英语六级必读美文013：情人节的由来

　　There are varying opinions as to the origin ofValentines Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Chrishanity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.

　　关于情人节的起源有许多种说法。有关人士认为情人节是一个名叫圣瓦伦丁的人士发起的。他是罗马人，因拒绝放弃基督教而惨遭杀害。他去世的时间是公元前269年2月14日，这一天也正好是全城专心于爱情抽签的日子。

　　Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailers daughter, who had become his lover, and signed it From Your Valentine . Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

　　而另外一种说法更具有传奇色彩，相传圣瓦伦丁曾留下一本日记给了狱卒的女儿，署名为 你的情人 ，据说这名狱卒的女儿就是圣瓦伦丁的情人。还有其他的说法也颇为有趣。比如说有人认为在克劳狄君王统治时期，圣瓦仑丁曾经是一名神父，因为公然挑战克劳狄君王的权威而身陷囹圄。所以，公元前496年罗马教皇基拉西乌斯特意将2月14日作为一个特别的日子以纪念圣瓦伦丁。

　　Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.There was often a social gathering or a ball.

　　此后2月14日就成为了_一个具有特殊意义的日子。这天人们向自己心仪的人传递信息以示爱意。圣瓦仑丁也理所当然地成为了为恋爱中的男女们牵线搭桥的人。人们这一天会特意做诗或者将一些小礼物，如鲜花送给自己心爱的人。而且人们还会组织各种各样的聚会来庆祝这个特殊的节日.

　　In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentline cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800s and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland,Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of 800d continues as valentines are sent out with sentimenkl verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

　　埃斯特 豪兰小姐是美国第一位因为发送情人节卡片而受到荣誉奖励的人。早在19世纪初，情人节就已初露商业化的端倪，而如今情人节已经完全被商业化了，比如每当每年2月14日来临的时候，在科罗拉多的拉夫兰这样的城镇里，人们都要派送大量的为情人节特别准备的卡片.而在这天人们往往吟歌做诗并且把这些写入卡片中送给自己喜欢的人以表达自己的爱意，学校里孩子门也喜欢互赠贺卡