美国语文第六册 第244期:砖石切砖石(4)

Omar smiled, and while Ali was enjoying the success of his ruse¹, he approached the stranger, and asked, "Do you wish me to help you gain the suit?"

闻听此言，奥马尔微微一笑，而阿里正在为自己的诡计沾沾自喜呢。他走到外乡人近前，问道：“你希望我帮你打赢这场官司吗？”

"Yes," was the reply, "but you are only a child, you can do nothing."

“那当然好了，”印度商人回答道。“可你只是个孩子，能做什么呢。”

"Have confidence in me a few moments," said Omar, "accept Ali's bargain, let me choose in your stead, and fear nothing."

“过一会儿你就会对我有信心了，”奥马尔说，“接受阿里提出的交易条件，我代你和他交涉，别害怕。”

The stranger bowed his head, and murmured, "What can I fear after having lost all?"

这位外乡人若有所思地低下头，小声嘟囔道：“现在什么都没了，我有什么好害怕的？”

Then, turning to the cadi, and bowing respectfully,

然后，他转向地方法官，尊敬地鞠躬道，

"Let the bargain be consummated," said he, "since the law decrees it, and let this young man choose in my stead what I shall receive in payment."

“那就达成交易吧，”他说，“因为法律就是这样判定的，让这位年轻人代我收款。”

A profound silence ensued, Omar rose, and, bowing to the cadi, "Ali," said he to the jeweler, "you have doubtless brought the casket, and can tell us the weight thereof."

接下来是一阵沉默，奥马尔站起身，冲法官深鞠一躬，“阿里。”他对珠宝商说，“毫无疑问你拿走了那只匣子，告诉我们有多重。”

"Here it is," said Ali, "it weighs twenty pounds. Choose what you will;

“在这儿呢，”阿里说，“二十磅重。由你选择；

if the thing asked for is in Jidda, you shall have it within two hours, otherwise the bargain is null and void."

如果按吉达的规矩，交易必须在两小时内达成。不然的话，交易取消。”

1 ruse   

n.诡计，计策；诡计

参考例句：

• The children thought of a clever ruse to get their mother to leave the house so they could get ready for her surprise.孩子们想出一个聪明的办法使妈妈离家，以便他们能准备给她一个惊喜。It is now clear that this was a ruse to divide them.现在已清楚这是一个离间他们的诡计。