英语名篇诵读 不自由，毋宁死(二)

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death (Ⅱ) 

不自由，毋宁死(二)

Patrick Henry(帕特里克·亨利)

They tell us, sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary¹. But

when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are

totally disarmed², and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather

strength by irresolution³ and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying

supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive⁴ phantom⁵ of hope, until our enemies shall

have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which

the God of nature has placed in our power. Three million of people, armed in the holy cause of

liberty and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible⁶ by any force which our

enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God

who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant⁷, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we

have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

There is no retreat, but in submission⁸ and slavery！ Our chains are forged. Their clanking

may be heard on the plains of Boston！ The war is inevitable⁹ — and let it come！！ I repeat it,

sir, let it come！！！

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate¹⁰ the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace — but there is

no peace. The war is actually begun！ The next gale¹¹ that sweeps from the north will bring to our

ears the clash of resounding¹² arms！ Our brethren are already on the field！ Why stand we here

idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as

to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty¹³ God！ — I know not what

course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death！

他们告诉我们，先生们，我们太弱，对付不了这么可怕的敌人。但是我们什么时候才

能变得更强大呢？会是下周或是下一年吗？难道要等我们全部解除了武装、每一个家庭都

驻上一个英国卫兵我们才能强大吗？犹豫不决，不采取行动就意味着我们加强力量了吗？

难道我们应该仰卧着获取有效的抵抗能力，拥抱欺骗性的希望幽灵，直到敌人捆住我们的

手脚吗？先生们，我们并不虚弱，只要我们恰当地利用自然之神赋予我们的那些资源。三

百万人为自由神圣的事业武装起来，在自己的国度里，是任何敌人派来镇压我们的力量都

不可抵挡的。此外，先生们，我们也不是孤军作战。有一个公正的上帝主宰着各国的命

运，为我们召唤来朋友参加我们的战斗。先生们，这场战役的胜利不只是属于强者，还属

于机警的、主动的、勇敢的人。再说，先生们，我们没有选择。如果我们低三下四地去乞

求和平，现在为时已晚，难以退出战斗了。没有退路，除非屈从去当奴隶！我们的锁链已

经锻就，它们的咣当声正从波士顿的平原上传来！这场战争不可避免了——那就让它来

吧！！我再说一遍，先生们，让它来吧！！！

要为这件事找借口是徒劳的。绅士们可以大呼小叫，和平，和平——可是实际上没有

和平。战争实际已经打响，来自北方的下一场飓风将吹来武器铿锵的撞击声。我们的兄弟

们已经上了战场！我们为什么站在这里无所事事！先生们究竟希望什么？他们想要什么？

难道生命就这么宝贵，和平就这么甜美，要用锁链和当奴隶为代价去购买吗？不，万能的

上帝！——我不知道别人选择什么道路，可是就我而言，不自由，毋宁死！

1 adversary   

adj.敌手，对手

参考例句：

• He saw her as his main adversary within the company.他将她视为公司中主要的对手。
• They will do anything to undermine their adversary's reputation.他们会不择手段地去损害对手的名誉。

2 disarmed   

v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒

参考例句：

• Most of the rebels were captured and disarmed. 大部分叛乱分子被俘获并解除了武装。
• The swordsman disarmed his opponent and ran him through. 剑客缴了对手的械，并对其乱刺一气。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 irresolution   

n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定

参考例句：

• A lack of certainty that often leads to irresolution. 疑惑缺少肯定而导致犹豫不决。 来自互联网
• Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? 我们迟疑不决、无所作为就能积聚力量吗？ 来自互联网

4 delusive   

adj.欺骗的，妄想的

参考例句：

• Most of the people realized that their scheme was simply a delusive snare.大多数人都认识到他们的诡计不过是一个骗人的圈套。
• Everyone knows that fairy isles are delusive and illusive things,still everyone wishes they were real.明知神山缥缈，却愿其有。

5 phantom   

n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的

参考例句：

• I found myself staring at her as if she were a phantom.我发现自己瞪大眼睛看着她，好像她是一个幽灵。
• He is only a phantom of a king.他只是有名无实的国王。

6 invincible   

adj.不可征服的，难以制服的

参考例句：

• This football team was once reputed to be invincible.这支足球队曾被誉为无敌的劲旅。
• The workers are invincible as long as they hold together.只要工人团结一致，他们就是不可战胜的。

7 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。

8 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。

9 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。

10 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。

11 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。

12 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。

13 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。