(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Our story today is called "The Birthmark." It was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Here is Barbara Klein with the story. A long time ago, there lived a skillful scientist who had experienced a spiritual reaction more striking than any chemical one. He had left his laboratory in the care of his assistant, washed the chemicals from his hands and asked a beautiful woman to become his wife. In those days new scientific discoveries such as electricity seemed to open paths into the area of miracles. It was not unusual for the love of science to compete with the love of a woman. The scientist's name was Aylmer. He had so totally given himself to scientific studies that he could not be weakened by a second love. His love for his young wife could only be the stronger of the two if it could link itself with his love of science. Such a union did take place with truly remarkable results. But one day, very soon after their marriage, Aylmer looked at his wife with a troubled expression."Georgiana," he said, "have you ever considered that the mark upon your cheek might be removed"?"No," she said smiling. But seeing the seriousness of his question, she said, "The mark has so often been called a charm that I was simple enough to imagine it might be so.""On another face it might," answered her husband, "but not on yours.
No dear, Nature made you so perfectly that this small defect shocks me as being a sign of earthly imperfection.""Shocks you!" cried Georgiana, deeply hurt. Her face reddened and she burst into tears. "Then why did you marry me? You cannot love what shocks you!"We must explain that in the center of Georgiana's left cheek there was a mark, deep in her skin. The mark was usually a deep red color. When Georgiana blushed, the mark became less visible. But when she turned pale, there was the mark, like a red stain upon snow. The birthmark would come and go with the emotions in her heart. The mark was shaped like a very small human hand. Georgiana's past lovers used to say that the hand of a magical fairy had touched her face when she was born. Many a gentleman would have risked his life for the honor of kissing that mysterious hand. But other people had different opinions. Some women said the red hand quite destroyed the effect of Georgiana's beauty. Male observers who did not praise the mark simply wished it away so that they did not see it. After his marriage, Aylmer discovered that this was the case with himself.
Had Georgiana been less beautiful, he might have felt his love increased by the prettiness of that little hand. But because she was otherwise so perfect, he found the mark had become unbearable. Aylmer saw the mark as a sign of his wife's eventual sadness, sickness and death. Soon, the birthmark caused him more pain than Georgiana's beauty had ever given him pleasure. During a period that should have been their happiest, Aylmer could only think of this disastrous subject. With the morning light, Aylmer opened his eyes upon his wife's face and recognized the sign of imperfection. When they sat together in the evening near the fire, he would look at the mark. Georgiana soon began to fear his look. His expression would make her face go pale. And the birthmark would stand out like a red jewel on white stone."Do you remember, dear Aylmer, about the dream you had last night about this hateful mark?" she asked with a weak smile."None! None whatever!" answered Aylmer, surprised. The mind is in a sad state when sleep cannot control its ghosts and allows them to break free with their secrets. Aylmer now remembered his dream.
He had imagined himself with his assistant Aminadab trying to remove the birthmark with an operation. But the deeper his knife went, the deeper the small hand sank until it had caught hold of Georgiana's heart. Aylmer felt guilty remembering the dream."Aylmer," said Georgiana, "I do not know what the cost would be to both of us to remove this birthmark. Removing it could deform my face or damage my health.""Dearest Georgiana, I have spent much thought on the subject," said Aylmer. "I am sure it can be removed.""Then let the attempt be made at any risk," said Georgiana. "Life is not worth living while this hateful mark makes me the object of your horror. You have deep science and have made great discoveries. Remove this little mark for the sake of your peace and my own.""Dearest wife," cried Aylmer. "Do not doubt my power. I am ready to make this cheek as perfect as its pair."Her husband gently kissed her right cheek, the one without the red hand. The next day the couple went to Aylmer's laboratory where he had made all his famous discoveries.
Georgiana would live in a beautiful room he had prepared nearby, while he worked tirelessly in his lab. One by one, Aylmer tried a series of powerful experiments on his wife. But the mark remained. Georgiana waited in her room. She read through his notebooks of scientific observations. She could not help see that many of his experiments had ended in failure. She decided to see for herself the scientist at work. The first thing that struck Georgiana when entering the laboratory was the hot furnace. From the amount of soot above it, it seemed to have been burning for ages. She saw machines, tubes, cylinders and other containers for chemical experiments. What most drew her attention was Aylmer himself. He was nervous and pale as death as he worked on preparing a liquid. Georgiana realized that her husband had been hiding his tension and fear."Think not so little of me that you cannot be honest about the risks we are taking," she said. "I will drink whatever you make for me, even if it is a poison.""My dear, nothing shall be hidden," Aylmer said. "I have already given you chemicals powerful enough to change your entire physical system.
Only one thing remains to be tried and if that fails, we are ruined!"He led her back to her room where she waited once more, alone with her thoughts. She hoped that for just one moment she could satisfy her husband's highest ideals. But she realized then that his mind would forever be on the march, always requiring something newer, better and more perfect. Hours later, Aylmer returned carrying a crystal glass with a colorless liquid."The chemical process went perfectly," he said. "Unless all my science has tricked me, it cannot fail."To test the liquid, he placed a drop in the soil of a dying flower growing in a pot in the room. In a few moments, the plant became healthy and green once more."I do not need proof," Georgiana said quietly. "Give me the glass. I am happy to put my life in your hands." She drank the liquid and immediately fell asleep. Aylmer sat next to his wife, observing her and taking notes. He noted everything -- her breathing, the movement of an eyelid. He stared at the birthmark. And slowly, with every breath that came and went, it lost some of its brightness."By Heaven! It is nearly gone," said Aylmer.
"Success! Success!"He opened the window coverings to see her face in daylight. She was so pale. Georgiana opened her eyes and looked into the mirror her husband held. She tried to smile as she saw the barely visible mark."My poor Aylmer," she said gently. "You have aimed so high. With so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the Earth could offer. I am dying, dearest."It was true. The hand on her face had been her link to life. As the last trace of color disappeared from her cheek, she gave her last breath. Blinded by a meaningless imperfection and an impossible goal, Aylmer had thrown away her life and with it his chance for happiness. In trying to improve his lovely wife, he had failed to realize she had been perfect all along."The Birthmark" was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was adapted and produced by Dana Demange. Your storyteller was Barbara Klein.
重点解析
1.barely visible很少见的
All 200 or so species of primates have dark eyes and a barely visible sclera.
所有200种左右的灵长类动物都有黑色的眼睛和几乎不可见的巩膜。
2.aim to计划，打算；目标在于
I don't aim to hurt you.
我并没打算伤害你。
3.a series of一系列的；一连串的
There is a series of science and technology on the desk.
案头放着一套科技丛书。
4.thrown away扔掉
For instance, many surgical devices may be removed from packaging, but not used in an operation. They still get thrown away.
很多手术设备只是从包装里拿了出来，并没有用于手术，结果也被扔掉了。
5.Blinded by 被……蒙蔽
Blinded by the stream,he had to fish around for the soap in his bath.
他在浴室里被蒸气熏得睁不开眼，只好摸索着寻找肥皂。
参考译文
我们今天的故事叫做《胎记》，作者纳撒尼尔·霍桑。芭芭拉·克莱恩为您讲述。很久以前，有位在各门自然科学中都享有盛名的科学家，感受到了强似任何化学亲和力的精神吸引力，就把实验室扔给助手照管，洗净被炉火熏黑的清俊面庞，洗去手上斑斑的酸液痕迹，去追一位美丽的女人，让她成为自己的妻子。那年头，电及其它大自然的奥秘刚被发现，仿佛打开了进入奇异世界的条条途径。人们热爱科学，那份深情与专注甚至胜过对女人的爱。科学家名叫阿尔默。他已毫无保留地致力于科学研究，任何别的激情都不能使他放弃自己的追求。他爱娇妻也许甚于爱科学，但这爱情只有与对科学的爱互相交织，并且把科学的力量与他自己的力量相结合，才显得更为强烈。这种结合于是产生，并招来真正惊人的后果与深刻的教训。婚后不久的一天，阿尔默坐在那儿端详妻子，神情越来越烦躁。“乔治亚娜，”他说，“你从没想过脸上那块胎记也许可以弄掉么”？“没想过，”她微微一笑，可发觉丈夫的严肃，又说道，“人家都讲它妩媚迷人，我也就以为如此了。”“啊，长在别人脸上也许如此，”丈夫道，“可在你脸上绝不是。不，亲爱的，大自然把你造得几乎尽善尽美，所以这一点点瑕疵（我吃不准该叫它缺憾还是美丽）也令人震惊，因为它是人间遗憾的明显标记。”“令你震惊，我的夫君！”乔治亚娜深感委屈，顿时粉脸气得绯红，接着就珠泪涟涟，“那你干嘛把我从我妈身边娶了来？总不会是爱一个令你震惊的人吧！”要解释这场谈话，须提示各位，乔治亚娜左边脸颊上生着一块特殊的印记，与面部肌肉组织深深地长在一起。
平时，这印记便显得深红，她突然脸红时，这印记会渐渐变得更模糊，但是，只要她面色苍白，那印记就会再现，就像雪地上的红色斑点。小手形的胎记会伴随她情绪的波动若隐若现。这印记很像一只人手，虽说只有最小号侏儒的手那样大小。乔治亚娜的倾慕者们都说，她出生之时，有位仙女把玉手按在了婴儿的脸上，留下这个记号，许多爱得发狂的青年，为得到亲吻这神秘手印的特权，甚至愿冒生命危险。但是其他人有不同的意见。一帮女性，断言这只血手破坏了乔治亚娜的美貌，把她的脸弄得丑陋可怕。而没有称赞这一印记的男性观察者们也满足于但愿它能消失，好让这世界拥有一个美仑美色合乎理想的活标本。阿尔默婚后发现自己的心愿正是如此。她要是没这么美丽，他也许会由于这块细小可人的胎记而更添爱慕。可是，既然她其它方面如此完美无憾，阿尔默便觉得在他们的共同生活当中，这个缺点变得愈来愈难以容忍。阿尔默就以这种方式认定，这胎记便是妻子难逃罪孽、悲伤、腐朽与死亡的象征。不久，它所造成的烦恼与恐惧，超过乔治亚娜善良心灵与美丽容貌带来的欢乐。在本该是他们最愉快的时刻，他却老是回到这个灾难般的话题上来。晨光曦微，阿尔默争眼看看妻子，一下就认出那缺陷的标记。夜晚炉火旁，夫妻相守，他目光会偷偷溜到她脸上，乔治亚娜不久开始在他的凝视下瑟瑟颤栗。他的表情让她红润的脸蛋立刻就变得死一般苍白。那只绯红的小手就会明显地喷薄而出，恰似洁白大理石上的一颗红宝石浮雕。“亲爱的阿尔默，还记得么，”她勉强微笑，“昨天晚上你那个梦，梦到了这只可恶的手？”“不！什么也不记得了！”阿尔默吃了一惊。
梦神无法将手下的幽灵禁锢在她混沌的势力范围之内，听任它们冲将出来，使现实生活受到属于内心世界之秘密的恐吓，此时的心境自然十分悲哀。阿尔默现在想起了自己的梦。他梦见与助手阿米那达布一道，试图通过手术去掉妻子的胎记。可是手术刀切得越深，那只小手陷得也越深。到后来，它竟紧紧抓住了乔治亚娜的心脏。完全想起梦境之后，阿尔默感到愧对妻子。“阿尔默，”乔治亚娜认真地接着说，“我不知道为除掉这块不吉利的胎记，咱俩得付出多大代价。说不定去掉它会留下无法医治的残疾，也可能它就是生命本身的印记。”“亲爱的乔治亚娜，这事我考虑已久。”阿尔默说道，“我相信去掉它完全办得到。”“不管冒多大风险，都试试看吧，”乔治亚娜说道。“生命就成了我心甘情愿扔掉的包袱，因为只要有这块可怕的印记，你就对我又害怕又讨厌。你学问高深，创造了那么多奇迹，为了你自己的安宁，要么去掉这只可怕的手，要么拿去我悲惨的生命。”“最高尚最亲爱最温柔的妻呀，”阿尔默欣喜若狂。“不要怀疑我的力量，我感到自己完全能够把这一侧可爱的面颊变得与另一侧同样完美无缺。”丈夫温存地亲亲妻子的脸颊——右脸颊——不是长着绯红小手印的那一侧。第二天，这对夫妇去了艾尔默的实验室，在那里他完成了所有著名的发现。乔治安娜会住进阿尔默用作实验室的扩建的房间里去，而他则在实验室里孜孜不倦地工作。艾尔默一个接一个地在妻子身上做了一系列的实验。但这个印记依然存在。乔治安娜在她的房间里等着。她通读了他的科学观察笔记。她不禁看到他的许多实验都以失败告终。她决定亲自去看看那位正在工作的科学家。乔治安娜一进实验室， 第一眼看到的就是那只滚烫通红的熔炉，火光熊熊。炉顶沉积的簇簇烟尘令人感到它已燃烧了许多许多年。屋里到处是干馏釜、试管、坩锅及其它化学研究用品，一台电动机械准备好立即投入使用。但吸引她主要的，简直是全部注意力的，还是阿尔默本人。
他在准备一种液体的时候，紧张得脸色苍白。乔治安娜意识到她的丈夫一直在隐藏他的紧张和恐惧。“别把我看得那么不中用，我的夫君，把咱俩所冒的风险都告诉我吧，”她说。“你给我做什么，我就喝什么，哪怕是毒药我也喝。”“亲爱的，什么也没有瞒你。”艾尔默说“我已经给你下了一些药，它的功效除了改变你整个生理系统外，什么都能做到，只剩下一种办法还没试过，要是它失败，咱们就完了。”他送她回房，她又在那里等着，独自思考着。她希望能在那一刻满足丈夫至高至深的观念。她十分清楚，比短短一瞬更为长久是不可能的，因为阿尔默的精神永不满足，永在高攀，每时每刻都向往着超越眼前的一瞬。几个小时后，他端来一只水晶玻璃杯，盛着水一般无色的液体，却又晶莹透亮。“这药水调得非常理想，”他说道，“除非我的全部科学知识欺骗了我，否则不可能失败。”阿尔默朝房间里一个花盆里的一朵垂死的花的土壤里种花的土里倒了一点点药水，须臾，花根就得到了药水的滋润，呈现一派生气蓬勃的翠绿。“用不着什么证明，”乔治亚娜安详地说，“把杯子给我。我乐于把一切都寄托于你的吩咐。”她喝了这种液体，马上就睡着了。艾尔默坐在他妻子旁边，观察着，做着笔记。他注意到了一切——她的呼吸，眼皮的活动。他盯着胎记。慢慢地，胎记伴随她每一次呼吸逐渐失去原先轮廓。“天哪！现在简直看不到它了，”阿尔默说道。“成功啦！成功啦！”他拉开窗帘，让阳光照进屋子，照在她脸上。她脸色苍白。
她缓缓地睁开双眼，凝望丈夫特为她准备的镜子，发现那绯红的手印已几乎看不出来，嘴角掠过一丝微笑。“可怜的阿尔默！”她喃喃地说。“你目标崇高，行为高尚，你拥有这么高尚纯洁的感情，而拒绝了尘世能给你的最好东西，阿尔默，最亲爱的阿尔默，我就要死了！”唉！可悲的真实哟！那只倒霉的小手牢牢攫住了生命的秘密，纽带般将天使的精神与凡人的躯体联结在一起。随着那块胎记最后一点绯红的色彩完全从她脸上消失，如今完美无瑕的女子向空中吐出了最后一口气。她被无意义的不完美和不可能实现的目标蒙蔽了双眼，她的芳魂在丈夫身旁流连片刻，便向天国飞去，也因此失去了获得幸福的机会他尝试改善妻子，却没有意识到妻子一直都很完美。《胎记》作者纳撒尼尔·霍桑。Dana Demange制作和改编。芭芭拉·克莱恩为您讲述。
