《唐顿庄园》对白(一)

 
                
                
"The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear, that it seems as if the way of life it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't."
                                                                                                                     —Julian Fellowes, writer
场景一：唐顿庄园宴请宾朋，二小姐伊迪丝的心上人迈克•格里格森前来赴会，希望能获得格兰瑟姆伯爵的认可，但他唯一能和伯爵说上话的机会却在牌桌上，以下是他们在牌桌上的一段对话。
Simpson: Four nines.
Lord Grantham: You’re too good for me.
Gregson: He’s too good for all of us.
Simpson: Nonsense. I’ve been lucky, that’s all.
Gregson: I’m wondering if I ought to stop. I’m in pretty deep.
Lord Grantham: I’m in a lot deeper, I’m sad to say.
Simpson: Your luck is about to change, gentlemen. I’m certain of it.
Gregson: If it doesn’t, how do you like to be paid?
Simpson: Don’t worry. I’m happy with IOUs. We can settle up when we leave or at the club. Besides, you may have won it all back by the end.
Lord Grantham: Not a chance. I hope you can all keep my secret? I wouldn’t want to worry Lady Grantham.
Gregson: We must practise our poker face.
Simpson: Antes, gentlemen.
Notes:
1. too good for 比……厉害，在行。在这段对话中“you’re too good for me”意思就是“你太厉害了，我不是你的对手”。
例如：Our team lost the game to that team by 2-0. They are too good for us. 我们队以2-0的比分输给了那个队，他们太厉害了，我们不是他们的对手。
2. I’m happy with IOUs. 我不介意收欠条。这里IOU为I owe you的简写。be happy with表示“对……感到满意，没有意见”。
例如：They care little about the scores and will even be happy with a C. 他们对成绩不太在意，即便得了个C也没关系。
3. not a chance 不可能，与它意思相反的词组为a big chance。
例如：There’s not a chance you can borrow the book from the library but a big chance that you may find one in the bookstore nearby. 你不可能在图书馆借到这本书了，但是去附近书店倒是很有可能买到一本。
4. poker face 面无表情
例如：In business, a poker face can be very useful. 生意场上，不露声色会非常有用的。