美文赏析（106）
Of Beauty
Francis Bacon 1561-1626
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set; and surely virtue is best, in a body that is comely, though not of delicate features; and that hath rather dignity of presence, than beauty of aspect. Neither is it almost seen, that very beautiful persons, are otherwise of great virtue; as if nature were rather busy, not to err, than in labour to produce excellency. And therefore, they prove accomplished, but not of great spirit; and study rather behavior, than virtue; but this holds not always: for Augustus Caesar, Titus Ves Pasianus, Philip Le Belle of France, Edward the Fourth of England, Alcibiades of Athens, Ismael the Sophy of Persia, were all high and great spirits; and yet the most beautiful men of their times. In beauty, that of favour, is more than that of colour, and that of decent and gracious motion, more than that of favour.
New words and expressions生词和短语
virtue ['və:tju:] n.德行，美德
comely [['kʌmli] adj.清秀的，标致的
delicate ['delikit] adj.精巧的，精致的
dignity ['digniti] n.尊严，高贵
err [ə:] vi.犯错，做错，犯罪，[废]走上歧途
decent ['di:sənt] adj.正派的，端庄的
参考译文
美文赏析
论美丽
德行犹如宝石，朴素最美；其于人也，则有德者但须形体悦目，不必面貌俊秀，与其貌美，不若气度恢弘。人不尽知：绝无大德也；一如自然劳碌终日，但求无过，而无力制成上品。因此美男子有才而无壮志，重行而不重德。但亦不尽然，罗马大帝奥古斯提与泰
特思、法王菲律浦、英王爱德华四世、古雅典之亚西拜提斯及波斯之伊斯迈帝，皆有宏图壮志又为当时最美之人也。美，不在颜艳丽，而在面目端正，而又不尽在面目端正，而在举止文雅合度。