经典英文美文欣赏摘抄
本着牵手跨世纪读者,诵读中华世纪美文,陶冶情操,享受美丽的愿望,精选当代美文。下面小编整理了经典英文美文欣赏，希望大家喜欢!
Happiness Is an Attitude
幸福是一种态度
The 92-year-old,petite,well-poised and proud lady,who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock,with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied,even though she was legally blind,moved to a nursing home today.
这位92岁高龄、个子小巧、自信而又骄傲的老太太，每天早晨8点就穿戴整齐了。她的头发时髦的护在帽子里，妆也化得恰倒好处，即使她今天合情合理地失明、要搬进一家养老院也不例外。
Her husband of 70 years recently passed away,making the move necessary.
一同走过70个岁月的丈夫新近去世，搬到养老院是必然之举。
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home,she smiled sweetly when told her room was she maneuvered her walker to elevator I provided a visual description of her tiny room.
在养老院的走廊上等了半天之后，她被告之房间已准备就绪，她亲切地笑了。当她推起助步车进入电梯时，我对她的小房间进行了一番视觉描述。
“I love it,”she started with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“我真喜欢这房间，”她热情洋溢的说，好象一个8岁的孩子刚刚得到了一只小狗一样。
“s, you haven’t seen the room…just wait.”
“琼斯夫人，你还没有看到你的房间呢……还是不慌下结论。”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,”she replied.“Happiness is something you decide on ahead of her I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged…it’s how I arrange my mind.I already decided to love it,It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up.I have a choice;I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or get out of bed be thankful for the ones that day is a gift,and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away…just for this time in my life.”
“那和我喜不喜欢这房间没关系，”她回答说。“幸福是你事先就决定了的。我喜不喜欢房子并不取决于家具怎么摆放……而是取决于我怎么想。我已决定要喜欢它……就像每天早晨一睁开眼所作的某个决定一样。我可以作出选择：躺在床上，抱怨身体不便带来的困难可以打发一天;或者翻身起床感激某些部位还能活动自如，也可以度过一天。每一天都是一件礼物，只要睁开眼，我就会全神贯注于崭新的一天和收藏多年的幸福记忆……这一切仅为了今生此刻.”
经典英文美文欣赏鉴赏A Boy with a Mission
男孩的使命
In 1945, a 12-year-old boy saw something in a shop window that set his heart racing. But the price—five dollars—was far beyond Reuben Earle's means. Five dollars would buy almost a week's groceries for his family.
1945年，一个12岁的男孩在一家商店橱窗里看到一样令他心动的东西，但是——5美元——远不是鲁本?厄尔能付得起的。5美元几乎够买全家一周的食品呢。
Reuben couldn't ask his father for the money. Everything Mark Earle made through fishing in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, Canada. Reuben's mother, Dora, stretched like elastic to feed and clothe their five children.
鲁本不能向父亲要钱。马克?厄尔的每一分钱都是靠在加拿大纽芬兰的罗伯茨湾捕鱼挣来的。鲁本的母亲多拉，为了不让五个孩子冻着饿着，差不多是一个钱当两个钱用。
Nevertheless, he opened the shop's weathered door and went inside. Standing proud and straight in his flour-sack shirt and washed-out trousers, he told the shopkeeper what he wanted, adding, “But I don't have the money right now. Can you please hold it for me for some time?”
尽管如此，鲁本还是推开商店那扇久经风雨的门走了进去。他穿着面粉袋改做的衬衫和洗得褪了色的裤子，站得笔直，丝毫不觉困窘。他告诉了店主他想要的东西，又加上一句：“可我现在还没有钱买它，您能为我预留一段时间吗?”
“I'll try,”the shopkeeper smiled. “Folks around here don't usually have that kind of money to spend on things. It should keep for a while.”
“我尽量吧，”店主微笑着说，“这儿的人买起东西来，一般不会花那么大一笔钱的，一时半会儿卖不出去 。”
Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out into the sunlight with the bay rippling in a freshening wind. There was purpose in his loping stride5. He would raise the five dollars and not tell anybody.
鲁本很有礼貌地碰了碰他的旧帽沿儿，走出店外。阳光下清新的微风吹得罗伯茨湾的海水泛起阵阵涟漪。鲁本迈着大步，下定决心：他要凑齐那5美元，而且不告诉任何人。
Hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, Reuben had an idea.
听到街边传来的铁锤声，鲁本有了主意。
He ran towards the sound and stopped at a construction site. People built their own homes in Bay Roberts, using nails purchased in hessian sacks from a local factory. Sometimes the sacks were discarded in the flurry of building, and Reuben knew he could sell them back to the factory for five cents a piece.
他循声跑过去，来到一处建筑工地。罗伯茨湾的人喜欢自己建房，用的钉子是从本地一家工厂买的，都用麻袋来装。有时干活时忙乱中麻袋就被随手丢弃，而鲁本知道他可以 5分钱一条把麻袋再卖给工厂。
That day he found two sacks, which he took to the rambling wooden factory and sold to the man in charge of packing nails.
那天，他找了两条麻袋，拿到杂乱的木材厂，卖给为钉子装袋的人。
The boy's hand tightly clutched the five-cent pieces as he ran the two kilometers home.
两公里的路程他是一路跑着回的家，手里紧紧攥着两个5分硬币。
Near his house stood the ancient barn that housed the family's goats and chickens. Reuben found a rusty soda tin and dropped his coins inside. Then he climbed into the loft of the barn and hid the tin beneath a pile of sweet smelling hay.
他家旁边有个颇有年头的谷仓，里面圈着家里的山羊和鸡。鲁本在那里找到一个生锈的装苏打的铁罐，把两枚硬币放了进去。然后，他爬上谷仓的阁楼，把铁罐藏在一堆散发着甜香味的干草下面。
It was dinnertime when Reuben got home. His father sat at the big kitchen table, working on a fishing net. Dora was at the kitchen stove, ready to serve dinner as Reuben took his place at the table.
晚饭时分，鲁本跨进家门。父亲正坐在厨房大餐桌旁摆弄渔网，多拉在灶台边忙碌着，准备开饭。鲁本就在桌边坐下了。
He looked at his mother and smiled. Sunlight from the window gilded her shoulder-length blonde hair. Slim and beautiful, she was the center of the home, the glue that held it together.
他看着妈妈，笑了。窗户透进的夕阳余晖将她棕褐的披肩发染成了金色。苗条、美丽的母亲是这个家的中心，她像胶水一样使这个家紧紧粘结在一起。
Her chores were never-ending. Sewing clothes for her family on the old Singer treadle machine, cooking meals and baking bread, planting and tending a vegetable garden, milking the goats and scrubbing soiled clothes on a washboard. But she was happy. Her family and their well-being were her highest priority.
母亲的家务活永远也没个完。用老式的“胜家”缝纫机为一家人缝缝补补;要做饭、烤面包;要照料菜园;要挤羊奶;还要在洗衣板上搓洗脏衣服。可母亲是快乐的，全家人的幸福、健康在她心中是最重要的。
Every day after chores and school, Reuben scoured the town, collecting the hessian nail bags. On the day the two-room school closed for the summer, no student was more delighted than Reuben. Now he would have more time for his mission.
每天放学，做完家务事后，鲁本就在镇上搜寻装钉子的麻袋。只有两间教室的学校开始放暑假的那天，没人能比鲁本更高兴了。现在他有更多时间去完成他的使命。
All summer long, despite chores at home weeding and watering the garden, cutting wood and fetching water—Reuben kept to his secret task.
整整一个夏天，鲁本除了干家务——给菜园锄草、浇水，砍柴和打水外，始终进行着他的秘密任务。
Then all too soon the garden was harvested, the vegetables canned and stored, and the school reopened. Soon the leaves fell and the winds blew cold and gusty from the bay. Reuben wandered the streets, diligently searching for his hessian treasures.
转眼菜园里该采收了，蔬菜被装罐腌制后储藏，学校也开学了。再不久，树叶飘零，海湾吹起阵阵寒风。鲁本在街头徘徊，努力寻找着被他视为宝物的麻袋。
Often he was cold, tired and hungry, but the thought of the object in the shop window sustained him. Sometimes his mother would ask: “Reuben, where were you? We were waiting for you to have dinner.”
他经常是饥寒交迫，疲惫不堪，但是一想到商店橱窗里的那样东西，他就又有劲儿坚持下去了。有时妈妈会问：“鲁本，你上哪儿啦?我们等你吃饭呢!”
“Playing, Mum. Sorry.”
“玩去啦，妈妈。对不起。”
Dora would look at his face and shake her head. Boys.
这时候，多拉总会瞧着他的脸，无奈地摇摇头，心想：男孩就是男孩。
Finally spring burst into glorious green and Reuben's spirits erupted. The time had come! He ran into the barn, climbed to the hayloft and uncovered the tin can. He poured the coins out and began to count.
春天终于来了，带来片片绿意，鲁本的精神也随之振奋。是时候了!他跑到谷仓，爬上草垛，打开铁罐，倒出所有硬币清点起来。
Then he counted again. He needed 20 cents more. Could there be any sacks left any where in town? He had to find four and sell them before the day ended.
他又数一遍，还差20美分。镇上哪儿还会有丢弃的麻袋吗?他必须在今天结束之前再找4条去卖掉。
Reuben ran down Water Street.
鲁本沿着沃特街走着。
The shadows were lengthening when Reuben arrived at the factory. The sack buyer was about to lock up.
鲁本赶到工厂，厂房的影子已被夕阳拉得很长了。收购麻袋的人正要锁门。
“Mister! Please don't close up yet.”
“先生!请先不要关门。”
The man turned and saw Reuben, dirty and sweat stained.
那人转过身来，看到了脏兮兮、汗涔涔的鲁本。
“Come back tomorrow, boy.”
“明天再来吧，孩子。”
“Please, Mister. I have to sell the sacks now—please.”The man heard a tremor in Reuben's voice and could tell he was close to tears.
“求您了，先生，我必须现在把麻袋卖掉——求您啦。”那人感觉到鲁本的声音在颤抖，知道他快要哭了。
“Why do you need this money so badly?”
“你为什么这么急着要这点儿钱?”
“It's a secret.”
“这是秘密。”
The man took the sacks, reached into his pocket and put four coins in Reuben's hand. Reuben murmured a thank you and ran home.
那人接过麻袋，手伸进口袋，掏出4个硬币放在鲁本手里。鲁本轻轻说了声“谢谢”就往家跑。
Then, clutching the tin can, he headed for the shop.
接着，他紧紧搂着铁罐，直奔那家商店。
“I have the money,” he solemnly told the owner.
“我有钱啦!”他一本正经地告诉店主。
The man went to the window and retrieved Reuben's treasure.
店主走向橱窗，取出鲁本梦寐以求的东西。
He wiped the dust off and gently wrapped it in brown paper. Then he placed the parcel in Reuben's hands.
他掸去灰尘，用牛皮纸把它小心包好，然后把这个小包放到鲁本手上。
Racing home, Reuben burst through the front door. His mother was scrubbing the kitchen stove. “Here, Mum! Here!”Reuben exclaimed as he ran to her side. He placed a small box in her work roughened hand.
鲁本一路狂奔到家，冲进前门。妈妈正在厨房擦洗灶台。“瞧，妈妈!瞧!”鲁本一边跑向她一边大叫着。他把一个小盒子放在她因劳作而变得粗糙的手上。
She unwrapped it carefully, to save the paper. A blue-velvet jewel box appeared. Dora lifted the lid, tears beginning to blur her vision.
为了不损坏包装纸，她小心翼翼地把它拆开，一个蓝色天鹅绒的首饰盒映入眼帘。多拉打开盒盖，泪水顿时模糊了她的双眼。
In gold lettering on a small, almond-shaped brooch was the word Mother.
在一个小巧的心状胸针上刻着金字：母亲。
It was Mother's Day, 1946.
那是1946年的母亲节。
Dora had never received such a gift; she had no finery except her wedding ring. Speechless, she smiled radiantly and gathered her son into her arms.
多拉从未收到过这样的礼物;除了结婚戒指外，她没有别的饰物。哽咽无语，她把儿子一把揽入怀中，脸上洋溢着动人的光彩。
经典英文美文欣赏赏析Reflections of a Mother
慈母心曲
I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
我给了你生命，但不能替你生活。
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you i learn.
我能教你知识，但不能强迫你学习。
I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
我能为你指路，但不能为你引路。
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
我能让你自由，但不能带给你自由。
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
我能带你做礼拜，但不能强迫你信教。
I can teach you right from wrong, but I can not always decide for you.
我能教你区别是非，但不能事事为你做主。
I can buy you beautiful cloths, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
我能为你添置漂亮的衣裳，但不能让你拥有美丽的心灵。
I can offter you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
我能给你忠告，但不能代你接受忠告。
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
我能给你母爱，但不能强迫你接受母爱。
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
我能教你与人分享，但不能强迫你做一个无私的人。
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
我能教你尊敬别人，但不能强迫你待人以敬。
I can advise you about friend, but cannot choose them for you.
我能建议你如何交友，但不能替你选择朋友。
I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
我能在性方面给你忠告，但不能让你守身如玉。
I can tell you the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.
我能教你性知识，但不能为你树美名。
I can tell you about drink, but I cannot say "no"for you.
我能教你如何饮酒，但不能替你对酒说“不”。
I can warn you about drugs, but I cannot prevent you from using them.
我能告诫你不要吸毒，但不能制止你吸毒。
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.
我能教你志存高远，但不能替你实现远大的目标。
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
我能教你与人为善，但不能强迫你宽以待人。
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral.
我能告诫你勿以恶小而为之，但不能强迫你尽善尽美。
I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in Gods family.
我能爱你，我的孩子，但不能让你投胎在上帝之家。
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
我能为你祈祷，但不能让你与上帝同行。
I can teach you about jusus, but I cannot make jesus your lord.
我能跟你讲基督，但不能让基督成为你的主。
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
我能教你如何生活，但不能让你长生不老。
I can love you with unconditional love all of my I will!
我能爱你一辈子，毫无保留......说到做到!
