The King of Wideout having been offered the sovereignty of Wayoff, sent for the Three Persons who had made the offer, and said to them:
“I am extremely obliged to you, but before accepting so great a responsibility I must ascertain1 the sentiments of the people of Wayoff.”
“Sire,” said the Spokesman of the Three Persons, “they stand before you.”
“Indeed!” said the King; “are you, then, the people of Wayoff?”
“There are not many of you,” the King said, attentively3 regarding them with the royal eye, “and you are not so very large; I hardly think you are a quorum4. Moreover, I never heard of you until you came here; whereas Wayoff is noted5 for the quality of its pork and contains hogs6 of distinction. I shall send a Commissioner7 to ascertain the sentiments of the hogs.”
The Three Persons, bowing profoundly, backed out of the presence; but soon afterward8 they desired another audience, and, on being readmitted, said, through their Spokesman:
“May it please your Majesty, we are the hogs.”
1 ascertain | |
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清 | |
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2 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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3 attentively | |
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神 | |
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4 quorum | |
n.法定人数 | |
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5 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
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6 hogs | |
n.(尤指喂肥供食用的)猪( hog的名词复数 );(供食用的)阉公猪;彻底地做某事;自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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7 commissioner | |
n.(政府厅、局、处等部门)专员,长官,委员 | |
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8 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
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