The Swan and the Linnet

   Piqued at the Linnet's song one day,

  The Swan exclaimed: "Leave off! I say—

  Be still, you little noisy thing!

  What!—dare you challenge me to sing,

  When there's no voice, however fine,

  Can match the melody of mine?"

  (The Linnet warbled on)—"D'ye hear?

  This impudence¹ may cost you dear;

  I could with one harmonious² note

  Forever stop your squeaking³ throat,

  And, if I do not choose to try,

  Respect my magnanimity."

  "I wish," at length the Linnet said,

  "I wish, to heaven, the proof were made;

  You cannot imagine how I long

  To hear that rich and flowing song

  Which though so sweet, by fame averred⁴,

  I know not who has ever heard."

 

  The Swan essayed to sing, but—whew!

  She screeched⁵ and squalled a note or two,

  Until the Linnet, it appears,

  Took to her wings to save her ears.

  'Tis strange when some of learned fame

  Will prove their title to the name,

  How often ill-placed praise they mar⁶,

  And show how ignorant they are.

1 impudence   

n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼

参考例句：

• His impudence provoked her into slapping his face.他的粗暴让她气愤地给了他一耳光。
• What knocks me is his impudence.他的厚颜无耻使我感到吃惊。

2 harmonious   

adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的

参考例句：

• Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
• The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。

3 squeaking   

v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者

参考例句：

• Squeaking floorboards should be screwed down. 踏上去咯咯作响的地板应用螺钉钉住。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Can you hear the mice squeaking? 你听到老鼠吱吱叫吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 averred   

v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出

参考例句：

• She averred that she had never seen the man before. 她斩钉截铁地说以前从未见过这个男人。
• The prosecutor averred that the prisoner killed Lois. 检察官称被拘犯杀害洛伊丝属实。 来自互联网

5 screeched   

v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫

参考例句：

• She screeched her disapproval. 她尖叫着不同意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The car screeched to a stop. 汽车嚓的一声停住了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。