The cabby has his point of view. It is more single-minded, perhaps, than that of a follower¹ of any other calling. From the high, swaying seat of his hansom he looks upon his fellow-men as nomadic² particles, of no account except when possessed³ of migratory⁴ desires. He is Jehu, and you are goods in transit⁵. Be you President or vagabond, to cabby you are only a Fare, he takes you up, cracks his whip, joggles your vertebrae and sets you down.
　　When time for payment arrives, if you exhibit a familiarity with legal rates you come to know what contempt is; if you find that you have left your pocketbook behind you are made to realise the mildness of Dante's imagination.
　　It is not an extravagant⁶ theory that the cabby's singleness of purpose and concentrated view of life are the results of the hansom's peculiar⁷ construction. The cock-of-the-roost sits aloft like Jupiter on an unsharable seat, holding your fate between two thongs⁸ of inconstant leather. Helpless, ridiculous, confined, bobbing like a toy mandarin⁹, you sit like a rat in a trap--you, before whom butlers cringe on solid land--and must squeak¹⁰ upward through a slit¹¹ in your peripatetic¹² sarcophagus to make your feeble wishes known.
　　Then, in a cab, you are not even an occupant; you are contents. You are a

点击收听单词发音  

1 follower
n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒
参考例句：
He is a faithful follower of his home football team.他是他家乡足球队的忠实拥护者。 Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。

2 nomadic
adj.流浪的；游牧的
参考例句：
This tribe still live a nomadic life.这个民族仍然过着游牧生活。 The plowing culture and the nomadic culture are two traditional principal cultures in China.农耕文化与游牧文化是我国传统的两大主体文化。

3 possessed
adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的
参考例句：
He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。 He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

4 migratory
n.候鸟，迁移
参考例句：
Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。 This does not negate the idea of migratory aptitude.这并没有否定迁移能力这一概念。

5 transit
n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过
参考例句：
His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。 The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

6 extravagant
adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的
参考例句：
They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。 He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。

7 peculiar
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。 He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

8 thongs
的东西
参考例句：
Things ain't what they used to be. 现在情况不比从前了。 Things have been going badly . 事情进展得不顺利。

9 Mandarin
n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的
参考例句：
Just over one billion people speak Mandarin as their native tongue.大约有十亿以上的人口以华语为母语。 Mandarin will be the new official language of the European Union.普通话会变成欧盟新的官方语言。

10 squeak
n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密
参考例句：
I don't want to hear another squeak out of you!我不想再听到你出声！ We won the game,but it was a narrow squeak.我们打赢了这场球赛，不过是侥幸取胜。

11 slit
n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂
参考例句：
The coat has been slit in two places.这件外衣有两处裂开了。 He began to slit open each envelope.他开始裁开每个信封。

12 peripatetic
adj.漫游的，逍遥派的，巡回的
参考例句：
Her father was in the army and the family led a peripatetic existence.她父亲是军人，所以全家人随军过着一种流动的生活。 Peripatetic music teachers visit the school regularly.兼职音乐教师定期到校授课。

13 cargo
n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物
参考例句：
The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。 A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

14 cherub
n.小天使，胖娃娃
参考例句：
It was easy to see why the cartoonists regularly portrayed him as a malign cherub.难怪漫画家总是把他画成一个邪恶的小天使。 The cherub in the painting is very lovely.这幅画中的小天使非常可爱。

15 emanate
v.发自，来自，出自
参考例句：
Waves emanate from the same atom source.波是由同一原子辐射的。 These chemicals can emanate certain poisonous gases.这些化学药品会散发出某些有毒的气味。

16 obstructed
阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止
参考例句：
Tall trees obstructed his view of the road. 有大树挡着，他看不到道路。 The Irish and Bristol Channels were closed or grievously obstructed. 爱尔兰海峡和布里斯托尔海峡或遭受封锁，或受到了严重阻碍。

17 assortment
n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集
参考例句：
This shop has a good assortment of goods to choose from.该店各色货物俱全，任君选择。 She was wearing an odd assortment of clothes.她穿着奇装异服。

18 pertinent
adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的
参考例句：
The expert made some pertinent comments on the scheme.那专家对规划提出了一些中肯的意见。 These should guide him to pertinent questions for further study.这些将有助于他进一步研究有关问题。

19 contingent
adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队
参考例句：
The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。 Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

20 eruption
n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作
参考例句：
The temple was destroyed in the violent eruption of 1470 BC.庙宇在公元前1470年猛烈的火山爆发中摧毁了。 The eruption of a volcano is spontaneous.火山的爆发是自发的。

21 enveloped
v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She was enveloped in a huge white towel. 她裹在一条白色大毛巾里。 Smoke from the burning house enveloped the whole street. 燃烧着的房子冒出的浓烟笼罩了整条街。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 permeated
弥漫( permeate的过去式和过去分词 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透
参考例句：
The smell of leather permeated the room. 屋子里弥漫着皮革的气味。 His public speeches were permeated with hatred of injustice. 在他对民众的演说里，充满了对不公正的愤慨。

23 joyous
adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的
参考例句：
The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。 They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。

24 curb
n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制
参考例句：
I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。 You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

25 lustrous
adj.有光泽的；光辉的
参考例句：
Mary has a head of thick,lustrous,wavy brown hair.玛丽有一头浓密、富有光泽的褐色鬈发。 This mask definitely makes the skin fair and lustrous.这款面膜可以异常有用的使肌肤变亮和有光泽。

26 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：
The sonorous voice of the speaker echoed round the room.那位演讲人洪亮的声音在室内回荡。 He has a deep sonorous voice.他的声音深沉而洪亮。

27 battered
adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损
参考例句：
He drove up in a battered old car.他开着一辆又老又破的旧车。 The world was brutally battered but it survived.这个世界遭受了惨重的创伤,但它还是生存下来了。

28 frolicsome
adj.嬉戏的，闹着玩的
参考例句：
Frolicsome students celebrated their graduation with parties and practical jokes.爱玩闹的学生们举行聚会，制造各种恶作剧来庆祝毕业。 As the happy time drew near,the lions and tigers climbing up the bedroom walls became quite tame and frolicsome.当快乐的时光愈来愈临近的时候，卧室墙上爬着的狮子和老虎变得十分驯服

29 athletic
adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的
参考例句：
This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。 He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

30 progeny
n.后代，子孙；结果
参考例句：
His numerous progeny are scattered all over the country.他为数众多的后代散布在全国各地。 He was surrounded by his numerous progeny.众多的子孙簇拥着他。

31 contumacious
adj.拒不服从的，违抗的
参考例句：
On his refusal to appear in person or by his attorney, he was pronounced contumacious.由于他拒绝亲自出庭或派他的律师出庭，被宣布为抗传。 There is another efficacious method for subduing the most obstinate,contumacious sinner.有另一个有效的方法来镇压那最为顽固、抗命不从的罪人。

32 usurped
篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权
参考例句：
That magazine usurped copyrighted material. 那杂志盗用了版权为他人所有的素材。 The expression'social engineering'has been usurped by the Utopianist without a shadow of light. “社会工程”这个词已被乌托邦主义者毫无理由地盗用了。

33 testimony
n.证词；见证，证明
参考例句：
The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。 He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

34 throng
n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集
参考例句：
A patient throng was waiting in silence.一大群耐心的人在静静地等着。 The crowds thronged into the mall.人群涌进大厅。

35 pedestrians
n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

36 lurch
n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行
参考例句：
It has been suggested that the ground movements were a form of lurch movements.地震的地面运动曾被认为是一种突然倾斜的运动形式。 He walked with a lurch.他步履蹒跚。

37 onlookers
n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 )
参考例句：
A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene of the crash. 在撞车地点聚集了一大群围观者。 The onlookers stood at a respectful distance. 旁观者站在一定的距离之外，以示尊敬。

38 seesawed
v.使上下（来回）摇动( seesaw的过去式和过去分词 )；玩跷跷板，上下（来回）摇动
参考例句：
The boat seesawed in the heavy sea. 小舟在波涛汹涌的海中颠簸不已。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 He seesawed between two opinions. 他在两种意见之间举棋不定。 来自互联网

39 jack
n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克
参考例句：
I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。 He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

40 skyscraper
n.摩天大楼
参考例句：
The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。 The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。

41 gathering
n.集会，聚会，聚集
参考例句：
He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。 He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

42 gutter
n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟
参考例句：
There's a cigarette packet thrown into the gutter.阴沟里有个香烟盒。 He picked her out of the gutter and made her a great lady.他使她脱离贫苦生活，并成为贵妇。

43 scattered
adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的
参考例句：
Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。

44 spurt
v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆
参考例句：
He put in a spurt at the beginning of the eighth lap.他进入第八圈时便开始冲刺。 After a silence, Molly let her anger spurt out.沉默了一会儿，莫莉的怒气便迸发了出来。

45 aperture
n.孔，隙，窄的缺口
参考例句：
The only light came through a narrow aperture.仅有的光亮来自一个小孔。 We saw light through a small aperture in the wall.我们透过墙上的小孔看到了亮光。

46 contented
adj.满意的，安心的，知足的
参考例句：
He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。 The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。

47 potent
adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的
参考例句：
The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。 We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

48 disquieted
v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
People are disquieted [on tenterhooks]. 人心惶惶。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 The bad news disquieted him. 恶讯使他焦急不安。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

49 fumes
n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体
参考例句：
The health of our children is being endangered by exhaust fumes. 我们孩子们的健康正受到排放出的废气的损害。 Exhaust fumes are bad for your health. 废气对健康有害。

50 brandished
v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀
参考例句：
"Bang!Bang!"the small boy brandished a phoney pistol and shouted. “砰！砰！”那小男孩挥舞着一支假手枪，口中嚷嚷着。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Swords brandished and banners waved. 刀剑挥舞，旌旗飘扬。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

51 baton
n.乐队用指挥杖
参考例句：
With the baton the conductor was beating time.乐队指挥用指挥棒打拍子。 The conductor waved his baton,and the band started up.指挥挥动指挥棒，乐队开始演奏起来。

52 twilight
n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期
参考例句：
Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。 Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。

53 reins
感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带
参考例句：
She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。 The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

54 wholesome
adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的
参考例句：
In actual fact the things I like doing are mostly wholesome.实际上我喜欢做的事大都是有助于增进身体健康的。 It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。

55 shafts
n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等）
参考例句：
He deliberately jerked the shafts to rock him a bit. 他故意的上下颠动车把，摇这个老猴子几下。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子 Shafts were sunk, with tunnels dug laterally. 竖井已经打下，并且挖有横向矿道。 来自辞典例句

56 torpor
n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠
参考例句：
The sick person gradually falls into a torpor.病人逐渐变得迟钝。 He fell into a deep torpor.他一下子进入了深度麻痹状态。

57 vessel
n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管
参考例句：
The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。 You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

58 inquiry
n.打听，询问，调查，查问
参考例句：
Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。 The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

59 reined
勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理
参考例句：
Then, all of a sudden, he reined up his tired horse. 这时，他突然把疲倦的马勒住了。 The officer reined in his horse at a crossroads. 军官在十字路口勒住了马。

60 plunge
v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲
参考例句：
Test pool's water temperature before you plunge in.在你跳入之前你应该测试水温。 That would plunge them in the broil of the two countries.那将会使他们陷入这两国的争斗之中。

61 panorama
n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置]
参考例句：
A vast panorama of the valley lay before us.山谷的广阔全景展现在我们面前。 A flourishing and prosperous panorama spread out before our eyes.一派欣欣向荣的景象展现在我们的眼前。

62 lining
n.衬里，衬料
参考例句：
The lining of my coat is torn.我的外套衬里破了。 Moss makes an attractive lining to wire baskets.用苔藓垫在铁丝篮里很漂亮。

63 license
n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许
参考例句：
The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。 The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

64 inhaling
v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 )
参考例句：
He was treated for the effects of inhaling smoke. 他因吸入烟尘而接受治疗。 来自辞典例句 The long-term effects of inhaling contaminated air is unknown. 长期吸入被污染空气的影响还无从知晓。 来自互联网

65 enchanted
adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
She was enchanted by the flowers you sent her. 她非常喜欢你送给她的花。 He was enchanted by the idea. 他为这个主意而欣喜若狂。

66 gems
growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长
参考例句：
a crown studded with gems 镶有宝石的皇冠 The apt citations and poetic gems have adorned his speeches. 贴切的引语和珠玑般的诗句为他的演说词增添文采。

67 curiously
adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地
参考例句：
He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。 He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。

68 royalties
特许权使用费
参考例句：
I lived on about £3,000 a year from the royalties on my book. 我靠着写书得来的每年约3，000英镑的版税生活。 来自辞典例句 Payments shall generally be made in the form of royalties. 一般应采取提成方式支付。 来自经济法规部分

69 fresco
n.壁画；vt.作壁画于
参考例句：
This huge fresco is extremely clear and just like nature itself.It is very harmonious.这一巨幅壁画，清晰有致且又浑然天成，十分和谐。 So it is quite necessary to study the influence of visual thinking over fresco.因此，研究视觉思维对壁画的影响和作用是十分必要的。

70 clattered
发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
He dropped the knife and it clattered on the stone floor. 他一失手，刀子当啷一声掉到石头地面上。 His hand went limp and the knife clattered to the ground. 他的手一软，刀子当啷一声掉到地上。

71 clatter
v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声
参考例句：
The dishes and bowls slid together with a clatter.碟子碗碰得丁丁当当的。 Don't clatter your knives and forks.别把刀叉碰得咔哒响。

72 retired
adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的
参考例句：
The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。 Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

73 pointedly
adv.尖地，明显地
参考例句：
She yawned and looked pointedly at her watch. 她打了个哈欠，又刻意地看了看手表。 The demand for an apology was pointedly refused. 让对方道歉的要求遭到了断然拒绝。 来自《简明英汉词典》

74 steered
v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导
参考例句：
He steered the boat into the harbour. 他把船开进港。 The freighter steered out of Santiago Bay that evening. 那天晚上货轮驶出了圣地亚哥湾。 来自《简明英汉词典》

75 pier
n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱
参考例句：
The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害，专家担心它已不能负重。 The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。

76 glimmer
v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光
参考例句：
I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.我注视她，感到了一线希望。 A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes.她的眼中露出一丝笑意。

77 plummet
vi.(价格、水平等)骤然下跌；n.铅坠；重压物
参考例句：
Mengniu and Yili have seen their shares plummet since the incident broke.自事件发生以来，蒙牛和伊利的股票大幅下跌。 Even if rice prices were to plummet,other brakes on poverty alleviation remain.就算大米价格下跌，其它阻止导致贫困的因素仍然存在。

78 dough
n.生面团；钱，现款
参考例句：
She formed the dough into squares.她把生面团捏成四方块。 The baker is kneading dough.那位面包师在揉面。

79 dime
n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角
参考例句：
A dime is a tenth of a dollar.一角银币是十分之一美元。 The liberty torch is on the back of the dime.自由火炬在一角硬币的反面。

80 slashed
v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减
参考例句：
Someone had slashed the tyres on my car. 有人把我的汽车轮胎割破了。 He slashed the bark off the tree with his knife. 他用刀把树皮从树上砍下。 来自《简明英汉词典》

81 hoofs
n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
The stamp of the horse's hoofs on the wooden floor was loud. 马蹄踏在木头地板上的声音很响。 来自辞典例句 The noise of hoofs called him back to the other window. 马蹄声把他又唤回那扇窗子口。 来自辞典例句

82 starry
adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的
参考例句：
He looked at the starry heavens.他瞧着布满星星的天空。 I like the starry winter sky.我喜欢这满天星斗的冬夜。

83 abashed
adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He glanced at Juliet accusingly and she looked suitably abashed. 他怪罪的一瞥，朱丽叶自然显得很窘。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The girl was abashed by the laughter of her classmates. 那小姑娘因同学的哄笑而局促不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》

84 gallop
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展
参考例句：
They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。 The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。

85 forth
adv.向前；向外，往外
参考例句：
The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。 He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

86 sergeant
n.警官，中士
参考例句：
His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。 How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹？

87 raucous
adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的
参考例句：
I heard sounds of raucous laughter upstairs.我听见楼上传来沙哑的笑声。 They heard a bottle being smashed,then more raucous laughter.他们听见酒瓶摔碎的声音，然后是一阵更喧闹的笑声。