美文欣赏

她想得得意忘形，情不自禁地把头一扬，刹那间，牛奶罐跌了下来！她幻想的一切幸福间破灭了。

The country Maid and Her Milk Can

A country maid was walking along with a can of milk upon her head,when she fell into the following train of reflections."The money for which I shall sell this milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs to three hundred, These eggs, allowing for what may prove addle,and what may be destroyed by vermin,will produce at least two hundred and fifty chickens.The chickens will be fit to carry to market just at the time when poultry is always dear;so that by the new year I cannot fail of having money enough to purchase a new gown.Green-let me consider-yes,green becomes my complexion best .and green it shall be, In this dress I will go to the fair,where all young fellows will strive to have me for a parter;but no-I shall refuse every one of them,and with a disdainful toss turn from them."

Transported with this idea,she could not forbear acting with her head the thought that passed in her mind,when down came the can of milk!And all her imaginary happiness vanished in a moment.

参考译文

村姑和牛奶罐

一个村姑头上顶着一罐牛奶在路上行走。走着走着，她的脑子里浮现出一连串的幻想：“我卖了这罐牛奶后，用这笔钱买鸡蛋，这样我有的鸡蛋可以增加到300个。用这300个鸡蛋孵小鸡，这就算有坏的、生虫的，至少也能孵出250只小鸡。等小鸡长大后，正好能赶上卖个好市价；那么到了新年，我就能有钱买一件新晚装。买一件绿色的——让我好好想想——对，绿色与我的肤色最相衬。我穿上这件衣服去赶集，所有的年轻小伙子都会抢着邀请我做舞伴；但是不行——我要轻蔑地把头一扬，转身过去不理他们，让他们人人都碰个钉子。

她想得得意忘形，情不自禁地把头一扬，刹那间，牛奶罐跌了下来！她幻想的一切幸福间破灭了。

词汇释义

1.a train of adj. 一列(一串，一排)

The pop star was followed by a train of admirers.
那位流行歌曲歌星周围蜂拥著许多歌迷。

2.reflection n. 反映，映像，折射，沉思，影响

On further reflection, I saw that she might be right, after all.
我再一考虑，反倒觉得可能还是她对。

3.stock n. 存货，储备; 树干; 血统; 股份; 家畜

Have you any grey pullovers in stock?
你们有灰色套头毛衣的现货吗？

4.poultry n. 家禽

The poultry are being fed.
家禽正在吃饲料。

5.complexion n. 肤色，面色，体质，特性

Her sparkling jewellery served as the perfect foil for her fine complexion.
她戴著闪闪生辉的首饰，更显得容貌姣好。

6.disdainful adj. 鄙视的，不屑一顾的，轻蔑的

He's disdainful of anyone from the USA.
美国来的人他都瞧不起。