美国语文第五册 第80期:不满意的钟摆(3)

 　　The minute hand, being quick at figures, presently replied, 擅长计算的分钟随即回答：

　　"Eighty-six thousand four hundred times." "Exactly so," replied the pendulum¹. “86400次。”“一点不错，”钟摆说，

　　Well, I appeal to you all, if the very thought of this was not enough to fatigue² anyone; 那么，我希望大家注意，假若仅仅这点还不能使任何人疲惫至极，

　　and when I began to multiply the strokes of one day by those of months and years, really it was no wonder if I felt discouraged at the prospect³. 如果再将每天每月每年的数字翻倍累计，我对前途感到沮丧失望，感到累得无处可逃，这，难道还有什么奇怪吗？

　　So, after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation⁴, thinks I to myself, I'll stop. 考虑到这些理由，犹豫再三，经过反复琢磨，我决定罢工。

　　The dial could scarcely keep its countenance⁵ during this harangue⁶; 钟摆诉苦时，表盘几乎无法保持它的沉稳表情，

　　but, resuming its gravity, thus replied, 稍微定神恢复常态后，表盘开口了，

　　Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such a useful, industrious⁷ person as yourself should have been seized by this sudden weariness. 亲爱的钟摆先生，像你这样勤勉能干的人，竟然被突如其来的疲惫压垮，让人匪夷所思。

　　It is true, you have done a great deal of work in your time; so have we all,and are likely to do; 在你任职期间，你的确做了大量工作，难道在座诸位不亦拼命干活？工作不亦将继续如此？

　　which, although it may fatigue us to think of, the question is, whether it will fatigue us to do. 尽管想到这点，我们或许都疲惫不堪，问题在于，继续做下去难道使我们疲惫不堪？

　　Would you now do me the favor to give about half a dozen strokes to illustrate⁸ my argument? 你能否帮我个忙，再摆动滴答六七下，以证明我所言不虚？”

　　The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual pace. 按照正常的节奏，钟摆顺从地滴答了六次。

　　"Now," resumed the dial, "may I be allowed to inquire if that exertion⁹ is at all fatiguing¹⁰ or disagreeable to you?" “好了，”表盘接着说，“可否允许我向你提个问题？说到底，这样干活让你生烦讨厌？”

　　"Not in the least," replied the pendulum; "it is not of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but of millions." “一点也不，”钟摆回答，“我抱怨的不是滴答六次，不是六十次，而是数以百万计的六次。”

1 pendulum   

n.摆，钟摆

参考例句：

• The pendulum swung slowly to and fro.钟摆在慢慢地来回摆动。
• He accidentally found that the desk clock did not swing its pendulum.他无意中发现座钟不摇摆了。

2 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

3 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

4 hesitation   

n.犹豫，踌躇

参考例句：

• After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
• There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。

5 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

6 harangue   

n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话

参考例句：

• We had to listen to a long harangue about our own shortcomings.我们必须去听一有关我们缺点的长篇大论。
• The minister of propaganda delivered his usual harangue.宣传部长一如既往发表了他的长篇大论。

7 industrious   

adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的

参考例句：

• If the tiller is industrious,the farmland is productive.人勤地不懒。
• She was an industrious and willing worker.她是个勤劳肯干的员工。

8 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

9 exertion   

n.尽力，努力

参考例句：

• We were sweating profusely from the exertion of moving the furniture.我们搬动家具大费气力，累得大汗淋漓。
• She was hot and breathless from the exertion of cycling uphill.由于用力骑车爬坡，她浑身发热。

10 fatiguing   

a.使人劳累的

参考例句：

• He was fatiguing himself with his writing, no doubt. 想必他是拼命写作，写得精疲力尽了。
• Machines are much less fatiguing to your hands, arms, and back. 使用机器时，手、膊和后背不会感到太累。