美国语文第五册 第80期:不满意的钟摆(3)

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　　"Eighty-six thousand four hundred times." "Exactly so," replied the pendulum¹. “86400次。”“一点不错，”钟摆说，

　　Well, I appeal to you all, if the very thought of this was not enough to fatigue² anyone; 那么，我希望大家注意，假若仅仅这点还不能使任何人疲惫至极，

　　and when I began to multiply the strokes of one day by those of months and years, really it was no wonder if I felt discouraged at the prospect³. 如果再将每天每月每年的数字翻倍累计，我对前途感到沮丧失望，感到累得无处可逃，这，难道还有什么奇怪吗？

　　So, after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation⁴, thinks I to myself, I'll stop. 考虑到这些理由，犹豫再三，经过反复琢磨，我决定罢工。

　　The dial could scarcely keep its countenance⁵ during this harangue⁶; 钟摆诉苦时，表盘几乎无法保持它的沉稳表情，

　　but, resuming its gravity, thus replied, 稍微定神恢复常态后，表盘开口了，

　　Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such a useful, industrious⁷ person as yourself should have been seized by this sudden weariness. 亲爱的钟摆先生，像你这样勤勉能干的人，竟然被突如其来的疲惫压垮，让人匪夷所思。

　　It is true, you have done a great deal of work in your time; so have we all,and are likely to do; 在你任职期间，你的确做了大量工作，难道在座诸位不亦拼命干活？工作不亦将继续如此？

　　which, although it may fatigue us to think of, the question is, whether it will fatigue us to do. 尽管想到这点，我们或许都疲惫不堪，问题在于，继续做下去难道使我们疲惫不堪？

　　Would you now do me the favor to give about half a dozen strokes to illustrate⁸ my argument? 你能否帮我个忙，再摆动滴答六七下，以证明我所言不虚？”

　　The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual pace. 按照正常的节奏，钟摆顺从地滴答了六次。

　　"Now," resumed the dial, "may I be allowed to inquire if that exertion⁹ is at all fatiguing¹⁰ or disagreeable to you?" “好了，”表盘接着说，“可否允许我向你提个问题？说到底，这样干活让你生烦讨厌？”

　　"Not in the least," replied the pendulum; "it is not of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but of millions." “一点也不，”钟摆回答，“我抱怨的不是滴答六次，不是六十次，而是数以百万计的六次。”

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