EMPRESS'S FAVORITE 太后恩寵 | Chapter 19
2017年12月27日, 星期三
<1> The Sung dynasty was unusually fortunate in having a succession of good empresses. In the great Han and Tang dynasties, some wives of the emperors either usurped the throne and ruled through powerful eunuchs and relatives of their maiden families, or otherwise succeeded in bringing about the fall of the imperial house.
unusually
usually可以表示“經(jīng)称旯澹”羡洁，unusually 則并非“不骋粽”赋咽，而應(yīng)為“異掣芾ⅲ”或者“非陈烨遥”：
原文中的 unusually fortunate 是特別幸運纹安、極為有幸的意思。
succession
succession 是名詞表示接連考余、連續(xù)先嬉，A succession of 表示一連串的(人或事)，in succession 則意為接連地楚堤、連續(xù)地疫蔓。
succession 含有詞根 -cess，相當于 go身冬，表示“行走,前進”衅胀，意思相近的詞根還有 -ced, -ceed，-cede 等酥筝。如：
- succeed 成功滚躯，繼續(xù)
(suc隨后+ceed=隨后跟上=繼續(xù)=繼續(xù)做=成功) - proceed 繼續(xù)進行，前進
(pro向前+ceed=向前走=前進) - recess 休息，隱居
(re回+cess=走回去=休息) - recession 撤退掸掏，交還
(recess+ion=走回去=撤退)
usurp the throne
Usurp pertains especially to the forcible seizure of kingly power. Leaders who usurp power don't ask for permission to take control of their country. They seize power, often with the help of a large army of followers. A usurper doesn't have to be human. A brand-new radio station can usurp the most popular station in town by playing a better mix of music.
- an upstart pretender trying to usurp the throne（一個試圖篡奪王位的暴徒）
- The powers of local councils are being usurped by central government. 地方市政會的權(quán)力被中央政府攫取了茁影。
- The Congress wants to reverse the reforms and usurp the power of the presidency. 議會企圖顛覆改革，奪取總統(tǒng)權(quán)力丧凤。
eunuch
imperial house
這里 imperial house 的 house呼胚，應(yīng)該是 royal family or dynasty 的意思。
（不得不說息裸，house 的意思還真多…）
<2> The wording of this decree required a great subtlety in the art of damning a man by left-handed compliment.
left-handed 在這里為“不誠懇的；曖昧的 Of doubtful sincerity; dubious”之意：
- left-handed flattery 虛情假意的溜須拍馬
- a left-handed compliment 言不由衷的贊美
<3> Thereupon, he gathered up his gown and sat in an erect posture and looked as though he was ready to remain in this position until he gave up the ghost.
因攝衣正坐沪编，將奄奄焉呼盆。
“Only at the fifth watch,” said the old man, “can one attend to one's own business. As soon as the sun rises, it is not possible to do it.”
老人曰：“惟五更可以勾當自家事，日出之后蚁廓，欲勾當則不可矣访圃。”
give up the ghost
give up the ghost 是死亡的一種非正式說法相嵌，用在含有比喻或幽默意味的語境腿时，還可以表示人放棄，撂挑子饭宾；機器報廢批糟，不再運轉(zhuǎn)等：If someone gives up the ghost, they stop trying to do something because they no longer believe they can do it successfully. If a machine gives up the ghost, it stops working.
attend to
attend to one's business 表示處理事務(wù)，這個用法在上一章子由任監(jiān)酒官時所言“事委于一”（ I had to attend to everything myself.）也有出現(xiàn)看铆。
鏈接：YEARS OF WANDERINGS 浪跡天涯 | Chapter 18
“Get up at the fifth watch.” “Only at the fifth watch can one attend to one's own business.” 本章穿插的這個小故事徽鼎，死生之際，極為了然地傳達了獨處的意義和哲學(xué)弹惦。想到之前看李老鼠說車否淤，調(diào)侃間說到男孩子擁有第一輛車的重大意義，下班回家進門前棠隐，有片刻時間可以躲開世界在自己的車里石抡，什么也不想不去承擔。
另外清晨確實是重要而高效的時段助泽，晨讀或者其他的一些方式的堅持啰扛，正反饋地帶來踏實和進展。
以上侠讯。
