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发表于 2004-12-12 05:41
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24. gild the lily 画蛇添足
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释义:add unnecessary adornment or supposed improvement
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7 \& V2 e- T- J% k例句:Offering three different desserts after that elaborate meal would be
7 K& b' `5 C1 Q5 P( V- u gilding the lily. + W' `: x/ Q2 [3 O/ L* x+ w( E. R
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。
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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
. H9 T7 _9 B* |3 S) ^ 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* B" P# y& n5 Z( {1 |( ]
能扳回局面。索尔茨伯里爵士(Lord Salisbury)说道:
; \. Q# n+ A z& V( f Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, /To guard a title that
) R) H8 |$ ^' ]' W4 K4 P was rich before, /to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, /To throw a! s# Q& T; G+ B z/ K' P# c0 c3 q. B; o
perfume on the violet, /To smooth the ice, or add another hue/Unto 0 g& i! P* C( k- \4 n" r8 J
the rainbow, or with taper-light/ To seek the beauteous eye of 3 v5 } H# r& y6 p9 v. \( W
heaven to garnish, /Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. ) |7 E- `( \& A
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
! F2 r( y: n* s: Z0 f ,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
4 \6 f7 q6 R" ]1 J5 M) ]2 j6 M 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
/ d1 G p4 P2 N' A 过分行为。(梁实秋译) |
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