Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death 不自由，毋宁死（在线收听）

导言阅读

帕特里克·亨利（1736—1799），苏格兰裔美国人。他生于弗吉尼亚，是弗吉尼亚殖民地最成功的律师之一，以机敏和精湛的演说技巧而著称。本篇为帕特里克·亨利在弗吉尼亚州里士满的圣约翰教堂发表的著名演说。这篇脍炙人口的演说在美国革命文献史上占有特殊地位。其时，北美殖民地正面临历史性抉择——要么拿起武器，争取独立；要么妥协让步，甘受奴役。亨利以敏锐的政治家眼光，饱满的爱国激情，以铁的事实驳斥了主和派的种种谬误，阐述了武装斗争的必要性和可能性。从此，“不自由，毋宁死”的口号激励了千百万北美人为自由独立而战，这篇演说也成为世界演说名篇。

演讲实录

Mr. President:

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism , as well as abilities, of the veryworthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subjectin different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if,entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth mysentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony.

The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, Iconsider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to themagnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we canhope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and ourcountry. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I shouldconsider myself as guilty of treason towards my country and of an act of disloyalty toward theMajesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut oureyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Isthis the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed tobe of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things whichso nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, Iam willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I knowof no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know whatthere has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopeswith which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidioussmile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare toyour feet.

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious receptionof our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken ourland. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shownourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let usnot deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments towhich kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not toforce us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britainany enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No,sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over tobind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging.

And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying thatfor the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held thesubject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort toentreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been alreadyexhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything thatcould be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we haveremonstrated ; we have supplicated ; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and haveimplored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Ourpetitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; oursupplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt , from the foot ofthe throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation?

There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolatethose inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending --if we mean not baselyto abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we havepledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—wemust fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that isleft us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary . Butwhen shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we aretotally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gatherstrength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lyingsupinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall havebound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hathplaced in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such acountry as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send againstus. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over thedestinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is notto the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. Ifwe were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking maybe heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let itcome. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is nopeace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our earsthe clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?

What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to bepurchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what courseothers may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

参考译文

议长先生：

我比任何人更钦佩刚刚在议会上发言的先生们的爱国精神和才能。但是，对同一事物的看法往往因人而异。因此，尽管我的观点与他们截然不同，我还是要毫无保留地、自由地予以阐述，并且希望不要因此而被视作对先生们的不敬，现在不是讲客气的时候。

摆在议会代表们面前的问题关系到国家的存亡。我认为，这是关系到享受自由还是蒙受奴役的大问题，而且正由于它事关重大，我们的辩论就必须做到各抒己见。只有这样，我们才有可能弄清事实真相，才能不辜负上帝和祖国赋予我们的重任。在这种时刻，如果怕冒犯别人而闭口不言，我认为就是叛国，就是对比世间所有国君更为神圣的上帝的不忠。

议长先生，对希望抱有幻想是人的天性。我们易于闭起眼睛不愿正视痛苦的现实，并倾听海妖惑人的歌声，让她把我们化作禽兽。在为自由而进行艰苦卓绝的斗争中，这难道是有理智的人的作为吗？难道我们愿意成为对获得自由这样休戚相关的事视而不见，充耳不闻的人吗？就我来说，无论在精神上有多么痛苦，我仍然愿意了解全部事实真相和最坏的事态，并为之做好充分准备。

我只有一盏指路明灯，那就是经验之灯。除了过去的经验，我没有什么别的方法可以判断未来。而依据过去的经验，我倒希望知道，10年来英国政府的所作所为，凭什么足以使各位先生有理由满怀希望，并欣然用来安慰自己和议会？难道就是最近接受我们请愿时的那种狡诈的微笑吗？不要相信这种微笑，先生，事实已经证明它是你们脚边的陷阱。

不要被人家的亲吻出卖！请你们自问，接受我们请愿时的和气亲善和遍布我们海陆疆域的大规模备战如何能够相称？难道出于对我们的爱护与和解，有必要动用战舰和军队吗？难道我们流露过决不和解的愿望，以至为了赢回我们的爱，而必须诉诸武力吗？我们不要再欺骗自己了，先生。这些都是战争和征服的工具，是国王采取的最后论辩手段。我要请问先生们，这些战争部署如果不是为了迫使我们就范，那又意味着什么？哪位先生能够指出有其他动机？难道在世界的这一角，还有别的敌人值得大不列颠如此兴师动众，集结起庞大的海陆武装吗？不，先生们，没有任何敌人了。一切都是针对我们的，而不是别人。他们是派来给我们套紧那条由英国政府长期以来铸造的锁链的。

我们应该如何进行抵抗呢？还靠辩论吗？先生，我们已经辩论了10年了。难道还有什么新的御敌之策吗？没有了。我们已经从各方面经过了考虑，但一切都是枉然。难道我们还要苦苦哀告，卑辞乞求吗？难道我们还有什么更好的策略没有使用过吗？先生，我请求你们，千万不要再自欺欺人了。为了阻止这场即将来临的风暴，一切该做的都已经做了。

我们请愿过，我们抗议过，我们哀求过；我们曾拜倒在英王御座前，恳求他制止国会和内阁的残暴行径。可是，我们的请愿受到蔑视，我们的抗议反而招致更多的镇压和侮辱，我们的哀求被置之不理。我们被轻蔑地从御座边一脚踢开了。事到如今，我们怎么还能沉迷于虚无缥缈的和平希望之中呢？

没有任何希望的余地了。假如我们想获得自由，并维护我们长期以来为之献身的崇高权利，假如我们不愿彻底放弃我们多年来的斗争，不获全胜，决不收兵。那么，我们就必须战斗！我再重复一遍，我们必须战斗！我们只有诉诸武力，只有求助于万军之主的上帝。

议长先生，他们说我们太弱小了，无法抵御如此强大的敌人。但是我们何时才能强大起来？是下周，还是明年？难道要等到我们被彻底解除武装，家家户户都驻扎英国士兵的时候？难道我们犹豫迟疑、无所作为就能积聚起力量吗？难道我们高枕而卧，抱着虚幻的希望，待到敌人捆住了我们的双手双脚，就能找到有效的御敌之策了吗？

先生们，只要我们能妥善地利用自然之神赐予我们的力量，我们就不弱小。一旦300万人民为了神圣的自由事业，在自己的国土上武装起来，那么任何敌人都无法战胜我们，此外，我们并非孤军作战，公正的上帝主宰着各国的命运，他将号召朋友们为我们而战，先生们，战争的胜利并非只属于强者。它将属于那些机警、主动和勇敢的人们。何况我们已经别无选择。即使我们没有骨气，想退出战斗，也为时已晚。

退路已经切断，除非甘受屈辱和奴役。囚禁我们的枷锁已经铸成。叮叮的镣铐声已经在波士顿草原上回响。战争已经无可避免——让它来吧！我重复一遍，先生，让它来吧！

企图使事态得到缓和是徒劳的。各位先生可以高喊：和平！和平！但根本不存在和平。战斗实际上已经打响。从北方刮来的风暴将把武器的铿锵回响传到我们耳中。我们的弟兄已经奔赴战场！我们为什么还要站在这里袖手旁观呢？先生们想要做什么？他们会得到什么？难道生命如此宝贵，和平如此甜美，以至于不惜以枷锁和奴役为代价去换取它们吗？

万能的上帝，请千万别让这种事情发生。我不知道别人会走什么路，但是就我而言，不自由，毋宁死！

Vocabulary Bank

1. patriotism ［'peitri?tiz?m ］n 爱国主义

He was a country boy who had joined the army out of a sense of patriotism.

他来自农村，因为一颗爱国心才入了伍。

2. sentiment ［'sentim?nt ］n 观点、意见

What are your sentiments on this issue?

你对这个问题有什么看法？

3. magnitude ［'m?ɡnitju:d ］n 重要性、重要程度You didn't appreciate the magnitude of her achievement.

你没有认识到她这一成就的重大意义。

4. revere ［ri'vi? ］v ~ sb./sth. (for sth.) （尤指宗教上）崇敬某人/某物The professor was revered for his immense learning.

那位教授因其学识渊博而备受敬重。

5. indulge ［in'd?l? ］v (~ in sth.) 纵容（不正当的或不应有的愿望）I shall forget about dieting today. I'm just going to indulge.

今天我要把节食计划置之脑后，想吃什么就吃什么。

6. illusion ［i'lju:??n ］n 错误的观念，幻觉

I have no illusions about my ability.

我对自己的能力如何颇有自知之明。

7. solace ［'s?l?s ］n 安慰，慰藉

The sick man found solace in music.

那个病人从音乐中获得了安慰。

8. insidious ［in'sidi?s ］adj 潜在的，暗中为害的How to punish these insidious businessmen?

怎样来惩罚这些狡猾的商人？

9. petition ［pi'ti??n ］n 请愿书

The petition against closing the swimming-pool was signed by hundreds of local residents.

数百名当地居民联合签名请愿反对关闭游泳池。

10. reconcile ［'rek?nsail ］v 使和解，使复交We were finally reconciled when he apologized.

他道歉后我们终于言归于好了。

11. deceive ［di'si:v ］v 欺骗某人，故意使（某人）误解We were deceived into believing that he could help us.

我们受骗了，还以为他能帮助我们。

12. remonstrate ［ri'm?nstreit ］v 提出抗议，抱怨I remonstrated with him about his rudeness.

他粗暴无礼，我给他提了意见。

13. supplicate ［'s?plikeit ］v 恳求，哀求

He was deaf to my supplications.

我恳求他，他连理都不理。

14. contempt ［k?n'tempt ］n 轻视，蔑视

I feel nothing but contempt for people who treat children so cruelly.

我鄙视如此虐待孩子的人。

15. inestimable ［in'estim?bl ］adj （因过大、过于贵重）难以估量的The value of your assistance is inestimable.

阁下的鼎力相助之功不可胜言。

16. contend ［k?n'tend ］v （与对手）竞争，（与困难）拼搏Several teams are contending for the prize.

有几个队在争夺奖品。

17. adversary ［'?dv?s?ri ］n 竞赛中的对手

He defeated his old adversary.

他击败了他的老对手。

18. invincible ［in'vins?bl ］adj 不能克服的，不可战胜的This is an invincible army.

这是一支不可战胜的军队。

19. preside ［pri'zaid ］v 主持、管理

The city council is presided over by the mayor.

市政委员会由市长领导。

20. resound ［ri'zaund ］v （指声音等）回荡于某处，产生回响The organ resounded through the church.

风琴的声音在教堂里回荡着。

Language Guide

Siren

塞壬女妖

塞壬源自古希腊神话传说，在神话中的她被塑造成一名人面鸟身的海妖，因为与缪斯比赛音乐落败而被缪斯拔去双翅，无法飞翔。失去翅膀后的塞壬只好在海岸线附近游弋，有时会变幻为美人鱼。她拥有天籁般的歌喉，常用歌声诱惑过路的航海者而使航船触礁沉没，船员则成为塞壬的腹中餐。

Grammar Master

nothing less than意为“只不过是，正是，简直是，无非是，完全是，实在是，和……一模一样（相当于neither more nor less than）”。是英语中的一种低调陈述的用法，看似贬义，实则强调，理解时需灵活处理。

例　His negligence was nothing less than criminal.

他的粗心大意无异于犯罪。

例　A parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people.

议会无非是多少有些懒散的人们的一个大聚会。

相对的，nothing more than的意思是“仅仅，不过是”。

例　It was nothing more than a shower.

只不过下了场阵雨。

例　It is nothing more than a made-up story.

它只不过是个杜撰的故事而已。