TWO MEN, one who always spoke1 the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: “What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?’ The Lying Traveler replied, “You seem to me a most mighty2 king.” “And what is your estimate of those you see around me?’ “These,” he made answer, “are worthy3 companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies.” The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful4 Traveler thought to himself, “If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?’ The Ape quickly turned to him. “And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?’ “Thou art,” he said, “a most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too.” The King of the Apes, enraged5 at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.
1 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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2 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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3 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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4 truthful | |
adj.真实的,说实话的,诚实的 | |
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5 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
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