备课之余翻译了两篇小短文，供大家备考之用。 原文是2016年12月亚太地区SAT考试阅读单项的第二篇——独立宣言起草者之一约翰亚当斯写给妻子的两封信。

These two letters are adapted from John Adams, Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife. Originally published in 1841, Both of the letters were written to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776.

本文改编自John Adams（约翰·亚当斯）写给他妻子Abigail Adams（伊迪斯·亚当斯）的两封信。 1841年出版，两封信均写于1776年7月3日。

Passage 1

Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and as such they have, and of right ought to have, full power to make war, conclude peace, establish commerce and to do all other acts and things which other States may rightfully do.” You will see, in a few days, a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. A plan of confederation will be taken up in a few days.

第一篇

在美国土地上长期争论的巨大问题在昨天有了决断，这个问题在人类历史中前无古人后无来者。昨天十三个英属殖民地一致宣布各殖民地亦应是自由独立的国家。作为自由独立的国家，它们完全有权宣战、缔和、通商以及开展其他10个独立国家有权去做的一切行动。几天之内将公布推进此次重大决定的宣言，并告知经上帝和人类证实的原因。组建联邦制国家的计划也在几天之内开始实施。

When I look back to the year 1761 and recollect the argument concerning writs of assistance in the superior court, which I have hitherto considered as the commencement of this controversy between Great Britain and America, and run through the whole period, from that time to this, and recollect the series of political events, the chain of causes and effects, I am surprised at the suddenness, as well as greatness of this revolution. Britain has been filled with folly, and America with wisdom; at least, this is my judgement. Time must determine. It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues, which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonour, and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues,

至今我仍将1761年在最高法院争论不休的“协助命令”视为美国与大英帝国之间争端的源起。回想那时，时至今日，期间的政治事件以及所引发的一系列因果事件，都让这场革命爆发十分突然又意义重大。在我看来，这一过程中英国愚昧无知，而美国充满智慧，但这有待时间来证明。两个国家各自为政，是上帝的旨意。美国可能蒙受损失，但苦难更加可怕，或许这同样也是天意。如果确实如此，也至少有所裨益，这将激发我们还未拥有的美德，修正许多错误，罪行和恶意，让我们不再不安，不被羞辱，不被摧毁。经历了这些苦难，整个国家以及每个个人都会焕然一新。正在组建的新政府将摒弃恶性，弘扬美德，否则将不受人民庇佑。人民将拥有无限的权利，尽管会在利益、诱惑和慕强中沉沦。但我必须承认我希望并害怕决议驳回，因为我坚信那样信念就会缺失。

Passage 2

Had a Declaration of Independency been made seven months ago, it would have been attended with many great and glorious effects. We might, before this hour, have formed alliances with foreign states. We should have mastered Quebec, and been in possession of Canada ...

第二篇

如果七个月前就发表了独立宣言，那将带来许多伟大并且辉煌的影响。我们或许在这之前就已拥有很多邦交国，就可以控制魁北克并拥有加拿大……

But, on the other hand, the delay of this Declaration to this time has many great advantages attending it. The hopes of reconciliation, which were fondly entertained by multitudes of honest and well meaning, though weak and mistaken people, have been gradually and, at last, totally extinguished. Time has been given for the whole people maturely to consider the great question of independence, and to ripen their judgment, dissipate their fears, and allure their hopes, by discussing it in newspapers and pamphlets, by debating it in assemblies, conventions, Committees of safety and inspection, in town and country meetings, as well as in private conversations, so that the whole people, in every colony of the thirteen, have now adopted it as their own act. This will cement the union, and avoid those heats, and perhaps convulsions, which might have been occasioned by such a Declaration, six months ago.

但另一方面，将宣言延期公布也有很多好处。人民的诚实和善意欣然接纳了和解的希望，不再有人民被软弱或错误蒙蔽。人民有充足的时间来思量独立这个重大的决定，他们有时间在报纸和宣传册中参与讨论，关于此事的辩论也无处不在：集会、会议、安全检查委员会、乡村市政会议，甚至与人的交谈中。时至今日，这段时间使13个殖民地的所有民众将其视为与自己息息相关的法案，这不仅团结了民众，还避免了6个月前仓促发表会带给民众的激奋甚至是动荡。

But the day is past. The second day of July, 1776,will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of one continent to the other, from this time forward and forevermore.

但这一天终将过去。1776年7月的第二天将是美国历史上最值得纪念的一刻。我兴奋并坚信这一天将被后代当作纪念日世代欢庆。要作为救赎之日来纪念，以对全能上帝的庄严奉献来庆祝。这片大陆的每个角落，从今往后，在这一天都应有盛大的游行、丰富的演出、各类比赛和游艺，枪炮齐鸣、钟声阵阵、篝火灯光彻夜通明。

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.

你可能觉得我被热情裹挟，不，我清楚地明白捍卫这份宣言来支持和庇佑这个国家所要付出的辛劳、鲜血和财富。但在一片迷雾之中，我能看到迷人的曙光和荣耀。我知道结果比一切过程都重要，世世代代会在这一天欢庆胜利，虽然我们应为所失懊悔，但在上帝面前，我想我们不必如此。