美国语文第六册 第141期:洗礼(3)

 Yet, here came the persecuted¹ Christians² and worshiped God, whose hand hung over their head those magnificent pillars and arches, 不过，被迫害的基督徒到这里来做礼拜，上帝把手放在那些壮观的石柱和拱门顶上，

scooped³ out those galleries from the solid rock, and laid at their feet the calm water, in its transparent⁴ beauty, 将走廊与结实的巨石分开，走廊下面是一泓潭水。

in which they could see themselves sitting, in reflected groups, with their Bibles in their hands. 透过透明的潭水他们能看到自己的坐姿，手上捧着《圣经》。

Here, upon a semicircular ledge⁵ of rocks, over a narrow chasm⁶, of which the tiny stream played in a murmuring waterfall, 在这儿，在半圆形的突出的石壁上，在巨石狭窄的裂口上，那条小溪流水潺潺，

and divided the congregation into two equal parts, sat about a hundred persons, all devoutly⁷ listening to their minister, 将教堂会众分成人数均等的两部分，坐着的一百名会众全都虔诚地聆听牧师布道，

who stood before them on what might he called a small, natural pulpit of living stone. 牧师站在他们前面那块他称作讲坛的石头上，那块不大的石头似乎也有了生气。

Up to it there led a short flight of steps, and over it waved the canopy⁸ of a tall, graceful⁹ birch tree. 在石头上面有一段短短的台阶，华盖上一株挺拔优雅的桦树迎风摇曳。

The pulpit stood in the middle of the channel, directly facing the congregation, 讲坛位于通道的中央，直接面向教堂会众，

and separated from them by the clear, deep, sparkling pool, into which the scarce-heard water poured over the blackened rock. 将会众分开的是清澈见底、水波涟漪的水潭，人们很少听到水漫过黑魆魆的石头的声音。

The water, as it left the pool, separated into two streams, and flowed on each side of that altar, thus placing it in an island, 在尽头处，潭分成两条小溪，水绕着祭坛流淌。就这样，祭坛成了一个小岛，

whose large, mossy stones were richly embowered under the golden blossoms and green tresses of the broom. 长满苔藓的大石头被下面的金盏花和绿树丛环绕着。

 

1 persecuted   

（尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人

参考例句：

• Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. 人们因宗教信仰而受迫害的情况贯穿了整个历史。
• Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。

2 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

3 scooped   

v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等）

参考例句：

• They scooped the other newspapers by revealing the matter. 他们抢先报道了这件事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The wheels scooped up stones which hammered ominously under the car. 车轮搅起的石块，在车身下发出不吉祥的锤击声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

5 ledge   

n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁

参考例句：

• They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
• Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上，摔倒了。

6 chasm   

n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突

参考例句：

• There's a chasm between rich and poor in that society.那社会中存在着贫富差距。
• A huge chasm gaped before them.他们面前有个巨大的裂痕。

7 devoutly   

adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地

参考例句：

• She was a devoutly Catholic. 她是一个虔诚地天主教徒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This was not a boast, but a hope, at once bold and devoutly humble. 这不是夸夸其谈，而是一个即大胆而又诚心、谦虚的希望。 来自辞典例句

8 canopy   

n.天篷，遮篷

参考例句：

• The trees formed a leafy canopy above their heads.树木在他们头顶上空形成了一个枝叶茂盛的遮篷。
• They lay down under a canopy of stars.他们躺在繁星点点的天幕下。

9 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。