I got on horseback within ten minutes after I got your letter. When I got to Canterbury, I got a chaise for town; but I got wet through, and have got such a cold that I shall not get rid of in such a hurry. I got to the Treasury about noon, but first of all got shaved and dressed. I soon got into the secret of getting a memorial before the Board, but I cold not get an answer then; however I got intelligence from a messenger that I should get one next morning. As soon as I got back to my inn, I got my supper and then got to bed. When I got up next morning, I got my breakfast, and having got dressed, I got out in time to get an answer to my memorial. As soon as I got it, I got into a chaise, and got back to Canterbury by three, and got home for tea. I have got nothing for you, and so adieu.

    这个故事全部用与“get”相关的短语写成，属于书面语中用来说明短语动词用处的极端的例子。不过我当时不知道的是这个看似简单的故事其实大有来历，最近我看另一本书——《英语背景知识词典》的时候找到了它的出处。

    这个故事改写自英国作家乔叟（Geoffrey Chaucer，约1340—1400）的《坎特伯雷故事集》（The Canterbury Tales）中的一篇，这部故事集是作者未完成的名著，他在这部作品中借一批从伦敦去坎特伯雷朝圣的香客（pilgrim）之口，讲述了23个故事，从这部书中产生了“All that glisters is not gold”（闪光的不一定都是金子）这样的谚语。这句话中的“glister”属于早期现代英语的词汇，就是“闪耀”、“闪烁”的意思，现在一般用“glisten”替代。这句话表达的意思是不要被一些事物华丽的外表所蒙蔽。

    给大家一个例句：Remember all that glisters is not gold. Careful observation is needed in everything. You must use your own eyes as well as the observation of other.

    我在引用文字的时候应该更加严谨，特此更正。