羊皮卷的故事（8）

Erasmus stared at the old scrolls² with dismay.

伊拉玛盯着箱中陈旧的羊皮卷，

"As wealthy even, as you?"

困惑不解地问道：“和您一样有钱？”

"Far wealthier, if he chooses"

“如果愿意，甚至可以比我还富有。”

"You have stated that all but one of these scrolls contain selling principles.

“您刚才说过，这些羊皮卷讲的都是推销的办法，除了一卷以外，

What is contained on the last scroll¹?"

那这一卷又讲了些什么呢？”

"The last scroll, as you call it,

“你说的这一卷，

is the first scroll which must be read,

其实是必须阅读的第一卷。

since each is numbered to be read in a special sequence.

其它每卷都要按特殊的顺序来读。

And the first scroll contains a secret

这头一卷里藏着一个秘密，

which has been given to a mere³ handful of wise men

能够领悟它的智者，

throughout history.

历史上寥寥无几。

The first scroll, in truth,

事实上，这第一卷是阅读指南，

teaches the most effective way to learn what is written on the others."

告诉我们怎样有效地看完其它几卷。”

"It seems to be a task that anyone can master"

“听起来象是人人都可以做的事情。”

"It is, indeed, a simple task

“的确很简单，

provided one is willing to pay the price

只要肯花时间，

in time and concentration

专心致志，

until each principle becomes a part of one's personality;

把这些原则荣进自己的个性，

until each principle becomes a habit in living."

让它们成为一种生活习惯。”

Erasmus reached into the chest and removed a scroll

伊拉玛伸手拿出了一卷，

Holding it gently between his fingers and his thumb,

小心翼翼地捧着它，

he shook it toward Hafid.

颤巍巍地问它的主人：

"Forgive me, master,

“请您原谅我这么问，

but why is it that you have not shared these principles with others,

为什么您不把这些原则告诉大家？

especially those who have labored⁴ long in your employ?

尤其是常年在您手下工作的人。最起码，他们可以变成更好的推销员，卖更多的货，这些年来，您为什么对这些原则一直保密？”

You have always shown such generosity⁵

对于其它的事，

in all other matters,

您一向很大方，

how is it that all who have sold for you did not receive the opportunity to read these words of wisdom

为什么那些一生替您卖命的人，都没有机会看到这些羊皮卷，

and thus become wealthy too?

获得财富？

At the very least,

最起码，

all would have been better sellers of goods

他们可以变成更好的推销员，

with such valuable knowledge.

卖更多的货，

Why have you kept these principles to yourself for all these years?"

这些年来，您为什么对这些原则一直保密？”

I had no choice.

“我没有选择的余地。

Many years ago when these scrolls were entrusted⁶ to my care,

许多年前，当这些羊皮纸卷交到我手中时，

I was made to promise under oath,

我曾发过誓，

that I would share their contents with only one person.

答应只让一个人知道它们的内容。

I do not yet understand the reasoning behind this strange request.

我至今尚不明白为什么会有那么奇怪的要求。

1 scroll   

n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡

参考例句：

• As I opened the scroll,a panorama of the Yellow River unfolded.我打开卷轴时，黄河的景象展现在眼前。
• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements.他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。

2 scrolls   

n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕

参考例句：

• Either turn it off or only pick up selected stuff like wands, rings and scrolls. 把他关掉然后只捡你需要的物品，像是魔杖(wand)，戒指(rings)和滚动条(scrolls)。 来自互联网
• Ancient scrolls were found in caves by the Dead Sea. 死海旁边的山洞里发现了古代的卷轴。 来自辞典例句

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。

4 labored   

adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转

参考例句：

• I was close enough to the elk to hear its labored breathing. 我离那头麋鹿非常近，能听见它吃力的呼吸声。 来自辞典例句
• They have labored to complete the job. 他们努力完成这一工作。 来自辞典例句

5 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

6 entrusted   

v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He entrusted the task to his nephew. 他把这任务托付给了他的侄儿。
• She was entrusted with the direction of the project. 她受委托负责这项计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》