O Barco Branco

O rei Henry, o Belo Erudito, tinha um filho, chamado William, a quem ele amava profundamente. O jovem era nobre e corajoso, e todos esperavam que ele um dia fosse o rei da Inglaterra.

King Henry, the Handsome Scholar, had one son, named William, whom he dearly loved. The young man was noble and brave, and everybody hoped that he would some day be the King of England.

Em um verão, o príncipe William foi com seu pai através do mar para cuidar de suas terras na França. Eles foram recebidos com alegria por todo o povo de lá, e o jovem príncipe era tão gentil e cortês, que conquistou o amor de todos os que o viram.

One summer Prince William went with his father across the sea to look after their lands in France. They were welcomed with joy by all their people there, and the young prince was so gallant and kind, that he won the love of all who saw him.

Mas finalmente chegou a hora de voltarem para a Inglaterra. O rei, com seus sábios e nobres cavaleiros, partiu cedo naquele dia; mas o príncipe William, com seus amigos mais jovens, esperou mais um pouco.

But at last the time came for them to go back to England. The king, with his wise men and brave knights, set sail early in the day; but Prince William with his younger friends waited a little while.

Eles tinham se divertido tanto na França que não tinham pressa nenhuma de ir embora.

They had had so joyous a time in France that they were in no great haste to tear themselves away.

Depois, eles embarcaram no navio que estava esperando para levá-los para casa. Era um lindo barco com velas brancas e mastros brancos, e tinha sido preparado especialmente para essa viagem.

Then they went on board of the ship which was waiting to carry them home. It was a beautiful ship with white sails and white masts, and it had been fitted up on purpose for this voyage.

O mar estava calmo, os ventos eram favoráveis, e ninguém pensava em perigo. No navio, tudo tinha sido preparado para tornar a viagem agradável. Havia música e dança, e todos estavam alegres e felizes.

The sea was smooth, the winds were fair, and no one thought of danger. On the ship, everything had been arranged to make the trip a pleasant one. There was music and dancing, and everybody was merry and glad.

O sol tinha se posto antes que o navio de asas brancas saísse de vez da baía. Mas que importância tinha isso? A lua estava cheia e daria luz suficiente; e antes do amanhecer do dia seguinte, o mar estreito estaria cruzado.

The sun had gone down before the white-winged vessel was fairly out of the bay. But what of that? The moon was at its full, and it would give light enough; and before the dawn of the morrow, the narrow sea would be crossed.

E assim o príncipe, e os jovens que estavam com ele, se entregaram à alegria, aos banquetes e à diversão.

And so the prince, and the young people who were with him, gave themselves up to merriment and feasting and joy.

As primeiras horas da noite se passaram; e então houve um grito de alarme no convés. Um instante depois, ouviu-se um grande estrondo. O navio tinha batido em uma rocha. A água entrou depressa. Ele estava afundando.

The earlier hours of the night passed by; and then there was a cry of alarm on deck. A moment afterward there was a great crash. The ship had struck upon a rock. The water rushed in. She was sinking.

Ah, onde estavam agora aqueles que até pouco tempo estavam tão despreocupados e felizes?

Ah, where now were those who had lately been so heart-free and glad?

Todos os corações estavam cheios de medo. Ninguém sabia o que fazer. Um pequeno bote foi rapidamente lançado à água, e o príncipe, com alguns dos seus amigos mais corajosos, pulou dentro dele. Eles se afastaram bem no momento em que o navio começava a descer sob as ondas. Será que eles se salvariam?

Every heart was full of fear. No one knew what to do. A small boat was quickly launched, and the prince with a few of his bravest friends leaped into it. They pushed off just as the ship was beginning to settle beneath the waves. Would they be saved?

Eles tinham remado apenas cerca de dez jardas para longe do navio quando se ouviu um grito vindo daqueles que tinham ficado para trás.

They had rowed hardly ten yards from the ship, when there was a cry from among those that were left behind.

“Remem de volta!”, gritou o príncipe. “É a minha irmãzinha. Ela tem que ser salva!”

“Row back!” cried the prince. “It is my little sister. She must be saved!”

Os homens não tiveram coragem de desobedecer. O bote foi trazido novamente para perto do navio que afundava. O príncipe se levantou e estendeu os braços para a sua irmã. Naquele momento, o navio deu uma grande guinada para a frente, em direção às ondas.

The men did not dare to disobey. The boat was again brought alongside of the sinking vessel. The prince stood up, and held out his arms for his sister. At that moment the ship gave a great lurch forward into the waves.