海伦凯勒：假如给我三天光明（一）

海伦·凯勒：假如给我三天光明（一）
Three Days to See
All of us have read thrilling stories in which the hero had only a limited and specified¹ time to live． Sometimes it was as long as a year； sometimes as short as twenty－four hours．But always we were interested in discovering just how the doomed² man chose to spend his last days or his last hours． I speak， of course， of free men who have a choice， not condemned³ criminals whose sphere of activities is strictly⁴ delimited．
我们大家都读过一些令人激动的故事，这些故事里的主人公仅仅活在有限并且特定的时间内，有时长达一年，有时短到24小时。但我们总是有兴趣发现，那命中注定要死的是那些有选择自由的人，而不是那些活动范围被严格限定了的判了刑的犯人。
Such stories set us thinking， wondering what we should do under similar circumstances． What events， what experiences， what associations should we crowd into those last hours as mortal beings? What happiness should we find in reviewing the past， what regrets?
这样的故事让我们思考，在相似的情况下，我们该怎么办，作为终有一死的人，在那最终的几个小时内安排什么事件，什么经历，什么交往?在回顾往事时，我们该找到什么快乐?什么悔恨?
Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die tomorrow． Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life． We should live each day with a gentleness， a vigor⁵， and a keenness of appreciation⁶ which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama⁷ of more days and months and years to come． There are those， of course， who would adopt the Epicurean motto of "Eat， drink， and be merry，" but most people would be chastened by the certainty of impending⁸ death．
有时我想到，过好每一天是个非常好的习惯，似乎我们明天就会死去。这种态度鲜明地强调了生命的价值。我们应该以优雅、精力充沛、善知乐趣的方式过好每一天。而当岁月推移，在经常瞻观未来之时日、未来之年月中，这些又常常失去。当然，也有人愿按伊壁鸠鲁的信条“吃、喝和欢乐”去生活。（译注：伊壁鸠鲁是古希腊哲学家，他认为生活的主题目的是享乐，而最高的享受唯通过合理的生活，如自我控制才能得到。因为生活享受的目的被过分强调，而达此目的之手段被忽视，所以伊壁鸠鲁的信徒现今变为追求享乐的人。他们的信条是：“让我们吃喝，因为明天我们就死亡”），但绝大多数人还是被即将面临死亡的必然性所折磨。
In stories the doomed hero is usually saved at the last minute by some stroke of fortune， but almost always his sense of values is changed． he becomes more appreciative⁹ of the meaning of life and its permanent spiritual values． It ahs often been noted¹⁰ that those who live， or have lived， in the shadow of death bring a mellow¹¹ sweetness to everything they do．
在故事里，注定要死的主人公往往在最后一刻由某种命运的突变而得救，但几乎总是他的价值观被改变了。他们对生活的意义和它永恒的精神价值变得更具欣赏力了。常常看到那些生活或已生活在死亡的阴影之中的人们都赋予他们所做的每件事以芳醇甜美。
Most of us， however， take life for granted． We know that one day we must die， but usually we picture that day as far in the future． When we are in buoyant health， death is all but　unimaginable． We seldom think of it． The days stretch out in an endless vista¹²． So we go about our petty tasks， hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life．
但是，我们大多数人把生活认为是理所当然的。我们知道，某一天我们一定会死，但通常我们把那天想象在遥远的将来。当我们心宽体健时，死亡几乎是不可想象的，我们很少想到它。时日在无穷的展望中延展着，于是我们干着琐碎的事情，几乎意识不到我们对生活的倦怠态度。
The same lethargy， I am afraid， characterizes the use of all our faculties¹³ and senses． Only the deaf appreciate hearing， only the blind realize the manifold blessings¹⁵ that lie in　sight． Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life． But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make　the fullest use of these blessed faculties． Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily¹⁶， without concentration and with little appreciation． It is the same old story　of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it， of not being conscious of health until we are ill．
恐怕，同倦的懒散也成为利用我们所有的本能和感觉的特点。只有聋子才珍惜听力，唯有瞎子才体会到能看见事物的种种幸福，这种结论特别适合于那些在成年阶段失去视力和听力的人们，而那些从没有遭受视觉或听觉损伤之苦的人却很少充分利用这些天赐的官能。他们模模糊糊地眼观八方，耳听各音，毫无重点，不会鉴赏，还是那相同的老话，对我们所有的官能不知珍惜，直至失去它，对我们的健康意识不到，直至生病时。
I have often thought it would be a blessing¹⁴ if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life． Darkness would make him more　appreciative of sight； silence would tech him the joys of sound．
我常常想，如果每个人在他成年的早期有一段时间致瞎致聋，那会是一种幸事，黑暗会使他更珍惜视力，寂静会教导他享受声音。
Now and them I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see． Recently I was visited by a very good friends who had just returned from a long walk in the woods， and I　asked her what she had observed．． "Nothing in particular， " she replied． I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such reposes¹⁷， for long ago I became convinced　that the seeing see little．
我不时地询问过我的能看见东西的朋友们，以了解他们看到什么。最近，我的一个很好的朋友来看我，她刚从一片森林里散步许久回来，我问她看到了什么，她答道：“没什么特别的。”如果我不是习惯了听到这种回答，我都可能不相信，因为很久以来我已确信这个情况：能看得见的人却看不到什么。
How was it possible， I asked myself， to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy¹⁸ of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere¹⁹ touch． I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf． I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch， or the rough， shaggy bark of a pine． In the spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud the first sign of awakening²⁰ Nature after her winter's sleep． I feel the delightful²¹， velvety²² texture²³ of a flower， and discover its remarkable²⁴ convolutions； and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me． Occasionally， if I am very fortunate， I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song． I am delighted to have the cool waters of a brook²⁵ rush thought my open finger． To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious²⁶ Persian rug． To me the page ant of seasons is a thrilling and unending drama， the action of which streams through my finger tips．
我独自一人，在林子里散步一小时之久而没有看到任何值得注意的东西，那怎么可能呢？我自己，一个不能看见东西的人，仅仅通过触觉，都发现许许多多令我有兴趣的东西。我感触到一片树叶的完美的对称性。我用手喜爱地抚摸过一株白桦那光潮的树皮，或一棵松树的粗糙树皮。春天，我摸着树干的枝条满怀希望地搜索着嫩芽，那是严冬的沉睡后，大自然苏醒的第一个迹象。我抚摸过花朵那令人愉快的天鹅绒般的质地，感觉到它那奇妙的卷绕，一些大自然奇迹向我展现了。有时，如果我很幸运，我把手轻轻地放在一棵小树上，还能感受到一只高声歌唱的小鸟的愉快颤抖，我十分快乐地让小溪涧的凉水穿过我张开的手指流淌过去。对我来说，一片茂密的地毯式的松针叶或松软而富弹性的草地比最豪华的波斯地毯更受欢迎。对我来说四季的壮观而华丽的展示是一部令人激动的、无穷尽的戏剧。这部戏剧的表演，通过我的手指尖端涌淌出来。
At times my heart cries out with longing²⁷ to see all these things． If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch， how much more beauty must be revealed by sight． Yet， those who have eyes apparently²⁸ see little． the panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted． It is human， perhaps， to appreciate little that which we have and to long for that which we have not， but it is a great pity that in the world of light the gift of sight is used only as a mere conveniences rather than as a means of adding fullness to life．
有时，由于渴望能看到这一切东西，我的内心在哭泣。如果说仅凭我的触觉我就能感受到这么多的愉快，那么凭视觉该有多少美丽的东西显露出来。然而，那些能看见的人明显地看得很少，充满世间的色彩和动作的景象被当成理所当然，或许，这是人性共有的特点；对我们具有的不怎么欣赏，而对我们不具有的却渴望得到。然而，这是一个极大的遗憾，在光明的世界里，视力的天赋仅仅作为一种方便之用，而没有作为增添生活美满的手段。
If I were the president of a university I should establish a compulsory²⁹ course in "How to Use Your Eyes"． The professor would try to show his pupils how they could add joy to their lives by really seeing what passes unnoticed before them． He would try to awake their dormant³⁰ and sluggish³¹ faculties．
如果我是一所大学的校长，我就要开设一门强制的必修课“如何应用你的眼睛”。这门课的教授应该试图给他的学生显示怎样能以看见那些在他们面前一现而过的东西来增添他们生活的乐趣，这位教授应该试图唤醒他们沉睡和懒散的天赋。
Perhaps I can best illustrate³² by imagining what I should most like to see if I were given the use of my eyes， say， for just three days． And while I am imagining， suppose you， too， set your mind to work on the problem of how you would use your own eyes if you had only three more days to see． If with the on－coming darkness of the third night you knew that the sun would never rise for you again， how would you spend those three precious intervening days? What would you most want to let your gaze rest upon?
或许，如果让我来应用我的眼睛，比方说，仅仅用３天吧，我能以我想象的最喜欢看见的东西来很好地说清楚这个问题。而且，当我想象的时候，设想你也在思考这个问题。如果你也只有３天多点的时间看东西，你该如何应用你自己的眼睛。如果面对即将到来的第三个夜晚的黑暗，你又知道，太阳对你来说，永不再升起了，那么你该怎样度过这插进来的宝贵的３天呢？你最想要注视的东西是什么呢？
I， naturally， should want most to see the things which have become dear to me through my years of darkness． You， too， would want to let your eyes rest on the things that have become dear to you so that you could take the memory of them with you into the night that loomed³³ before you．
当然，我会最想看到我多年的黑暗中对我变得珍贵的事情，你也会想让你们的目光停留在那些对你已经变得珍贵的事情上。这样，你就能随着你进入那逼近在你面前的长夜而永远记住它们。
If， by some miracle， I were granted three seeing days， to be followed by a relapse into darkness， I should divide the period into three parts．
如果由某种奇迹，我获得了能看见东西的３天，随后又沉陷于一片黑暗之中，我该将这段时间分为３个部分。

1 specified   

adj.特定的

参考例句：

• The architect specified oak for the wood trim. 那位建筑师指定用橡木做木饰条。
• It is generated by some specified means. 这是由某些未加说明的方法产生的。

2 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

3 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

4 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

5 vigor   

n.活力，精力，元气

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• She didn't want to be reminded of her beauty or her former vigor.现在，她不愿人们提起她昔日的美丽和以前的精力充沛。

6 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

7 panorama   

n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置]

参考例句：

• A vast panorama of the valley lay before us.山谷的广阔全景展现在我们面前。
• A flourishing and prosperous panorama spread out before our eyes.一派欣欣向荣的景象展现在我们的眼前。

8 impending   

a.imminent, about to come or happen

参考例句：

• Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时，严重的战乱爆发了。
• The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。

9 appreciative   

adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的

参考例句：

• She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
• We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 mellow   

adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟

参考例句：

• These apples are mellow at this time of year.每年这时节，苹果就熟透了。
• The colours become mellow as the sun went down.当太阳落山时，色彩变得柔和了。

12 vista   

n.远景，深景，展望，回想

参考例句：

• From my bedroom window I looked out on a crowded vista of hills and rooftops.我从卧室窗口望去，远处尽是连绵的山峦和屋顶。
• These uprisings come from desperation and a vista of a future without hope.发生这些暴动是因为人们被逼上了绝路，未来看不到一点儿希望。

13 faculties   

n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院

参考例句：

• Although he's ninety, his mental faculties remain unimpaired. 他虽年届九旬，但头脑仍然清晰。
• All your faculties have come into play in your work. 在你的工作中，你的全部才能已起到了作用。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

15 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

16 hazily   

ad. vaguely, not clear

参考例句：

• He remembered her only hazily. 他只是模模糊糊地记得她。
• We saw the distant hills hazily. 我们朦胧地看到了远处的山丘。

17 reposes   

v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Below this stone reposes the mortal remains of his father. 在此石块下长眠的是他的父亲的遗体。 来自辞典例句
• His body reposes in the local church. 他的遗体安放在当地教堂里。 来自辞典例句

18 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

19 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

20 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

21 delightful   

adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的

参考例句：

• We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
• Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。

22 velvety   

adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的

参考例句：

• a velvety red wine 醇厚的红葡萄酒
• Her skin was admired for its velvety softness. 她的皮肤如天鹅绒般柔软，令人赞叹。

23 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。

24 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

25 brook   

n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让

参考例句：

• In our room we could hear the murmur of a distant brook.在我们房间能听到远处小溪汩汩的流水声。
• The brook trickled through the valley.小溪涓涓流过峡谷。

26 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

27 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。

28 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

29 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

30 dormant   

adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的

参考例句：

• Many animals are in a dormant state during winter.在冬天许多动物都处于睡眠状态。
• This dormant volcano suddenly fired up.这座休眠火山突然爆发了。

31 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

32 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

33 loomed   

v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近

参考例句：

• A dark shape loomed up ahead of us. 一个黑糊糊的影子隐隐出现在我们的前面。
• The prospect of war loomed large in everyone's mind. 战事将起的庞大阴影占据每个人的心。 来自《简明英汉词典》