英语经典背诵段落
2011-12-30 18:04阅读：
1. Much to Live For
[导读] 热爱生活，让生命的体验成为一段美丽的乐符。翻开书页， 睁开双眼、用心体会这优美的语言和聆听这智慧的声音。
There is so much I have not been, so much I have not seen. I have
not thought and have not done or felt enough -- the early sun, rain
and the seasonal delight of flocks of ducks and geese in flight,
the mysteries of late-at-night. I still need time to read a book,
write poems, paint a picture, look at scenes and faces dear to me.
There is something more to be of value-- something I should find
within myself -- as peace of mind, patience, grace and being kind.
I shall take and I shall give, while yet, there is so much to live
for -- rainbows, stars that gleam, the fields, the hills, the hope,
the dreams, the truth that one must seek. I'll stay here --
treasure every day and love the world in my own way!
[注释]
seasonal delight: 季节性的喜悦
mystery: something that is not fully understood or that baffles or
eludes the understanding; an enigma 秘密，谜
grace: A characteristic or quality pleasing for its ch
arm魅力，优雅
rainbow: 虹，彩虹
gleam: To emit a gleam; flash or glow 闪光；闪烁或发光；闪耀
[参考译文]
生命中，有那么多我没经验过，有那么多我没见过。我没有充分想过，做过，或体会过 --
朝阳、雨水、季节性的喜悦来自成群飞翔的野鸭与野雁和那些午夜的神秘。我还需要时间读书，写诗、作画、观赏景色与我所爱的脸庞。还有一些东西具有价值
-- 那是我应该发现在自己内心的 -- 心灵的宁静、耐心、优雅、与仁慈。我要接受而且我要施舍，然而还是有许多可以赖以生活--
彩虹，闪烁的星星、田野、山丘、希望、梦想、人人所追求的真理。 我会在此 -- 珍惜每一个时日并且用自我的方式惜爱这个世界！
2. Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities
[导读]查尔斯-狄更斯，英国大名鼎鼎的作家，是19世纪英国现实主义文学的主要代表。他笔耕一生，靠勤奋和汗水创作出《双城记》、《大卫-科波菲尔》等世界名著。作品艺术上以妙趣横生的幽默、细致入微的心理分析，以及现实主义描写与浪漫主义气氛的有机结合著称。狄更斯在《双城记》一书开头就说，
“这是一个最好的时代，也是一个最坏的时代”。妙哉斯言（此句经常被引用）！这段文字中多个平行句（句子结构相同）而打动读者。文中句型的反复、形式上的对偶、内容上的对比、总体结构上的平行（排比），值得仔细体会。
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age
of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of
belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of
light, it was the season of darkness; it was the spring of hope, it
was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had
nothing before us; we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all
going direct the other way.
[注释]
incredulity: 怀疑
despair: to lose all hope绝望, 失望
[参考译文]
这是一个最好的时代，也是一个最坏的时代；这是明智的年代，这是愚昧的年代；这是信任的纪元，这是怀疑的纪元；这是光明的季节，这是黑暗的季节；
这是希望的春日，这是失望的冬日； 我们面前拥有一切，我们面前没有一切； 我们都将直上天堂，我们都将直下地狱。
3. Fog
[导读]桑德堡（Carl Sandburg）的短诗《雾》曾在各种媒体广为传播，是美国人家喻户晓的名作。
The fog comes 飘过来的雾，
on little cat feet. 像小猫般轻盈迈步。
It sits looking 坐在港口城市上空，
over harbor and city 四周环顾。
on silent haunches [腰] 悄悄躬一下腰，
and then moves on. 又开始赶路……
4. David Copperfield （Chapter 11）
[导读]本段选自狄更斯（Charles
Dickens）的《大卫&S226;科菲坡尔》。作者极尽细节描写之能事，将David眼中第一次见到描述得形象鲜明，跃然纸上。尤其是脸部的描写细致生动，让人一见难忘。
I went in, and found there a stoutish, middle-aged person, in a
brown surtout and black tights and shoes, with no more hair upon
his head which was a large one, and very shining than there is upon
an egg, and with a very extensive face, which he turned full upon
me. His clothes were shabby, but he had an imposing shirt-collar
on. He carried a jaunty sort of stick, with a large pair of rusty
tassels to it; and a quizzing-glass hung outside his coat – for
ornament, I afterwards found, as he very seldom looked through it,
and couldn’t see anything when he did.
[注释]
stoutish: 肥胖的, 体形臃肿的
surtout: 男用外套或大衣
tights: 贴身衬衣
extensive: Large in extent, range, or amount广阔的, 宽的
shabby: 破旧的, 褴褛的
imposing: 给人印象深刻的, 使人难忘的
jaunty: 感到自满的, 洋洋得意的
rusty: 生了锈的
tassels: 穗, 缨
ornament: 装饰物
5. She Walks in Beauty
[导读]她走在美的光彩中，像夜晚；皎洁无云而且繁星满天。有人理解为赞美爱人的美丽，有的人则认为是一种意境的呈现。无论从什么角度去欣赏它，这首诗都那么的美，那么的打动人心。诵读时注意诗歌的用韵，每行结尾压韵的单词要重读。
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
George Gordon Byron: She Walks in Beauty
G. G. Byron：拜伦，英国浪漫时期的诗人，著有长诗'Child Harold's Pilgrimage”
clime: 气候；地方
starry: 布满星星的
mellow: soft, sweet, juicy, and full-flavored 柔和、柔软的、甜蜜的；芳醇的。
mellow'd=mellowed, mellow'd是古英语拼法。
tender: 温柔的, 柔嫩的
gaudy: a feast or festival; called also gaud-day and gaudy
day.
deny: to give a refusal to; turn down or away 拒绝
她走在美的光彩中，像夜晚
皎洁无云而且繁星满天
明与暗的最美妙的色泽
在她的仪容与秋波里呈现
彷佛是晨露映出的阳光
但比那光亮柔和而幽暗。
6. Great Expectations
[导读]下面的一段选自查尔斯&S226;狄更斯（Charles
Dickens）的《远大前程》（1860－1861），这是他比较晚期的作品。狄更斯经历了丰富的人间生活后，对人，对周围环境，对自己的生活经历都有了深刻的认识，而所有他成熟的思想认识都汇总在《远大前程》一书中。
Great
Expectations，意思是指一笔遗产，中文有的译为“远大前程”（有的译作“孤星血泪”）。这个译名给读者一种印象，即作品的主人公是有远大前程的。而事实上，这个“远大前程”是带讽刺意义的，这部作品的主题决非仅仅是写孤儿皮普想当上等人的理想幻灭的故事，如果这样理解，就领会错了狄更斯创作这部作品的意义。皮普生活在姐姐家里，生活艰苦，他的理想是当一名像姐夫一样的铁匠，他没有想当上等人。后来他之所以想当上等人是因为环境的改变。狄更斯的哲学思想之一是环境对人思想的影响。不同的环境可以造就成不同的人。皮普的整个发展过程是符合一般人性理论的。
这部作品的语言可谓是出神入化，要学习英国语言，这是一本典范。狄更斯的作品不矫揉造作，不选用那些华而不实的词语。他的用词都简单明了，朴实易懂。所以文字读来朴实无华，如行云流水。
As the night was fast falling, and as the moon, being past the
full, would not rise early, we held a little council: a short one,
for clearly our course was to lie by at the first lonely tavern we
could find. So, they plied their oars once more, and I looked out
for anything like a house. Thus we held on, speaking little, for
four or five dull miles. It was very cold, and, a collier coming by
us, with her gallery-fire smoking and flaring, looked like a
comfortable home. The night was as dark by this time as it would be
until morning; and what light we had, seemed to come more from the
river than the sky, as the oars in their dipping stuck at a few
reflected stars.
[注释]
council：An assembly of persons called together for consultation,
deliberation, or discussion讨论会议
tavern：酒馆, 客栈
plied their oars：使劲划起桨来
collier：运煤船
gallery-fire：厨房
[参考译文]
孤星血泪天黑得很快，偏巧这天又是下弦月，月亮不会很早升起。我们就稍稍商量了一下，可是也用不到多讨论，因为情况是明摆着的，再划下去我们一遇到冷落的酒店就得投宿。于是他们又使劲打起桨来，我则用心寻找岸上是否隐隐约约有什么房屋的模样。这样又赶了四五英里路，一路上好不气闷，大家简直不说一句话。天气非常冷，一艘煤船从我们近旁驶过，船上厨房里生着火，炊烟缕缕，火光荧荧，在我们看来简直就是个安乐家了。这时夜色已经黑透，看来就要这样一黑到天明，我们仅有的一点光亮，是乎不是来自天空，而是来自河上，一桨又一桨的，搅动着那寥寥几颗倒映在水里的寒星。
7. SEPTEMBER
[导读] 海伦&S226;亨特&S226;杰克逊（Helen Hunt Jackson
1830-1885）是位多产的女作家，主要以同情印第安人、维护印第安人利益的作品为人们喜爱。九月是收获的季节,
累累的果实压弯了枝头。
The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.
The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.
The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook,
From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.
But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.
'T is a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.
[注释]
golden-rod:秋麒麟草。在八、九月的开花期里，枝头会长满金黄色的小花。它的树枝宛如金色的鞭子一般，这就是它的英文名字“黄金鞭”的由来。
orchards：果园, 果园里的全部果树 bend：弯曲
gentian's bluest fringes：龙胆根的蓝蓝的须
pods：扁豆层, 豆荚
milkweed：乳草属植物
spun：spin的过去式和过去分词；旋转, 纺, 纺纱
sedges：[植]莎草
flaunt：挥动, 飘扬
nook：隐蔽处
asters：[植]紫苑
lane：（乡间）小路, 巷, 里弄
odors：气味
flutter：鼓翼,飞舞。 At noon the roads all flutter with yellow
butterflies (蝴蝶).
8. Jane Eyre
[导读]夏洛蒂&S226;勃朗特(Charlotte
Bronte)的《简爱》通过简&S226;爱的自述，描绘的是一个出身贫苦家庭，长相平凡，无依无靠的女家庭教师的曲折遭遇。简，成为纯洁、热情、坦率、爱好真理，敢于追求幸福的女性的象征，因而形象鲜明。作品成功之处还在于作者在对人性的描述中，我们隐约看到了自己，卑劣或美丽的人性，而觉得心有戚戚焉。
“难道就因为我一贫如洗、默默无闻、长相平庸、个子瘦小，就没有灵魂和心肠了?——你不是想错了吗?——我的心灵跟你一样丰富，我的心胸跟你一样充实!
要是上帝赐予我一点姿色和财富，我会使你难以离开我，就像现在我很难离开你一样，我不是根据习俗、常规，甚至也不是血肉之躯同你说话，而是我的灵魂同你的灵魂在对话，就仿佛我们两人穿过坟墓，站在上帝脚下，彼此平等——本来就如此!”
这一段是绝对的经典，无需多言，不敢掠美。
'No: you must stay! I swear it - and the oath shall be kept'
'I tell you I must go! 'I retorted, roused to something like
passion. 'Do you think I can stay to become nothing to you? Do you
think I am an automaton? - a machine without feeling? and can bear
to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips，and my drop of
living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor,
obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think
wrong! - I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart! And
if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should
have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to
leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of
custom, conventionalities， nor even of mortal flesh: - it is my
spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed
through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal, - as we
are!'
oath: 誓言
retort: 反驳, 反击
automaton: 机器人
morsel: (食物)一口, 少量
snatch: 攫取 dash: 泼溅
obscure: 身份卑微的
conventionality: 惯例, 俗套, 老一套 mortal: 人类的
9. THE GARDEN OF EDEN
[导读]《圣经》是从希腊文的biblia而来的，意思就是“书丛”。
圣经分为两部分：旧约和新约，包括诗歌、法律、历史、预言、训诲、故事、书信等文体。旧约是希伯来人出离埃及时，上帝（耶和华）与人类（希伯来人）所立的旧的盟约以及此盟约的兑现。所谓“约”，即“约定”的意思。新约是上帝与人类所立的新的盟约，这盟约是以耶稣的圣训和他的生活为基础。下面是圣经故事《创世纪》中的一段。
Eden: [圣经]伊甸园, 乐园, Adam and Eve：亚当和夏娃
GOD had made a beautiful garden for the first man and woman to live
in. The garden, called Eden, was full of many wonderful things.
Flowers as beautiful to look at as they were to smell grew
everywhere. Soft, green grass grew under foot. The joyful music of
songbirds drifted across gentle, warm breezes. A clear flowing
stream gave cool, fresh water to drink, while hanging from the
limbs of the many trees were all sorts of delicious fruits. Tasty
vegetables grew free for the gathering. In the Garden of Eden were
also all manner of animals, both large and small. Adam and Eve
didn't have to be afraid of any of the beasts, for all the animals
were their friends. GOD told the man and woman that it was their
job to take care of their new home. He also told them that two
special trees grew in the garden. One was the Tree of Life. The
other was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
GOD told them, 'You may eat the fruit that grows on all the trees
except for one. You mustn't touch the fruit that grows on the Tree
of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. If you eat the fruit that grows
on that tree you will die.'
10. Hallowe'en 万圣节
[导读]到神秘的鬼屋去探险，拜访那些可爱的精灵鬼怪，听听那些古老或新鲜的鬼故事，学学做个吓人的南瓜灯笼，咬一口吊在空中的苹果，快乐来得这么简单，这就是万圣节！
Hallowe'en is a popular festival in many countries all over the
world, and every year it seems to get bigger.
It's getting dark earlier and it's starting to get cold. Christmas
is still a long way away. We need something to cheer us up and take
our minds of the fact that winter is nearly here. See how much you
know about the traditional festival of Hallowe'en.
The origins of the name
The festival of Hallowe'en has its roots in Celtic and Roman
traditions. Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland and
parts of France celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter.
When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their
celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the
Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Church
holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called 'All
Hallows', and October 31 was known as 'All Hallows' Eve', and then
Hallowe'en.
Hallowe'en traditions
In the past there was a tradition called 'souling'. Poor people
went around houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to
say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the
habit has been transformed into a modern Hallowe'en game for
children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches and monsters
and go around people's houses.
Witches
Hallowe'en wouldn't be fun without witches. Witches have always
been part of popular folklore. Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' opens
with three witches. A witch was someone - usually a woman - who had
special powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town,
Salem, is famous for the 'witchcraft trials', which took place
there in 1692.
Pumpkins
The pumpkin has become a symbol of Hallowe'en. People empty a
pumpkin, cut a face into the side, and put a candle inside to make
a lamp. It's known as a Jack O' Lantern, from a story about a man
called Jack, who made a deal with the devil.
Animals
Black cats, frogs, mice and spiders are just some of the animals
associated with Hallowe'en. Generally, the more unpleasant the
animal, the stronger the Hallowe'en connection. Nocturnal animals
like bats are particular favourites, and if, as is the case with
vampire bats, they like drinking blood, they are high on the
Hallowe'en list.
Celtic and Roman
traditions：在古代凯尔特人要在夏未举行仪式感激上苍和太阳的恩惠。当时的占卜者点燃灯笼并施巫术以驱赶据说在四周游荡的妖魔怪。后来，罗马人用果仁和苹果来庆祝的丰收节与凯尔特人的10月31日溶合了。
Samhain：也就是古代凯尔特人庆祝的节日（10月31日），literally means “summer's
end.”
merge：融合
Feralia：古代的一个宗教节日
pagan：异教徒
folklore：民间传说
Macbeth：麦克白 (莎士比亚悲剧《麦克白》主人公)
Salem：塞伦
spider：蜘蛛, （设圈套者）
Nocturnal：夜的, 夜曲的
vampire：吸血鬼
11. Frankness
[导读]文中的第一段，常常为人们所引用。诵读时注意虚拟语气和情态动词的用法。
You must study to be frank with the world: frankness is the child
of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do, on every
occasion. If a friend asks a favor, you should grant it, if it is
reasonable; if not, tell him plainly why you cannot. You would
wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of any kind.
Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one. The man who
requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal
kindly but firmly with all your classmates. You will find it the
policy which wears best. Above all, do not appear to others what
you are not.
If you have any fault to find with any one, tell him, not others,
of what you complain. There is no more dangerous experiment than
that of undertaking to do one thing before a man’s face and another
behind his back. We should say and do nothing to the injury of any
one. It is not only a matter of principle, but also the path of
peace and honor.
Robert E. Lee
[注释]
frankness n.: candidness; outspokenness. 坦白；率直。
occasion n.: timely opportunity. 时机。
favor n.: kindness; friendly regard. 恩惠；眷顾。
grant v.: allow; give. 同意，允许；给。
reasonable adj.: proper; rational. 正当的；合理的。
plainly adv.: frankly. 坦白地。
wrong v.: do injustice to. 得罪。
equivocation n.: using expressions of uncertain meaning. 支吾其辞,
模棱两可的话。
deal with: treat. 对待。
wear: endure. 持久。
above all: more than all; above everything else. 首先，最重要。
have any fault to find with: criticize unfavorably; blame.
指摘；责备。
experiment n.: practical test. 试验。
undertaking: promising. 允许。
injury n.: damage. 损害。
principle n.: moral principles. 原则；道义。
12. The Road Not Taken
[导读] 罗伯特．弗罗斯特(Robert Frost)
(1874一1963)的诗歌备受喜爱，原因之一是未受过多少学校教育的人都看得懂。他却坚持使用日常语言，描写自己观察入微的日常事件。弗罗斯特的许多诗歌反映了他与大自然的贴近。他通过自然来表达一种象征意义，而不是什么田园式的思乡情调。《未选择的路》是弗罗斯特的一首名诗，作于1915年我们也会时时站在人生的交叉路口，不知道该做出怎样的选择。是走一条大家都走过的平坦的路，还是选择那条很少有人踩过小道的呢？不同的选择导致不同的人生轨迹和命运，这需要你自己慢慢去领悟。
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay put or set down
In leaves no step had trodden black. tread的过去分词; 踏, 行走, 踩碎,
践踏
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
未选择的路
黄叶林中出条岔路，
无奈一人难于兼顾，
顺着一条婉蜒小路，
久久伫立极目远眺，
只见小径拐进灌木。
接着选择了另一条，
同样清楚似乎更好，
引人踩踏铺满茂草，
踏在其间难分彼此，
尽管它们都被踩过。
清晨里躺着两条路，
一样落叶无人踏黑，
愿将第一条来日补，
但知条条相连远途，
怀疑日后怎能回返。
在很久以后某一地，
我将叹息诉说于人，
两路岔开在树林里，我选的那条足迹稀，而一切差别由此起。
13. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
[导读]葛底斯堡在美国宾夕法尼亚州。1863年7月1日至3日，北军在此重创了南军，扭转了战争局势。此战役后这里修了一个战争牺牲者的公墓。本篇是1863年公墓落成典礼上的演说词。
Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this
continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a
great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so
conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great
battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that
field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives
that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper
that we should do this. But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate,
we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men,
living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above
our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor
long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they
did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to
the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so
nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the
great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last
full measure of devotion, — that we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died in vain, — tat this nation, under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom,—and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the
earth.
[注释]
Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th president of the United
States (1861-1865). 林肯，美国第十六任总统
Gettysburg: a town in Pennsylvania, also the site of a crucial
battle of the Civil War in 1863.
盖茨堡，美国宾夕法尼亚州。一个历史名镇，一八六三年南北战争时曾为战场。
fourscore and seven years ago: eighty-seven years ago, here
referring to the year 1776, when the United States of America
declared its independence. 八十六年前，此指1776年美国宣布独立时。
fathers n.: forefathers. 祖先
brought forth: gave birth to. 缔造
conceived in liberty: having liberty as an ideal of the nation.
以自由为理想
dedicated to: devoted to. 献身于
proposition n.: statement; assertion. 主张；信条
that all men are created equal: that all men are born equal, one of
the self-evident truths mentioned in the Declaration of
Independence. 美国独立宣言明白揭示的真理∶“人类是生而平等的”
engaged in: occupied in. 从事于
endure v.: exist; last. 存续
a portion of that field: a part of that battlefield. 那战场的一部分
final resting-place: burial-place; cemetery. 葬地；墓地
gave their lives: sacrificed themselves; died for their country.
牺牲生命；为国捐躯
in a larger sense: broadly speaking. 依广义说
consecrate: v. set apart as sacred. 奉为神圣
hallow: v. regard as holy. 尊为神圣
detract v.: reduce in degree. 减损
thus far: to this extent. 到如此地步
gave the last full measure of devotion: gave the last, largest
extent of devoutness. 鞠躬尽瘁
perish: v. be destroyed or ruined. 毁灭
[参考译文]
八十七年以前，我们的祖先在这大陆上建立了一个新的国家，它孕育于自由，并且献身给一种理念，即所有人都是生来平等的。
当前，我们正在从事一次伟大的内战，我们在考验，究竟这个国家，或任何一个有这种主张和这种信仰的国家，是否能长久存在。我们今天在这场内战的一个伟大的战场上聚会，我们要献出这个战场的一部分，给那些为这个国家的长存而付出了生命的人作为他们最后的安息之所。尽管这样做是适当的、应该的，但在更大的意义上说，我们不能奉献这片土地——我们不能使之神圣——我们不能使之尊严，因为那些曾经在这里奋斗的勇士们（死去的和活着的）已经使这块土地圣化了，远非我们的微薄能力所能再增减。世人不会特别留意，更不会长久记得我们在此地所说的话，但那些勇士们在这里所做过的事，世界将永远不会忘记。相反，我们活着的人应该献身于那些曾在此作战的人们所英勇推动而尚未完成的事业。我们应该在此献身于我们面前未竟的伟大任务－－由于他们的光荣牺牲，我们应该从那些为这个事业已经付出了一切的死者身上获得更坚定的信念；我们在此立志誓愿，不能让勇士白白牺牲－－要使这个国家在上帝庇佑之下，得到新生的自由－－要让这个属于人民、依靠人民、为了人民的政府与世长存！
14. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
[导读]《风雪夜林边停》是Robert
Frost一首著名的诗歌。写的是雪夜美景？写的是守诺如一？写的是人生不得不向前行？不同的读者会有完全不同的理解。这就是文学批评中所说的“接受美学”的观点吧。
Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
[注释]
queer：奇怪的。由queer组成的词组，in queer street表示“负债”、“在困难中”
farmhouse：农舍, 农家
harness：(全套)马具, 系在身上的绳子
downy：绒毛的, 柔和的
flake：n. 薄片v. 使成薄片, 剥落, 雪片般落下
[参考译文] 风雪夜林边停
我想我知道谁是这林子的主人，
他的家在村子那一头。
他不会想到，我竟在这里停伫，
只为看那树林里面雪落霏霏。
我那小马一定会感到奇怪，
为何在这里停下，悄无人迹。
这边是树林，那边是冰冻的湖，
又是在这一年中最暗的黄昏。
他摇了下颈上的铃铛，
似乎问我有何异常。
没有其他的声音，只有微风，
卷着鹅毛似的雪花，沙沙地拂过。
静谧的树林，深邃幽暗，
我虽向往，可是我还得如约向前赶。
安睡之前仍然长路漫漫，
安睡之前仍然长路漫漫。
15. Do You Fear the Wind?
[导读] 哈姆林加兰 （Hamlin Garland
1860-1940)生于威斯康星州，早年曾在爱阿华州和南达科他州住过。中学毕业后赴波士顿，决心描写他熟悉的地区。这首诗注重格律，讲究韵脚，是历来传唱的经典之一。
Do you fear the force of the wind,
The slash of the rain?
Go face them and fight them,
Be savage again.
Go hungry and cold like the wolf,
Go wade like the crane:
The palms of your hands will thicken,
The skin of your cheek will tan,
You'll grow ragged and weary and swarthy,
But you'll walk like a man!
[注释]
slash：抽打
savage：野蛮的, 凶猛的
palm: 手掌
tan：晒黑, 晒成褐色
ragged：粗糙的
weary: 疲倦的, 厌倦的
swarthy: adj.黑黝黝的, 浅黑的
[参考译文]
你可害怕寒风凛冽,
你可畏惧大雨滂沱
去迎着风雨努力拼搏
还你原始本色
像狼一样去经受饥寒
像鹤一般去跋涉河川
你的手掌变得厚实粗壮
你的脸庞晒得古铜发亮
你会变得衣衫褴褛，皮肤黝黑，疲惫不堪，
但你步履沉稳，是个堂堂男子汉！
16. A Tribute To The Dog
[导读]这是一篇奇文。因为它是一篇法庭辩护词，作者George Graham (1830-1904)
是美国密苏里州的一个议员，是当时杰出的演讲家和辩论家。本篇是他早年从事法律工作时在法庭上为一位因狗被杀而起诉的人做辩护词。辩护时，Vest
没有要求任何证词，只是凭借其辩论就赢得了官司。他辩词的撼人之处在于：拿出人类兽性的一面与狗人性的一面作对比，引起法官们对狗的感激和同情，以及对杀狗人的强烈憎恶。这不仅仅是一篇辩护词，也是一篇优秀的讲演稿，更是对人性的呼唤……
本短文共有九个限制性定语从句及一个非限制性定语从句可供参考、学习。
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and
become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with
loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest
to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name,
may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may
lose. . It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A
man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered
action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us
honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone
of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one
absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish
world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves
ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.
A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health
and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry
winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his
master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he
will lick the wounds and sores that come from encounter with the
roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as
if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains.
When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as
constant in his love as the sun in its journeys through the
heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world,
friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege
than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to
fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes,
and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid
away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue
their way, there by the grave will the noble dog be found, his head
between his paws, his eyes sad but open in about: watchfulness,
faithful and true even in death.
[注释]
tribute n.: phrase. 赞颂。
turn against: appose; become hostile to. 反对；仇视。
rear v.: bring up.
教养；养育。用爱心抚养出来的儿女也会不知感激。那些和我们亲近的人、我们信任的人也可能成为traitors（背叛者）。
ungrateful adj.: not thankful for favors. 忘恩负义的。
good name: high reputation. 好名声。
become traitors to their faith: betray their trust. 背信。
ill-considered: unwise; not well considered. 不智的；思虑不周的。
prone to: inclied to; apt to. 易于…..
fall on their knees: kneel down. 跪下。
do us honor: treat us with respect. 尊敬我们。
throw the stone of malice: do harm to a person, especially in the
dark. 投井下石；恶意中伤。
malice：“恶意”、“伤害某人的意愿”。有些人在我们成功时，随时都会跪倒在面前以示尊敬，而当我们遭遇失败时，会第一个恶毒地向我们扔石头。
when failure settles its clouds upon our heads: when we are in
adversity. 当我们在患难时。
desert v.: abandon; forsake. 离弃。
reacherous adj.: disloyal; traitorous.
不忠的；背叛的；阴险的；奸诈的。而狗却不是这样，狗在任何时候都对主人忠心耿耿，无论其穷富、身体健康与否。
stand by: love; support. 爱戴；扶助。
prosperity n.: wealth. 富裕。
wintry winds: cold winds
寒风。wintry：winter的形容词形式，表示“冬天的”、“寒冷的”意思。只要能靠近它的主人，哪怕是睡在冰凉的地上、任由寒风侵袭，狗都无怨无悔。
lick v.: pass the tongue over. 舔。
sore n.: painful spot. 痛处。
encounter n.: combat; meeting. 抵挡；相遇。
roughness n.: rudeness of behavior. 粗暴行为。
pauper master: poor master. 穷主人。
desert: go away. 离去。
when riches take wings: when riches fly away. 当财去时。
reputation falls to pieces: reputation is ruined. 名誉一败涂地。
journey n.: a trip from one place to another. 旅程。
outcast n.: one who is cast out; an exile.
被弃者；流浪者。当主人被世人抛弃、无家可归时，狗也总是形影不离。
privilege n.: special right enjoyed by a person. 特权。
guard against: protest against. 防备。
the last scene of all: the last scene of one’s life; death.
人生的最后一幕；死。
death takes the master in its embrace: the master is dead.
死神将主人抱在怀中，意即主人死了。
laid away: buried. 埋葬。
no matter if: it makes no difference if. 不论是否。
pursue their way: go away. 离去。
about: watchfulness: vigilance. 警醒；慎防
17. Those Winter Sundays
[导读] Robert
Hayden的这首诗歌是写父子关系的。父亲即使是星期天也闲不住，早早起来生了火，却没有人感谢他。他的工作那样的辛劳，免不了会声音粗，脾气大（chronic
angers）；但父亲的爱却是永远的。这首诗像一面镜子，照出孩子气的不懂事的你和我。
Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.
I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he'd call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,
speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love's austere and lonely offices?
[注释]
blueblack：这里有两种理解；一种理解认为是指黎明破晓之前天空的颜色，另一种认为是指肤色，因为作者是非裔美国人。
cracked：破碎的, 破裂的
blaze：燃烧
splinter: v. 裂成碎片, 分裂
chronic: 慢性的, 延续很长的
indifferently: 冷淡地, 不关心地
polish: 擦亮
austere: 严峻的, 严厉的
