The telephone rings and this marks the prelude to an unforeseen series of catastrophes.
电话铃响了, 这就揭开了未预料到的大灾难的序幕。
His frequent depressions were the prelude to a complete mental breakdown.
他经常抑郁寡欢, 後来精神完全崩溃了.
The bankruptcy of several small firms was the prelude to general economic collapse.
几家小商行倒闭了, 随之而来的是经济大萧条.