美国语文第六册 第66期:在弗吉尼亚制宪大会上的演讲(1)

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　　We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. 对痛苦的真理，我们倾向于闭上眼睛，聆听塞壬企图将我们变为畜类的魅惑之歌。

　　Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous¹ struggle for liberty? 难道这是为了自由而不惜进行艰苦卓绝斗争的智者所为吗？

　　Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who, having eyes, see not,  难道我们心甘情愿成为有眼无珠，

　　and having ears, hear not the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation²? 充耳不闻，只关心自己的灵魂暂时得到拯救的那种人吗？

　　For my part, whatever anguish³ of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. 就我而言，不论付出多少血的代价，我都想知道整个实情。哪怕是最坏的情况，也要为之做好准备。

　　I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. 能指引我前进的只有一盏灯，那就是经验之灯。

　　I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past; and, judging by the past, 我清楚仅凭过去的经验根本无法对未来做出判断，

　　I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry⁴ for the last ten years  我渴望知道在过去十年里英国内阁的做法，

　　to justify⁵ those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace⁶ themselves and the house? 是否可以作为判断绅士们心底所存的聊以自慰的希望的依据？

　　Is it that insidious⁷ smile with which our petition has been lately received? 他们收到我们最近发出的请愿书后，他们在暗自窃笑，这就是我们希望得到的结果吗？

　　Trust it not: it will prove a snare⁸ to your feet. 但愿不是。这证实我们束缚住了自己的手脚。

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