IN the room of a poet，where his Inkstand stood up－on the table，it was said，“It is wonderful what can come out of an inkstand．What will the next thing be？It is wonderful！”

“Yes，certainly，”said the Inkstand．“It's inconceivable—that's what I always say，”he exclaimed to the Pen and to the other articles on the table that were near enough to hear．“It is wonderful what a number of things can come out of me．It's quite incredible．And I really don't myself know what will be the next thing，when that man begins to dip into me．One drop out of me is enough for half a page of paper；and what cannot be contained in half a page？From me all the works of the poet go forth—all these living men，whom people can imagine they have met—all the deep feeling，the humour，the vivid picture of nature．I myself don't understand how it is，for I am not acquainted with nature，but it certainly is in me．From me all these things have gone forth，and from me proceed the troops of charming maidens，and of brave knights¹ on prancing² steeds，［and all the lame³ and the blind，］and I don't know what more—I assure you I don't think of anything

“There you are right，”said the Pen；“you don't think at all，for if you did，you would comprehend that you only furnish the fluid．You give the fluid，that I may exhibit upon the paper what dwells in me，and what I would bring to the day．It is the pen that writes．No man doubts that；and，indeed，most people have about as much insight into poetry as an old inkstand．”

“You have but little experience，”replied the Ink－stand．“You've hardly been in service a week，and are already half worn out．Do you fancy you are the poet？You are only a servant；and before you came I knew many of your sort，some of the goose family，and others of English manufacture．I know the quill⁴ as well as the steel pen．Many have been in my service，and I shall have many more when he comes—the man who goes through the motions for me，and writes down what he derives⁵ from me．I should like to know what will be the next thing he'll take out of me．”

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1 knights
骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马
参考例句：
stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事 He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

2 prancing
v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 )
参考例句：
The lead singer was prancing around with the microphone. 首席歌手手执麦克风，神气地走来走去。 The King lifted Gretel on to his prancing horse and they rode to his palace. 国王把格雷特尔扶上腾跃着的马，他们骑马向天宫走去。 来自辞典例句

3 lame
adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的
参考例句：
The lame man needs a stick when he walks.那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。 I don't believe his story.It'sounds a bit lame.我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。

4 quill
n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶
参考例句：
He wrote with a quill.他用羽毛笔写字。 She dipped a quill in ink,and then began to write.她将羽毛笔在墨水里蘸了一下，随后开始书写。

5 derives
v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取
参考例句：
English derives in the main from the common Germanic stock. 英语主要源于日耳曼语系。 来自《简明英汉词典》 He derives his income from freelance work. 他以自由职业获取收入。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 drawn
v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的
参考例句：
All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。 Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 tinkling
n.丁当作响声
参考例句：
I could hear bells tinkling in the distance. 我能听到远处叮当铃响。 To talk to him was like listening to the tinkling of a worn-out musical-box. 跟他说话，犹如听一架老掉牙的八音盒子丁冬响。 来自英汉文学

8 swelling
n.肿胀
参考例句：
Use ice to reduce the swelling. 用冰敷消肿。 There is a marked swelling of the lymph nodes. 淋巴结处有明显的肿块。

9 strings
n.弦
参考例句：
He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。 She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

10 glide
n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝
参考例句：
We stood in silence watching the snake glide effortlessly.我们噤若寒蝉地站着，眼看那条蛇逍遥自在地游来游去。 So graceful was the ballerina that she just seemed to glide.那芭蕾舞女演员翩跹起舞，宛如滑翔。

11 domain
n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围
参考例句：
This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。 This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。

12 almighty
adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的
参考例句：
Those rebels did not really challenge Gods almighty power.这些叛徒没有对上帝的全能力量表示怀疑。 It's almighty cold outside.外面冷得要命。