双语有声阅读：经比萨和锡耶纳到罗马(6)

I might have known better； but，somehow，I had expected to see it，casting its long shadow on a public street where people came and went all day. It was a surprise to me to find it in a grave retired¹ place，apart from the general resort，and carpeted with smooth green turf. But，the group of buildings，clustered on and about this verdant² carpet： comprising the Tower，the Baptistery，the Cathedral，and the Church of the Campo Santo： is perhaps the most remarkable³ and beautiful in the whole world； and from being clustered there，together，away from the ordinary transactions and details of the town，they have a singularly venerable and impressive character. It is the architectural essence of a rich old city，with all its common life and common habitations pressed out，and filtered away.

 

我本应对斜塔了解甚详的，可是我想象中的斜塔却是这样的：它将倒影落在大街上，在那里人们终日来来去去。我惊讶地发现,斜塔是在一座荒旧的墓地里，这与一般的观光胜地不同；塔的四周有郁郁葱葱的草地；草地四周有一些建筑群,其中有斜塔、洗礼堂、大教堂、圣广场教堂。或许,圣广场教堂是世界上最雄伟的、最显著的建筑物。它们都坐落于此，远离世俗与城市的喧嚣，给人异乎寻常的庄严和肃穆。它们是绝经沧桑的古老城市的建筑精华，渗透并浓缩了老城中的平凡生活和平凡居所。

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 verdant   

adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的

参考例句：

• Children are playing on the verdant lawn.孩子们在绿茵茵的草坪上嬉戏玩耍。
• The verdant mountain forest turns red gradually in the autumn wind.苍翠的山林在秋风中渐渐变红了。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。