美國語文第六冊 第111期:皮特對羅伯特沃爾浦爾爵士的答復(1)
這位深孚眾望的紳士用這樣的心情和禮儀指責我說，這是一個年輕人令人震驚的犯罪。
I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny;
對此，我既不打算辯解也不想否認。
but content myself with hoping that I may be one of those whose follies cease with their youth,
不過，我很高興自己或許可以成為一位在年輕時不再做愚蠢的事情的人，
and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience.
不是那種礙于經驗而表現(xiàn)得很無知的人。
Whether youth can be imputed to a man as a reproach, I will not assume the province of determining;
不論對一個人而言是否可以把錯誤歸咎于年輕，我都不愿意假裝自己有支配別人的權責;
but surely age may become justly contemptible, if the opportunities which it brings have passed away without improvement,
但可以肯定的是，如果年齡賦予的機會在沒有任何改善的情況下悄悄溜走的話，年齡或許成為遭到輕蔑的正當理由，
and vice appears to prevail when the passions have subsided.
當激情冷靜下來時墮落開始嶄露頭角。
The wretch, who, after having seen the consequences of a thousand errors, continues still to blunder,
在目睹一千個過錯產生的惡果后，這個可憐的人會繼續(xù)錯上加錯，
and whose age has only added obstinacy to stupidity, is surely the object either of abhorrence or contempt,
他的年齡只不過會令他的愚蠢更加頑固，他當然成了厭惡或輕蔑的對象，
and deserves not that his gray hairs should secure him from insult.
他的灰頭發(fā)不應該確保他免受攻訐。
Much more is he to be abhorred, who, as he has advanced in age, has receded from virtue, and become more wicked—with less temptation;
更有甚者，盡管他在年齡上逐漸增長，可是在德性上卻愈發(fā)退步，變得更加邪惡——更加經不起誘惑。
who prostitutes himself for money which he can not enjoy, and spends the remains of his life in the ruin of his country.
這個為了金錢而甘愿出賣自己的人，盡管沒有帶來歡樂，卻用自己的余生毀掉了自己的國家。
But youth is not my only crime; I am accused of acting a theatrical part.
但是，年輕不是我唯一的罪過;我被指責為扮演有威脅的角色。
A theatrical part may either imply some peculiarity of gesture, or a dissimulation of my real sentiments, and an adoption of the opinions and language of another man.
所謂有威脅的角色要么暗示姿態(tài)具有某種特征，要么暗示我在掩飾自己的真正情感。
