美国语文第六册 第70期:在弗吉尼亚制宪大会上的演讲(5)

 　　The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant¹, the active, the brave. 这场战争比的不单是谁的力量强大，而是取决于谁能保持清醒，谁更主动以及谁更勇敢无畏。

　　Besides, we have no election. 除此之外，我们没有别的选择。

　　If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. 倘若我们过于怯懦，那么要想现在退出的话已经太迟了。

　　There is no retreat but in submission² and slavery! 除了屈服和奴役，没有别的退路！

　　Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! 我们的枷锁已经锻造好了。在波士顿的旷野上，他们手中武器的叮当声已经可以听到！

　　The war is inevitable³; and, let it come! 战争是无法避免了，那么干脆让它来好了！

　　I repeat it, let it come! 我再重复一遍，让它来好了！

　　It is in vain to extenuate⁴ the matter. 低估或者藐视事态的严重性徒劳无益。

　　Gentlemen may cry peace, peace; but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. 那些绅士们也许会呼吁和平，但是和平是不存在的。战争实际上已经开始。

　　The next gale⁵ that sweeps from the north, will bring to our ears the clash of resounding⁶ arms! 席卷北方的下一场圈地之战已经让我们的耳畔响起武器的铮铮回响声！

　　Our brethren are already in the field! 我们的同胞已经奔赴战场！

　　Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 我们为什么还傻傻地站在这儿发呆？那些绅士们想要得到什么结果？他们会得到什么结果呢？

　　Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? 是高贵的生活还是可爱的和平，这些难道能在铁链和奴役下买得到吗？

　　Forbid it, Almighty⁷ God! 让他们抛弃这个幻想吧，万能的上帝！

　　I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death. 我不晓得别人会怎么做，至于我而言，不自由，毋宁死。

1 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

2 submission   

n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出

参考例句：

• The defeated general showed his submission by giving up his sword.战败将军缴剑表示投降。
• No enemy can frighten us into submission.任何敌人的恐吓都不能使我们屈服。

3 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

4 extenuate   

v.减轻，使人原谅

参考例句：

• Nothing can extenuate his crime.他的罪责无法减轻。
• Because of extenuating circumstances,the court acquitted him of the crime.因考虑到情有可原，法庭判他无罪。

5 gale   

n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等）

参考例句：

• We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
• According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报，明天有大风。

6 resounding   

adj. 响亮的

参考例句：

• The astronaut was welcomed with joyous,resounding acclaim. 人们欢声雷动地迎接那位宇航员。
• He hit the water with a resounding slap. 他啪的一声拍了一下水。

7 almighty   

adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的

参考例句：

• Those rebels did not really challenge Gods almighty power.这些叛徒没有对上帝的全能力量表示怀疑。
• It's almighty cold outside.外面冷得要命。