培根散文隨筆集第37章：Of Masques & Triumphs 論宮劇與盛會（中英對照）
培根散文隨筆集中英對照，通過閱讀文學名著學語言，是掌握英語的絕佳方法。既可接觸原汁原味的英語，又能享受文學之美，一舉兩得，何樂不為？
對于喜歡閱讀名著的讀者，這是一個最好的時代，因為有成千上萬的書可以選擇；這又是一個不好的時代，因為在浩繁的卷帙中，很難找到適合自己的好書。而培根的散文隨筆，濃縮的不僅僅是文學，還是智慧。相信對閱讀和寫作都有很好的幫助。
37 of masques & triumphs 論宮劇與盛會
these dungs are but toys, to come amongst such serious observations. but yet, since princes will have such things, it is better they should be graced with elegancy, than daubed with cost dancing to song, is a thing of great state, and pleasure. i understand it, that the song be in choir, placed aloft, and accompanied with some broken music; and the ditty fitted to the device. acting in song, especially in dialogues, hath an extreme good grace: i say acting, not dancing (for that is a mean and vulgar thing), and the voices of the dialogue would be strong and manly (a bass, and a tenor; no treble) and the ditty high and tragical; not nice or dainty. several choirs, placed one over against another, and taking the voice by catches, anthem-wise, give great pleasure.
與如上的各種嚴肅的論說相比，宮劇這一類的東西不過是玩意兒而已。然而，為君主者既然非要這些東西不可，那么這些東西就應當有優雅之美而無浪費之虛飾。依歌而舞是很有氣概，很有樂趣的一種舉動。我底意思是說，歌須要成隊，隊須要居于高處，并且要有弦樂伴奏；歌詞也須適合劇情。連唱帶做，尤其在對話之中，是極端的優美的。不過我所說的是做戲而不是跳舞（因為那是一種卑下凡俗的舉動），對話底聲音也應當強健有丈夫氣（要一個低音和一個高音，不要最高音），歌詞應當高雅悲壯而不應當過于細致綺麗。好幾個歌詠隊，位置于相對的地方，并且此停彼起地接著歌唱，如唱圣詩一般，是很能使人快樂的。
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