英语童谣：努特国王在海滨[1]

克努特国王在海滨

Long ago, England was ruled by a king named Canute. Like many leaders and men of power, Canute was surrounded by people who were always praising him. Every time he walked into a room, the flattery began.

很久以前，统治英格兰的国王名叫克努特。像许多领导者和掌权人一样，克努特总是被称赞他的人包围着。每当他走进房间，奉承就片始了。

"You are the greatest man that ever lived," one would say.

“您是古往今来最伟大的人，”有个人会这么说。

Then another would insist, "O king! There can never be another man so mighty as you,"

接着另一个会坚持说:“啊，国王，再不能有别的人像您这样强大了。”

And someone would smile and say,‘Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do."

又一个人会微笑着说：“殿下，没有什么是您不能做的。”

"Great Canute, you are the monarch of all," another would sing. "Nothing in this world dares to disohey you."

“伟大的克努特，您是万王之王，”另一个会高唱。“在这世上没有人敢违背您。”

The king was a man of senses, and he grew tired of hearing such foolish speeches.

国王是个明白人，他听腻了这些蠢话。

One day he was walking by the seashore, and his officers and courtiers were with him, praising him as usual. Canute decided to teach them a lesson, so he bade them set his chair on the beach close by the edge of the water.

一天，他走在海边，军官和朝臣们陪同在他左右，仍像往常一样颂扬他。克努特决定给他们一个教训，所以他命令他们把椅子放在沙滩上，紧靠水边。

"So you say I am the greatest man in the world?" he asked.

“你们说我是世界上最伟大的人，是吗？”他问。

"O king," they cried, "there never has been anyone as powerful as you, and there never be anyone so great, ever again!"

“噢，国王陛下，”他们喊道，“从来没有像您一样强大的人了，将来也不会有和您一样伟大的人，绝不会胡！”

"And you say all things obey me'?" Canute asked.

“你们说一切都听我的吗？”克努特问。

"Absolutely!" they said. "The world bows before you, and gives you honor."

“绝对！”他们说。“世界都要向您屈服，向您致敬。”

"I see”the king answered."In that case. bring me my chair, and we will go down to the water."

“我明白了，”国王答道。“这样的话，把我的倚子拿来，让我们走到水里。”

"At once, your majesty!" They scrambled to carry his royal chair over the sands.

“马上，陛下!”他们争相把宝座从沙滩上抬起来。

"Bring it closer to the少儿英语