美國語文第五冊 第169期：約翰-亞當斯的假設演講（05）
But whatever may be our fate, be assured—be assured that this Declaration will stand.
無論我們命運如何，我敢擔保，請放心，這份獨立宣言將會生效，
It may cost treasure, and it may cost blood; but it will stand, and it will richly compensate for both.
或許為此耗費巨大，或許會有眾多流血犧牲；但它一定會生效，并勢必極大地彌補以下兩點：
Through the thick gloom of the present I see the brightness of the future as the sun in heaven.
透過眼前的血腥晦暗，我看見未來光明，如同天堂的明媚陽光；
We shall make this a glorious, an immortal day.
今天將留存于史，光榮不朽的一天。
When we are in our graves, our children will honor it.
一旦我們走進墳墓，子孫后代將以此榮耀，
They will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires, and illuminations.
他們將以感恩心情、節(jié)日歡騰、以篝火與斑斕燈飾慶賀這一偉大神圣時刻的到來。
On its annual return they will shed tears,—copious, gushing tears;
每逢周年紀念日，孩子們將淚如雨下；
not of subjection and slavery, not of agony and distress, but of exultation, of gratitude, and of joy.
他們并非為專制或奴隸制傷悲，并非為極端痛苦或窘迫貧窮哭泣，而是難以抑制的狂喜，難以言謝的感恩，還有難以表述的滿腔暢快淋漓。
Sir, before God I believe the hour is come.
先生們，在上帝面前，我相信這一時刻即將到來。
My judgment approves the measure, and my whole heart is in it.
我的判斷為權衡時事提供依據，與此同時，我也全身心為此奮斗，
All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it;
包括我的所有財富，我的所有存在，我生活中的所有希冀，我已做好準備為此賭注；
and I leave off as I began, that, live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration.
一旦開始，萬劫不歸，或者說，生存抑或死亡？茍存抑或毀滅？皆為系此一念。我將為《獨立宣言》存活于世，
It is my living sentiment, and, by the blessing of God, it shall by my dying sentiment; independence now, and INDEPENDENCE FOREVER.
它構成我生命的感喟悲傷，面對上帝祝福，它亦將成為我死亡的唏噓，現(xiàn)在獨立，意味獨立永遠。
