英语美文欣赏：两条路

 　　The Two Roads 两条路It was New Year's Night. An aged¹ man was standing² at a window. He had already passed sixty of the stages leading to it, and he had brought from his journey nothing but errors and remorse³.

　　The days of his youth appeared like dreams before

　　him, and he recalled the serious moment when his father placed him at the entrance of the two roads-one leading to a peaceful, sunny place, covered with flowers, fruits and resounding⁴ with soft, sweet songs;the other leading to a deep, dark cave, which was endless.

　　He looked towards the sky and cried painfully, ″O youth, return!O my father, place me once more at the entrance to life, and I'll choose the better way!″But both his father and the days of his youth had passed away.

　　The clock in the high church tower struck and the sound made him remember his parents' early love for him. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good. But he chose the wrong way. His darkened eyes were full of tears, and with a despairing effort, he burst out a cry: ″Come back, my early days!Come back!″

　　And his youth did return, for all this was only a dream which he had on New Year's Night.

　　Those who still linger⁵ on the entrance of life, hesitating to choose the bright road, remember that when years are passed and your feet stumble⁶ on the dark mountains, you will cry bitterly, but in vain: ″O youth, return!Oh give me back my early days!″

1 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 remorse   

n.痛恨，悔恨，自责

参考例句：

• She had no remorse about what she had said.她对所说的话不后悔。
• He has shown no remorse for his actions.他对自己的行为没有任何悔恨之意。

4 resounding   

adj. 响亮的

参考例句：

• The astronaut was welcomed with joyous,resounding acclaim. 人们欢声雷动地迎接那位宇航员。
• He hit the water with a resounding slap. 他啪的一声拍了一下水。

5 linger   

vt.消磨，无所事事；vi.逗留，消磨，徘徊，漫步

参考例句：

• Don't linger away your holidays,try to find something useful to do.不要虚度假日，尽量找些有意义的事做。
• His last words still linger in our ears.他的临终嘱咐仍萦绕在我们耳际。

6 stumble   

n.绊倒，失策；vi.绊倒，失策，踌躇，无意中发现；vt.绊倒，困惑

参考例句：

• Be grateful to those who have made you stumble,for they have strengthened your ability.感激绊倒你的人，因为他强化了你的能力。
• You never knew when you might stumble across some new talent.谁也说不准什么时候会碰上一位新的天才。