《神探夏洛克》精讲 371一个宿命的故事

There was once a merchant, in the famous market at Baghdad.

从前，巴格达一个著名的集市有个商人。

One day he saw a stranger looking at him in surprise,

一天他看见一个陌生人吃惊地看着他，

and he knew that the stranger was Death.

他知道那个陌生人是死神。

Pale and trembling¹, the merchant fled² the marketplace

商人面色苍白浑身战栗地逃离了集市

and made his way many, many miles, to the city of Samarra.

长途跋涉逃到了萨马拉城。

For there he was sure Death could not find him.

他以为逃到那里死神就找不到他了。

But when, at last, he came to Samarra,

当他终于逃到萨马拉后，

the merchant saw, waiting for him, the grim³ figure of Death.

商人看到等待着他的正是冷酷的死神。

Very well, Said the merchant.

好吧  商人说。

I give in. I am yours.

我放弃了。任你处置吧。

But tell me, why did you look surprised

但是告诉我，你今早在巴格达

When you saw me this morning in Baghdad?

看到我时为何面露惊讶？

Because, Said Death,

那是因为，死神说，

I had an appointment with you tonight...

我和你的约会是在今晚...

..in Samarra.

在萨马拉

1 trembling   

n.发抖adj.发抖的v.发抖( tremble的现在分词 )；焦虑；颤动；轻轻摇晃

参考例句：

• My legs were trembling with fear. 我吓得双腿直发抖。
• Daddy was trembling with anxiety as to how the talks would go. 爸爸为那些商谈的进展而焦虑不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 fled   

v.逃走，逃掉( flee的过去式和过去分词 )；逃离，逃避

参考例句：

• The robbers fled empty-handed. 抢劫犯一无所获地逃走了。
• He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 grim   

adj.严酷的，令人害怕的，不愉快的，讨厌的

参考例句：

• I've had a grim day.我过了不愉快的一天。
• His expression was grim when he told them they had lost their jobs.当他告诉他们说他们已被解雇时，他的表情十分冷酷。