美國語文第六冊 第68期:在弗吉尼亞制憲大會上的演講(4)
對戰(zhàn)爭和戰(zhàn)神的呼吁，是我們所能做的一切。
They tell us that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
他們告訴我們說，我們是弱小的。無法與如此可怕的對手一較高下。
But when shall we be stronger?
可是，我們什么時候才能變得強(qiáng)大起來呢?
Will it be the next week, or the next year?
是接下來的幾個星期還是明年?
Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?
難道是當(dāng)我們完全解除武裝的時候，以及每家每戶的門前都站著一個英國士兵的時候嗎?
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
難道我們猶豫不決和無所事事就會強(qiáng)大起來嗎?
Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs,
難道我們憑天由命和抱定虛妄的希望，
and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
直到我們的敵人束縛住我們的手腳，就會獲得有效的抵抗手段嗎?
We are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
我們并不弱小，唯愿我們能適當(dāng)運(yùn)用造物主賦予我們旨在加強(qiáng)我們力量的那些手段。
Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty,
三百萬人民，為了獲得自由的神圣事業(yè)而武裝起來，
and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
我們只要擁有這樣一個國家，不管敵人派來什么樣的武裝力量都無法戰(zhàn)勝我們。
Besides, we shall not fight our battles alone.
況且，我們不是一個人在戰(zhàn)斗。
There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
還有主宰著國家命運(yùn)的上帝，以及那些為了我們奮勇投入戰(zhàn)斗的朋友們。
