The judge pressed a contact set into a recessed9 panel on her bench and a sonorous10 gong resounded11 through the packed courtroom. "I will have order," she repeated to the now-hushed throng12. "If need be, the courtroom will be cleared. That is a warning. It will not be repeated."
The judge cut an imposing13 figure in her scarlet14 robe. Originally from the Outer World of Lystena, Lih's complexion15 had a slight bluish cast, which turned darker when she became exercised, practically purple when she was really angry. It was rumored16 that, for all her years on the bench, in spite of her reputation as a top judicial17 mind, notwithstanding her position as one of the most revered18 interpreters of Imperial law, Lih was ever so slightly vain about the colorful appearance she gave, the way in which the bright red robes set off her soft turquoise19 skin.
Nevertheless, Lih had a reputation for coming down hard on those who brooked20 Imperial law; she was one of the few judges left who upheld the civil code without wavering.
"I have heard of you, Professor Seldon, and your theories about our imminent21 destruction. And I have spoken with the magistrate22 who recently heard another case in which you were involved, one in which you struck a man with your lead-filled cane23. In that instance, too, you claimed to be the victim of assault. Your reasoning stemmed, I believe, from a previous unreported incident in which you and your son allegedly were assaulted by eight hoodlums. You were able to convince my esteemed24 colleague, Professor Seldon of your plea of self-defense25, even though an eyewitness testified otherwise. This time, Professor, you will have to be much more convincing."
The three hoodlums who were bringing charges against Seldon and Palver snickered in their seats at the plaintiff's table. They presented a much different appearance today than they had the evening of the attack. The young men were sporting clean loose-fitting unisuits; the young lady was wearing a crisply pleated tunic26. All in all, if one didn't look (or listen) too closely, the three presented a reassuring27 picture of Trantorian youth.
Seldon's lawyer, Civ Novker (who was representing Palver as well), approached the bench. "Your Honor, my client is an upstanding member of the Trantorian community. He is a former First Minister of stellar repute. He is a personal acquaintance of our Emperor Agis XIV. What possible benefit could Professor Seldon derive28 from attacking innocent young people? He is one of the most vocal29 proponents30 of stimulating31 the intellectual creativity of Trantorian youth-his Psychohistory Project employs numerous student volunteers; he is a beloved member of the Streeling University faculty32.
"Further-" Here Novker paused, sweeping33 his gaze around the packed courtroom, as if to say, Wait till you hear this-you'll be ashamed that you ever for a second doubted the veracity34 of my client's claims, "Professor Seldon is one of the very few private individuals officially allied35 with the prestigious36 Galactic Library. He has been granted unlimited37 use of Library facilities for work on what he calls the Encyclopedia38 Galactica, a veritable paean39 to Imperial civilization.
"I ask you, how can this man even be questioned in such a matter?"
With a flourish of his arm, Novker gestured toward Seldon who was sitting at the defendant's table with Stettin Palver, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Hari's cheeks were flushed from the unaccustomed praise (after all, lately his name was the subject of derisive40 snickers rather than flowery plaudits) and his hand shook slightly on the carved Dandle of his trusty cane.
Judge Lih gazed down at Seldon clearly unimpressed. "What benefit, indeed, Counselor41. I have been asking myself that very question. I've lain make these past nights, racking my brains for a plausible42 reason. Why should a man of Professor Seldon's stature43 commit unprovoked assault and battery when he himself is one of our most outspoken44 critics of the so-called `breakdown45' of civil order?
"And then it dawned on me. Perhaps, in his frustration46 at not being believed, Professor Seldon feels he must prove to the worlds that his predictions of doom47 and gloom really are coming to pass. After all, here is a man who has spent his entire career foretelling48 the Fall of the Empire and all he can really point to are a few burned-out bulbs in the dome49, an occasional glitch50 in public transport, a budget cut here or there -nothing very dramatic. But an attack-or two or three-now, that would be something."
Lih sat back and folded her hands in front of her, a satisfied expression on her face. Seldon stood, leaning heavily on the table for support. With great effort, he approached the bench, waving off his lawyer, walking headlong into the steely gaze of the judge.
"Your Honor, please permit me to say a few words in my defense."
"Of course, Professor Seldon. After all, this is not a trial, only a hearing to air all allegations, facts, and theories pertinent51 to ~ a case before deciding whether or not to go ahead with a trial. I have merely expressed a theory; I am most interested to hear what you have to say."
Seldon cleared his throat before beginning. "I have devoted52 my life to the Empire. I have faithfully served the Emperors. My science of psychohistory, rather than being a harbinger of destruction, is intended to be used as an agent for rejuvenation53. With it we can be prepared for whatever course civilization takes. If, as I believe, the Empire continues to break down, psychohistory will help us put into place building blocks for a new and better civilization founded on all that is good from the old. I love our worlds, our peoples, our Empire-what would it behoove54 me to contribute to the lawlessness that saps its strength daily?
"I can say no more. You must believe me. I, a man of intellect, of equations, of science-I am speaking from my heart." Seldon turned and made his way slowly back to his chair beside Palver. Before sitting, his eyes sought Wanda, sitting in the spectators' gallery. She smiled wanly55 and winked56 at him.
"From the heart or not, Professor Seldon, this decision will require much thought on my part. We have heard from your accusers; we have heard from you and Mr. Palver. There is one more party whose testimony57 I need. I'd like to hear from Rial Nevas, who has come forward as an eyewitness to this incident."
As Nevas approached the bench, Seldon and Palver looked at each other in alarm. It was the boy whom Hari had admonished58 just before the attack.
Lih was asking the youth a question. "Would you describe, Mr. Nevas, exactly what you witnessed on the night in question?"
"Well," started Nevas, fixing Seldon with his sullen59 stare, "I was walkin' along, mindin' my own business, when I saw those two,"-he turned and pointed60 at Seldon and Palver-"on the other side of the walkway, comin' toward me. And then I saw those three kids." (Another point of the finger, this time toward the three sitting at the plaintiff's table.) "The two older guys were walkin' behind the kids. They didn't see me, though, on account of I was on the other side of the walkway and besides, they were concentratin' on their victims. Then wham! Just like that, that old guy swings at 'em with his stick, then the younger guy jumps 'em and kicks 'em and before you know it, they're all down on the ground. Then the old guy and his pal3, they just took off, just like that. I couldn't believe it."
"That's a lie!" Seldon exploded. "Young man, you're playing with our lives here!" Nevas only stared back at Seldon impassively.
"Judge," Seldon implored61, "can't you see that he is lying? I remember this fellow. I scolded him for littering just minutes before we were attacked. I pointed it out to Stettin as another instance of the breakdown of our society, the apathy62 of the citizenry, the-"
"Enough, Professor Seldon," commanded the judge. "Another outburst like that and I will have you ejected from this courtroom. Now, Mr. Nevas," she said, turning back to the witness. "What did you do throughout the sequence of events you just described?"
"I, uh, I hid. Behind some trees. I hid. I was afraid they'd come after me if they saw me, so I hid. And when they were gone, well, I ran and called the security officers."
Nevas had started to sweat and he inserted a finger into the constricting63 collar of his unisuit. He fidgeted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he stood on the raised speaker's platform. He was uncomfortably aware of the crowd's eyes upon him; he tried to avoid looking into the audience, but each time he did, he found himself drawn64 to the ,,toady65 gaze of a pretty blond girl sitting in the first row. It was as if she was asking him a question, pressing him for an answer, willing him to ,,peak.
"Mr. Nevas, what do you have to say about Professor Seldon's allegation that he and Mr. Palver did see you prior to the attack, that the professor actually exchanged words with you?"
"Well, uh, no, you see, it was just like I said . I was walkin' along and-' And now Nevas looked over at Seldon's table. Seldon looked at the young man sadly, as if he realized all was lost. But Seldon's companion, Stettin Palver, turned a fierce gaze on Nevas and Nevas jumped, startled, at the words he heard: Tell the truth! It was as if Palver had spoken, but Palver's lips hadn't moved. And then, confused, Nevas snapped his head in the direction of the blond girl; he thought he heard her speak-Tell the truth!-but her lips were still as well.
"Mr. Nevas, Mr. Nevas," the judge's voice broke in on the youth's jumbled66 thoughts. "Mr. Nevas, if Professor Seldon and Mr. Palver were walking toward you, behind the three plaintiffs, how is it that you noticed Seldon and Palver first? That is how you put it in your statement, is it not?"
Nevas glanced around the courtroom wildly. He couldn't seem to escape the eyes, all the eyes screaming at him to Tell the truth! Looking over at Hari Seldon, Rial Nevas said simply, "I'm sorry" and, to the amazement67 of the entire courtroom assemblage, the fourteen-year-old boy started to cry.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
bellowed
|
|
| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
raven
|
|
| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
pal
|
|
| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
exhorted
|
|
| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
eyewitness
|
|
| n.目击者，见证人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
brutal
|
|
| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
provocation
|
|
| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
recessed
|
|
| v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的过去式和过去分词 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
sonorous
|
|
| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
resounded
|
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
throng
|
|
| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
rumored
|
|
| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
judicial
|
|
| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
revered
|
|
| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
turquoise
|
|
| n.绿宝石；adj.蓝绿色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
brooked
|
|
| 容忍，忍受（brook的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
magistrate
|
|
| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
esteemed
|
|
| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
tunic
|
|
| n.束腰外衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
reassuring
|
|
| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
derive
|
|
| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
vocal
|
|
| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
proponents
|
|
| n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
stimulating
|
|
| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
faculty
|
|
| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
sweeping
|
|
| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
veracity
|
|
| n.诚实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
allied
|
|
| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
prestigious
|
|
| adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
unlimited
|
|
| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
encyclopedia
|
|
| n.百科全书 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
paean
|
|
| n.赞美歌，欢乐歌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
derisive
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
counselor
|
|
| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
plausible
|
|
| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
stature
|
|
| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
outspoken
|
|
| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
breakdown
|
|
| n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
frustration
|
|
| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
foretelling
|
|
| v.预言，预示( foretell的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
glitch
|
|
| n.干扰；误操作，小故障 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
pertinent
|
|
| adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
rejuvenation
|
|
| n. 复原，再生, 更新, 嫩化, 恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
behoove
|
|
| v.理应；有益于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
wanly
|
|
| adv.虚弱地；苍白地，无血色地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
winked
|
|
| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
testimony
|
|
| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
admonished
|
|
| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
apathy
|
|
| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
constricting
|
|
| 压缩，压紧，使收缩( constrict的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
toady
|
|
| v.奉承；n.谄媚者，马屁精 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
jumbled
|
|
| adj.混乱的；杂乱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |