ON AUGUST 16, 1968, I WAS HANDED A BOOK WRITTEN by a certain Abbé Vallet, Le Manuscrit de Dom Adson de Melk, traduit en fran?ais d’après l’édition de Dom J. Mabillon (Aux Presses de l’Abbaye de la Source, Paris, 1842). Supplemented by historical information that was actually quite scant¹, the book claimed to reproduce faithfully a fourteenth-century manuscript that, in its turn, had been found in the monastery² of Melk by the great eighteenth-century man of learning, to whom we owe so much information about the history of the Benedic?tine order. The scholarly discovery (I mean mine, the third in chronological³ order) entertained me while I was in Prague, waiting for a dear friend. Six days later Soviet⁴ troops invaded that unhappy city. I managed, not without adventure, to reach the Austrian border at Linz, and from there I journeyed to Vienna, where I met my beloved, and together we sailed up the Danube.
In a state of intellectual excitement, I read with fascination⁵ the terrible story of Adso of Melk, and I allowed myself to be so absorbed by it that, almost in a single burst of energy, I completed a translation, using some of those large notebooks from the Papeterie Jo?seph Gibert in which it is so pleasant to write if you use a felt-tip pen. And as I was writing, we reached the vicinity of Melk, where, perched over a bend in the river, the handsome Stift stands to this day, after sever⁶?al restorations during the course of the centuries. As the reader must have guessed, in the monastery library I found no trace of Adso’s manuscript.
Before we reached Salzburg, one tragic⁷ night in a little hotel on the shores of the Mondsee, my traveling-?companionship was abruptly⁹ interrupted, and the per?son with whom I was traveling disappeared—taking Abbé Vallet’s book, not out of spite, but because of the

点击收听单词发音  

1 scant
adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略
参考例句：
Don't scant the butter when you make a cake.做糕饼时不要吝惜奶油。 Many mothers pay scant attention to their own needs when their children are small.孩子们小的时候，许多母亲都忽视自己的需求。

2 monastery
n.修道院，僧院，寺院
参考例句：
They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。 She was appointed the superior of the monastery two years ago.两年前她被任命为这个修道院的院长。

3 chronological
adj.按年月顺序排列的，年代学的
参考例句：
The paintings are exhibited in chronological sequence.这些画是按创作的时间顺序展出的。 Give me the dates in chronological order.把日期按年月顺序给我。

4 Soviet
adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃
参考例句：
Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。 Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

5 fascination
n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋
参考例句：
He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。 His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。

6 sever
v.切开，割开；断绝，中断
参考例句：
She wanted to sever all her connections with the firm.她想断绝和那家公司的所有联系。 We must never sever the cultural vein of our nation.我们不能割断民族的文化血脉。

7 tragic
adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的
参考例句：
The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。 Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

8 abrupt
adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的
参考例句：
The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。 His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。

9 abruptly
adv.突然地，出其不意地
参考例句：
He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。 I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

10 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

11 derived
vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取
参考例句：
Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》 He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 detailed
adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的
参考例句：
He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。 A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

13 pane
n.窗格玻璃，长方块
参考例句：
He broke this pane of glass.他打破了这块窗玻璃。 Their breath bloomed the frosty pane.他们呼出的水气，在冰冷的窗玻璃上形成一层雾。

14 transcribed
（用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音）
参考例句：
He transcribed two paragraphs from the book into his notebook. 他把书中的两段抄在笔记本上。 Every telephone conversation will be recorded and transcribed. 所有电话交谈都将被录音并作全文转写。

15 transcribe
v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录
参考例句：
We need volunteers to transcribe this manuscript.我们需要自愿者来抄写这个文稿。 I am able to take dictation in English and transcribe them rapidly into Chinese.我会英文记录，还能立即将其改写成中文。

16 bibliographical
书籍解题的，著书目录的
参考例句：
Full bibliographical information should be enclosed after the main text. 文献资料另编录于论文本文之后。 See the bibliographical note under St Anne. 看到书目下的注圣安妮。

17 pessimism
n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者
参考例句：
He displayed his usual pessimism.他流露出惯有的悲观。 There is the note of pessimism in his writings.他的著作带有悲观色彩。

18 forgery
n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为）
参考例句：
The painting was a forgery.这张画是赝品。 He was sent to prison for forgery.他因伪造罪而被关进监狱。

19 fatigue
n.疲劳，劳累
参考例句：
The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。 I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

20 delightful
adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的
参考例句：
We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。 Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。

21 browsing
v.吃草( browse的现在分词 )；随意翻阅；（在商店里）随便看看；（在计算机上）浏览信息
参考例句：
He sits browsing over[through] a book. 他坐着翻阅书籍。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Cattle is browsing in the field. 牛正在田里吃草。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 patio
n.庭院，平台
参考例句：
Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there,I thought.我又忽然想到家里漂亮的院子，我能够在这里宁静地呆会。 They had a barbecue on their patio on Sunday.星期天他们在院子里进行烧烤。

23 copious
adj.丰富的，大量的
参考例句：
She supports her theory with copious evidences.她以大量的例证来充实自己的理论。 Every star is a copious source of neutrinos.每颗恒星都是丰富的中微子源。

24 quotations
n.引用( quotation的名词复数 )；[商业]行情（报告）；（货物或股票的）市价；时价
参考例句：
The insurance company requires three quotations for repairs to the car. 保险公司要修理这辆汽车的三家修理厂的报价单。 来自《简明英汉词典》 These quotations cannot readily be traced to their sources. 这些引语很难查出出自何处。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

25 labyrinth
n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路
参考例句：
He wandered through the labyrinth of the alleyways.他在迷宫似的小巷中闲逛。 The human mind is a labyrinth.人的心灵是一座迷宫。

26 memoirs
n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数)
参考例句：
Her memoirs were ghostwritten. 她的回忆录是由别人代写的。 I watched a trailer for the screenplay of his memoirs. 我看过以他的回忆录改编成电影的预告片。 来自《简明英汉词典》

27 narrates
v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句 Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

28 shrouded
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密
参考例句：
The hills were shrouded in mist . 这些小山被笼罩在薄雾之中。 The towers were shrouded in mist. 城楼被蒙上薄雾。 来自《简明英汉词典》

29 scrupulously
adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地
参考例句：
She toed scrupulously into the room. 她小心翼翼地踮着脚走进房间。 来自辞典例句 To others he would be scrupulously fair. 对待别人，他力求公正。 来自英汉非文学 - 文明史

30 ridge
n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭
参考例句：
We clambered up the hillside to the ridge above.我们沿着山坡费力地爬上了山脊。 The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.步兵部队正在向前挺进攻打山脊。

31 novice
adj.新手的，生手的
参考例句：
As a novice writer,this is something I'm interested in.作为初涉写作的人，我对此很感兴趣。 She realized that she was a novice.她知道自己初出茅庐。

32 monk
n.和尚，僧侣，修道士
参考例句：
The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。 Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

33 summation
n.总和；最后辩论
参考例句：
The exhibition was a summation of his life's work.这次展览汇集了他一生中典型的作品。 The defense attorney phrased his summation at last.最后，辩护律师作了辩论总结。

34 quirks
n.奇事，巧合( quirk的名词复数 )；怪癖
参考例句：
One of his quirks is that he refuses to travel by train. 他的怪癖之一是不愿乘火车旅行。 来自《简明英汉词典》 All men have their own quirks and twists. 人人都有他们自己的怪癖和奇想。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

35 impervious
adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的
参考例句：
He was completely impervious to criticism.他对批评毫不在乎。 This material is impervious to gases and liquids.气体和液体都透不过这种物质。

36 vernacular
adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名
参考例句：
The house is built in a vernacular style.这房子按当地的风格建筑。 The traditional Chinese vernacular architecture is an epitome of Chinese traditional culture.中国传统民居建筑可谓中国传统文化的缩影。

37 countless
adj.无数的，多得不计其数的
参考例句：
In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。 I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

38 remains
n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹
参考例句：
He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。 The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

39 literally
adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实
参考例句：
He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。 Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

40 transcribing
（用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的现在分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音）
参考例句：
They continue to remove molecules until the cell stops transcribing the gene. 他们继续除去分子，直到细胞不再转录基因为止。 Q: Can I use Voice-to-Text software to help with the transcribing? 问：我能使用声音-到-本文的软件帮助转换吗？

41 corrupt
v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的
参考例句：
The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。 This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

42 monks
n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。 He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

43 glosses
n.（页末或书后的）注释( gloss的名词复数 )；（表面的）光滑；虚假的外表；用以产生光泽的物质v.注解( gloss的第三人称单数 )；掩饰（错误）；粉饰；把…搪塞过去
参考例句：
The movie glosses over the real issues of the war. 这部电影掩饰了这次战争的真正问题。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Time inevitably glosses over the particularities of each situation. 时间不可避免地掩饰了每种情形的特质。 来自互联网

44 annotations
n.注释( annotation的名词复数 )；附注
参考例句：
I wrote annotations in the margin of the book. 我在书的边缘作注。 来自《简明英汉词典》 My annotations appear in square brackets. 在方括号里有我给的注解。 来自辞典例句

45 opportune
adj.合适的，适当的
参考例句：
Her arrival was very opportune.她来得非常及时。 The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

46 fidelity
n.忠诚，忠实；精确
参考例句：
There is nothing like a dog's fidelity.没有什么能比得上狗的忠诚。 His fidelity and industry brought him speedy promotion.他的尽职及勤奋使他很快地得到晋升。

47 authentic
a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的
参考例句：
This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。 Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

48 persistent
adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的
参考例句：
Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。 She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

49 obsessions
n.使人痴迷的人（或物）( obsession的名词复数 )；着魔；困扰
参考例句：
95% of patients know their obsessions are irrational. 95％的病人都知道他们的痴迷是不理智的。 来自辞典例句 Too often you get caught in your own obsessions. 所以你时常会沉迷在某个电影里。 来自互联网

50 narrative
n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的
参考例句：
He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。 Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。

51 dispelled
v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
His speech dispelled any fears about his health. 他的发言消除了人们对他身体健康的担心。 The sun soon dispelled the thick fog. 太阳很快驱散了浓雾。 来自《简明英汉词典》

52 requiem
n.安魂曲，安灵曲
参考例句：
I will sing a requiem for the land walkers.我会给陆地上走的人唱首安魂曲。 The Requiem is on the list for today's concert.《安魂曲》是这次音乐会的演出曲目之一。

53 liturgical
adj.礼拜仪式的
参考例句：
This period corresponds with the liturgical season of Christmas.这个时期与圣诞节的礼拜季节相一致。 This is a book of liturgical forms.这是一本关于礼拜仪式的书。

54 subtitles
n.说明字幕，印在外国影片上的对白翻译字幕，译文对白字幕；小标题，副标题( subtitle的名词复数 )；（电影的）字幕
参考例句：
subtitles for the deaf and the hard of hearing 为耳聋和听力不佳者打出的字幕 a Polish film with English subtitles 附有英语字幕的波兰影片

55 canonical
n.权威的；典型的
参考例句：
These canonical forms have to existence except in our imagination.这些正规式并不存在，只是我们的想象。 This is a combinatorial problem in canonical form.这是组合论中的典型问题。

56 varied
adj.多样的，多变化的
参考例句：
The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。 The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

57 entirely
ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地
参考例句：
The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。 His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

58 credible
adj.可信任的，可靠的
参考例句：
The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。 Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？