美国语文第六册 第15期:大扫除(4)

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　　These smearings and scratchings, these washings and dashings, being duly performed, the next ceremonial is to cleanse¹ and replace the distracted furniture. 这些诅咒和刮擦声，这些洗涤和冲洗，都按部就班地上演着，接下来的仪式是清洗和把分散注意力的家具放回原处。

　　You may have seen a house raising, or a ship launch—recollect, if you can, the hurry, bustle², confusion, and noise of such a scene, 想必你看到过一幢房子拔地而起，或者一条船起航——如果可能的话，不妨回忆一下这个匆忙、忙乱、乱作一团和吵吵闹闹的场景吧，

　　and you will have some idea of this cleansing³ match. 你就会对这一清洗比赛有几分印象了。

　　The misfortune is, that the sole object is to make things clean. 糟糕的是，唯一的目的就是令所有一切变得洁净。

　　It matters not how many useful, ornamental⁴, or valuable articles suffer mutilation or death under the operation. 要紧的不是在这次行动中有多少有用、装饰性或者贵重物品损毁或者消失。

　　A mahogany chair and a carved frame undergo the same discipline; 一把红木椅子和雕刻镂空的架子也受到同样的对待。

　　they are to be made clean at all events; but their preservation⁵ is not worthy⁶ of attention. 在任何情况下，它们都要保持清洁，不过它们的保持不值得予以注意。

　　For instance: a fine large engraving⁷ is laid flat upon the floor; 譬如，一件很大的非常精美的雕刻画镶嵌在镜框里，平放在地板上，

　　a number of smaller prints are piled upon it, until the superincumbent weight cracks the lower glass—but this is of no importance. 上面摞了一沓较小的印刷品，过重的重量压碎了下面的玻璃——不过这不打紧。

　　A valuable picture is placed leaning against the sharp corner of a table; 一幅名贵的画倚着尖利的桌脚，

　　others are made to lean against that, till the pressure of the whole forces the corner of the table through the canvas of the first. 其他物品则靠在画上，结果桌脚整个压力先传导到画布上。

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