美国语文第六册 第4期:纽卡斯尔公爵趣事(4)

 　　His grace was sound asleep; and the porter, settled for the night in his armchair, had already commenced a sonorous¹ nap, 就在这时，这位关键人物来了。公爵鼾声大作，坐在扶手椅里守夜的门童，已经开始发出响亮的鼾声，

　　when the vigorous arm of the Cornish voter roused him from his slumbers². 这时康沃尔这位选举人用有力的胳膊捅了一下门童，他这才从梦乡惊醒。

　　To his first question, "Is the Duke at home?" the porter replied, 对来客的第一个问题，“公爵在家吗？”门童答道，

　　"Yes, and in bed; but has left particular orders that, come when you will, you are to go up to him directly." “在家，在床上睡觉呢；不过留下话了，你来时，他会直接来迎接你的。”

　　"Bless him, for a worthy³ and honest gentleman," cried our applicant⁴ for the vacant post, smiling and nodding with approbation⁵ at the prime minister's kindness, “上帝保佑这位尊敬和诚实的绅士，”我们这位选举人冲着旁边空着的座位说道，脸上挂着微笑，对首相的善意赞许点头示意。

　　"how punctual his grace is; I knew he would not deceive me; let me hear no more of lords and dukes not keeping their words; “公爵大人太准时了；我晓得他不会骗我的，我听说大人和公爵们都信守诺言，

　　I verily believe they are as honest, and mean as well as any other folks." 我真的认为他们都很诚实，不像其他人那样卑鄙。”

　　Having ascended⁶ the stairs as he was speaking, he was ushered⁷ into the Duke's bedchamber. 他边说，便登上楼梯，被领进公爵的卧室。

　　"Is he dead?" exclaimed his grace, rubbing his eyes, and scarcely awakened⁸ from dreaming of the King of Spain, "Is he dead?" “他死了？”公爵大人突然从梦到西班牙国王的睡梦中惊醒，揉着眼睛高声问道。

　　"Yes, my lord," replied the eager expectant, delighted to find the election promise, with all its circumstances, so fresh in the nobleman's memory. “是的，大人。”这位急切的觐见者答道，高兴地发现从情形看选举承诺没有落空，一直留驻在公爵的记忆里呢。

　　"When did he die?" “他什么时候死的啊？”

　　"The day before yesterday, exactly at half past one o'clock, after being confined three weeks to his bed, and taking a power of doctor's stuff; “前天，准确说是一点半，在被关起来三个星期后死在床上了，临死前服了一剂医生开的药，

　　and I hope your grace will be as good as your word, and let my son-in-law succeed him." 我希望大人能兑现承诺，让我女婿接替他。”

1 sonorous   

adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇

参考例句：

• The sonorous voice of the speaker echoed round the room.那位演讲人洪亮的声音在室内回荡。
• He has a deep sonorous voice.他的声音深沉而洪亮。

2 slumbers   

睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His image traversed constantly her restless slumbers. 他的形象一再闯进她的脑海，弄得她不能安睡。
• My Titan brother slumbers deep inside his mountain prison. Go. 我的泰坦兄弟就被囚禁在山脉的深处。

3 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

4 applicant   

n.申请人，求职者，请求者

参考例句：

• He was the hundredth applicant for the job. 他是第100个申请这项工作的人。
• In my estimation, the applicant is well qualified for this job. 据我看, 这位应征者完全具备这项工作的条件。

5 approbation   

n.称赞；认可

参考例句：

• He tasted the wine of audience approbation.他尝到了像酒般令人陶醉的听众赞许滋味。
• The result has not met universal approbation.该结果尚未获得普遍认同。

6 ascended   

v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 awakened   

v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到

参考例句：

• She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
• The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》