Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky

词汇提示

1.ballroom 舞厅

2.bride 新娘

3.bouquet 花束

4.engagement 订婚

原文

Chapter 6: The Ball

The ballroom in the palace was very big.

There were hundreds of men and women dancing in the center.

Along the walls there were long white tables.

They had candles and all kinds of food on them.

At the top of the room, on a stage,were three large chairs.

The Queen sat in the middle and Zigfried sat on her right.

The chair on the left was empty.

It was for the Princess who would be Zigfried's wife.

"Which Princess do you like the best?"

"The one I will choose is not here yet."

"But you have met them all,surely?"

"There is another one, mother, and she is a surprise. You will see."

Every time a new guest arrived, the ballroom doors were opened, and everyone fell silent.

A servant called out the guests' names as they entered.

Each time this happened, the Prince became very excited.

But Odile never arrived.

It was almost twelve o'clock.

Zigfried had promised his mother that he would choose a bride by midnight. The two large doors opened.

"Please, let it be her!"

It was a giant cake with 18 candles on it.

Everyone in the room began to sing.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Prince Zigfried, Happy Birthday to you!"

Zigfried and his mother walked towards the enormous cake.

"Now, make a wish and blow out allthe candles."

No one heard him, but Zigfried said,"I wish Odile would come and be my wife."

He blew out the candles and everyone cheered.

The doors opened. "Princess Odile."

It was Odet dressed as Odile.

She wore a long white dress and long white gloves.

The gold crown was shining on her head.

She held a bouquet of flowers in her arms.

She smiled as she walked towards the Queen and Prince.

She gave the Queen the flowers, then bowed.

"Mother, this is Odile, the Princess I met in the forest."

"I knew your father. I'm sorry. I thought everyone had died in the fire. You must be the only one who lived."

Odet did not know what the wizard had done to Odile's parents.

She stopped smiling.

"Oh Mother, her stor