美国语文第六册 第124期:拉法耶特和罗伯特·莱克斯(6)

 Lafayette lived chiefly for his own age, and chiefly for his and our country; but Robert Raikes has lived for all ages and all countries. 拉法耶特主要是为他那个时代而活的，主要为他自己和我们的国家；但是，罗伯特·莱克斯为了所有时代和国家而活。

Perhaps the historian and biographer may never interweave his name in the tapestry¹ of national or individual renown². 也许历史学家和传记作家从不会将他的名字织进国家这块挂毯里，或者归于个人名望。

But the records of every single church honor him as a patron; 但是，在每个教堂的记录里，都给予他守护神的荣誉；

the records of the universal Church, on earth as in heaven, bless him as a benefactor³. 世界上普世教会的记录也将他奉为恩人。

The time may come when the name of Lafayette will be forgotten; 当拉法耶特这个名字终究会被人遗忘，这一天也许会到来；

or when the star of his fame, no longer glittering in the zenith, shall be seen, pale and glimmering⁴, on the verge⁵ of the horizon. 抑或象征他声望的那颗星星不再在顶点闪耀，在地平线的边缘变得暗淡和微明。

But the name of Robert Raikes shall never be forgotten; 但是，罗伯特·莱克斯这个名字永远不会被淡忘；

and the lambent flame of his glory is that eternal fire which rushed down from heaven to devour⁶ the sacrifice of Elijah. 象征他荣誉的那闪烁的火焰，是从天堂冲下来吞噬以利亚祭品的永恒天火。

Let mortals then admire and imitate Lafayette more than Robert Raikes. 一般人赞美拉法耶特并以他为榜样，要胜过对罗伯特·莱克斯。

But the just made perfect, and the ministering spirits around the throne of God, have welcomed him as a fellow-servant of the same Lord; 然而，公正才会有完美，上帝宝座周围救死扶伤的圣灵，都把他作为同一上帝的奴仆，

as a fellow-laborer in the same glorious cause of man's redemption; as a coheir of the same precious promises and eternal rewards. 作为人类救赎这同样壮丽事业的苦工，作为同样珍贵的承诺和永恒报偿的共同继承人来欢迎。

 

1 tapestry   

n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面

参考例句：

• How about this artistic tapestry and this cloisonne vase?这件艺术挂毯和这个景泰蓝花瓶怎么样？
• The wall of my living room was hung with a tapestry.我的起居室的墙上挂着一块壁毯。

2 renown   

n.声誉，名望

参考例句：

• His renown has spread throughout the country.他的名声已传遍全国。
• She used to be a singer of some renown.她曾是位小有名气的歌手。

3 benefactor   

n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人

参考例句：

• The chieftain of that country is disguised as a benefactor this time. 那个国家的首领这一次伪装出一副施恩者的姿态。
• The first thing I did, was to recompense my original benefactor, my good old captain. 我所做的第一件事, 就是报答我那最初的恩人, 那位好心的老船长。

4 glimmering   

n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I got some glimmering of what he was driving at. 他这么说是什么意思，我有点明白了。 来自辞典例句
• Now that darkness was falling, only their silhouettes were outlined against the faintly glimmering sky. 这时节两山只剩余一抹深黑，赖天空微明为画出一个轮廓。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

5 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

6 devour   

v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷

参考例句：

• Larger fish devour the smaller ones.大鱼吃小鱼。
• Beauty is but a flower which wrinkle will devour.美只不过是一朵，终会被皱纹所吞噬。