美国语文第六册 第232期:马萨诸塞人和南卡罗来纳(2)（在线收听）

Sir, does he suppose it in his power to exhibit in Carolina a name so bright as to produce envy in my bosom?

先生，难道他认为他对在卡罗莱纳显示她的影响力？

No, sir, increased gratification and delight rather.

不，先生，或多或少增加了几分感谢和快乐而已。

Sir, I thank God that, if I am gifted with little of the spirit which is said to be able to raise mortals to the skies,

先生，我感谢上帝，如果幸蒙上帝赐予我一种力量，据说能将凡人举到天上的话，

I have yet none, as I trust, of that other spirit which would drag angels down.

那么我相信我就没有能将天使拉下凡间的其他力量了。

When I shall be found, sir, in my place here in the Senate, or elsewhere, to sneer at public merit because it happened to spring up beyond the little limits of my own state or neighborhood;

先生，有人说我在参议院或在别处，对公共美德进行讥笑，因为碰巧越过了我出生的州或相邻的州那小小的界限；

when I refuse for any such cause, or for any cause, the homage due to American talent, to elevated patriotism, to sincere devotion to liberty and the country;

当时我拒绝任何这样的理由，或者出于任何原因，向美国天才致敬，颂扬爱国主义，对自由和国家表示由衷的挚爱和忠诚；

or if I see an uncommon endowment of Heaven;

抑或要是我洞察到了上天非同寻常的赐予该有多好；

if I see extraordinary capacity or virtue in any son of the South;

要是我能洞察到南方人后代身上那特别的能力和德行；

and if, moved by local prejudice, or gangrened by state jealousy,

倘若受地方偏见影响，或者被嫉妒心态弄坏了心情的话，

I get up here to abate a tithe of a hair from his just character and just fame,

我在这里站起身就从他公正的品格和公正的名声上取下的一根头发课以什么税进行争论，

may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!

我的舌头也许会与我嘴的顶部粘在一起的！