英國語文第四冊(雙語):華盛頓軼事(1)
LESSON 23 Anecdotes of Washington
第二十三課 華盛頓軼事
During the American War, the captain of a little band of soldiers was giving orders to those under him,
在美國戰(zhàn)爭時期，一支小隊士兵的首領正向他的手下發(fā)號施令，
about a heavy beam that they were endeavouring to raise to the top of some military works which they were repairing.
讓他們將一條重梁盡力提升到他們正在修整的軍事工程的頂端。
The weight was almost beyond their power to raise,
它的重量幾乎超過了他們所能承受的范圍，
and the voice of the superintendent was often heard shouting,
而負責人還經(jīng)常大喊，
"Heave away! There it goes! Heave, ho!"
“繼續(xù)舉！這邊，舉，快點！”
An officer, not in military costume, was passing,
一個身著便裝的軍官，從這里經(jīng)過，
and asked the superintendent why he did not render a little aid.
他問負責人為什么不能幫下忙。
The latter, astonished, turning round with all the pomp of an emperor, said, "Sir, I am a corporal!"
負責人大吃一驚，像國王一樣驕傲地轉(zhuǎn)過身說道，“長官，我是下士！”
"You are, are you?" replied the officer; "I was not aware of that;"
“是嗎？”軍官說，“我不知道；”
and taking off his hat, he bowed, saying, "I ask your pardon, Mr. Corporal."
然后脫掉帽子，鞠了一躬說，“下士，請原諒我。”
Upon this he dismounted, and pulled till the sweat stood in drops on his forehead.
隨后他下車去幫忙拉，弄得滿頭大汗。
And when the beam was raised, turning to the little great man, he said, —
當重梁升到應有位置后，他轉(zhuǎn)向那自以為偉大的小人物，他說，——
"Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not men enough,
“下士，等你另外有這種活，人手又不足時，
send for your Commander-in-chief, and I shall gladly come to help you a second time!"
給你的總司令發(fā)消息，我會很樂意再來幫你的！”
