美國語文第六冊 第155期:哥倫布的性格(1)
哥倫布是一位偉人、一位富有創(chuàng)造性的天才。
The operations of his mind were energetic, but irregular;
他的思維非?；钴S，別出心裁，
bursting forth, at times, with that irresistible force which characterizes intellect of such an order.
爆發(fā)出不可遏制的力量，這種力量以睿智為標(biāo)志。
His ambition was lofty and noble, inspiring him with high thoughts and an anxiety to distinguish himself by great achievements.
他抱負(fù)極高，以崇高的思想和對自己完成重大使命的焦慮來激勵自己。
He aimed at dignity and wealth in the same elevated spirit with which he sought renown;
他在提升追求名望所必需的精神同時，他的人生目標(biāo)體現(xiàn)在尊貴和財富上。
they were to rise from the territories he should discover, and be commensurate in importance.
這些東西就在他發(fā)現(xiàn)的領(lǐng)土上，其重要性堪比領(lǐng)土本身。
His conduct was characterized by the grandeur of his views and the magnanimity of his spirit.
他的行為以視野的宏偉和精神的雅量高致為特征。
Instead of ravaging the newly-found countries, like many of his cotemporary discoverers,
與在新發(fā)現(xiàn)的國家進行破壞和蹂躪不同的是，同許多與他同時代的發(fā)現(xiàn)者，
who were intent only on immediate gain, he regarded them with the eyes of a legislator;
只是一心想馬上索取——一樣，他用立法者的眼光看待這些領(lǐng)土;
he sought to colonize and cultivate them, to civilize the natives, to build cities, introduce the useful arts,
他致力于殖民和拓荒，對土著進行教化，修建城市，引進實用技藝，
subject everything to the control of law, order, and religion, and thus to found regular and prosperous empires.
將所有的一切都納入法律、秩序和宗教的控制之下，只有這樣才能建立合乎原則和興旺繁榮的帝國。
That he failed in this was the fault of the dissolute rabble which it was his misfortune to command,
導(dǎo)致他失敗的錯誤在于無節(jié)制的暴民，不幸的是他未能控制住他們。
with whom all law was tyranny and all order oppression.
對這些人而言，所有的法律都是殘暴的，所有的秩序都是壓迫。
He was naturally irascible and impetuous, and keenly sensible to injury and injustice;
他自然而然地失去理性并好沖動了，對損害和不公平尤其敏感。
yet the quickness of his temper was counteracted by the generosity and benevolence of his heart.
然而，他性情的急躁受被他內(nèi)心的慷慨和仁愛所抵消。
