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发表于 2004-12-12 05:41
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24. gild the lily 画蛇添足! Z# @$ j1 u+ M5 s0 b' w3 u
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释义:add unnecessary adornment or supposed improvement
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6 U; I& i# r9 c3 R例句:Offering three different desserts after that elaborate meal would be $ X/ T5 S: j* ]1 w5 G
gilding the lily.
% z' i; |1 Z& @, P$ J 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 \, J6 W1 _* k9 c
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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+ s, v" q s' ]; X _
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
S, t3 c& _/ h- L _8 x, N 能扳回局面。索尔茨伯里爵士(Lord Salisbury)说道:
0 r6 y/ B: S/ V6 s: _ Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, /To guard a title that
" m* l0 k3 \ `& R; R was rich before, /to gild refined gold, to paint the lily, /To throw a
7 y# V" R) N: g3 w) r; A perfume on the violet, /To smooth the ice, or add another hue/Unto - G) S3 |8 o) e T3 u$ T5 q
the rainbow, or with taper-light/ To seek the beauteous eye of
6 o6 ]9 q4 Z& r9 T# k: a heaven to garnish, /Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. 7 V# x1 W; B, }
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 } {! _- f, t. Z9 `) k! G
,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7 l* Q" }/ |3 j 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, y/ C2 w# S" }" l2 w, _
过分行为。(梁实秋译) |
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