 鲜花( 0)  鸡蛋( 0)
|

楼主 |
发表于 2004-12-12 05:41
|
显示全部楼层
24. gild the lily 画蛇添足
1 U4 M3 y/ G+ x& A* ?& C; j) Q9 y! T/ A* Y, o
释义:add unnecessary adornment or supposed improvement9 D& ^0 q# ~ h. E/ u
" m% S% B6 T" h$ q% O
例句:Offering three different desserts after that elaborate meal would be
& s7 J" D& A6 G; c; I' }+ C/ O" _ gilding the lily. 9 j6 C% C; V/ F& t0 V& I
用过如此丰盛的一餐后,再上三种不同的甜点就是画蛇添足了。
+ ~2 W6 h9 v! ~' C1 Z+ S
* d, `/ N: X' r. \- B) L& R9 Y典故:莎士比亚在《约翰王》(King John)一剧中,写了一段话,那段话可以浓4 n# J0 c3 k, w( V% V6 Q- }- O8 B
缩成此短语。在此剧中,约翰王占领了英国,并举行二度加冕典礼,希望6 G: R" Q. O! a6 C
能扳回局面。索尔茨伯里爵士(Lord Salisbury)说道:( H3 S. F7 s1 ^5 X# Y3 d
Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, /To guard a title that
& Q3 ^( A6 F* V$ g3 J! C+ m# f' j was rich before, /to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, /To throw a& G. n4 o0 T* X- u7 W( |1 f, s
perfume on the violet, /To smooth the ice, or add another hue/Unto
& f2 ]0 F' b: b x) J- e the rainbow, or with taper-light/ To seek the beauteous eye of
& @4 S% I6 ^/ F8 N; |- T5 P heaven to garnish, /Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. * m. l& x- Y3 o
所以,摆出双倍的排场/装饰一个本来尊号累累的名衔,/纯金之上再镀金
8 X x! f. q$ E9 E) f+ C' R9 q8 U3 E ,白百合上再敷粉,/紫罗兰上再洒香水,/磨光冰块,彩虹之上/再加一种
# |# P3 s9 p% d' B. P- Y! F4 I% w 颜色,用烛光/去加强天上的天上的灿烂的太阳,/都是浪费而且是可笑的9 X0 @ t/ ~ J! g
过分行为。(梁实秋译) |
|