《简·爱》 Chapter 38 第三十八章（6）

He may be stern; he may be exacting¹; he may be ambitious yet;

他也许很严厉，也许很苛刻，也许还雄心勃勃，

but his is the sternness of the warrior² Greatheart, who guards his pilgrim convoy³ from the onslaught of Apollyon.

但他的严厉是武士大心一类的严厉，大心保卫他所护送的香客，免受亚玻伦人的袭击，

His is the exaction⁴ of the apostle, who speaks but for Christ, when he says --

他的苛刻是使徒那种苛刻，他代表上帝说：

"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me."

“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。”

His is the ambition of the high master-spirit, which aims to fill a place in the first rank of those who are redeemed⁵ from the earth --

他的雄心是高尚的主的精神之雄心，目的是要名列尘世得救者的前茅——

who stand without fault before the throne of God, who share the last mighty⁶ victories of the Lamb, who are called, and chosen, and faithful.

这些人毫无过错地站在上帝的宝座前面，分享耶稣最后的伟大胜利。他们被召唤，被选中，都是些忠贞不二的人。

St. John is unmarried: he never will marry now.

圣·约翰没有结婚，现在再也不会了。

Himself has hitherto sufficed to the toil⁷, and the toil draws near its close: his glorious sun hastens to its setting.

他独自一人足以胜任辛劳，他的劳作已快结束。他那光辉的太阳急匆匆下沉。

The last letter I received from him drew from my eves human tears, and yet filled my heart with divine joy:

他给我的最后一封信，催下了我世俗的眼泪，也使我心中充满了神圣的欢乐。

he anticipated his sure reward, his incorruptible crown.

他提前得到了必定得到的酬报，那不朽的桂冠。

I know that a stranger's hand will write to me next, to say that the good and faithful servant has been called at length into the joy of his Lord.

我知道一只陌生的手随之会写信给我，说这位善良而忠实的仆人最后已被召安享受主的欢乐了。

And why weep for this?

为什么要为此而哭泣呢？

No fear of death will darken St. John's last hour: his mind will be unclouded, his heart will be undaunted, his hope will be sure, his faith steadfast⁸.

不会有死的恐惧使圣·约翰的临终时刻暗淡无光。他的头脑十分明晰；他的心灵无所畏惧；他的希望十分可靠；他的信念不可动遥

His own words are a pledge of this: --

他自己的话就是一个很好的保证：

"My Master," he says, "has forewarned me.

“我的主，”他说，“已经预先警告过我。

Daily He announces more distinctly, --

日复一日他都更加明确地宣告，

'Surely I come quickly!' and hourly I more eagerly respond, --

‘是了，我必快来，’我每时每刻更加急切地回答，

'Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!'"

‘阿门，主耶稣呵，我愿你来！’”

1 exacting   

adj.苛求的，要求严格的

参考例句：

• He must remember the letters and symbols with exacting precision.他必须以严格的精度记住每个字母和符号。
• The public has been more exacting in its demands as time has passed.随着时间的推移，公众的要求更趋严格。

2 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

3 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。

4 exaction   

n.强求，强征；杂税

参考例句：

• The aged leader was exhausted by the exaction of a pitiless system.作为年迈的领导人，冷酷无情制度的苛求使他心力交瘁。
• The exaction was revived by Richard I.这种苛捐杂税被查理一世加以恢复。

5 redeemed   

adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• She has redeemed her pawned jewellery. 她赎回了当掉的珠宝。
• He redeemed his watch from the pawnbroker's. 他从当铺赎回手表。

6 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

7 toil   

vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事

参考例句：

• The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。
• Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

8 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。