第一册第12篇:受命统率全军(在线收听

12 Accepting the Command of the Army 受命统率全军
George Washington 乔治·华盛顿
 
You may believe me, when I assure you in the most solemn manner that, so far from(2) seeking this employment, I have used every effort in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the family, but from a consciousness(3) of its being a trust(4) too great for my capacity; and I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding abroad, if my stay were to be seven times seven years(5). But as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that my undertaking it(6) is designed to answer some good purpose ....
I shall rely confidently on that Providence(7) which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall(8). I shall feel no pain from the toil or danger of the campaign; my unhappiness will flow from(9) the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone. I therefore beg that you will summon your whole fortitude, and pass your time as agree- ably as possible. Nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this(10), and to hear it from your own pen.

中文译文:
你可以相信我,我极其庄严地向你保证我根本没有追求过这项任命,而是竭尽全力,千方百计地回避它。这不仅是因为我不愿意同你以及全家人分别,而且因为我深知责任重大,苎我力所能及。另外,倘若我出门数十载寻求前景非常遥远的幸福,那还比不上在家中与你相聚一个月那样真正幸福。但是,既然命运已赋予我这个使命,我希望,安排我来承担这个任务是为了使我有所建树。……
我将信赖一直保佑我和降福于我的上帝,深信到秋天我将平安地回到你的身边。对出征所带来的艰辛和危险,我不会感到痛苦,使我难过的是我知道你独自一人留在家中必然感到焦虑不安。因此,我恳求你鼓起全部勇气,尽量愉快地过日子.没有什么比听到你过得愉快的消息--并且是从你的笔下听到这消息,能使我感到更大的欣慰了.

英文注释:
(1)accepting the command of the army: 受命统率全军。华盛顿于1775年就任全军总司令时给爱妻写了一封信。本文摘自这封信的两段。
(2) far from: 远远不;完全不。
(3) not only from….but from…: 不仅由于……而且由于……。but后面省去了also. .
(4) its being a trust: 这是一种信任。动名词短语,作介词of的宾语。
(5)if my stay were to be seven times seven years:假如我在外数十年。虚拟语气。seven times seven:许许多多。
(6) my undertaking it: 我来承担这一任务。动名词短语, 作is designed的主语。
(7) Providence: 大写时,解释为"上帝"。
(8)mot doubting but that…: 深信……。这里but无实义,but that相当于that,
(9)flow from:来自。
(10) this: 代词,代替前面的you will summon your whole fortitude,and pass your time as agreeably as possible。

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