A few days later Mr Churchill came to see Edward at Buckingham Palace.At first the King was quiet.Then he said:'This is my last night in England,Winston.I love this country.I wanted to be a modern,kind King.I wanted to change the world,but they stopped me.And now I have to leave.'
It was ten o'clock.Edward stood up and walked over to the window.In the dark streets below there were hundreds of people.They were singing and calling his name:'Edward,Edward,we love Edward!'they shouted.'Long live the King!Long live love!'
Suddenly the King turned to Mr Churchill.'Why is this happening to me,Winston?'he cried.'What have I done wrong?'
国王突然转向邱吉尔先生。“温斯顿,为什么这会发生在我身上?”他喊道,“我做错了什么?”
He sat down and put his head in his hands.There was a silence in the room,but through the open window came the shouting from the street.'Long live Edward!Long live love!Long live Edward!Long live love!'
At ten o'clock the next morning the telephone rang in Edward's bedroom.'They're ready for you now,Sir,'a voice said.
第二天上午10点,爱德华卧室里的电话响了。“他们准备好了,正在等您,陛下。”一个声音说。
The King walked slowly down the stairs.In front of him there was an open door.The family were waiting for him.His mother sat near the window,dressed in black.His brothers stood beside her.'How close they are!'the King thought.
On a small table in the centre of the room there was a piece of paper.Edward sat down and read these words:
屋子中央有一张小桌子。上面放了一张纸。爱德华坐下来,读到下面的话:
I,Edward the Eighth,King of Great Britain,King of India,King of Australia,King of New Zealand,King of Canada,King of Kenya,King of Nigeria,King of Bur-ma,King of Malaya,King of Singapore,and King of thirty-two other countries,have today given the crown to my brother George.
Edward took a pen and wrote his name at the bottom of the page.Then he stood up and kissed his brother's hand.
爱德华取出一支笔,在这页纸的下部签了自己的名字。然后站起来,吻了吻弟弟的手。
'I never wanted this to happen,'George said.'This is the worst day of my life.'
“我从未期望过这种事发生,”乔治说,“这是我一生中最糟糕的一天。”
Edward walked over to his mother.'Before I kiss you,'she said,'there are some things that I want to say.I have never understood you,child.This morning you were a King.But tonight,you'll run from England like a thief.Alone.Angry.Afraid.You think that you're free.But you're not.You cannot be free.
Edward kissed Queen Mary's hand.Then he turned and walked away.
爱德华吻了王太后玛丽的手。然后他转身走了。
The next day Edward returned to Windsor Castle.He went into a small,cold room at the top of the building.From there,he spoke on BBC radio to Britain and the world.
Tonight,for the first time,I can say a few words to you.Earlier today I gave the crown to my brother George.He is now your King.I will soon leave this country and travel to France.My heart is with Wallis and I cannot live without the woman I love.'
I don't know what will happen to me.Perhaps I will never see England again.But think of me tonight when I sail across the sea.
我不知道我将来会怎么样。也许我再也看不到英国了。但是,今晚我跨越海峡时,请大家想着我。
God be with you.Long live King George!
愿上帝与你们同在。乔治国王万岁!
Edward left Windsor Castle and got into a large black car.It was now midnight and it was just beginning to rain.
爱德华离开温莎城堡,坐进一辆黑色大轿车。时值午夜,天下起了雨。
'Take me away as quickly as you can,'he said.The car moved off into the darkness and the rain.
“带我离开这儿,越快越好,”他说。汽车驶入黑夜和雨幕中。
'What a night!'said the driver.'I think the sky is crying,Sir.'
“这是怎样的一个晚上啊!”司机说,“我想天空都在哭泣了,陛下。”
At 1.30 a.m.they arrived at Portsmouth.Edward got out of the car and a voice said:'The King is here!'
凌晨1点30分,他们到达朴茨茅斯。爱德华走下汽车,只听一个声音叫道:“国王来了!”
Edward stopped and looked out across the open sea.There was a thin,cold smile on his face.'King?'he said.'No,I am not the King.I am just a man in love.'