The Rape of the Lock

原文與注釋(Text and Annotation)

Canto III

Close by those meads for ever crowned with flowers, [1-8] [1-36]
Where Thames with pride surveys his rising towers,
There stands a structure of majestic fame, (3-4)
Which from the neighboring Hampton takes its name.
Here Britain's statesmen oft the fall foredoom 5
Of foreign tyrants, and of nymphs at home;
Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,
Dost sometimes counsel take-and sometimes tea.

Hither the heroes and the nymphs resort,

[9-18]
To taste awhile the pleasures of a court; 10
In various talk the instructive hours they past,
Who gave a ball, or paid the visit last:
One speaks the Glory of the British Queen,
And one describes a charming Indian screen;
A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes; 15
At every word a reputation dies.
Snuff, or the fan, supply each pause of chat,
With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that.
Meanwhile, declining from the noon of day, [19-36]
The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray; 20
The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,
And wretches hang that jurymen may dine;
The merchant from the Exchange returns in peace,
And the long labours of the toilet cease.
Belinda now, whom thirst of fame invites, 25
Burns to encounter two adventrous knights,
At ombre singly to decide their doom;
And swells her breast with conquests yet to come.
Straight the three bands prepare in arms to join,
Each band the number of the sacred nine. 30
Soon as she spreads her hand, the aerial guard
Descend, and sit on each important card:

First Ariel perched upon a Matadore,

Then each, according to the rank they bore;
For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race, 35
Are, as when women, wonderous fond of place.

Behold, four Kings, in majesty revered,

[37-44]
With hoary whiskers and a forky beard;
And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a flower,
The expressive emblem of their softer power; 40
Four Knaves in garbs succinct, a trusty band;
Caps on their heads, and halberds in their hand;
And parti-colored troops, a shining train,

Draw forth to combat on the velvet plain.

The skilful nymph reviews her force with care;

45 [45-64]

"Let Spades be trumps!" she said, and trumps they were.

Now move to war her sable Matadores,

In show like leaders of the swarthy Moors.
Spadillio first, unconquerable lord!
Let off two captive trumps, and swept the board. 50
As many more Manillio forced to yield,
And marched a victor from the verdant field.
Him Basto followed, but his fate more hard
Gained but one trump and one plebian card.
With his broad saber next, a chief in years, 55
The hoary Majesty of Spades appears;
Puts forth one manly leg, to sight revealed,
The rest, his many-colored robe concealed.
The rebel Knave, who dares his prince engage,
Proves the just victim of his royal rage. 60
Even mighty Pam, that kings and queens overthrew,
And mowed down armies in the fights of loo,
Sad chance of war! now, destitute of aid,

Falls undistinguished by the victor Spade!

Thus far both armies to Belinda yield;

65 [65-74] (65-66)
Now to the Baron fate inclines the field.
His warlike amazon her host invades,
The imperial consort of the crown of Spades.
The Club's black tyrant first her victim died,
Spite of his haughty mien, and barberous pride: 70
What boots the regal circle on his head,
His giant limbs, in state unwieldy spread;
That long behind he trails his pompous robe,
And of all monarchs only grasps the globe?

The Baron now his Diamonds pours apace;

75 [75-86]

Th' embroidered King who shows but half his face,

And his refulgent Queen, with powers combined,
Of broken troops an easy conquest find.
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild disorder seen,
With throngs promiscuous strew the level green. 80
Thus when dispersed a routed army runs,
Of Asia's troops, and Afric's sable sons,
With like confusion different nations fly,
Of various habits, and of various dye,
The pierced battalions disunited fall, 85

In heaps on heaps; one fate overwhelms them all.

The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts,

[87-100]

And wins (oh shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts.

At this, the blood the virgin's cheek forsook,
A livid paleness spreads o'er all her look; 90
She sees, and trembles at the approaching ill,
Just in the jaws of ruin, and Codille,
And now (as oft in some distempered state)

On one nice trick depends the general fate,

An Ace of Hearts steps forth: the King unseen 95 (95-96)
Lurked in her Hand, and mourned his captive Queen.
He springs to vengeance with an eager pace,
And falls like thunder on the prostrate Ace.
The nymph exulting fills with shouts the sky; (99-100)
The walls, the woods, and long canals reply. 100

O thoughtless mortals! ever blind to fate,

[101-104]
Too soon dejected, and too soon elate!
Sudden these honours shall be snatched away,

And cursed for ever this victorious day.

For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crowned,

105 [105-124]

The berries crackle, and the mill turns round;

On shining altars of Japan they raise
The silver lamp; the fiery spirits blaze:
From silver spouts the grateful liquors glide,
And China's earth receives the smoking tide. 110
At once they gratify their scent and taste,
And frequent cups prolong the rich repast.
Strait hover round the fair her airy band;
Some, as she sipped, the fuming liquor fanned,
Some o'er her lap their careful plumes displayed, 115
Trembling, and conscious of the rich brocade.
Coffee (which makes the politician wise, (117-118)
And see through all things with his half-shut eyes)
Sent up in vapours to the Baron's brain

New stratagems, the radiant Lock to gain.

120
Ah cease rash youth! desist ere 'tis too late,
Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla's fate!
Chang'd to a bird, and sent to flit in air,
She dearly pays for Nisus' injured hair!

But when to mischief mortals bend their will,

125 [125-138]
How soon they find fit instuments of ill!
Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting grace
A two-edged weapon from her shining case;
So ladies in romance assist their knight,
Present the spear, and arm him for the fight. 130
He takes the gift with reverence, and extends
The little engine on his fingers' ends;
This just behind Belinda's neck he spread
As o'er the fragrant steams she bends her head:

Swift to the Lock a thousand sprights repair,

135
A thousand wings, by turns, blow back the hair;
And thrice they twitched the diamond in her ear,
Thrice she looked back, and thrice the foe drew near.
Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought [139-146]
The close recesses of the virgin's thought; 140
As on the nosegay in her breast reclined,
He watched the Ideas rising in her mind,
Sudden he viewed, in spite of all her art,
An earthly lover lurking at her heart.
Amazed, confused, he found his power expired, 145

Resigned to fate, and with a sigh retired.

The peer now spreads the glittering forfex wide,

[147-154]
To enclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide.     
Even then, before the fatal engine closed,
A wretched Sylph too fondly interposed;      150
Fate urged the shears, and cut the Sylph in twain,
(But airy substance soon unites again)
The meeting points the sacred hair dissever [153-160]
From the fair head, for ever and forever!
Then flahed the living lightning from her eyes, 155

And screams of horror rend the affrighted skies.

Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast,
When husbands, or when Lapdogs breathe their last,
Or when rich China vessels, fallen from high, (159-160)
In glittering dust and painted fragments lie! 160
"Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine, [161-170]
The victor cryed, "the glorious prize is mine!
While fish in streams, or birds delight in air,

Or in a coach and six the British Fair,

As long as Atalantis shall be read, 165
Or the small pillow grace a lady's bed,
While visits shall be paid on solemn days,

When numerous wax-lights in bright order blaze,

While nymphs take treats, or assignations give,
So long my honour, name, and praise shall live! 170

What time would spare, from Steel receives its date,

[171-178]
And monuments, like men, submit to fate!
Steel could the labor of the Gods destroy,
And strike to dust the imperial towers of Troy;
Steel could the works of mortal pride confound, 175
And hew triumphal arches to the ground.
What wonder then, fair nymph! thy hair should feel

The conquering force of unresisted Steel?


Line / No.
Word or Phrase
Annotation
[第1-8節大意]:描述Hampton Court的地理位置:在泰晤士河畔,皇宮附近花遍地,英國政界人士常在此預卜與政治和女人有關的事。[back]
1
Close by 傍近。
meads (詩語)=meadows .[back]
2
surveys 審視、檢閱。
his 指Thames。泰晤士河流倫敦。猶如審閱其兩岸高聳的建築物。[back]
3-4
a structure…its name a structure of majestic frame = Palace, 指 Hampton Court,其名取自鄰近的Hampton。 1-4行的主詞為strcture,動詞為stands第一行的crowned 為過去分詞,修飾meads,第二行的Where,指meads,第四行的which指a structure of majestic frame。[back]
5
Here 指Hampton Court。
oft often.[back]
6
nymphs 原指居於山林水澤中半人半神的少女;此處指宮廷中的貴婦。5-6 行的字序應為:
"Here Britain's statesmen oft foredom the fall/Of foreign tyrants and [the fall] of nymphs at home." Foredoom = prejudge事先註定。
[back]
7
three realms 當時的英國在名義上仍統治法國,英倫三島及愛爾蘭。6-8 兩行的大意是:偉大的Anna ,統治著三片土地,時而在此諮詢國事,時而在此品茶休憩。為 zeugma把 counse l和Tea並排看Canto II詩間tea讀如[tei],與 obey同韻。[back]
[第9-18節大意]:和Belinda同行的一群男女到達Hampton Court,大家談論許多有趣的話題。諸如:舞會,拜訪,女王,印度古玩,容貌,拋媚眼…。[back]
9
the heroes 指courtiers朝臣。
resort 常去。[back]
12
Who 指第11行的they。they指the heroes and the nymphs ball舞會。[back]
13
the British Queen 此處仍指Queen Anne。[back]
14
Indian screen 當時的英人對印度和中國古蹟古玩之搜集,蔚為風尚。[back]
16
At…dies 復辟時代的社會風氣至為放縱淫惡,及安妮女王時變而為保守,矯飾。此句即反映出當時上流社會的實況。[back]
17
Snuff 鼻煙。[back]
18
ogling 送秋波,拋媚眼。[back]
[第19-36節大意]: 時間已近下午,Belinda準備和兩位男士玩牌。每人刀九張牌,始比賽,護衛Belinda的精靈立刻降落的女主人的牌上,Ari守住王牌Matador,其他精靈各按身份,大小依次各佔一牌。[back]
20
obliquely 斜斜地。此處指日已西斜。
his 指the sun。[back]
21
the sentence sign fair 在判決書上簽字。此處的sign為助詞,照正常的字序應置於the sentence之前。[back]
22
wretches 可憐的人。此處指被判了吊刑的犯人。
that so that.
jurymen 陪審團。[back]
23
Exchange 交易所。[back]
24
toilet 指Belinda的化�菕C第19-24行的大意是:午時已過,炎日西斜,餓餓的法官們趕緊簽好了判決書,問吊了判刑的犯人之後,陪團才好進餐;商賈安祥地從交易所回來,而費時許多的化�菑]停當了。[back]
25
thirst of fame 對聲名的渴望。[back]
26
two adventurous knights 兩個有冒險精神的騎士,指下文的Lord Petre和另一青年。[back]
27
ombre 源於西班牙的一種紙牌戲,於十七世紀傳入英國,至十世紀初葉而大為流行。其名或係來自西班牙文"Yo soy I'hom bre"即 "I am the man."通常是三個人玩,每人九張牌,不什麼花色當王牌,最大的牌恆為黑桃一點 (Spadille), Spodilio (L. 49)而梅花一點Basto (L. 53)的身價恆為第三。為Ombre(即當莊家)者,有權決定用什麼王牌。如Belinda在本詩中所為。其他兩人必須跟進。可能的話,每組花色的A(么點)只算一分,但黑桃一和梅花一例外。第25-28行的主詞為 Belinda,動詞為Burns(第26行)和Swe(第28行)。這四行的大意是:Belinda渴望名聲,急於會見個富有冒險精神的騎士,單就 Ombre這種牌來決定他們的運,故以滿懷雄心,以贏取即將來臨的勝利。[back]
29
Straight Immediately.
the three bands prepare in arms to join 三人的牌局,有如支軍隊,準備兵戈相見。客廳中的紙牌嚴如戰場上的會戰。[back]
30
the sacred nine 每人分持九張牌。The Nine Muses係希臘神中的九位繆司,統轄文學、藝術、天文等。此處用sacred一字係為使牌戲顯得高貴,莊嚴。[back]
[第1-36節大意]:Belinda攤開手上的九張牌時,那些負責護衛的精靈就降臨各張要的紙牌上。Ariel據守Matadore,其他的精靈亦按其等級守紙牌,因為這些精靈依舊牢記前生,當其為女人時,酷喜分別位的高低。[back]
31
the aerial guard 指第33行的Ariel和第35行的Sylphs。[back]
33
Matadore Ombre牌戲中三張最大的王牌。西班牙 Matadores,意為鬥牛士或謀殺者。[back]
36
When women when they are women.[back]
[第37-44節大意]:牌戲中King, Queen, Knave各四張,加上其他各色牌都準備上陣斯殺,一拼勝負。[back]
38
With…beard hoary whiskers指班白的絡腮鬍子,forky beard指成叉狀的仁丹鬍;這是紙牌上的國王的樣子。[back]
39
a flower 紙牌上的女王皆手捻鮮花。[back]
40
emblem 標幟,象徵。這一行的大意是:鮮花象徵女王自溫柔中散透的威力。[back]
41
Knaves 即牌戲中的Jacks。
In garbs succinct garbs為服裝;succinet = girded up腰部束繫。意指Knaves穿著疾裝勁服。[back]
42
halberts 戟。Knaves頭戴帽,手持戟。[back]
43
parti-colored 雜色的。
a shining train 服飾輝煌的行列。[back]
44
the velvet plain 天鵝絨似的平野,此指覆以天鵝絨的牌桌,有如三支事隊會戰的戰場。[back]
[第45-64節大意]: Belinda宣稱黑桃為王牌,牌仗開始,Belinda連勝了四次。 [back]
45
The skillful nymph…care The skillful nymph指Belinda。她仔細地檢閱手中紙牌的實力,一副勝卷在握的模樣。 [back]
46
"Let Spades be trumps!" Belnda身為ombre,有權決定王牌。她因手中擁有兩張黑桃,當然要選黑桃為王牌。 Trump-字源自triumph。此句顯係模仿聖經創世紀的句型:An God said: "Let there be light, and there was light".模仿的用意同註30。[back]
47
her sable Matadores 黝黑的殺人者,指黑桃Ace。[back]
48
In show…Moors Show指外觀,Swarthy=sable。此行的大意是:黑桃Ace的模樣就像黝黑的摩爾人的領袖。[back]
49
Spadillio 即黑桃Ace,是最大的王牌。按Spadillio一字源自西班牙文espailla,意為「劍」。 Belinda 出牌,旗開得勝,另兩位各輸一張小黑桃,即較小的王牌。[back]
50
Led…the board Led的主詞係上行的Spadillio。此行的大意是:逮走兩張被俘的王牌,並席捲牌桌。 [back]
51
Manillio 黑桃2,為次大的王牌。這是第二仗, Belinda又以黑桃2大贏,另兩家各輸一張小黑桃。[back]
52
And marched a victor from the verdant field a victor指黑桃2; verdant field跟第44行的 velvet plain同指牌桌。此行的大意是:青蔥的綠野上,一個勝利者昂首闊步,不可一世。[back]
53
Him Basto followed Him指上行的Manillio,此處作followed的受詞;Basto即梅花Ace,為第三次的王牌。[back]
54
plebeian card 雜牌。Plebeian一字為「下等的」,「下層階級的」之意。第53-54行的大意是: Belinda出了Manillio之後,隨即出Basto。 Basto贏得較為辛苦,吃了一張黑桃,和一張雜牌。此役仍為Belinda得勝。[back]
55
broad sabre 寬闊的軍刀。
a chief in year 一位上了年紀的元首。[back]
56
The hoary Majesty of Spades appears 鬚髮斑白的黑桃陛下出現了。此即指上一行的a chief in year。[back]
57
one manly leg 一隻壯健的腿。從前的紙牌,國王身穿五彩皇袍,一隻腿露出袍外,近世的紙牌則與此異。第55-58行的大意是:其次是一位佩軍刀,上了年紀的元首,亦即黑桃陛下出現了。他只露出一隻腿,其餘的都被五彩的皇袍遮住了。[back]
59
The rebel Knave 指黑桃Jack,因其膽敢與黑桃K相抗,故稱之為叛逆。
engage 與…交戰。[back]
61
Pam 在Loo的牌戲中,梅花Jack被稱為Pam,具有無上的威力,連老K和Q都非其對手,但 Ombre這種牌戲中,Pam卻絲毫不具威力。[back]
62
mowed down 刈倒,擊敗。[back]
63
destitute of aid 孤立無援,孤掌難鳴。[back]
64
Falls undistinguished by the victor Spade 輕而易舉地被黑桃打敗了。Belinda又贏了第四回合;她出黑桃K,兩個對手,一出黑桃Jack。一出梅花Jack。[back]
[第65-74節大意]:Belinda雖然連戰皆捷,可是Baron時來運轉,勝了一仗,以黑桃Queen贏了Belinda的梅花King。[back]
65-66
Thus far…field 這兩行的大意是:到目前為止,兩個對手在Belinda的凌厲攻勢之下,潰不成軍。但現在這位男爵就要轉運了。[back]
67
His warlike amazon 指男爵所持有的黑桃Queen。
her host 指Belinda所持的牌。[back]
68
The imperial consort of the crown of Spades 即黑桃Queen 。第67-68 行的字序應為:His warlike amazon, the imperial consort of the crown of Spades, invades her host.第69行是His warlike amazon的同位語。[back]
69
The Club's black tyrant 指梅花K。Belinda在第五仗首遭敗績。[back]
70
Spite of in spite of; despite.
haughty mien 倨傲的神態。
barbarous pride 狂野的傲氣。[back]
71
What boots What is the use of 有何益處。
the regal circle on his head crown.[back]
72
giant limbs 龐大的四肢。
in state 堂皇尊貴的氣勢。
unwieldy 笨重的,不易運作的。第70-72行的大意是:儘管Belinda的梅花K顯得倨傲狂妄,儘管其所戴的王冠及龐大的四肢笨重地伸開,那又有甚麼用呢?[back]
74
And of all monarchs only grasps the globe 梅花K手中握著象徵王權的寶珠。第73-74行的字序應為He trials his pompous robe…long behind, and of all (the) monarchs only (he) grasps the globe? 大意是說:梅花K吃了敗仗,縱使身披皇袍,袍拖甚長,而萬王之中,雖唯有他手捧皇珠,但這又有何用呢? [back]
[第75-86節大意]:男爵使出方塊King和Queen,輕易地繫得對方潰不成軍,方塊、紅桃、紅心的紙牌都四散在綠色牌桌上。被吃了的紙牌,有如潰敗的軍隊,崩潰四散,屍積成堆,盡遭滅亡的命運。[back]
75
apace quickly.[back]
76
…shows but half his face 方塊K是四張老K 中唯一僅畫國王的側面像者。[back]
77
refulgents 光輝的;燦爛的。第76-78的字序應為:The embroidered King, who shows but half his face, and his/refulgent Queen, with combined powers, find an easy conquest of broken troops.大意是說:王與后的聯軍很輕易地繫敗了潰散的軍隊;亦即男爵所出的方塊King 和Queen輕而易舉地連下兩城。[back]
80
promiscuous 混雜的;混淆的。
strew 散播,點綴。
the level green 平坦的綠野,此處仍指牌桌。[back]
81
routed 潰敗;被打垮。[back]
82
Asia's troops, and Africa's sable sons 亞洲的軍隊,和非洲的黑膚子孫。此處皆指各色的紙牌。[back]
83
like 同樣的。[back]
84
Of various habit, and of various dye 不同的服裝,不同的顏色。[back]
85
The pierced battalions 被突破了的大軍。[back]
86
In heaps on heaps 屍積成堆,指被吃去的紙牌之多。
One fate o'erwhelms them all 遭受同一個命運,即全被男爵的牌吃了。[back]
[第87-100節大意]:對方的方塊Jack吃了Belinda的紅桃Queen,令Belinda大驚失色,自知難逃敗亡之噩運。對方又出紅桃Ace, Belinda以手中的紅桃King出奇致勝,擊敗對方,Belinda欣喜若狂,笑聲震憾四野。[back]
87
The Knave of Diamonds 方塊Jack。此處顯係為一雙關語,蓋方塊 Jack也是個擁有鑽石珠寶的惡棍。
Wily 詭計多端的,足智多謀的。[back]
88
the Queen of Hearits 紅桃Q。此行亦為雙關語:擁有珠寶的惡棍居然贏得了王后的芳心,難怪Pope氣極嘆道:利用這種機會真丟臉![back]
89
At this the blood the virgin's cheeks forsook 此行的字序應作:At this, the blood forsook the virgin's cheeks, the virgin指Belinda。 Forsook捨棄失去。此行的大意是:Belinda 一見紅桃Q被吃了,不覺面無血色。[back]
90
livid 鉛色的;土色的。Livid paleness蒼白色;死灰色。[back]
91
the approaching ill 即將來臨的災難。Belinda已四勝四敗,能否獲勝,端視這最後一戰,故心中忐忑,如大難將至。[back]
92
in the jaws of 在…的關頭。
Codille 紙牌戲中輸一盤。[back]
93
distempered state 不安的狀態。[back]
94
trick 紙牌戲中的一巡。此字亦為雙關語,有「詭計」之意。第91-94行的大意是:Belinda發覺大難將臨,這盤牌戲就要輸定,不覺擔心起來,而輸贏端視這最後的一巡了。[back]
95-96
An Ace…Queen第兩行的大意是對方打出一張紅桃A的牌;此時 Belinda手中有一張紅桃K,正為他那被活捉的王后(即紅桃Q)悲悼。[back]
97
springs to vengeance 躍起復仇;抓住復仇的良機,霍然而起 springs是「跳」、「躍起」之意。[back]
98
prostrate 降伏的;被打敗了的。第97-98行的大意是:紅桃K迅即奮起復仇,以雷霆萬鈞之勢,降伏對方的紅桃A。[back]
99-100
Thy nymph…reply 這兩行的字序應為:The exulting nymph fills the sky, the walls, the woods, with shouts, ad lon canals reply大意是:那少女(指Belinda )頓覺歡欣若狂。聲震撼了天空、四壁、森林。連那長長的運河也回聲相應。[back]
[第101-104節大意]:Pope在激戰之中,插入機行勸戒的話,說凡人對命運都茫然不知,欣喜和沮喪都來得太快。得勝之後旋即敗亡,此地預伏即將發生的秀髮劫。[back]
101
thoughtless mortals 沒有思想的凡人。[back]
102
dejected 沮喪的。
elate 得意洋洋,應作elated。[back]
103
Sudden Suddenly.[back]
[第105-124節大意]:喝咖啡的工具準備妥當,玩牌的人開始喝起咖啡來Sylphs從空而降,落在Belinda四周,照顧著女主人,男爵在咖啡的刺激下,起了劫髮的念頭。[back]
105
board card board牌桌。[back]
106
berries coffee beans咖啡子。
crackle 炒咖啡時所發出的嗶啪聲。
the mill turns round 研磨器轉動。the mill 指咖啡研磨器。第105-106行的大意是:看那!牌桌上擺滿了杯子和調羹,咖啡子炒過磨細了。[back]
107
altars of Japan 塗了金漆的日製托盤。[back]
108
the fiery spirits blaze 火焰輝耀。[back]
109
silver spouts 銀製的咖啡壺嘴。
the grateful liquors 可口而芬芳的液體,指煮好了的咖啡。 grateful: agreeable; pleasant.[back]
110
China's earth 指瓷杯(=coffee cup)。
the smoking tide 指冒著煙的咖啡。第109-110行描寫咖啡倒入瓷杯的情狀。[back]
111
they gratify their scent and taste 指咖啡的香氣與味導皆令人滿意。[back]
112
And…repast 經常舉杯啜飲,拖長了吃點心的時間。
rich 精美的。[back]
113
hover 翱翔。
the fair 美人,指Belinda。
her airy band 指Ariel率領的那些精靈。此行的字序應為: Her airy band straight hover round the fair. 大意是:那些精靈就在那美人的周圍翱翔。[back]
114
the fuming liquor 冒氣的液體,指咖啡(見第110行註)。 [back]
115
plumes 指那些精靈的羽毛。[back]
116
brocade (浮花)織錦。第114-116行的字序應為:As she sipped, some fanned, the fuming liquor, (and) some displayed their careful plumes o'er her lap, trembling, and conscious of the rich brocade, 大意是:Belinda燙飲時,有些精靈把咖啡扇涼,有些則在她的膝蓋上展現羽毛,顫動著並且感覺到織綿的華美。[back]
117-118
(which…eyes)這兩行的大意是:政客喝了咖啡,就變得靈光,半瞇著眼就能看透事物的真相。按在英國,咖啡館早就成為業餘政客的聚會所。[back]
120
stratagems 策略。第117-120行(括弧除外)的大意是:咖啡的熱氣使男爵動了新的主意,想攫得那光芒四射的秀髮。[back]
121
rash 鹵莽的。
desist 斷念。
ere before。[back]
122
Scylla's fate 這個典故見於奧維德(Ovid)的變形記。Nisus 王曾被Minos圍困於Megara。其女Scylla自望樓上瞥見Minos,而頓萌愛意。Nisus的白髮中,有一綹紫髮,傳係其本人及全國的安危所繫。Scylla就設法拔得這綹紫髮,獻給 Minos,以獲青睞。但Minor卻惡其叛父不孝。破城之後,Minos啟航欲去,而Scylla竟攀的船尾,綣戀不捨,被Minos打落水中。後 Minos變成白鷺,Scylla變成海鳥。[back]
123
flits 飛。[back]
124
dearly pays 付出極大的代價。第123-124行所敘,即為 Scylla叛父所得的懲罰。[back]
[第125-138節大意]:Clarissa出現,拿出一把剪刀,交給男爵,等Belinda伏首飲咖啡之際,男爵伸出剪刀,成千的小精靈衝出營救,如是者三次。[back]
125
mischief 惡作劇。這一行的字序應為But when mortals bend their will to mischief. [back]
126
fit instruments of ill 做壞事的好工具。第125-126行的大意是:當凡人存心惡作劇時,很快就能找到趁的工具。[back]
127
Clarissa Belinda的閨友。
Tempting grace 誘人的雅態;容態優雅而動人。[back]
128
A two-edged weapon 兩刃的武器,指剪刀。
Shining case 閃爍的套子。Caste指鑷子套(長方形小套子,手大小、內可裝小剪刀、針線等)。當時的婦女流行帶這種套子。[back]
129
romance 中世紀的騎士故。Pope藉此諷刺騎士的傳統。第127-130行的大意是:就在那個時候, Clarissa從鑷子套�堨X一把剪刀,正如騎士故事�堛漱痐k贈予,武裝騎士赴戰一樣。[back]
132
the little engine 指剪刀。[back]
134
the fragrant steams 芬芳的熱氣,指咖啡。
第133-134行的字序應為:he spread this just behind Belida's neck, as the bends her head over the fragra steams.
第131-134行的大意是:男爵虔敬地拿起剪刀,穿在指頭末端,著Belinda低頭喝咖啡時,在她的頸背處撐開刀口。[back]
135
spries 精靈。
repair 去。[back]
136
by turns 輪番。[back]
137
twitched 猛拉。第134-138行的大意是:數以千計的精靈,著速赴援,數以千計的翅膀,輪番吹髮,精靈們三度猛拉Belinda耳上的鑽石,她三度回顧,而敵人也三度逼近。[back]
[第139-146節大意]:就在那危急的當兒,Ariel焦急地尋赴Belinda的心底。他停在她胸前的花束上,察看她的心思,突然發覺,儘管他千方百計想使她的秀髮免於受劫,她卻正情思綿綿。[back]
140
The close recesses 聖閉的密室,指Belinda的內心。[back]
141
nosegay 胸前花飾。[back]
144
An earthly lover 一個塵世的情人。[back]
145
expired 無能為力。[back]
146
Resigned to fate 聽任命運的安排。[back]
[第147-154節大意]:男爵用剪刀下秀髮。在剪刀交合之前,一個倒霉的精靈妄想阻止,但命運驅策著剪刀,把那精靈剪成兩半(精靈能再自行復原),剪刀交合把秀髮剪斷,永遠跟頭分開了。[back]
147
forfex 剪刀。[back]
148
enclose 包圍。
joins 指剪刀合起來剪住頭髮。
divide 剪開。[back]
149
the fatal engine 致命的武器,指剪刀。[back]
150
fondly foolishly.
interposed 干預。[back]
151
the shears 指剪刀。
cut...in twain 剪成兩半。[back]
153
dissever 剪斷。[back]
[第153-160節大意]:Belinda見秀髮被剪,眼中閃出憤怒的電光,高聲警吼,聲勢宏大,勝於死喪了丈夫或愛犬,或摔壞了昂貴的瓷器。[back]
155
living lightning 疾烈的閃電,指Belinda閃現的眼神,極言其目而視的神態。這一行的字序應為:Then the living lightning flashed from her eyes.[back]
156
rend 震撼。
affrighted 嚇壞了的。[back]
157
pitying heaven 憐憫的上天。這一行的字序應為:Not louder shrieks are cast to pity in? heaven.[back]
158
breathe their last 斷氣,死去。[back]
159-160
Or…lie! 當精美而昂貴的瓷器從高處摔落,跌成閃亮耀眼的粉末和彩色鮮明的碎片。[back]
[第161-170節大意]:男爵剪下Belinda的秀髮欣喜欲狂,自以為英名將永垂不朽,他引用了許多必然的事實(如魚之得水,鳥之凌空,英國美女乘六馬的拉車等等)來證明他那不朽的英名。[back]
161
wreaths of triumph 勝利的花冠。
twine 纏繞;戴上。[back]
162
The victor 勝利者,指男爵。
the glorious prize 光榮的勝利品,指被剪下的頭髮。[back]
163
fish in streams 魚在水中。
birds delight in air 飛鳥翔高之樂。[back]
164
Or in a coach and six the British Fair 英國美女乘著六馬所拉的馬車。[back]
165
Atalantis 曼利夫人(Mrs. Manley)的Secret Memoirs and Manners of Several Persons of Quality of Both Sexes. From the New Atalantis, an Island in the Mediteranean.於一七○九年出版,影射當代的醜聞。[back]
166
grace 裝飾。[back]
167
While visits shall be paid on solemn days 訪友是當時上流社會婦女的例行要務。晚間是僕從提燈侍候前往。由於訪客需要守約定的日子,故有點像宗教節日舉行的儀式。 Solemn一字是雙關語,一則指遵守時日的重要性,二則亦諷刺這種拜訪有如拜神,而非意在訪友。[back]
168
numerous wax-lights in bright order blaze 無數的獨光成行地輝耀。[back]
169
take treats accept favors from someone.
assignantions 幽會。[back]
[第171-178節大意]:讚美剪刀(steel)的威力,它毀去了一眾神興建的城市(Troy) Belinda的秀髮被剪刀必然的結果,不足為奇。[back]
171
spare 不加傷害。
Steel 雙關語,指武器,也指剪刀。[back]
173
the labor of the Gods 諸神辛勞所作之物,指Troy;該城傳說Apollo和Poseidon所建。[back]
174
strike to dust 夷為塵埃。
imperial 莊嚴的。[back]
175
the works of mortal price 凡人引以自傲之物,指下一行的凱旋門。
confound 破壞。[back]
176
hew…to the ground 劈倒在地,夷為平地。
triumphal arches 凱旋門。[back]
177
fair nymph 美麗的小女指Belinda。[back]
178
unresisted 所向無敵的。[back]

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