美國語文第六冊 第197期:教育的必要性(3)
但是，我們的擔(dān)心和努力與我們面臨的危險是共存的，而危險已經(jīng)成為過去。
For it is not the impossibility of self-preservation which threatens us;
在面臨威脅時，激起自衛(wèi)本能是完全可能的，
nor is it the unwillingness of the nation to pay the price of the preservation, as she has paid the price of the purchase of our liberties.
國家也并非不情愿為維持下去付出代價，正如她為我們的自由所付出的代價一樣。
It is inattention and inconsideration, protracted till the crisis is past, and the things which belong to our peace are hid from our eyes.
這種自衛(wèi)本能不被注意且沒有給予考慮，被延長后直到危機成為過去。事關(guān)我們和平的諸多事宜，我們的眼睛被遮住了沒有看到。
And blessed be God, that the tokens of a national waking up, the harbinger of God's mercy, are multiplying upon us!
多虧上帝，作為國家覺醒的象征，展現(xiàn)上帝仁慈的預(yù)兆，才得以連續(xù)降臨到我們頭上。
We did not, in the darkest hour, believe that God had brought our fathers to this goodly land to lay the foundation of religious liberty,
在最黑暗的時刻，我們不相信上帝之所以會把我們的先輩帶到這塊美麗的土地上，來奠定宗教自由，
and wrought such wonders in their preservation, and raised their descendants to such heights of civil and religious liberty,
在他們保持共和政體的恒久性時成就了這樣的奇跡，將他們的后代提升到公民和宗教自由這樣的高度，
only to reverse the analogy of his providence, and abandon his work.
只是為了推翻他的天道類比寓言，拋棄他的功業(yè)。
And though there now be clouds, and the sea roaring, and men's hearts failing, we believe there is light behind the cloud,
盡管現(xiàn)在仍然烏云密布，大海仍舊在咆哮呼號，人們?nèi)狈τ職?，但是我們相信烏云背后就是曙光?/p>
and that the imminence of our danger is intended,
我們面臨危險的迫近是上帝有意為之，
under the guidance of Heaven, to call forth and apply a holy, fraternal fellowship between the East and the West,
目的在于引起和致力于東西方之間一種神圣的、兄弟般的伙伴關(guān)系。
which shall secure our preservation, and make the prosperity of our nation durable as time, and as abundant as the waves of the sea.
這種關(guān)系能確保我們的政體保持下去，使我們國家的繁榮像時間一樣恒久，如大海的波浪一樣豐富。
