新概念早讀英語初中版 第41期:病獅
病獅
A lion,no longer able,from the weakness of old age,
一頭年老體弱的獅子，沒有力氣去
to hunt for his prey laid himself up in his den,
自行覓食，只好躺在洞穴里;
and breathing with great difficulty,
他呼吸困難，
and speaking with a low voice,said that he was very ill.
說話有氣無力，一臉病入膏肓的樣子。
The report soon spread among the beasts,
這個消息很快在獸群之間傳開了，
and there was great lamentation for the sick lion.
大家都為病獅哀傷不已。
One after another came to see him;
他們一個接一個地來探望他;
but,catching him thus alone,and in his own den,
哪知道這頭獅子就這樣待在自己的洞里，
the lion made an easy prey of them, and grew fat upon his diet.
輕而易舉地把探望者一個個捉住吃掉，把自己養(yǎng)得胖胖的。
The fox,suspecting the truth of the matter,
狐貍對這件是有點懷疑
came at length to make his visit of inquiry,
最后也來看個究竟。
and standing at some distance,asked his Majesty how he did?
他站得遠遠的恭問萬獸之王安好。
"Ah,my dearest friend,"said the lion,
獅子道:"啊，我最親愛的朋友，
"Is it you?Why do you stand so far from me?
是你呀!為什么站得那么遠?
Come,sweet friend, and pour a word of consolation in the poor lion's ear,
來，好朋友，在我這可憐的獅子耳邊說句安慰的話吧，
who has but a short time to live."
我快不行啦。"
"Bless you!"said the fox."But excuse me if I cannot stay;
"愿上帝保佑你!"狐貍說:"但請原諒，我不能久留。
for to tell you the truth,
老實說，
I feel quite uneasy at the mark of he foot-steps that I see here,
我感到十分不安。我看到這里許多腳印
all printing towards your den,and none returning outwards."
都是只向府上走進來，沒有一個是走出來的哩!"
