新概念英语第四册65-03

12. nor 表示和前面一定有联系,并用倒装；gaoler 监狱看守 gaoler-gaol 监狱；

gaol bird；惯犯

long-drawn:long time；condemned(该死的,受人谴责的) cell；

cell(single room)-prison；

inflictupon 给谁带来；inflict sth.(ordeal) on sb. ;

13. mumbo-jumbo 繁文缛节；it:death penalty；两个繁文缛节:pen-wiper/ the reading

upon a time 从前 (18世纪)

Nor was the long-drawn ordeal of the condemned cell inflicted either upon the condemned man or his gaolers once upon a time. Those who believe in capital punishment may have arguments for its retention, 13but surely no reasonable argument can be found for retention of the sickening mumbo-jumbo that accompanies it from the moment that the judge dons the black cap with what looks like a pen-wiper balanced on the top of his wig,to the reading of the burial service over the condemned man before he is dead.