冰与火之歌系列之《权力的游戏》第430期:第二十四章 艾德(27)

 　　A paper shield, the eunuch said. Try not to look so shocked, Lord Stark¹.  不过是纸老虎罢了，太监说，史塔克大人，您就别一副震惊的模样了。

　　Jaime Lannister is himself a Sworn Brother of the White Swords, and we all know what his oath is worth.  詹姆·兰尼斯特固然是个宣过誓的白骑士，但我们都知道他发的誓有几分斤两。

　　The days when men like Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight wore the white cloak are gone to dust and song.  莱安·雷德温和龙骑士伊蒙王子披白袍的日子早过去啦。如今的七铁卫里，只有巴利斯坦·赛尔弥爵士有真本领，然而赛尔弥老矣。

　　Of these seven, only Ser Barristan Selmy is made of the true steel, and Selmy is old. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn are the queen's creatures to the bone,  柏洛斯爵士和马林爵士都是王后死心塌地的走狗，另外几个我看也好不到哪里去。

　　and I have deep suspicions of the others. No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you will be the only true friend Robert Baratheon will have. 是的，大人，若真要动刀动枪，您将会是劳勃·拜拉席恩惟一的朋友。

　　Robert must be told, Ned said. If what you say is true, if even a part of it is true, the king must hear it for himself. 我得让劳勃知道，奈德道，假如你所言非虚，即便只有一半属实，国王本人都应该立刻知情。

　　And what proof shall we lay before him? My words against theirs?  那请问咱们的证据何在？难道要我和他们当面对质？

　　My little birds against the queen and the Kingslayer, against his brothers and his council, against the Wardens² of East and West, 要我的小小鸟儿与王后、弑君者，与国王的亲弟弟和他满朝重臣，东西境守护，

　　against all the might of Casterly Rock? Pray, send for Ser Ilyn directly, it will save us all some time. I know where that road ends. 以及凯岩城所有的势力为敌？您干脆直接叫伊林爵士来砍我头吧，那样比较省事。我知道说了会有什么下场。

　　Yet if what you say is true, they will only bide³ their time and make another attempt. 若你所言属实，他们只会静待时机，准备再次发难。

　　Indeed they will, said Varys, and sooner rather than later, I do fear. You are making them most anxious, Lord Eddard.  那还用说，瓦里斯道，只怕会很快。艾德大人，您让他们寝食难安哪。

　　But my little birds will be listening, and together we may be able to forestall⁴ them, you and I.  但我的小小鸟儿会仔细倾听，咱们俩联手，或许能洞烛先机，就你我两个。

　　He rose and pulled up his cowl so his face was hidden once more.  他站起身，拉上斗篷遮住脸。谢谢您的酒，今天就到此为止，其他以后再谈。

　　Thank you for the wine. We will speak again. When you see me next at council, be certain to treat me with your accustomed contempt. You should not find it difficult. 下次您在朝廷里见到我，请千万别忘了用上您以前那种轻蔑的态度。我想这应该很容易。

1 stark   

adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地

参考例句：

• The young man is faced with a stark choice.这位年轻人面临严峻的抉择。
• He gave a stark denial to the rumor.他对谣言加以完全的否认。

2 wardens   

n.看守人( warden的名词复数 )；管理员；监察员；监察官

参考例句：

• Air raid wardens in tin hats self-importantly stalked the streets. 空袭民防队员戴着钢盔神气活现地走在街上昂首阔步。 来自辞典例句
• The game wardens tranquillized the rhinoceros with a drugged dart. 猎物保护区管理员用麻醉射器让犀牛静了下来。 来自辞典例句

3 bide   

v.忍耐；等候；住

参考例句：

• We'll have to bide our time until the rain stops.我们必须等到雨停。
• Bide here for a while. 请在这儿等一会儿。

4 forestall   

vt.抢在…之前采取行动；预先阻止

参考例句：

• I left the room to forestall involvements.我抢先离开了这房间以免受牵累。
• He followed this rule in order to forestall rumors.他遵守这条规矩是为了杜绝流言蜚语。