Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 1

Reading with Contextual Arabic Glosses

It is a truth (حقيقة) universally acknowledged (مُسلَّم بها لدى الجميع), that a single man in possession of a good fortune (ثروة كبيرة) must be in want of (يبحث عن) a wife.

However little known the feelings (مشاعر) or views (آراء) of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood (منطقة سكنية), this truth is so well fixed (راسخة) in the minds of the surrounding (المحيطة) families, that he is considered (يُعتَبَر) as the rightful property (من نصيب) of some one or other of their daughters.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady (زوجته) to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last (تم تأجيره أخيراً)?”

Mr. Bennet replied (أجاب) that he had not.

“But it is,” returned she (ردّت); “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.”

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

“Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried (قالت بانفعال) his wife, impatiently (بنفاد صبر).

“You want to tell me, and I have no objection (مانع) to hearing it.”

This was invitation enough (تشجيعاً كافياً).

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune (ثروة كبيرة) from the north of England; that he came down (جاء) on Monday in a chaise and four (عربة تجرها أربعة خيول) to see the place, and was so much delighted with it (أُعجب به كثيراً) that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately (على الفور); that he is to take possession (ينتقل للسكن فيه) before Michaelmas (قبل نهاية سبتمبر تقريباً), and some of his servants (خَدَمِه) are to be in the house by the end of next week.”

“What is his name?”

“Bingley.”

“Is he married or single?”

“Oh, single, my dear, to be sure (بالتأكيد)! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing (فرصة رائعة) for our girls!”

“How so? (كيف ذلك؟) How can it affect them?”

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome (مستفزاً)? You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.”

“Is that his design (نيته) in settling here?”

“Design? Nonsense (هراء), how can you talk so! But it is very likely (محتمل جداً) that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”

“I see no occasion (داعي) for that. You and the girls may go-or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are as handsome (جميلة) as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party (المجموعة).”

“My dear, you flatter me (تجاملني). I certainly have had my share of beauty (نصيبي من الجمال), but I do not pretend (أدّعي) to be anything extraordinary (استثنائية) now. When a woman has five grown-up (بالغات) daughters, she ought to give over (تتوقف عن) thinking of her own beauty.”

“In such cases (في مثل هذه الحالات), a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”

“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.”

“It is more than I engage for (أستطيع أن أعد به), I assure you.”

“But consider (فكّر في) your daughters. Only think what an establishment (زواجاً مستقراً ومريحاً) it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined (عازمان) to go, merely (فقط) on that account (لهذا السبب); for in general (عادةً), you know, they visit no newcomers (الوافدين الجدد). Indeed (حقاً) you must go, for it will be impossible (مستحيلاً) for us to visit him, if you do not.”

“You are over scrupulous (شديدة التحفّظ), surely. I dare say (أظن) Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines (رسالة قصيرة) by you to assure him of my hearty consent (موافقتي التامة) to his marrying whichever (أياً كانت) he chooses of the girls-though I must throw in a good word (أدعم) for my little Lizzy.”

“I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others: and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured (مرحةً) as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference (تُفضِّلها).”

“They have none of them much to recommend them (ما يُميِّزهن),” replied he: “they are all silly (تافهات) and ignorant (جاهلات) like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness (ذكاءً وحدةَ ذهن) than her sisters.”

“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse (تسيء إلى) your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing (إزعاجي) me. You have no compassion (رحمة) on my poor nerves (أعصابي المُنهَكة).”

“You mistake me (تسيئين فهمي), my dear. I have a high respect (احتراماً كبيراً) for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration (باهتمام) these twenty years at least.”

“Ah, you do not know what I suffer (أُعاني).”

“But I hope you will get over it (تتجاوزين ذلك), and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”

“It will be no use to us (لن يفيدنا), if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.”

“Depend upon it (ثقي بذلك), my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.”

Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture (خليطاً غريباً) of quick parts (ذكاء حاد), sarcastic humour (سخرية لاذعة), reserve (تحفّظ), and caprice (نزق), that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient (غير كافية) to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develope (فهم شخصيتها كان أيسر). She was a woman of mean understanding (محدودة الفهم), little information (قليلة المعرفة), and uncertain temper (متقلبة المزاج). When she was discontented (غير راضية), she fancied herself nervous (تخيّلت أنها تعاني من أعصابها). The business of her life (شغلها الشاغل) was to get her daughters married: its solace (عزاؤها) was visiting and news.

Key Expressions

Practice