美国语文第六册 第15期:大扫除(4)
于是，一位贫穷的绅士会由于双重原因而不满意，因为，他的衣服既被泼上了水，又输了官司。
These smearings and scratchings, these washings and dashings, being duly performed, the next ceremonial is to cleanse 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, bustle, 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 cleansing 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, ornamental, 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 preservation is not worthy 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 engraving 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。
