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发表于 2004-12-12 05:41
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24. gild the lily 画蛇添足, @; ?$ S$ x- S. \; s( a
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释义:add unnecessary adornment or supposed improvement; F8 _' n5 g$ I3 q8 G! @9 H# t& u
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例句:Offering three different desserts after that elaborate meal would be
- a4 T, [9 n( j- @ gilding the lily. % V. }! {& w7 K; o$ V
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9 O9 e% \0 T0 B) ^8 o
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
; z3 D" N+ `* A( V% |4 m 能扳回局面。索尔茨伯里爵士(Lord Salisbury)说道:/ z" B# P) D4 b8 F' k* t" }! t4 Q
Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, /To guard a title that % g9 Q- V3 t. c5 _# W- Q
was rich before, /to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, /To throw a
6 D" U) {& P3 o" r8 k1 {$ t) T perfume on the violet, /To smooth the ice, or add another hue/Unto 8 C6 e0 ^3 ~ v) s( l6 A- x
the rainbow, or with taper-light/ To seek the beauteous eye of
7 ^0 a ^' ?" z( b8 t' B heaven to garnish, /Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. . m/ }3 A0 {! z( A7 o: N/ s
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: C" v5 _/ L2 J
,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
3 \4 ^% x$ k# V1 {- R* B# V( Z 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' G* k4 [1 O& E
过分行为。(梁实秋译) |
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