(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
BOB DOUGHTY:Now, the Special English program, American Stories.
(MUSIC)
Last week we broadcast the second of our programs called "A Princess of Mars." The story is from a series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Last week we told how John Carter was captured by a group of warriors on the planet Mars. Later, he became one of them by defeating a huge warrior in a fight. He is still a captive, but he is treated with honor because he is a skilled fighter. We left John Carter at the beginning of a fierce battle between the green warriors and their main enemy. The enemy came close to the green Martians in huge air ships. The green Martians attacked. John Carter continutes to tell about what happens to him in Edgar Rice Burroughs's story, "A Princess of Mars."
(MUSIC)
JOHN CARTER: Another of the large air ships exploded high in the air. Members of the crew fell to the ground. The huge ship lost control and began turning again and again.
Science Fiction: 'A Princess of Mars' by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Part 3)A painting by Frank Schoonover for the book "A Princess of Mars"
Soon it was close to the ground. The warriors climbed aboard the ship and began fighting the members of the crew who were still alive. Soon the fighting stopped. The warriors began taking everything from the ship.
At last, they brought a captive from deep within the ship. Two of the warriors had their captive by each arm. I wanted to see what new and strange form of life this creature would be.
As they came near, I saw that it was a woman. She looked like a woman from Earth. She was young. Her skin was a light red, almost a copper color.
I saw at once that she was extremely beautiful. She had a fine face with large dark eyes and long, black hair. As her guards led her away, she saw me for a moment. She seemed very surprised. Her face looked hopeful. But when I made no attempt to speak to her, her face grew sad and she looked very small and frightened. As I watched her disappear into a building, I realized that Sola was near me.
SOLA: John Carter, that woman will be saved for the great games that are held by our people. The games are long and cruel and end in death for those captured in battle. Her death will be slow and painful. She will die for the enjoyment of all.
JOHN CARTER: Sola's face seemed sad when she said this. I could tell by the way she spoke that she did not like the games and did not want to see the young woman die. She was very different from the rest of her people.
Sola, do you not like the games?
SOLA: No, John Carter. My mother died in the games. That is a secret you must not tell anyone. The wall where Tars Tarkas found you held eggs that produce our young. All the children belong to the tribe. A mother never knows which child is hers when they come out of the egg.
My mother hid the egg that carried me. It was not placed within the walled area. She kept her secret until after I was born. But others discovered her secret and she was condemned to die in the games. She hid me among other children before she was captured. If this secret were learned, I too would die in the games.
Before she left me, my mother told me the name of my father. I alone keep that secret. It would mean death for him as well as me. My people are violent and cruel.
(MUSIC)
JOHN CARTER: The next day I entered the great room where the green Martians held meetings. The red woman prisoner was there too. Soon, the leader of the green Martians came into the room. His name was Lorquas Ptomel. He began speaking to the prisoner.
LORQUAS PTOMEL: Who are you and what is your name?
DEJAH THORIS: I am the Princess Dejah Thoris, daughter of Mors Kajak, the ruler of Helium. Our air ship was on a scientific flight. We were to study the air and atmosphere. Without our work the air on our planet would grow thin and we would all die. Why would you attack us?
JOHN CARTER: As she talked, a warrior ran to her and hit her in the face, knocking her to the ground. He placed a foot on her small body and began laughing.
(LAUGHTER)
I reached for the small sword I carried and rushed to attack the huge warrior.
(FIGHTING SOUNDS)
JOHN CARTER: He was a strong opponent. But again, because of the low gravity on Mars, my strength was far greater than his. In a few short minutes, the green warrior was dead. I helped the young woman to her feet.
DEJAH THORIS: Who are you? Why did you risk your life to help me? You look almost the same as my people, but you wear the weapons of a green warrior. Who... or what.. are you?
JOHN CARTER: My name is John Carter. I am from the planet Earth. How I got here is a long story. I attacked that warrior because, where I come from, men do not attack women. I will offer you my protection as long as I can. However, I must tell you that I, too, am a captive.
SOLA: Come, John Carter, and bring the red woman with you. Let us leave this room quickly before some warrior attempts to stops us.
JOHN CARTER: The three of us quickly returned to the building where I had spent the last several days. Sola then left to prepare food. Woola sat in the corner and looked at the both of us. The young woman was afraid of poor, ugly Woola.
I told her not to fear him. You must tell no one, but Woola is not only my guard. He is my friend. I have treated him with kindness that he has never known. As each day passes, he trusts me more. I now think he would follow any command I give.
Sola has told me that all captives are held until they can die in the great games held by the green Martians. Our only chance to survive is to escape. But we must have Sola's help for our plan to succeed.
DEJAH THORIS: Yes. If we stay with the green warriors, we will both die. If we are to escape, we will need several of the animals to ride. It would be our only chance.
JOHN CARTER: I have several of the animals. They were given to me when I became a warrior.
Sola came back later with food for the two of us. Dejah Thoris and I asked for her help. The three of us talked long into the night. At last Sola gave us her answer.
SOLA: Your best chance for escape will be in the next two days. We will leave this city tomorrow and begin a long trip to the home of our tribe. I will help you escape. But I must come with you. I will be killed if you escape.
DEJAH THORIS: Sola, of course you must come with us! You are not cruel or violent as many of your people are. Help us and I can promise you a much better life. You will be treated with respect as an honored guest.
JOHN CARTER: The next morning we rode away from the city on our animals. More than a thousand animals were carrying the huge tribe of green Martians. Also in the group were one American, one Princess of the Royal House of Helium, our guard, Sola, and poor ugly Woola.
Late that night we left the camp. One animal carried me. Another Sola and Princess Dejah Thoris. Woola followed close behind.
We rode quickly through the Martian night. I looked into the sky and saw Earth across the great distance of space. Since I had met the Princess Dejah Thoris, I had not thought once of Earth or home. I knew then that I would never willingly leave her.
The next morning, I could see that we were being followed by several hundred of the green warriors. Our animals were very tired. I knew we must stop.
I told Sola and the Princess to take the stronger of the two animals and ride away. I will hold back the green warriors as long as I can. Woola! Go with them and guard them with your life.
DEJAH THORIS: We can't leave you alone. It would be certain death if you are captured again. You must come with us!
JOHN CARTER: Sola took the princess by the arm and lifted her on top of the animal she had chosen. Quickly she began riding away. For a moment, Woola looked at me, then turned and ran after them.
I took out my rifle from its case. I began firing to slow the green warriors.
(SOUND)
I was able to slow them for more than an hour. But then I had no more ammunition. Soon I was surrounded. A green warrior got off his animal and came toward me. He pulled out his long, thin sword. I reached for mine. As we neared each other I saw it was Tars Tarkas. He stopped and spoke to me very slowly.
TARS TARKAS: You will die here... today... John Carter. It is I who must kill you. Know that I will take no pleasure in your death.
(MUSIC)
BOB DOUGHTY:You have been listening to the Special English program, American Stories. This has been the third program in our series "A Princess of Mars," by Edgar Rice Burrows. This story was adapted for Special English by Paul Thompson. It was produced by Paul Thompson and Mario Ritter.
Shep O'Neal was the voice of John Carter. Steve Ember was Tars Tarkas. Barbara Klein was Sola. And Gwen Outen was the Princess Dejah Thoris. Join us again next week as we continue "A Princess of Mars," in VOA Special English.
重点解析
1.condemned to 被判处为
He felt condemned to being alone.
他觉得自己注定要孤独终老 。
2.come back 回想起来
He was also an MP — I'll think of his name in a moment when it comes back to me.
他当时也是一位国会议员,他的名字我得想一下才能记起来 。
3.as many of 一样多
When you play bowls, the object is to knock down as many of the ten wooden pins as possible.
玩滚木球游戏时,目标是尽量多地击倒十个木瓶 。
4.If we are to escape, we will need several of the animals to ride.
如果我们想逃跑,我们需要几只巨兽
。are to 想要/将要
You must take the whole project more seriously if you are to succeed.
如果你想成功的话,你必须更认真地对待整个项目 。
5.I looked into the sky and saw Earth across the great distance of space.
我看向天空,隔着遥远的太空鸟瞰地球
。look into 考察
He had once looked into buying his own island off Nova Scotia.
他曾一度考察过在新斯科舍附近购买岛屿 。
6.The three of us talked long into the night.
我们三个一直聊到了夜里
。into the night 入夜
He would often be working away on his word processor late into the night.
他经常在文字处理机上一直工作到深夜 。
参考译文
鲍勃·多尔蒂:现在为您演播,美国之音慢速英语节目,美国故事
上周我们给大家带来的是《火星公主》的第二部分 。故事来自美国作家埃德加·赖斯·巴勒斯的系列科幻小说作品 。
上周我们讲述了约翰·卡特在火星上被一群火星勇士抓住 。后来,他在与一名勇士的打斗中击败了对手,成为了他们中的一员 。他还是一个俘虏,但是因为他武义高超,而得到了尊敬的对待 。在绿色勇士与其敌人的激烈战斗打响时,我们的故事暂时告了一个段落 。敌人乘坐巨大的宇宙飞船逼近了绿色火星人 。绿色火星人开始进攻 。现在约翰·卡特继续讲述他在埃德加·赖斯·巴勒斯小说《火星公主》中的亲身经历 。
约翰·卡特:又有一艘巨大的宇宙发船在空中爆炸 。船员们摔到了地上 。宇宙飞船失去了控制,开始不停旋转 。
飞船很快接近了地面 。勇士们爬上了飞船,开始和飞船上的敌人打斗起来 。打斗很快就停止了 。勇士们开始掠夺飞船上一切能拿走的东西 。
最后,他们从飞船紧里面抓到了一个俘虏 。两名勇士一人抓住俘虏的一只胳膊 。我想看看这种新的怪物长什么样子 。
他们靠近时,我发现她是个女人 。她看上去像地球上的女人 。很年轻 。皮肤淡红,接近古铜色 。
我一看到她就立刻发现她非常漂亮 。她面容清秀,眼睛又大又深,披着长长的黑发 。当她的卫兵给她领路的时候,她看了我一会儿 。她看上去很惊讶 。她的脸上看到了希望 。可是当她看到我并不打算和她说话时,她难过起来 。脸上写满了弱小和恐惧 。我看着她在一个高楼里消失了 。我知道苏拉走近了我 。
苏拉:约翰·卡特,那个女人会安全的,因为我们将进行一个重要的游戏 。游戏过程很长也很残酷,并将会以战俘的死亡作为游戏的结束 。她的死将是缓慢而痛苦的 。她将为大家的快乐而死 。
约翰·卡特:当苏拉说这些的时候,表情看上去很难过 。我能看得出,她并不喜欢她说的那个游戏,不想看到那个年轻的女人这样死去 。她和其他的人很不一样 。
苏拉,你不喜欢这个游戏吗?
苏拉:不,约翰·卡特 。我妈妈就是在游戏中死去的 。这个秘密你不要告诉任何人 。Tars Tarkas找到你的那座墙里面有很多蛋,那些是我们的后代 。所有的孩子都属于这个部落 。孩子们出生后,妈妈根本不知道哪个孩子是她自己的 。
我妈妈把盛有我的蛋,藏了起来 。没有放在那座墙里 。我出生以前她一直保守着这个秘密 。但有人发现了她的秘密 。于是她在游戏中被判处了死刑 。她被捕前,把我混到了其他孩子中,如果别人知道了这个秘密,我也将在游戏中死掉 。
我妈妈离开前,告诉了我,爸爸的名字 。我一个人保守着这个秘密 。这也意味着,如若不然,他也将和我一样,面临死亡 。我们都很粗暴残忍 。
约翰·卡特:第二天,我进入了绿色火星人开会的一个大房间,那个红色女囚犯也在那里 。很快,绿色火星人的首领也进了房间 。他的名字叫Lorquas Ptomel 。他开始对囚犯讲话 。
LORQUAS PTOMEL:你是谁?你叫什么名字?
我是Dejah Thoris公主,Helium统治者摩斯·卡加克的女儿 。我们的宇宙飞船在进行科学考察 。我们正打算研究空气和大气层 。没有我们的努力,我们星球上的大气将变得越来越稀薄,我们都会死掉 。你们为什么要袭击我们?
约翰·卡特:她讲话时,一个勇士跑向她,给了她一拳,她撞向了地面 。他用脚踹向了她那弱小的身体,大笑起来 。
我掏出随身携带的匕首,冲向并袭击了那个巨大的勇士 。
约翰·卡特:他是个强壮的对手 。但是又一次因为火星上稀薄的万有引力,我的力气比他大的多 。在短短几分钟内,那个绿色的勇士就死了 。我扶那个年轻的女人站了起来 。
DEJAH THORIS:你是谁?你为什么冒着生命危险帮我?你看上去和我们的人民很像,但是你却带着绿色勇士的武器 。你到底是谁?
约翰·卡特:我的名字叫约翰·卡特 。我来自地球 。我是怎么来到这里的说来话长 。我袭击那个绿色勇士是因为我们那里的男人不打女人 。我会尽我的能力为你提供保护 。但是我必须告诉你,我也是俘虏 。
苏拉:过来,约翰·卡特 。带着那个红色女人,我们必须在勇士们阻止我们之前,赶快离开这里 。
约翰·卡特:我们三个回到了我前些天住的那个楼里 。苏拉离开,去准备食物 。乌拉坐在角落里看着我们俩 。那个年轻的女人对样貌丑陋的乌拉感到很害怕 。
我告诉她不用害怕乌拉 。你一定别告诉别人,乌拉不仅是我的守卫,也是我的朋友 。我用善良待他,而此前它从不知道善良为何物 。日积月累,他越来越信任我 。我相信他会听从我发出的指令 。
苏拉已经告诉我所有的俘虏都会活着,直到绿色火星人在游戏中让他们死去 。我们唯一的生存机会就是逃跑,但是我们的计划要想成功,必须得到苏拉的帮助 。
DEJAH THORIS:是的,如果我们和绿色勇士们呆在一起,都会死掉 。如果我们想逃跑,我们需要几只巨兽 。这是我们唯一的机会 。
约翰·卡特:我有几只巨兽 。我成为勇士之后,他们给了我几只 。
苏拉一会儿就回来了,为我们俩带来了食物 。Dejah Thoris和我请求她的帮助 。我们三个一直聊到了夜里 。最后苏拉给了我们答复 。
苏拉:接下来的两天内是你们最好的逃跑机会 。明天,我们将离开这个城市开始一段长途旅行,到我们部落的家 。我将帮助你们逃跑 。但是我必须和你们一起走,如果你们逃跑了,我也会被杀死的 。
约翰·卡特:苏拉,当然,你必须和我们一起走!你不像你们大多数的人,那样残忍凶暴 。帮助我们,我能保证你有更好的生活 。你将作为贵宾受到尊重的对待 。
约翰·卡特:第二天早晨我们骑着巨兽离开了这座城市 。运送这个巨大的绿色火星人部落的巨兽超过了一千只 。这支队伍中还有一个美国人,一个Helium人的皇室公主,我们的护卫苏拉和可怜的丑乌拉 。
那天夜里晚些时候我们离开了营地 。一个巨兽驮着我,另外一个驮着苏拉和公主Dejah Thoris 。乌拉紧紧地跟在后面 。
我们在火星的深夜里快速骑着 。我看向天空,隔着遥远的太空鸟瞰地球 。自从我遇到Helium公主,我还没有一次想起过地球或者家,我知道以后我也不会想要离开她了 。
第二天早晨,我能看到我们被数百名绿色勇士追赶着 。我们的巨兽已很疲惫,我知道我们必须停下 。
我让苏拉和公主骑着这两只巨兽逃跑,我将尽我的能力,击退这些绿色勇士 。乌拉,和她们一起走,用你的生命守卫她们 。
DEJAH THORIS:我们不能留下你一个人 。如果你再次被俘虏,肯定会死的 。你必须和我们一起走 。
约翰·卡特:苏拉用她的胳膊把公主拽上了她选择的巨兽 。很快便骑走了 。过了一会,乌拉看了看我,掉头跟着她们也跑了 。
我从箱子里拿出了步枪,开始射击,来阻挡绿色勇士们的追击 。
我拖住了他们一个多小时 。但是之后我就没有弹药了 。我很快被包围了 。一个绿色勇士从他的巨兽上下来,走向了我 。他掏出又长又利的刀子 。我拿出了我的 。当我们靠近彼此时,我看到他是Tars Tarkas 。他停下来和我慢慢地说话 。
TARS TARKAS:你今天会死在这里 。约翰·卡特 。我必须杀了你 。但是你的死不会给我带来快乐 。
鲍勃·多尔蒂:您正在收听的是美国之音慢速英语节目,美国故事 。这是埃德加·赖斯·巴勒斯所著《火星公主》的第三部分 。保罗·汤普森将这个故事改编成慢速英语节目 。由保罗·汤普森和马里奥·里特共同制作 。
约翰·卡特配音者谢普·奥尼尔 。Tars Tarkas配音者史蒂夫·恩伯 。苏拉配音者芭巴拉·克莱恩 。公主Dejah Thoris配音者格温·欧顿 。欢迎您下周继续锁定美国之音慢速英语节目,美国故事,收听埃德加·赖斯·巴勒斯小说《火星公主》 。
译文为可可英语翻译,未经授权请勿转载!