(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
BOB DOUGHTY: Now, the Special English program AMERICAN STORIES.
(MUSIC)
Welcome to the fourth and last part of our program, "A Princess of Mars." The story is from a series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Last week, we told how John Carter observed a fierce battle between the green Martians and a race of red, human-like creatures. He also saw the
beautiful Princess Dejah Thoris being captured after the battle.
A short time later, John Carter, the Princess and their friend, the green Martian woman Sola, attempt to escape rather than face death. The
Princess and Sola must flee while John Carter tries to slow the green warriors who are chasing them.? John Carter continues to tell what happens
in Edgar Rice Burroughs' story, "A Princess of Mars."
(MUSIC)
JOHN CARTER: The huge green warrior Tars Tarkas came slowly toward me with his thin sword. I backed away. I did not want to fight him. I did not
wish his death. He had been as kind to me as a green Martian can be.
As I stood watching him, a rifle fired in the distance, then another and another. Tars Tarkas and his warriors were under attack from another
tribe of green warriors.
(SOUND EFFECTS)
Within seconds, a terrible battle raged. As I watched, three of the attackers fell on Tars Tarkas. He killed one and was fighting with the other
two when he slipped and fell.
I ran to his aid, swinging my sword. He was on his feet. Shoulder-to-shoulder, we fought against the attackers. They finally withdrew after an
hour of fierce fighting.
TARS TARKAS: John Carter, I think I understand the meaning of the word "friend." You saved my life when I was about to take yours. From this day,
you are no longer a captive among our people, but a leader and great warrior among us.
JOHN CARTER: There was a smile on his face. Once again, he took off a metal band from his arm and gave it to me.
TARS TARKAS: I have a question for you John Carter. I understand why you took the red woman with you. But why did Sola leave her people and go
with you?
JOHN CARTER: She did not want to see me or the Princess harmed. She does not like the great games held by your people where captives are led to
die. She knows if she is caught, she too will die in the games. She told me she hates the games because her mother died there.
TARS TARKAS: What? How could she know her mother?
JOHN CARTER: She told me her mother was killed in the games because she had hidden the egg that produced her.? Her mother hid Sola among other
children before she was captured. Sola said she was a kind woman, not like others of your tribe.
Tars Tarkas grew angry as I was speaking.? But I could see past his anger. I could see pain in his eyes. I immediately knew Sola's great secret.
I have a question for you, Tars Tarkas. Did you know Sola's mother?
TARS TARKAS: Yes ... and if I could have, I would have prevented her death. I know this story to be true. I have always known the woman who died
in those games had a child. I never knew the child. I do now. Sola is also my child.
(MUSIC)
JOHN CARTER: For three days, we followed the trail left by the Princess Dejah Thoris, Sola and poor ugly Woola. At last, we could see them in the
distance. Their animal could no longer be ridden. They were talking. When we came near, Woola turned to fight us. I slowly walked to him with my
hand out.
Sola was standing nearby. She was armed and prepared to fight. The princess was lying next to her feet.
Sola, what is wrong with the princess?
SOLA: She has been crying much these past few days, John Carter. We believed you died so we could escape. The thought of your death was very heavy
on this woman...my friend Dejah Thoris. Come and tell her you are among the living. Perhaps that will stop her crying.
JOHN CARTER: I walked to where the Princess Dejah Thoris was lying on the ground. She looked at me with eyes that were red from crying.
Princess, you are no longer in danger. Tars Tarkas has come with me as a friend. He and his warriors will help to see you safely home.
And ... Sola! I would have you greet your father -- Tars Tarkas -- a great leader among your people. Your secret no longer means death to anyone.
He already knows you are his daughter. The two of you have nothing to fear.
Sola turned and looked at Tars Tarkas. She held out her hand. He took it. It was a new beginning for them.
DEJAH THORIS: I know our world has never before seen anyone like you, John Carter. Can it be that all Earthmen are like you? I was alone, a
stranger, hunted, threatened. Yet you would freely give your life to save me.
You come to me now with a tribe of green warriors who offer their friendship. You are no longer a captive but wear the metal of great rank among
their people. No man has ever done this.
JOHN CARTER: Princess, I have done many strange things in my life, many things much smarter men would not have done. And now, before my courage
fails, I would ask you, to be mine in marriage.
She smiled at me for a moment and then her dark eyes flashed in the evening light.
DEJAH THORIS: You have no need of your courage, John Carter, because you already knew the answer before you asked the question.
JOHN CARTER: And so Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, a daughter of the Red Planet Mars, promised herself in marriage to John Carter, a gentleman
of Virginia.
(MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS)
JOHN CARTER: Several days later, we reached the city of Helium. At first, the red men of Helium thought we were an attacking army. But they soon
saw their Princess. We were greeted with great joy.? Tars Tarkas and his green warriors caused the greatest excitement. This huge group of green
warriors entered the city as friends and allies.
I soon met Tardos Mors, the grandfather of Dejah Thoris. He tried several times to thank me for saving the life of the Princess. But tears filled
his eyes and he could not speak.
(MUSIC)
JOHN CARTER: For nine years, I served in the government and fought in the armies of Helium as a Prince of the royal family. It was a happy time.
The Princess Dejah Thoris and I were expecting a child.
Then, one day, a soldier returned from a long flight. When he landed he hurried to the great meeting room.
Tardos Mors met with the soldier and reported that every creature on the planet had but three days to live. He said the great machines that
produced the atmosphere on the planet had stopped producing oxygen. He said no one knew why this had happened, but there was nothing that could be
done.
The air grew thin within a day. Many people could do nothing but sleep.? I watched as my Princess was slowly dying. I had to try something.
I could still move with great difficulty. I went to our airport and chose a fast aircraft. I flew as fast as I could to the building that produced
the atmosphere of the planet.
Workers were trying to enter. I tried to help. With a great effort I opened a hole.
I grew very weak. I asked one of the workers if he could start the engines. He said he would try. I fell asleep on the ground.
(MUSIC)
It was dark when I opened my eyes again. My clothing felt stiff and strange. I sat up. I could see light from an opening.? I walked outside. The
land looked strange to me. I looked up to the sky and saw the Red Planet Mars. I was once again on Earth in the desert of Arizona. I cried out
with deep emotion.
Did the worker reach the machines to renew the atmosphere? Did the air reach the people of that planet in time to save them? Was my Princess Dejah
Thoris alive or did she lie cold in death?
For ten years now, I have watched the night sky, looking for an answer. I believe she and our child are waiting there for me. Something tells me
that I shall soon know.
(MUSIC)
BOB DOUGHTY: You have been listening to the Special English program, American Stories.
Shep O'Neal was the voice of John Carter. Steve Ember was Tars Tarkas. Barbara Klein was Sola. And Gwen Outen was Princess Dejah Thoris. This
story was adapted for Special English by Paul Thompson. It was produced by Paul Thom
重点解析
1.back away 后退
Until yesterday, Britain had backed away because it didn't like the cost.
直到昨天，英国还因为成本太高而却步。
2.fight with 打斗
He picked a fight with a waiter and landed in jail.
他找碴儿跟服务生打了一架，最后进了监狱。
3.was about to 即将
The train was about to leave and I was not even on the platform.
火车就快开了，可我还没到站台。
4.Once again, he took off a metal band from his arm and gave it to me.
再一次，他从胳膊上摘下金属臂带给了我。
once again 再次
Once again he was disappointed in love.
他又一次失恋了。
5.She does not like the great games held by your people where captives are led to die.
她不希望那些被俘虏的人卷入你们所安排的伟大游戏，并在游戏中死去。
lead to 导致
Frustration, anger and desperation have led to a series of wildcat strikes.
挫败感、愤怒和绝望引起了一系列自发性的罢工。
6.For three days, we followed the trail left by the Princess Dejah Thoris, Sola and poor ugly Woola.
我们循着公主、苏拉和可怜丑乌拉的足迹走了三天。
left by 留下
Police in the city have been cleaning up the debris left by a day of violent confrontation.
该市警察一直在清理一天的暴力冲突后留下的碎石残砖。
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。
欢迎收听《火星公主》的最后一部分。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·卡特目睹了绿色火星人与红色火星人之间的激烈战斗。他亲眼看到美丽的公主Dejah Thoris在战斗结束后成为俘虏。
不久之后，约翰·卡特、公主以及他们的朋友，绿色火星女人苏拉，试图逃走躲避死亡。公主和苏拉必须逃跑，而约翰·卡特试图阻挡那些追击他们的绿色勇士。现在约翰·卡特继续讲述埃德加·赖斯·巴勒斯的系列科幻小说《火星公主》。
约翰·卡特：巨大的绿色勇士Tars Tarkas举着利剑向我走来。我向后退了几步。不想打他。也不希望他死。对于火星上的一名绿色勇士而言，他一直对我相当不错。
我站在那里看着他，一发子弹从远处的步枪中射了出来，然后一发接着一发。Tars Tarkas和他的勇士们受到了来自另外一个绿色勇士部落的攻击。
几秒之内，一场可怕的战斗打响了。我就看着，三名攻击者落在了Tars Tarkas身上。他杀死了一个，然后又去对抗另外两个，这时他却摔倒了。
我赶忙跑过去帮忙，挥起了我的剑。他站起来。我们肩并起肩，同仇敌忾地与攻击者作战。经过一个小时的激烈战斗，他们终于撤退了。
TARS TARKAS：约翰·卡特，我想我理解了“朋友”这个词的含义。我想要你的命，而你却救了我。从今天起，你不再是我们的俘虏，而是我们的领袖和伟大的战士。
约翰·卡特：他脸上挂着笑容。再一次，他从胳膊上摘下金属臂带给了我。
TARS TARKAS：约翰·卡特，我有个问题要问你。我明白你为什么要把那个红色女人带走。但是苏拉为什么也要和你们一起离开？
约翰·卡特：她不想看见我，也不想看见公主受到伤害。她不希望那些被俘虏的人卷入你们所安排的伟大游戏，并在游戏中死去。她知道如果她被抓住了，也会在游戏中死去。她告诉我她讨厌游戏，因为她的母亲就是那样死的。
TARS TARKAS：什么？她怎么能知道她的母亲是谁？
约翰·卡特：她告诉我，她母亲在游戏中被杀了，因为她将自己生出的蛋藏了起来。在被抓获之前，她的母亲把苏拉混在了其他孩子中间。苏拉说她是一位善良的女人，不像部落中其他的人。
我说着说着，Tars Tarkas就生起气来。但我能看出他的愤怒中蕴含着伤痛。我能看出他眼中的痛苦。我立刻就洞悉了苏拉的秘密。
我有个问题要问你，Tars Tarkas。你认识苏拉的母亲吗？
TARS TARKAS：是的，如果我能，我不会让她死的。我知道这个故事是真实的。我一直都知道那个在游戏中死去的女人有一个孩子。我从不知道这个孩子是谁。现在我知道了。苏拉也是我的孩子。
约翰·卡特：我们循着公主、苏拉和可怜丑乌拉的足迹走了三天。最后，我们远远地看到了他们。他们的巨兽再也不能骑了。他们在谈话。当我们走近时，乌拉转过身来，反抗我们。我放下全部武器，慢慢向他走去。
苏拉站在附近。她整装待发，准备战斗。公主躺在她的脚旁。
苏拉，公主怎么了？
苏拉：这几天她哭得很厉害，约翰·卡特。我们认定你是用死，换了我们逃走。想到你的死，我的朋友Dejah Thoris，觉得心情异常沉重，快来告诉她，你还活着。这样也许她就不哭了。
约翰·卡特：我走到公主Dejah Thoris躺下的地方。她看着我，眼睛哭红了。
公主，你不会再有危险了。Tars Tarkas和我是朋友。他和他的勇士们会帮助你安全回家。
还有苏拉！请问候你的父亲——Tars Tarkas——你们伟大的领袖。你的秘密不再意味着死亡。他已经知道，你是他的女儿。你们两个没什么好害怕的。
苏拉转过身来，看着Tars Tarkas。她伸出手来。他握住了它。对他们来说，这是一个崭新的开始。
DEJAH THORIS：我知道以前我在我们的世界里，从未见过像你这样的人，约翰·卡特。难道地球上所有的人都像你一样吗？我孤身一人，一个陌生人，遭到猎杀，受到威胁。而你却愿全然献出你的生命来拯救我。
你跟随一个绿色勇士的部落，来到我的身边，而这个部落也展现了友谊。你不再是俘虏，而是站在他们中间，戴着高贵的金属臂章。以前从未有人如此。
约翰·卡特：公主，我一生中做过许多奇怪的事情，很多事情，如果足够聪明，可能都不会去做。现在，趁我勇气尚存，我请求你，嫁给我吧。
她对我微笑了一会儿，然后她深邃的眼睛在暮色中闪闪发光。
DEJAH THORIS：约翰·卡特，你不需要勇气，因为在你问出这个问题之前，早就已经知道答案了。
约翰·卡特：所以，Dejah Thoris公主，一个红色星球的女儿，答应嫁给约翰·卡特，一位来自维吉尼亚的绅士。
约翰·卡特：几天后，我们到达了Helium城。起初，Helium城的人们认为我们想要对他们发起攻击。但是他们很快就看到了他们的公主。我们喜出望外。Tars Tarkas和他的绿色勇士们同样非常兴奋。这个庞大的绿色勇士队伍进入了这座城市，作为朋友和盟友。
很快我就见到了Tardos Mors，Dejah Thoris的祖父。他几次想要感谢我，救了公主的命。但他的眼里满是泪水，哽咽得说不出话来。
约翰·卡特：九年来，我在他们政府中工作，并作为王子在军中服役，参战。那是一段快乐的时光。公主和我正期待拥有一个自己的孩子。
然后，有一天，一个士兵乘坐飞行器从很远的地方回来。他着陆后，匆忙赶到了会议室。
Tardos Mors见了那名士兵，那个士兵报告说，三天后我们星球上的所有人都将死去。他说，星球上，制造大气层的巨大机器已经停止了氧气生产。他说没有人知道为什么会发生这样的事情，但是全都束手无策。
短短一天，空气就变得相当稀薄。许多人除了睡觉什么也做不了。我看着我的公主慢慢死去。我必须想点办法。
虽然困难，但我仍可以移动。我去了机场，选择了一架快速的飞机。我飞快地飞到了制造星球大气层的建筑上。
工人们试图进去。我尽力帮忙。费了很大的劲，我打开了一个洞。
我变得很虚弱。我问其中一个工人，他是否能发动引擎。他说他试试看。我在地上睡着了。
当我再次睁开眼睛的时候，天已经黑了。我的衣服又硬又怪。我坐了起来。从开口处，我可以看到一束光射了进来。我走到外面。这片土地对我来说很陌生。我抬头仰望天空，看到了红色的火星。我重新回到了亚利桑那州的那片沙漠。我深沉地大声嘶吼。
工人们有没有进入机器，重启大气层生产设备？空气有没有及时补给到那个星球，人们有没有得到拯救？我的公主是死是活？
十年来，我一直在观察夜空，寻找答案。我相信她和我们的孩子在那里等着我。有些事情告诉我，我很快就会知道答案。
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。
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。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。欢迎您下周继续锁定美国之音慢速英语节目，美国故事。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
