美国语文第六册 第111期:皮特对罗伯特沃尔浦尔爵士的答复(2)(在线收听

 In the first sense, the charge is too trifling to be confuted, and deserves only to be mentioned that it may be despised. 这一指责太过轻佻,不值一驳,只配受到鄙视时才会提及。

I am at liberty, like every other man, to use my own language; 同其他人一样,随意使用自己习惯的语言。
and though, perhaps, I may have some ambition to please this gentleman, I shall not lay myself under any restraint, 尽管我或许在某种程度上有取悦这位绅士的渴望,但我不会将自己置于任何束缚之下,
nor very solicitously copy his diction or his mien, however matured by age, or modeled by experience. 更不会热衷于模仿他的举止言行,不论年龄上的成熟,还是经验。
But, if any man shall, by charging me with theatrical behavior, imply that I utter any sentiments but my own, 但是,倘若有人想通过指责我有威胁性行为来暗示我只不过在宣泄自己的愤怒的话,
I shall treat him as a calumniator and a villain; 我会视其为诽谤者和无赖。
nor shall any protection shelter him from the treatment he deserves. 对这样的人,不配有任何避风港。
I shall, on such an occasion, without scruple, 在这种情况下,我不会顾及良心上不安,
trample upon all those forms with which wealth and dignity intrench themselves, nor shall anything but age restrain my resentment; 决然践踏财富和尊严固守的所有那些形式,年龄不会约束我泄愤;
age,—which always brings one privilege, that of being insolent and supercilious, without punishment. 年龄——始终赋予一种侮慢和高傲的特权,而不受任何惩罚!
But, with regard to those whom I have offended, I am of opinion that, if I had acted a borrowed part, I should have avoided their censure: 但是,对于被我冒犯的那些人,我的想法是,如果我扮演的是虚伪的角色,想必我会回避他们的苛责:
the heat that offended them was the ardor of conviction, and that zeal for the service of my country which neither hope nor fear shall influence me to suppress. 冒犯他们所带来的激动实际上是对信仰抱有的热情,服务于自己国家的热忱既不是我所希望的,也不是我所担心的,影响到我刻意压抑自己的情感。
I will not sit unconcerned while my liberty is invaded, nor look in silence upon public robbery. 我不会对我的自由被侵犯无动于衷,也不会对公开抢劫保持缄默。
I will exert my endeavors, at whatever hazard, to repel the aggressor, and drag the thief to justice, 不管是否冒险,我都会竭尽全力赶走入侵者,让首犯交给大众,
whoever may protect him in his villainies, and whoever may partake of his plunder. 究竟谁将自己的恶行掩藏起来,究竟谁参与了抢劫。
 
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