美国语文第四册 第163期:农场生活

 　　Alfred granted them their lives, and settled them in a part of his kingdom where nearly all his own people had been destroyed. 阿尔弗雷德饶了他们的命，把他们安置在王国的一块地方，这里原来的居民几乎都死于战争中。

　　He hoped by this to change obstinate¹ enemies into useful friends who would protect England from further attacks of their own countrymen. 他希望这样做能够改变顽固的敌人，把他们变成有用的朋友，在其他丹麦人侵犯时保卫英格兰。

　　However, some years later, when the Danes made another invasion, these people joined them in fighting against Alfred, 可是，几年后，当丹麦人再次侵略英格兰的时候，这些人加入了他们，与阿尔弗雷德作战，

　　but he soon succeeded in driving them all out of the country. 但阿尔弗雷德很快把他们都赶出了英格兰。

　　Much as Alfred did for his people in war, he did more in time of peace. 就像在战争时期保卫国家一样，阿尔弗雷德在和平时期也为本国人做了很多事。

　　Above all else he gave careful attention to their education. 他尤其重视教育，

　　He rebuilt the monasteries² and aided the young University of Oxford³. 重修了修道院，资助了新建的牛津大学。

　　He also founded many schools, to which every owner of a certain portion of land was compelled to send his children. 还开办了很多学校，所有拥有土地的人都必须把孩子送去学习。

　　But he did as much good by the example that he set as by these acts. 不仅如此，他更以身作则。

　　His time was divided into three parts. 他把时间分成三块。

　　One was given to business, one to refreshment⁴ by sleep and food, and the third to study and devotion. 一块用于商业，一块用于日常的睡眠和进食，第三块用于学习和宗教活动。

　　Clocks and watches, and probably even sundials, were then unknown, so these divisions were marked by burning candles of equal lengths. 钟表，甚至日晷在当时也不为人所知，因此这三块时间是通过点燃相同长度的蜡烛表示的。

　　Alfred did not study for his own pleasure merely, but translated and wrote many works for the good of his people,  阿尔弗雷德不仅仅因为喜爱而学习，更为了让人民受益，

　　using the simple language which they could easily understand and enjoy. 他用简单易懂、生动优美的语言翻译和写作了很多作品。

　　His person was handsome and dignified⁵, full of grace and activity. 他长相英俊、态度庄重、举止优雅、充满活力。

　　But the more noble beauty was within, in the enlightened mind and virtuous⁶ heart of the king. 可是他最崇高的美存在于心灵里，表现为开明的头脑和高贵的品德。

　　After his name, which has its place on an ancient record of English kings, is written the noble title of "Truth Teller⁷." 作为古代英国国王，他名垂青史，在他的名字后面，写着“讲真话的人”。How brightly through the mist of years, my quiet country home appears! 如烟岁月中清晰呈现，儿时的故乡，安静的乡村！

　　My father busy all the day in plowing⁸ corn or raking hay; 爸爸整日忙忙碌碌，犁着玉米地，或打干草，

　　My mother moving with delight among the milk pans, silver-bright; 妈妈在亮银色的奶锅旁，开心地忙前忙后；

　　We children, just from school set free, 放学后我们小孩子们，

　　Filling the garden with our glee. 在菜园里欢声笑语。

　　The blood of life was flowing warm when I was living on a farm. 我在农场生活的时候，流淌着温暖的盎然生机。

　　I hear the sweet churchgoing bell, 钟声召唤人们去教堂，

　　As o'er the fields its music fell, 声音悦耳响彻原野，

　　I see the country neighbors round 美妙的钟声下面，

　　Gathering⁹ beneath the pleasant sound; 渐渐聚拢起村民，

　　They stop awhile beside the door, 他们在门旁逗留，

　　To talk their homely¹⁰ matters o'er: 谈着各自的大事小情：

　　The springing corn, the ripening¹¹ grain, 玉米蹿高了，谷子在成熟，

　　And "how we need a little rain;" “要是下场小雨就好了”

　　A little sun would do no harm, 多点日光也不赖，

　　We want good weather for the farm. 农场需要好气候。

　　When autumn came, what joy to see the gathering of the husking bee, 秋天是多么快乐，参加剥玉米壳聚会，

　　To hear the voices keeping tune¹², 轻声低语。

　　Of girls and boys beneath the moon, 月光下少男少女，

　　To mark the golden corn ears bright, 月光下金黄玉米穗，

　　More golden in the yellow light! 闪闪发光。

　　Since I have learned the ways of men, 越是长大成人，

　　I often turn to these again, 越是喜欢回顾，

　　And feel life wore its highest charm. 生活是那么富有魅力。

　　When I was living on the farm. 在农场度过的日子，

1 obstinate   

adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的

参考例句：

• She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了，不会让任何人帮她的。
• The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。

2 monasteries   

修道院( monastery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In ancient China, there were lots of monasteries. 在古时候，中国有许多寺院。
• The Negev became a religious center with many monasteries and churches. 内格夫成为许多庙宇和教堂的宗教中心。

3 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

4 refreshment   

n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点

参考例句：

• He needs to stop fairly often for refreshment.他须时不时地停下来喘口气。
• A hot bath is a great refreshment after a day's work.在一天工作之后洗个热水澡真是舒畅。

5 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

6 virtuous   

adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的

参考例句：

• She was such a virtuous woman that everybody respected her.她是个有道德的女性，人人都尊敬她。
• My uncle is always proud of having a virtuous wife.叔叔一直为娶到一位贤德的妻子而骄傲。

7 teller   

n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员

参考例句：

• The bank started her as a teller.银行起用她当出纳员。
• The teller tried to remain aloof and calm.出纳员力图保持冷漠和镇静。

8 plowing   

v.耕( plow的现在分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过

参考例句：

• "There are things more important now than plowing, Sugar. "如今有比耕种更重要的事情要做呀，宝贝儿。 来自飘（部分）
• Since his wife's death, he has been plowing a lonely furrow. 从他妻子死后，他一直过着孤独的生活。 来自辞典例句

9 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

10 homely   

adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的

参考例句：

• We had a homely meal of bread and cheese.我们吃了一顿面包加乳酪的家常便餐。
• Come and have a homely meal with us,will you?来和我们一起吃顿家常便饭，好吗？

11 ripening   

v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成

参考例句：

• The corn is blossoming [ripening]. 玉米正在开花[成熟]。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• When the summer crop is ripening, the autumn crop has to be sowed. 夏季作物成熟时，就得播种秋季作物。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。