這是對(duì)教堂布道的慷慨激昂頗有幾分諷刺意味的反駁。通過一種溫和爭(zhēng)辯的方式,
in which the merits of the Christian religion became the subject of discussion.
基督教的價(jià)值成為討論的主題。
From six o'clock until eleven, the young champions wielded the sword of argument,
從六點(diǎn)到十一點(diǎn),這幾個(gè)年輕人劍拔弩張地各執(zhí)己見,
adducing with ingenuity and ability everything that could be said pro and con.
在涉及正反兩面的任何事情上運(yùn)用智謀和能力進(jìn)行論證。
During this protracted period, the old gentleman listened with the meekness and modesty of a child,
在這個(gè)長(zhǎng)時(shí)間辯論過程中,這位年長(zhǎng)的紳士像個(gè)孩子似的聽著,溫順而謙遜,
as if he were adding new information to the stores of his own mind; or perhaps he was observing, with a philosophic eye,
仿佛在為自己的思維倉庫儲(chǔ)存新的信息材料;抑或他以哲學(xué)家的睿智目光,
the faculties of the youthful mind, and how new energies are evolved by repeated action,
在考察年輕人的思維能力,這些年輕人在這個(gè)重復(fù)的活動(dòng)中是如何注入新的活力的,
or perhaps, with patriotic emotion, he was reflecting upon the future destinies of his country,
或者,他抱有愛國的熱忱,在思考他的國家未來的命運(yùn),
and on the rising generation, upon whom those future destinies must devolve,
而正在成長(zhǎng)的一代正是國家未來命運(yùn)之所系,
or, most probably, with a sentiment of moral and religious feeling,
最有可能的情形是,憑借道德情操和宗教情感,
he was collecting an argument which no art would be "able to elude, and no force to resist."
他在搜集“沒有任何技巧能規(guī)避,沒有任何能力量能抗拒”的論據(jù)。
Our traveler remained a spectator, and took no part in what was said.
我們這位旅行者一直作為看客不動(dòng)聲色,沒有插言。