BBC英国史

So Iron Age Britain was definitely not the back of beyond.

因此 铁器时代的不列颠绝非蛮夷之地

Its tribes may have led lives separated from each other by custom and language,

或许碍于语言与习俗 部落间相互隔绝不相往来

and they may have had no great capital city but taken together they added up to something in the world,

亦或许他们不曾拥有繁荣的首都 但整体来说 也为世界文明贡献了力量

the bustling of countless productive, energetic beehives.

正如一个个熙攘而充满活力的蜂房

What the bees made was not honey, but gold.

不过他们所酿绝非蜂蜜 而是黄金

The Romans would have known about this strange but alluring world of fat cattle and busy forges.

罗马人对这个家畜成群 工场繁忙的 陌生而诱人地方 肯定有所听闻

Evidence of its refinement would certainly have found its way to Rome.

这里文明的制品 肯定也早就行销罗马

But along with the glittering metal ware came stories of alarming cults,

但随着闪亮金属制品而来的 是可怖的邪教

which may have prompted the usual Roman dinner time discussions.

这些也成为了罗马人饭后的谈资

All very interesting, I dare say,but would we really want to call them a civilisation?

我想这的确都很有趣 但我们真的能称之为文明吗

Supposing they would have seen an ancient sculpture,

假设他们看到了一尊远古雕塑

like this haunting stone face with its archaic secretive smile,

像这张令人难忘的 古老而神秘的笑脸

the eyes closed as if in a mysterious devotional trance.

双目紧闭 仿佛正在虔诚地祷告

The nose flattened, the cheeks broad,

鼻梁平塌 面颊宽阔

the whole thing so spellbindingly reminiscent of things

通体与罗马人在伊特鲁利亚和希腊诸岛

the Romans must have seen in Etruria or the Greek islands.

所见的艺术珍品神形俱似

Would they then have said,Yes, this is a work of art?

他们是否会颔首称道 这确是艺术珍品呢

Probably not. Sooner or later they would have noticed that the top of the head is sliced off, scooped out,

大概不会 因为他们终会注意到 雕像的头顶处被切开挖掉了

like a boiled egg of breakfast, to hold sacrificial offerings.

如同一颗煮蛋 专为放置祭祀品而设

词汇解析

1、definite

明确的;确定的

It's too soon to give a definite answer.

要给出一个明确的答复，现在还为时过早。

Her Royal Highness has definite views about most things.

女王陛下对大多数事情都有明确的观点。

(证据或信息)确凿的，确切的

We didn't have any definite proof.

我们没有任何确实的证据。

If you have any definite news of my husband, please let me know.

如果有我丈夫的确切消息，请一定告诉我。

清楚的;明显的;无疑的

There has already been a definite improvement.

已经有了显著的改进。

That's a very definite possibility.

那是很有可能的。

2、prompt

促使；推动；引起

Japan's recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars.

日本经济的不景气使得消费者在购买车辆上减少了开支。

The need for villagers to control their own destinies has prompted a new plan.

村民们想要掌握自己的命运，这促成了一项新的计划。

迅速的；即刻的；立即的；及时的

It is not too late, but prompt action is needed.

现在还不算晚，但是需要立即采取行动。

an inflammation of the eyeball which needs prompt treatment.

需要立即治疗的眼球炎症

敏捷的；迅速的；及时的

You have been so prompt in carrying out all these commissions.

你执行所有这些命令可真够迅速的。

We didn't worry because they were always so prompt with their rental payment.

我们不担心，因为他们交租金总是非常及时。