美国语文第五册 第81期：不满意的钟摆（04）
"Very good," replied the dial;
“很好，”表盘说道，
but recollect that, although you may think of a million of strokes in an instant, you are required to execute but one;
不过，你想一下，虽然，你或许考虑顷刻间需要一百万次滴答，其实你实施的唯有最初的一次，
and that, however often you may hereafter have to swing, a moment will always be given you to swing in.
因为接下来，往往无论你摇摆多少，你的感觉总是滴答不停。
"That consideration staggers me, I confess," said the pendulum.
“一想到这点，我就眩晕得不行，我承认。”钟摆说。
"Then I hope," resumed the dial plate, that we shall all return to our duty immediately; for the maids will be in bed if we stand idling thus.
“那么，我希望，”表盘接着说，我们大家立即各就各位，女仆们马上就该起床了，我们还在这无所事事地闲聊。
Upon this, the weights, who had never been accused of light conduct, used all their influence in urging him to proceed;
听到这话，从未有人指责自己工作轻巧的刻度量衡，纷纷竭尽全力地劝说钟摆继续干活，
when, as if with one consent, the wheels began to turn, the hands began to move, the pendulum began to swing,
末了，大家看来意见达到统一，于是，齿轮们转动起来，时钟们开始踱步，钟摆也进入摇摆状态。
and, to its credit, ticked as loud as ever; while a red beam of the rising sun,
为证实自己信用如一，钟摆滴答声与以前同样铿锵有力。初升太阳的光线，
that streamed through a hole in the kitchen, shining full upon the dial plate, it brightened up as if nothing had been the matter.
从厨房上的一处洞口流泻下来，红色阳光落满表盘的脸庞，表盘眉眼熠熠生辉，好像刚才什么事都不曾发生过。
When the farmer came down to breakfast that morning, upon looking at the clock, he declared that his watch had gained half an hour in the night.
那天早晨，那位农夫走进厨房吃早饭，抬头看了看钟说，他的表，昨晚快了半小时。
