DEFAMATION

 WHY are those tears in your eyes, my child?

 

How horrid¹ of them to be always scolding you for nothing?

 

You have stained your fingers and face with ink while writing--is that why they call you dirty?

 

O, fie! Would they dare to call the full moon dirty because it has smudged its face with ink?

 

For every little trifle they blame you, my child. They are ready to find fault for nothing.

 

You tore your clothes while playing--is that why they call you untidy?

 

O, fie! What would they call an autumn morning that smiles through its ragged² clouds?

 

Take no heed³ of what they say to you, my child.

 

Take no heed of what they say to you, my child.

 

They make a long list of your misdeeds. Everybody knows how you love sweet things--is that why they call you greedy?

 

O, fie! What then would they call us who love you?

1 horrid   

adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的

参考例句：

• I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
• The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃，她咽不下去。

2 ragged   

adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的

参考例句：

• A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
• Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。

3 heed   

v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心

参考例句：

• You must take heed of what he has told.你要注意他所告诉的事。
• For the first time he had to pay heed to his appearance.这是他第一次非得注意自己的外表不可了。