美国语文第四册 第14期:猴子(2)

 　　The sticks and other missiles said to be thrown at travelers as they pass under the branches of trees, are usually the dead branches, etc., 当游客们经过树下，那些所谓向他们扔下来的棍子和投掷物通常都是些枯树枝之类的东西，

　　accidentally broken off, as the monkeys, with the natural curiosity of their tribe¹, pass along the tops of trees to watch the actions of the people below. 偶然间折断了，又由于猴子种群好奇的天性，从树顶上一路跑来想看看人们在树下的活动。

　　They can, however, be taught to use a stick, and to use it well. 当然，人们可以教它们使用棍子，它们可以用得很自如。

　　Some time ago, two Italians together owned an organ and a monkey, by means of which they earned their living. 之前，有两名意大利人拥有一架风琴和一只猴子，这两样是他们谋生的手段。

　　During one of their exhibitions, a dog flew at the little monkey, which made its owners very angry. 在他们的一次公开表演中，一只狗扑向了小猴子，这让猴子的主人们非常恼火。

　　They and the owner of the dog quarreled about it, and at last it was agreed that the dog and the monkey should fight it out; 他们和狗的主人争吵了起来，最后达成一致，狗和猴子要一决雌雄，打出个结果来。

　　the monkey, because he was smaller, was to be allowed a stick. 因为猴子个头小，允许它使用棍子。

　　The monkey was taught what he was to do in the following manner: One of the Italians crawled on his hands and knees, barking like a dog, 两个意大利人教猴子接下来该怎么做：其中一个人用手和膝盖撑在地上匍匐，像狗一样叫着；

　　while the other got on his back, grasped his hair, and beat him about the head with a stick. 另一个人从背后搂住他，用手抓他的头发，用棍子敲击他的头部。

　　The monkey looked on with great gravity, and, when the instruction was over, received the stick with the air of a man who knew his work and meant to do it. 猴子非常认真地看着，当演示过程结束，它就接过棍子，神态俨然一个知道自己的任务并准备完成任务的人。

　　Everything being settled the dog flew at the monkey with open month. 当一切就绪，那只狗张开大嘴扑向了猴子。

　　The monkey immediately leaped on his back, and, grasping the dog's ear, beat away at his head with such good will that his adversary² speedily gave in. 猴子敏捷地跳到他的背后，一把抓住了大狗的耳朵，开始用力地击打它的头部，以至于它的对手很快败下阵来。

　　The monkey, however, was not content with a mere³ victory, but continued pounding at the dog's head until he left him senseless on the ground. 但是猴子并没有满足于单纯的胜利，而是仍然不停地敲击他的头部，直到大狗被打得躺在地上失去知觉为止。

1 tribe   

n.部落，种族，一伙人

参考例句：

• This is a subject tribe.这是个受他人统治的部落。
• Many of the tribe's customs and rituals are as old as the hills.这部落的许多风俗、仪式都极其古老。

2 adversary   

adj.敌手，对手

参考例句：

• He saw her as his main adversary within the company.他将她视为公司中主要的对手。
• They will do anything to undermine their adversary's reputation.他们会不择手段地去损害对手的名誉。

3 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。