倫敦『大笨鐘』
倫敦的英國國會大廈,有一座巍峨的鐘樓,上面裝有世界聞名的大笨鐘(Big Ben)。大笨鐘塔早已成了倫敦的標志,而大笨鐘的報時訊號則每天通過英國BBC電臺,傳到全世界。
大笨鐘樓由幾個大鐘組成,最大的“時”鐘,直徑2.8米,足有13噸半重,這是真正的大笨鐘。另外有4個“四分之一時”鐘,重量分別為1噸至4噸。
大笨鐘在1858年開始啟用。一百多年來,實踐證明它非但不笨,而且準確異常,令英國人引以為豪。
人們之所以把這鐘叫做Big Ben,一是因為它的確大,二是紀念大鐘建造工程的負責人Benjamin Hall。本杰明簡稱Ben,他是個聰明能干的人。
Why Was Louis IX Called a Perfect Monster?
路易九世為什么被稱為“完美怪物”?
紅人自畫像
我是十三世紀法國國王。在別人眼里我是一個好國王、好丈夫、好父親,這些都歸功于我那智慧而堅忍的母親。她給我良好的教育,并且曾對我說,她寧愿我死也不愿我犯大錯。或許她那種完美主義的要求造就了我的完美吧。
I am King of France in 13th century. I’m considered a good king, husband and father. I owe it to my wise and strong mother. She offered me a good education and told me that she would rather die than see me make any big mistake. Perhaps I’m everything I am because of her pursuit of perfection.
超級訪問
這世間沒有任何人和任何事可以達到“完美”,盡管完美是人們追求的目標。有人說路易九世是“世界上從未見過的完美怪物”,是一個沒有缺點的人。古古又是嫉妒又是好奇,非見見這個完美的人不可。
Though people have always tried to be perfect, nobody or nothing can really achieve it in the world. However, it’s said that Louis IX was “ the unique perfect monster in the world”, without any defect. Gugu was jealous and also curious. Did that kind of man really exist? He couldn’t believe it until he saw the man.
(G=Gugu L=Louis IX)
G: Your Majesty, you look so handsome and noble. No wonder people call you a “ perfect monster”.
L: Really? I think to some extent it’s right about me. As a king, I think I’m not doing bad. The country has been doing well in my reign.
G: It surely is. Plus, I heard that you were a pious Christian and a charitarian?
L: Yeah. I often donate money to churches, hospitals, asylums, hotels and so on. I once even took care of the lepers, who were uniaware of my identity.
G: That’s highly commendable.
L: But I have defects, too. Once in a while I would blow up and you know what? I started a silly war.
G: Despite these, you’re still not far from perfect.
L: Thanks. God would forgive me.
古古:陛下真是英氣逼人、儀態尊貴啊。怪不得有人稱您為“完美怪物”呢。
路易九世:哦?是嗎?我在某種程度上是可以和這個稱謂匹配的,因為作為國王,我自認為還是英明的,把國家治理得井井有條。
古古:是的。我聽說您還是一個虔誠的基督徒和慈善家。
路易九世:啊,我經常捐助教會、醫院、救濟院、招待所等等。我還親自服侍麻風病人,當時,他們并不知道我就是國王。
古古:真是難能可貴啊。
路易九世:但是我也有缺點。我偶爾會脾氣暴躁,還發動過愚蠢的戰爭。
古古:不過您接近完美了。
路易九世:謝謝你這么說。上帝會寬恕我的。