Spotlight on Copenhagen (1)
Are you too old for fairy tales? If you think so, Copenhagen is sure to change your mind①.
See the city first from the water. In the harbor sits Denmark’s best-known landmark: the Little Mermaid. Remember her? She left the world of the sea in search of a human soul in one of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fantasies. From the harbor you can get a feel for the attractive “city of green spires.” At twilight or in cloudy weather, the copper-covered spires of old castles and churches lend the city a dream-like atmosphere. You’ll think you’ve stepped into a watercolor painting.
Copenhagen is a city on a human scale. You don’t have to hurry to walk the city’ s center in less than an hour. Exploring it will take much longer. But that’s easy. Copenhagen was the first city to declare a street for pedestrians only. The city has less traffic noise and pollution than any other European capital.
Stroll away from the harbor along the riverbanks, you’ll see the modest Amalienburg Palace first. Completed in the mid-18th century, it still houses the royal family. The Danish Royal Guard is on duty. At noon, you’ll watch the changing of the guard. The guards are not just for show, however. Danes will always remember their heroism on April 9, 1940. When the Nazis invaded Denmark, the guards aimed their guns and fired. Soldiers fell on both sides. The guards would all have been killed if the king hadn’t ordered them to surrender.
Churches and castles are almost all that remain of the original city. Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in 1445. During the late 16th century, trade grew, and so did the city. But fires in 1728 and 1795 destroyed the old wooden structures. Much of what we see today dates from the 19th and early 20th centuries②.
See one of the spires up close — really close — at the 17th century Church of Our Savior. Brave souls may climb the 150 stairs winding outside the spire to its top. If you’re afraid of heights, or if it’s a windy day, you can forget the climb. But then you’ll miss the magnificent view.
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好文妙译
丹麦哥本哈根(1)
你是否已经老得不想听童话了？如果你是这么认为的话，哥本哈根一定能够改变你的想法。
自港口沿着河岸漫步，最先映入眼帘的是风格朴实的阿玛利安堡皇宫。阿玛利安堡皇宫于18世纪中期完工，皇室家族至今居住于此。皇家卫队仍在这里执行任务。中午可以观赏到卫兵换岗的仪式。但是，这些卫兵绝不仅仅是装装样子而已。丹麦人永远记得他们在1940年4月9日的英勇事迹。当时纳粹入侵丹麦，这些卫兵举枪瞄准并且开火。双方都有士兵阵亡。如果国王不叫他们投降的话，这些卫兵可能全都战死沙场了。
近看其中一个塔尖——要非常近——这座建于17世纪的“我们的救世主”教堂。勇敢的人可能会爬上那在尖塔外蜿蜒而上直通塔顶的150层阶梯。如果你有恐高症，或者遇到刮风天气，那就免了吧。不过，你会因此错过那壮观的风景。
词汇斟酌
harbor n.海港
landmark n. 地界标
fantasy n.幻想, 白日梦
spire n.尖顶
twilight n.黎明
pedestrian n. 步行者
invade vt.侵略
surrender vi.投降, 自首
佳句临摹
①【解析】change one’s mind 改变决定或意见
【临摹】Nothing will make me change my mind.任何事情都不能使我改变主意。
②【解析】date from 自某时代存在至今
【临摹】This castle dates from the 14th century.这座城堡建于14世纪。
思如泉涌
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.只会用功不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻。
Nothing is so necessary for travelers as languages. 出门在外，言语最要紧。
