专八汉译英热身练习场--八

　　原文：

　　It is a strange thing， to note the excess of this passion， and how it braves the nature， and value of things， by this; that the speaking in a perpetual hyperbole， is comely in nothing but in love. Neither is it merely in the phrase; for whereas it hath been well said， that the arch-flatterer， with whom all the petty flatterers have intelligence， is a man`s self; certainly the lover is more. For there was never proud man thought so absurdly well of him self， as the lover doth of the person loved; and therefore it was well said， That it is impossible to love， and to be wise. Neither doth this weakness appear to others only， and not to the party loved; but to the loved most of all， except the love be reciproque. For it is a true rule， that love is ever rewarded， either with the reciproque， or with an inward and secret contempt.

　　参考译文：

　　过度的爱情追求，必然会降低人本身的价值。例如，只有在爱情中，才永远需要那种浮夸诌媚的词令。而在其他场合，同样的词令只能招人耻笑。古人有一句名言：最大的奉承，人总是留给自己的。--只有对情人的奉承要算例外。因为甚至最骄傲的人，也甘愿在情人面前自轻自贱。所以古人说得好：就是神在爱情中也难保持聪明。情人的这种弱点不仅在外人眼中是明显的，就是在被追求者的眼中也会很明显除非她(他)也在追求他(她)。所以，爱情的代价就是如此，不能得到回爱，就会得到一种深藏于心的轻蔑，这是一条永真的定律。