美国语文第六册 第37期:早晨的清唱剧(3)

 　　The different species follow rapidly, one after another, in the chorus, until the whole welkin rings with their matin hymn¹ of gladness. 不同种类的鸟儿快速聚集过来，一只接一只，汇成多声部大合唱，直到整个苍穹羽翼飞舞，合奏出欢快的清晨圣歌。

　　I have often wondered that the almost simultaneous utterance² of so many different notes should produce no discords³, and that they should result in such complete harmony. 我经常感到好奇的是，几乎同时唱出如此之多的音符，竟然没有任何不和谐，发出的是如此完美的天籁之音。

　　In this multitudinous confusion of voices, no two notes are confounded, 在这种声音的多重复合里，没有两个音符混在一起的现象，

　　and none has sufficient duration to grate harshly with a dissimilar sound. 没有一个声音足以持续到非常刺耳的程度。

　　Though each performer sings only a few strains and then makes a pause, 尽管每位表演者只唱几个乐段，然后就会停下来，

　　the whole multitude succeed one another with such rapidity that we hear an uninterrupted flow of music until the broad light of day invites them to other employments. 可是整个演出以一种急速的方式进行下去，以至于我们听到的是不间断的乐流，直到白天宽广的天空向它们发出其他邀请。

　　When there is just light enough to distinguish the birds, we may observe, here and there, a single swallow perched on the roof of a barn or shed, 当有一道光线明亮到足以区分鸟儿的类属时，我们会不时观察到一只麻雀在谷仓或木棚的屋顶上栖息，

　　repeating two twittering notes incessantly⁴, with a quick turn and a hop⁵ at every note he utters. 不间断地唧唧喳喳地叫着，重复两个音符，在发出的每个音符上都带出一个急速转声和大幅跳跃的音调。

　　It would seem to be the design of the bird to attract the attention of his mate, 仿佛是鸟儿为了吸引同伴的注意故意设计的似的，

　　and this motion seems to be made to assist her in discovering his position. 这个动作好像能协助它发现自己所处的位置。

　　As soon as the light has tempted⁶ him to fly abroad, this twittering strain is uttered more like a continued song, as he flits rapidly through the air. 光线一诱惑它展翅高飞，它便快速转入云空，这种啾鸣乐段听上去更像持续吟唱的歌声。

1 hymn   

n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌

参考例句：

• They sang a hymn of praise to God.他们唱着圣歌，赞美上帝。
• The choir has sung only two verses of the last hymn.合唱团只唱了最后一首赞美诗的两个段落。

2 utterance   

n.用言语表达，话语，言语

参考例句：

• This utterance of his was greeted with bursts of uproarious laughter.他的讲话引起阵阵哄然大笑。
• My voice cleaves to my throat,and sob chokes my utterance.我的噪子哽咽，泣不成声。

3 discords   

不和（discord的复数形式）

参考例句：

• There are many discords in this family. 在这个家庭里有许多争吵。
• The speaker's opinion discords with the principles of this society. 演讲者的意见与本会的原则不符。

4 incessantly   

ad.不停地

参考例句：

• The machines roar incessantly during the hours of daylight. 机器在白天隆隆地响个不停。
• It rained incessantly for the whole two weeks. 雨不间断地下了整整两个星期。

5 hop   

n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过

参考例句：

• The children had a competition to see who could hop the fastest.孩子们举行比赛，看谁单足跳跃最快。
• How long can you hop on your right foot?你用右脚能跳多远？

6 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。