Да, тяжело ей было умирать. Да и за детей-то, должно быть, как сердце болело! Ведь двое детей — крошки... Один еще не говорит, а другой чуть начинает ползать...
“And I don’t know when; yesterday, most likely. Yes, it was hard for her to die. And how her heart must have ached for the children! Two children, you know — tiny ones… One can’t talk yet, and the other is just starting to crawl…”
Жанна замолчала. Рыбак нахмурился; лицо его сделалось серьезно, озабоченно.
Jeanne fell silent. The fisherman frowned; his face grew serious and troubled.
— Ну, дела! — проговорил он, почесывая в затылке. — Ну, да что станешь делать! Придется взять, а то проснутся, каково им с покойницей? Ну, да что уж, как-нибудь перебьемся! Ступай же скорей!
“Well, here’s a business!” he said, scratching the back of his head. “Well, what’s to be done! We’ll have to take them, or else they’ll wake up, and how will it be for them with the dead woman? Well, never mind, we’ll scrape by somehow! Go on, quick!”
Но Жанна не двигалась с места.
But Jeanne did not stir from her place.
— Что ж ты? Не хочешь? Что с тобой, Жанна?
“What’s the matter? Don’t you want to? What’s wrong with you, Jeanne?”
— Вот они, — сказала Жанна и отдернула полог.
“Here they are,” said Jeanne, and drew back the curtain.
Виктор Гюго. Изложил Л. Н. Толстой.
Victor Hugo. Retold by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy’s own prose retelling (1908) of Victor Hugo’s poem “Les pauvres gens” in La Légende des siècles (1859): Hugo’s story in its ten parts and in order, with most of what Hugo says in his own voice left out, and changed in sense in places. It took the place of V. Mikulich’s prose version, printed in the first edition.
Translation notes
Where each paragraph came from
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Il est nuit. La cabane est pauvre, mais bien close.Tout près, un matelas s’étend sur de vieux bancs, Et cinq petits enfants, nid d’âmes, y sommeillent.La haute cheminée où quelques flammes veillent Rougit le plafond sombre, et, le front sur le lit, Une femme à genoux prie, et songe, et pâlit.La femme est au logis, cousant les vieilles toiles, Remmaillant les filets, préparant l’hameçon, Surveillant l’âtre où bout la soupe de poisson, Puis priant Dieu sitôt que les cinq enfants dorment.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgAnd in a nook, where pots and plates in line Upon a cupboard shelf obscurely shine, Stands a large bed, with curtains hung around, Hard by a mattress spread upon the ground, Where, like a nest of souls, five children sleep ; …A woman, thoughtful, pale, kneels down to pray : Their mother.The man's at sea ; a sailor from a child.Meanwhile, the wife at home the canvas mends, Fits on the hooks, the broken nets repairs, And for the fish-soup in the cauldron cares.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo's opening tableau, rearranged and told plainly. Hugo begins at night, with the mother kneeling at the big bed, praying ("Une femme à genoux prie, et songe, et pâlit"); Tolstoy seats Jeanne by the fire mending an old sail, which is Hugo's next section ("La femme est au logis, cousant les vieilles toiles", the wife at home sewing the old sails). The five children sleep on a mattress laid over old benches beside the bed ("Tout près, un matelas s'étend sur de vieux bancs"); Tolstoy puts them in the bed itself, «На кровати с опущенным белым пологом», the curtained bed where Jeanne will hide the orphans (W.8, W.29), as Hugo's Jeannie hides them "sur son lit" and opens "les rideaux". The hut, "pauvre, mais bien close" (poor, but well shut), becomes «тепло и уютно» (warm and snug); the dishes glinting on a cupboard's planks become «на полке блестит посуда». Added: the swept earth floor, the white curtain, «Слышит рыбачка гул волн и рев ветра. Жутко Жанне». The fisherman "part le soir" (goes out in the evening); Tolstoy's «с утра вышел» (went out in the morning). Left out: the nets hung on the wall, and the rest of section II, Hugo's account of the fisherman's labor alone at sea and the thoughts that cross between husband and wife in the night ("divins oiseaux du cœur"). Hugo's Jeannie is «Жанна», the Russian form of Jeanne (Carrington, too, calls her Jeanne).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Pluie ou bourrasque, il faut qu’il sorte, il faut qu’il aille, Car les petits enfants ont faim.Et dans sa gaîne, ainsi que le sang dans l’artère, La froide horloge bat, jetant dans le mystère, Goutte à goutte, le temps, saisons, printemps, hivers ; …Elle songe, elle rêve, — et tant de pauvreté ! Ses petits vont pieds nus l’hiver comme l’été.Pas de pain de froment. On mange du pain d’orge.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgThe children cry for food, and off he hies At eve, when billows to the gunwale rise.The cold clock ticks, casting in mystery Drop after drop, time, winter, summer's heat, …Barefoot the children e'en in winter go !Black bread alone and never white we taste !Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Joined from sections II and III, with additions. Hugo's "froide horloge" that beats in its case, "jetant dans le mystère, Goutte à goutte, le temps" (casting time drop by drop into mystery), becomes «Старые деревянные часы с хриплым боем пробили десять, одиннадцать...» (the old wooden clock with its hoarse chime struck ten, eleven). "Il faut qu'il sorte, il faut qu'il aille, Car les petits enfants ont faim" (he must go out, for the little children are hungry) becomes «Муж не жалеет себя, в холод и бурю ловит рыбу», and Tolstoy adds Jeanne's own work, «Она сидит с утра до вечера за работой. И что же? Еле-еле кормятся». The children barefoot winter and summer are Hugo's; "Pas de pain de froment. On mange du pain d'orge" (no wheat bread; they eat barley bread) becomes «хлеб едят не пшеничный, — хорошо и то, что хватает ржаного» (rye); «Только и приправы к еде, что рыба» stands for Hugo's "soupe de poisson" (section II). Added: «Ну, да слава богу, дети здоровы. Нечего жаловаться», and the prayer «Сохрани его, господи, спаси и помилуй!» with the sign of the cross, where Hugo has "— Ô Dieu ! le vent rugit comme un soufflet de forge" (O God! the wind roars like a forge bellows). Cut: the rest of III (the mocking gull, the night of midnight revels and of shipwreck, Jeannie's vision of her husband drowning), and all of IV, Hugo's apostrophe to fishermen's wives ("Ô pauvres femmes De pêcheurs !").
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Elle prend sa lanterne et sa cape. — C’est l’heure D’aller voir s’il revient, si la mer est meilleure, S’il fait jour, si la flamme est au mât du signal.Rien. Pas de ligne blanche Dans l’espace où le flot des ténèbres s’épanche.Une sombre masure apparaît décrépite ; Ni lumière, ni feu ; la porte au vent palpite ; …« Tiens, je ne pensais plus à cette pauvre veuve, Dit-elle ; mon mari, l’autre jour, la trouva Malade et seule ; il faut voir comment elle va. » Elle frappe à la porte, elle écoute ; personne Ne répond.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgLantern and cloak she takes : 'tis time to learn If the sea calms — if yet he may return — If breaks the dawn — and if the signal shows.Nought can be seen, no single line of white, …A gloomy hovel, ruined all, and waste ; No light ! no fire ! the door sways in the blast ; …Hold ! this poor widow I had clean forgot ! Ill and alone," she cries, " my husband late Found her. I needs must go and see her state." She raps and listens, but none answer there, …Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close in its course, changed in its details. «Спать еще рано» is added. Jeannie takes "sa lanterne et sa cape" (her lantern and cape) to see "s'il revient, si la mer est meilleure, S'il fait jour, si la flamme est au mât du signal" (whether he is coming back, whether the sea is better, whether it is day, whether the flame is at the signal mast); Tolstoy gives her a thick shawl, makes the signal flame «лампа на маяке» (the lamp on the lighthouse), and adds «и не видать ли лодки мужа». Cut: Hugo's dawn rain ("Et qu'ainsi que l'enfant, l'aube pleure de naître", and the dawn, like a child, weeps to be born) and the hovel's description (its worm-eaten walls and rotten thatch). In their place the wind tears at Jeanne's shawl and bangs something torn loose against the neighbor's door. Hugo's Jeannie had forgotten the widow ("je ne pensais plus à cette pauvre veuve") and recalls that her husband "l'autre jour, la trouva Malade et seule" (found her the other day ill and alone); Tolstoy's Jeanne had meant since evening to visit the sick neighbor, and «Некому и приглядеть за ней» stands for "Malade et seule"; the husband's visit is dropped.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Et Jeannie au vent de mer frissonne.« Malade ! et ses enfants ! comme c’est mal nourri ! Elle n’en a que deux, mais elle est sans mari. »Source text: fr.wikisource.org"Sick, and her hungry children ! What distress ! She has but two, but she is husbandless."Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Two lines expanded into a reflection. "Malade ! et ses enfants ! comme c'est mal nourri ! Elle n'en a que deux, mais elle est sans mari" (Sick! and her children! how badly fed! She has only two, but she has no husband) becomes «Плохое вдовье дело... Хоть и немного детей — двое, а всё одной обдумать надо. А тут еще болезнь!», with «Плохое вдовье дело» said twice and the resolve «Зайду, проведаю» added; "comme c'est mal nourri" is dropped. Jeannie shivering in the sea wind becomes «стоя у порога» (standing at the door).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
Puis, elle frappe encore.Et la maison se tait toujours.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgShe raps again.The house is silent still.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close: "Puis, elle frappe encore" and "Et la maison se tait toujours" (then she knocks again; and the house is still silent). Her call between them, "Hé ! voisine !", opens W.5.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
« Hé ! voisine ! » elle appelle.« Ah ! Dieu ! dit-elle, Comme elle dort, qu’il faut l’appeler si longtemps ! »La porte, cette fois, comme si, par instants, Les objets étaient pris d’une pitié suprême, Morne, tourna dans l’ombre et s’ouvrit d’elle-même.Source text: fr.wikisource.org"Ho! neighbour! answer me."" Ah God," says she, " How sound she sleeps — in vain I knock and cry ; …But then the door, by some deep mystery. As though inanimate things could pity feel, Opened itself, its secret to reveal.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
The call is Hugo's; what follows is changed. Hugo's Jeannie marvels at how soundly the woman sleeps ("Comme elle dort, qu'il faut l'appeler si longtemps !", how she sleeps, that one must call her so long!); Tolstoy's fears the worst: «Уж не случилось ли что». In Hugo the door opens by itself, "comme si, par instants, Les objets étaient pris d'une pitié suprême" (as if at moments things were seized by a supreme pity); Tolstoy's Jeanne «толкнула дверь» (pushed the door).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Au fond était couchée une forme terrible ; Une femme immobile et renversée, ayant Les pieds nus, le regard obscur, l’air effrayant ; …Elle laissait, parmi la paille du grabat, Son bras livide et froid et sa main déjà verte Pendre, et l’horreur sortait de cette bouche ouverte D’où l’âme en s’enfuyant, sinistre, avait jeté Ce grand cri de la mort qu’entend l’éternité !Près du lit où gisait la mère de famille, Deux tout petits enfants, le garçon et la fille, Dans le même berceau souriaient endormis. La mère, se sentant mourir, leur avait mis Sa mante sur les pieds et sur le corps sa robe, Afin que, dans cette ombre où la mort nous dérobe, Ils ne sentissent plus la tiédeur qui décroît, Et pour qu’ils eussent chaud pendant qu’elle aurait froid.Comme ils dorment tous deux dans le berceau qui tremble ! Leur haleine est paisible et leur front calme.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgHalf hid upon the straw, and half in sight, Her livid arm, her hand already green. Hung down, and horror sped those lips between Whence had the fleeting soul that bitter cry Of death thrown forth — heard by eternity.Close to the bed their mother lay upon. Two babes, a little daughter and a son. In the same cot slumbered with peaceful smile.Her shawl, her gown, upon the children flings, That in the shadow which deatli's presence brings, Decay of heat she might from them withold, And they be warm, while she herself grew cold.How in their cradle sleep they both ; and how Their breathing peaceful is, and calm their brow.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
The scene is Hugo's, its terror softened. Hugo's dead woman is "une forme terrible", lying "immobile et renversée" with "le regard obscur, l'air effrayant" (her look dark, her air frightening), and "l'horreur sortait de cette bouche ouverte" (horror came from that open mouth) from which the soul had uttered "Ce grand cri de la mort qu'entend l'éternité"; Tolstoy's lies «так тихо и неподвижно, как лежат только мертвые», her head thrown back, and on her face «спокойствие смерти» (the calm of death). "Son bras livide et froid et sa main déjà verte" (her livid, cold arm and her hand already green) hanging from the straw becomes «Бледная, мертвая рука, будто потянувшаяся за чем-то». Hugo's two children, "le garçon et la fille", "souriaient endormis" (smiled asleep) in one cradle; Tolstoy's are «кудрявых и толстощеких» (curly-haired and plump-cheeked), huddled with their fair heads together, and do not smile. The mother's covering them is kept, "Sa mante sur les pieds et sur le corps sa robe" (her cloak on their feet, her gown on their bodies), its reason cut: "pour qu'ils eussent chaud pendant qu'elle aurait froid" (so that they would be warm while she grew cold). Added: the damp cold of the hut and Jeanne bringing the lantern closer («Да, это она»). Cut: "Un cadavre ; — autrefois, mère joyeuse et forte ; — Le spectre échevelé de la misère morte" and nearly all of VII: the orphans who fear no judge, the raindrop on the dead face that becomes a tear, the dialogue of the pale mouth and the sad eye, and Hugo's apostrophe to the living ("Hélas ! aimez, vivez, cueillez les primevères").
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Qu’est-ce donc que Jeannie a fait chez cette morte ?Sous sa cape aux longs plis qu’est-ce donc qu’elle emporte ?Pourquoi son cœur bat-il ? Pourquoi son pas tremblant Se hâte-t-il ainsi ?D’où vient qu’en la ruelle Elle court, sans oser regarder derrière elle ?Source text: fr.wikisource.orgWhat is Jeanne doing in that house of death ?What, as she goes away, does Jeannette take ?Why beats her heart, and steps unsteady quake ?Why hurry thus, and running like the wind, Seeks her own cot, and dares not look behind ?Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo tells this in questions, keeping from the reader what Jeannie carries under her cape until the poem's last line ("Qu'a-t-elle donc volé ?", what has she stolen?). Tolstoy tells it outright: «Жанна снимает колыбельку с детьми и, закутав их платком, несет домой». "Pourquoi son cœur bat-il ?" becomes «Сердце ее сильно бьется»; Tolstoy adds «она сама не знает, как и зачем она сделала это, но она знает, что не могла не сделать то, что сделала» (she does not know how or why she did it, but she knows she could not have done otherwise).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · shortened by Tolstoy .
Qu’est-ce donc qu’elle cache avec un air troublé Dans l’ombre, sur son lit ?… près du lit elle prit une chaise Et s’assit toute pâle ; on eût dit qu’elle avait Un remords, …« — Mon pauvre homme ! Ah ! mon Dieu ! que va-t-il dire ? Il a Déjà tant de souci ! Qu’est-ce que j’ai fait là ? Cinq enfants sur les bras ! ce père qui travaille ! Il n’avait pas assez de peine ; il faut que j’aille Lui donner celle-là de plus.— C’est lui ? — Non. Rien. — J’ai mal fait. — S’il me bat, je dirai : Tu fais bien. — Est-ce lui ? — Non. — Tant mieux.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgPale she sat down, self-blamed you would have said. To see her in the pillow hide her head.My poor, good man ! 0 God ! what will he say ? So full of cares ! What have I done to-day ?Five children on his hands — and labours so ! Had he not toil enough, that I must go And add all this ?'Tis he. — My fault I own, And if he beat me, it were rightly done.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Jeannie's monologue, shortened. "Mon pauvre homme ! Ah ! mon Dieu ! que va-t-il dire ?" becomes «Что-то скажет он?..»; "Cinq enfants sur les bras ! ce père qui travaille ! Il n'avait pas assez de peine ; il faut que j'aille Lui donner celle-là de plus" (five children on his hands! this father who works! he had not trouble enough; I must go and give him this one more) becomes «Шутка ли, пятеро своих ребятишек — мало еще ему было с ними заботы...»; "J'ai mal fait" (I did wrong) becomes «И зачем было брать!»; "S'il me bat, je dirai : Tu fais bien" (if he beats me, I shall say: you do right) becomes «Прибьет он меня! Да и поделом, я и стою того». "On eût dit qu'elle avait Un remords" (one would have said she felt remorse) becomes «Точно мучит ее совесть»; the children hidden "dans l'ombre, sur son lit" are laid in the bed with her own and the curtain drawn.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Yet seemed to move the door. As though he came.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo's line is part of Jeannie's monologue: "La porte bouge comme Si l'on entrait" (the door moves as if someone were coming in). Tolstoy makes it narration, «Дверь скрипнула, будто кто вошел», and adds «Жанна вздрогнула и приподнялась со стула» (Jeanne started and half rose from her chair).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · shortened by Tolstoy .
Voilà-t-il pas, pauvre homme, Que j’ai peur de le voir rentrer, moi, maintenant !Puis elle demeura pensive et frissonnant, S’enfonçant par degrés dans son angoisse intime, Perdue en son souci comme dans un abîme, N’entendant même plus les bruits extérieurs, Les cormorans qui vont comme de noirs crieurs, Et l’onde et la marée et le vent en colère.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgSee ! what ne'er was before — I fear to see my good man come again."Thus did she saddened and in thought remain, Plunging more deep in grief, and anguish tost, In endless cares as in abysses lost.She now not even hears the noise without, Of cormorants, that like black criers shout, Aud fury of the winds, and waves, and tide.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Shortened. "Mais non" becomes «Нет. Опять никого!»; "Voilà-t-il pas, pauvre homme, Que j'ai peur de le voir rentrer, moi, maintenant !" (there, poor man, now I am afraid to see him come home!) becomes «Как ему теперь в глаза взгляну?» (how shall I look him in the eye now?); «Господи, и зачем я это сделала?» takes up her earlier "Qu'est-ce que j'ai fait là ?" (W.8). Hugo's six lines on her sinking into anguish, deaf to the cormorants "qui vont comme de noirs crieurs", the wave, the tide, and the wind, become «И Жанна задумывается и долго сидит молча у кровати».
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · joined by Tolstoy from several places .
Quand elle fut rentrée au logis, la falaise Blanchissait ; …Et, par instants, à mots entrecoupés, sa bouche Parlait, pendant qu’au loin grondait la mer farouche.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgWhen reached her house, the cliffs more white appear, …At times her lips uttered some broken speech — Afar the fierce sea roars upon the beach —Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
The dawn and the sea are Hugo's, from the opening of IX: "la falaise Blanchissait" (the cliff was growing white) as Jeannie reached home, and the sea growling far off while she spoke ("pendant qu'au loin grondait la mer farouche"). Tolstoy sets the dawn here, after her long vigil, and adds «Дождь перестал»; the wind is Hugo's "vent en colère" from the lines of W.10.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
La porte tout à coup s’ouvrit, bruyante et claire, Et fit dans la cabane entrer un rayon blanc, Et le pêcheur, traînant son filet ruisselant, Joyeux, parut au seuil, et dit : « C’est la marine. »Source text: fr.wikisource.orgWith sudden clasp the door flies open wide, And rays of light within the cabin lets ; The fisherman, hauling in his dripping nets, Appeared, right glad, and said, " Your sailor's here."Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
The door that opens "bruyante et claire" and lets in "un rayon blanc" (a white ray, the daylight) lets in «струя свежего морского воздуха» (a stream of fresh sea air). Hugo's fisherman is "Joyeux" (joyful); Tolstoy's is «высокий, смуглый» (tall, swarthy). "Son filet ruisselant" (his streaming net) becomes «мокрые, разорванные сети», the tear taken from his later words, "J'ai troué mon filet" (W.17). His first words, "C'est la marine" (that's the sea for you), are dropped; he speaks the line of W.13 instead.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
The while he said — ** Yes, M'ife, I'm here ! "Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close: "Me voici, femme !" (here I am, wife!), with «Жанна» for "femme". In Hugo he says it as she embraces him; Tolstoy sets it before her greeting.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
« C’est toi ! » cria Jeannie, et, contre sa poitrine, Elle prit son mari comme on prend un amant, Et lui baisa sa veste avec emportement, …Source text: fr.wikisource.org'Tis thou," cried Jeanne, And to her breast as near Her husband clasped as lovers wont to strain ; And warmly kissed, all soaked with seas and rain, …Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Changed in sense. Hugo's Jeannie cries "C'est toi !", clasps her husband to her breast "comme on prend un amant" (as one takes a lover), and kisses his jacket "avec emportement" (passionately). Tolstoy's says «Ах, это ты!» and «останавливается, не смея поднять на него глаз» (stops, not daring to raise her eyes to him). Cut: his face lit by the hearth, showing "Son cœur bon et content que Jeannie éclairait" (his good, contented heart, which Jeannie lit).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
« Je suis volé, dit-il ; la mer, c’est la forêt.Quelle nuit !Source text: fr.wikisource.orgI'm robbed," he cried ; " the sea 's a brigand wood."What night !Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo's fisherman begins "Je suis volé, dit-il ; la mer, c'est la forêt" (I've been robbed, he said; the sea is the forest, a place of thieves); Tolstoy drops it and opens with «Ну, уж ночка! Страх!», Hugo's "Quelle nuit !" brought forward from later in the speech.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
What weather was it ? " " Bad ! " " What fishing ? "Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
In Hugo Jeannie asks what the weather was ("Quel temps a-t-il fait ?") and he answers "Dur" (hard); Tolstoy gives her the answer as well, «Да, да, погода была ужасная!», before she asks about the catch.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Mauvaise. Mais, vois-tu, je t’embrasse, et me voilà bien aise.Je n’ai rien pris du tout. J’ai troué mon filet.Le diable était caché dans le vent qui soufflait.Un moment, dans tout ce tintamarre, J’ai cru que le bateau se couchait, et l’amarre A cassé. Qu’as-tu fait, toi, pendant ce temps-là ? »Source text: fr.wikisource.orgBut now I kiss you, and that makes me glad.I've nothing caught at all, my net is torn ; — The devil surely in the wind was borne.… in such a storm I could but think, As snapt my cable, that the boat would sink.And thou, what wast thou doing all the while ? "Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
"Mauvaise" (bad) becomes «Дрянь, совсем дрянь!»; "Je n'ai rien pris du tout. J'ai troué mon filet" is close («Ничего не поймал. Только сети разорвал»). Dropped: "Mais, vois-tu, je t'embrasse, et me voilà bien aise" (but, you see, I kiss you, and I am content), and "Le diable était caché dans le vent qui soufflait" (the devil was hidden in the wind). The moment he thought the boat was going over and the mooring broke becomes «Слава богу, что жив домой добрался...». Added: «Плохо, плохо!..», «Кажется, такой ночи и не запомню», «Какая там ловля!». "Qu'as-tu fait, toi, pendant ce temps-là ?" is close («Ну, а ты что тут без меня делала?»).
Tolstoy’s own words .
Et montrait sur son front qu’éclairait l’âtre en flamme Son cœur bon et content que Jeannie éclairait.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Not in Hugo: «Рыбак втащил сети в комнату и сел у печки». The nearest place is the hearth that lights his face as he greets her ("qu'éclairait l'âtre en flamme"); in Hugo he has dragged his net to the threshold (W.12) and throws his cap into a corner later (W.25).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
Jeannie eut un frisson dans l’ombre et se troubla.« — Moi ? dit-elle. Ah ! mon Dieu ! rien, comme à l’ordinaire. J’ai cousu. J’écoutais la mer comme un tonnerre, J’avais peur.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgJeanne shuddered — at a loss — unused to guile." I," said she ; ''just as usual — nothing more ; I sewed, and heard the sea like thunder roar.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close, with small changes: "Jeannie eut un frisson dans l'ombre et se troubla" (Jeannie shivered in the dark and was troubled) becomes «бледнея» (turning pale); "J'écoutais la mer comme un tonnerre" (I listened to the sea like thunder) becomes «Ветер так завывал, что страшно становилось»; "J'avais peur" (I was afraid) becomes «Боялась за тебя» (I was afraid for you).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
1 feared — the winter's cold — 'tis all the same."Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo prints the line inside the quotation marks of Jeannie's answer, after a dash, which in Hugo's dialogue can mark a new speaker ("— Quel temps a-t-il fait ? — Dur.") or a break within one speaker's words (Jeannie's monologue in IX); Tolstoy gives it to the husband, Carrington keeps it in Jeanne's mouth. "L'hiver est dur" (the winter is hard) becomes «погода чертовски скверная» (the weather is devilish bad), "mais c'est égal" (but no matter) «Да что поделаешь!»; «пробормотал» is added. Carrington's "1 feared" is the OCR's misreading of "I feared".
Tolstoy’s own words .
Alors, tremblante ainsi que ceux qui font le mal, …Source text: fr.wikisource.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Not in Hugo: «Оба помолчали» (both were silent). In its place Hugo has Jeannie "tremblante ainsi que ceux qui font le mal" (trembling like those who do wrong) as she begins to speak.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
Then added—" By-the-bye, our neighbour's dead.Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
"À propos, notre voisine est morte" (by the way, our neighbor is dead) becomes «А знаешь, — сказала Жанна, — соседка-то Симон умерла». Tolstoy names the neighbor, «Симон»; Hugo never names her. Her trembling "ainsi que ceux qui font le mal" is dropped.
Tolstoy’s own words .
Elle dit : « À propos, notre voisine est morte.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Not in Hugo: the husband's «Ну?». In Hugo Jeannie goes straight on from the news of the death (given as related) to when the woman died.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · reworded by Tolstoy .
C’est hier qu’elle a dû mourir, enfin, n’importe, Dans la soirée, après que vous fûtes partis.Elle laisse ses deux enfants, qui sont petits.L’un s’appelle Guillaume et l’autre Madeleine ; L’un qui ne marche pas, l’autre qui parle à peine.La pauvre bonne femme était dans le besoin. »Source text: fr.wikisource.orgShe died — no matter — yesterday, 'tis said, At eve — after you started for the night.She leaves behind two children — babies quite.One is called William, and one Madeleine ; He cannot walk, she scarcely prattles plain.The poor good soul great want had struggled through."Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
"C'est hier qu'elle a dû mourir, enfin, n'importe, Dans la soirée, après que vous fûtes partis" (she must have died yesterday, well, no matter, in the evening, after you had gone) becomes «И не знаю, когда; верно, еще вчера». The children's names, Guillaume and Madeleine, are dropped, and their ages changed: "L'un qui ne marche pas, l'autre qui parle à peine" (one who cannot walk, the other who hardly talks) becomes «Один еще не говорит, а другой чуть начинает ползать» (one cannot talk yet, the other is just beginning to crawl). "La pauvre bonne femme était dans le besoin" (the poor good woman was in want) becomes «Да, тяжело ей было умирать. Да и за детей-то, должно быть, как сердце болело!» (it was hard for her to die, and how her heart must have ached for the children), set before the children.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · shortened by Tolstoy .
L’homme prit un air grave, et, jetant dans un coin Son bonnet de forçat mouillé par la tempête : …Source text: fr.wikisource.orgThe man looked grave, and in the corner threw His navy cap, all drenched ; …Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
"L'homme prit un air grave" (the man took on a grave look) becomes «Рыбак нахмурился; лицо его сделалось серьезно, озабоченно». His throwing "Son bonnet de forçat mouillé par la tempête" (his convict's cap, soaked by the storm) into a corner is dropped; «Жанна замолчала» is added.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · shortened by Tolstoy .
— Diable ! diable ! dit-il en se grattant la tête, Nous avions cinq enfants, cela va faire sept.Bah ! tant pis ! ce n’est pas ma faute.Femme, va les chercher. S’ils se sont réveillés, Ils doivent avoir peur tout seuls avec la morte.C’est dit. Va les chercher.Source text: fr.wikisource.org" We had five children ; this will seven make : …"Worse luck, 'tis not my fault !Wife, go and fetch them — if they're now awake, Alone and with the dead — how great their fear !'Tis said : go fetch them ; …Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Hugo's speech of twenty-two lines cut to its decision. Kept: "Diable ! diable !" («Ну, дела!»), the scratching of his head, "Bah ! tant pis !" with "Comment allons-nous faire ?" («Ну, да что уж, как-нибудь перебьемся!»), and the reason to fetch them, "S'ils se sont réveillés, Ils doivent avoir peur tout seuls avec la morte" (if they have woken, they must be afraid all alone with the dead woman). Cut: "Nous avions cinq enfants, cela va faire sept" (we had five children, that will make seven); going without supper in the bad season; "C'est l'affaire Du bon Dieu" and why He took the mother of these scraps "gros comme le poing"; "C'est la mère, vois-tu, qui frappe à notre porte" (it is the mother, you see, knocking at our door); "Nous les mêlerons tous" (we will mix them all together), brother and sister to the other five; "Le bon Dieu nous fera prendre plus de poisson" (the good Lord will make us catch more fish); and "Moi, je boirai de l'eau, je ferai double tâche" (I will drink water, I will do double work).
Tolstoy’s own words .
D’ordinaire, tu cours plus vite que cela.Source text: fr.wikisource.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
«Но Жанна не двигалась с места» (but Jeanne did not move) is narration in place of the husband's "D'ordinaire, tu cours plus vite que cela" (usually you run faster than that), given as related.
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
Details
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close: "Mais qu'as-tu ?" (but what is the matter with you?) becomes «Что ж ты?» and «Что с тобой, Жанна?», "Ça te fâche ?" (does it vex you?) «Не хочешь?» (don't you want to?).
From La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens» · close to the original .
— Tiens, dit-elle en ouvrant les rideaux, les voilà !Source text: fr.wikisource.orgShe drew the curtain — *' Husband ! here they are."Source text: archive.orgDetails
The words shown were found, word for word, in the saved source text. La Légende des siècles, première série, XIII «Maintenant», III «Les pauvres gens».
Close: "Tiens, dit-elle en ouvrant les rideaux, les voilà !" (look, she said, opening the curtains, there they are!), with «отдернула полог» for opening the curtains.
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