PART SEVEN - YOKED

 

 

  "We are as time moulds us, lacking wherewithal

  To shape out nobler fortunes or contend

  Against all-patient Fates, who may not mend

  The allotted¹ pattern of things temporal

  Or alter it a jot² or e'er let fall

  A single stitch thereof, until at last

  The web and its drear weavers³ be overcast⁴

  And predetermined darkness swallow all.

 

  "They have ordained⁵ for us a time to sing,

  A time to love, a time wherein to tire

  Of all spent songs and kisses; caroling

  Such elegies⁶ as buried dreams require,

  Love now departs, and leaves us shivering

  Beside the embers of a burned-out fire."

 

1 allotted   

分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I completed the test within the time allotted . 我在限定的时间内完成了试验。
• Each passenger slept on the berth allotted to him. 每个旅客都睡在分配给他的铺位上。

2 jot   

n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下

参考例句：

• I'll jot down their address before I forget it.我得赶快把他们的地址写下来，免得忘了。
• There is not a jot of evidence to say it does them any good.没有丝毫的证据显示这对他们有任何好处。

3 weavers   

织工，编织者( weaver的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Navajo are noted as stockbreeders and skilled weavers, potters, and silversmiths. 纳瓦霍人以豢养家禽，技术熟练的纺织者，制陶者和银匠而著名。
• They made out they were weavers. 他们假装是织布工人。

4 overcast   

adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天

参考例句：

• The overcast and rainy weather found out his arthritis.阴雨天使他的关节炎发作了。
• The sky is overcast with dark clouds.乌云满天。

5 ordained   

v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定

参考例句：

• He was ordained in 1984. 他在一九八四年被任命为牧师。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was ordained priest. 他被任命为牧师。 来自辞典例句

6 elegies   

n.哀歌，挽歌( elegy的名词复数 )

参考例句：