《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》36 Wedding Ceremony in the West

　　Unit 36
Wedding Ceremony in the West
Ceremony of Rings: Traditionally, the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows¹ you have taken.
Exchange of Vows: I, [Groom²'s/Bride's name], take you [Bride's / Groom's name], to be my wife / husband, my partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship and love you today tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you,
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully,
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
What may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold,
So give you my life to keep.
So help me God.
(In unison):
Entreat³ me not to leave you, or to return from following after you,
For where you go I will go,
And where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people,
And your God will be my God.
And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried.
Ceremony of Breaking the Glass: The breaking of the glass at the end of a wedding ceremony serves to remind of two very important aspects of a marriage. The bride and groom should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT -- just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. But the breaking of the glass also is a warning of the FRAILTY⁴ of a marriage. Sometimes a single thoughtless act, breech of trust, or infidelity can damage a marriage in ways that are very difficult to undo⁵ -- just as it would be so difficult to undo the breaking of this glass. Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the bride and groom should strive to show each other the greatest love and respect.
Rose Ceremony: The bride and groom give each other a rose. Two roses are all that is necessary. The Rose Ceremony is placed at the end of the ceremony just before being pronounced husband and wife. In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". The Rose Ceremony gives recognition to the new and most honorable title of "Husband and Wife".

1 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

2 groom   

vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁

参考例句：

• His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
• George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。

3 entreat   

v.恳求，恳请

参考例句：

• Charles Darnay felt it hopeless entreat him further,and his pride was touched besides.查尔斯-达尔内感到再恳求他已是枉然，自尊心也受到了伤害。
• I entreat you to contribute generously to the building fund.我恳求您慷慨捐助建设基金。

4 frailty   

n.脆弱；意志薄弱

参考例句：

• Despite increasing physical frailty,he continued to write stories.尽管身体越来越虛弱，他仍然继续写小说。
• He paused and suddenly all the frailty and fatigue showed.他顿住了，虚弱与疲惫一下子显露出来。

5 undo   

vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销

参考例句：

• His pride will undo him some day.他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
• I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel.我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。