[原创] 要么给我自由，要么赐我死亡（翻译草稿）

WIND

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in 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 my sentiments 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, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
我比任何人都更钦佩刚刚在议会中演讲的诸位可敬的先生们的爱国精神和才能。（patriotism：爱国精神，对country的爱以致热爱。country在英语中既有国家，也有家乡的意思，不过这与政治意义上的nation不同，country来源于对生活于其上的土地的自然感情。至于两者能否做到一致则是另一个问题了。）但是，对同一事物的看法，常常因人而异；所以，尽管我的观点与他们的会截然相对，我还是要自由的无保留的说出我的想法，我希望这不会被认为是对诸位的不尊重。没有时间讲礼仪了。摆在议会面前的问题，对于这个国家而言是一个严峻的时刻。就我而言，我认为它完全是一个自由还是奴役的问题；并且为了与这个问题的重要性相称，我们必须自由的辩论。只有这样，我们才能期望弄清事实，并完成上帝和我们这个国家交付给我们的重大责任。在这样一个时刻，如果我担心冒犯诸位而隐瞒我的观点，我将自认是对我的祖国的背叛，以及对上帝不忠的行为，我对上帝的敬畏在世上所有国王之上。

WIND

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that Siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
议长先生，沉迷于希望的幻觉是人的本性。对于残酷的现实我们都倾向于闭上我们的眼睛，然后沉浸于塞壬（希腊神话中的女海妖）的歌声直到她她将我们变成野兽。在为自由进行的伟大而艰巨的努力中，这是明智的人的作为吗？我们愿意做那种对摆在眼前的关乎他们世俗拯救的事都有眼不看，有耳不闻的人吗？就我而言，无论会怎样让精神遭受痛苦的代价，我都愿意去知道整个的真相；去了解最坏的结果，从而为此作好准备。

WIND

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any 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 to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the 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 inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained — we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!
我只有一盏指路明灯，那就是经验之灯。除了过去的历史我没有辨别未来的方法。而依过去的经验，我想知道：十年来不列颠内阁（行政部）的所作所为，凭什么让诸位充满希望用以安慰自己和我们的议会。是最近我们的请求被接受时的那种隐藏的笑吗？先生们，不要相信它；很快将会证明这只是你们脚下的陷阱。不要让你们自己被别人的亲吻误导。问问你们自己：这种对我们请求的亲切接纳如何才能与那些覆盖我们的海域笼罩我们的疆土的战争阴云相称。战船和军队是赢得敬重与和解的必需吗？难道因为我们流露出极不情愿妥协的情感，于是为了赢回我们的敬重就要诉诸武力？不要欺骗我们自己了！先生们。这些都是战争与征服的工具；是国王们最后常用的争论手段。请问诸位，这些战争部署的目的如果不是为了强迫我们屈服，那又意味着什么？哪位先生能够指出其它可能的动机？难道在这世界的一角，还有别的敌人值得大不列颠集结如此规模的海陆军？不，先生们，她没有了。他们是朝我们来的；他们没有别的敌人了。他们被派来是为了用不列颠内阁锻造了许久的锁链将我们锁住钉牢。我们应该如何反抗他们呢？还靠辩论吗？先生们，我们已经辩论十年了。我们还有别的办法吗？没有。对这个问题我们在所有可能的希望上都尝试过了；但是一切都是徒劳。难道我们应当诉诸乞求和谦卑的哀求吗？还有什么措辞我们没有用过吗？先生们，我恳求你们，不要再欺骗我们自己了。为了避免现在正来的风暴，一切能做的我们都做了。我们请求过；我们抗议过；我们哀求过；我们匍匐在英王的王座前祈求他阻止内阁和议会的暴政黑手。我们的请求遭到怠慢；我们的抗议产生更多的暴力和侮辱；我们的哀求被漠视；我们在王座前被轻蔑的一脚踢开！一切都是徒劳，经过这些事情，我们还要沉迷于这愚蠢的和平与和解的希望？没有任何希望的余地了。如果我们想得到自由——如果我们想继续保持那些我们长久以来一直在为之努力的无价权利不受侵犯——如果我们不是想下贱的逃避我们长久以来所从事的高贵的斗争，对此我们曾发誓不达我们奋斗的光荣的目标绝不放弃——我们必须战斗！我重复一遍，先生们，我们必须战斗！我们只有诉诸武力和上帝！

WIND

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we 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 may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable — and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
先生们，他们告诉我们：我们太弱小了；不能与如此强大的对手对抗。但是什么时候我们才会强大起来？是下周，还是明年？还是要等到我们完全被解除武装，每一座房屋都被不列颠士兵进驻的时候？难道我们犹犹豫豫，毫无作为就能聚集力量？难道我们躺卧在床，拥抱虚幻的希望幻想直到敌人捆住了我们的手脚，就能获得有效的抵抗？先生们，只要我们正确使用自然之神赋予我们力量的那些手段，我们就不再弱小。数百万的人们，以圣洁的自由的理由，在我们所拥有的土地上武装起来，将战胜任何企图进攻我们的敌人。此外，先生们，我们并不是在独自作战。有一个公正的上帝在掌管着所有国家的命运，祂将发动我们的朋友为我们而战。先生们，战争并不只取决于强大；它也取决于机警，积极和勇敢。此外，先生们，我们没有选择。如果我们足够下贱想要和平，现在退出战争也为时已晚。除了屈服与奴役我们没有退路！我们的锁链已锻造好！在波士顿平原锁链的叮当声依稀可闻！战争不可避免——让它来吧！先生们，我重复一遍，让它来吧。

WIND

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the 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 be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
先生们，掩盖事态是徒劳的。诸位可能会高喊：和平，和平——但是没有和平。战争确确实实开始了！从北方刮来的风将把武器的撞击声传入我们的耳中！我们的同胞已经奔赴战场！我们为什么还在这里踌躇？诸位在期待什么？他们会得到什么？难道生命是如此宝贵，和平是如此甜蜜，竟值得以锁链和奴役来换取？阻止它吧，全能的上帝！我不知道别人会选择什么；但是就我而言，要么给我自由，要么赐我死亡！

老程

拜读了。在这儿还可以学英语啊！

WIND

老程懂俄语或者什么乌克兰语什么的吗？我正要向人请教呢？

kemingqian

Wind兄精神可嘉。不过我觉得已经有“不自由，毋宁死”的翻译，套用一下也未尝不可。

WIND

Wind兄精神可嘉。不过我觉得已经有“不自由，毋宁死”的翻译，套用一下也未尝不可。
kemingqian 发表于 2009-12-14 22:56

我不清楚汉语中“不自由，毋宁死”是否还有过去文言的来由，但是在翻译这件事上，除了忠实于原作，没有其它的要求了。所以，我以为必须要还原原作本身，而不是所谓的“翻译也是创作”。当然，一定会有人提出要翻得雅致之类的东西，我以为：如原文本身就逻辑混乱言语晦涩，翻译过来再怎样的涂抹都是没有意义的；如原文逻辑清晰语言流畅，忠实于原文的翻译必定也会这样。至于，要摇头晃脑的搞这韵那韵的，那是文人的干活，与思想已经无关了。
这篇演讲我之所以不套用这句话，我认这句话是翻译的最大歪曲。不自由，毋宁死，说的再通俗一点，就是：若生活的不自由，还不如死掉。可是，这是中国人的精神状态吗？这是中国文化的精神状态吗？而原文中，无论帕特里克·亨瑞自己，当时的议会现场，还是整个国家，信仰是文化基础。无信仰者将上帝偷偷的拿掉，他是想僭越上帝的位置呢？还是想怎样？《2012》中，圣经中都有这么一句话：耶和华是我们的牧者。