美国语文第六册 第111期:皮特对罗伯特沃尔浦尔爵士的答复(1)
这位深孚众望的绅士用这样的心情和礼仪指责我说，这是一个年轻人令人震惊的犯罪。
I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny;
对此，我既不打算辩解也不想否认。
but content myself with hoping that I may be one of those whose follies cease with their youth,
不过，我很高兴自己或许可以成为一位在年轻时不再做愚蠢的事情的人，
and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience.
不是那种碍于经验而表现得很无知的人。
Whether youth can be imputed to a man as a reproach, I will not assume the province of determining;
不论对一个人而言是否可以把错误归咎于年轻，我都不愿意假装自己有支配别人的权责;
but surely age may become justly contemptible, if the opportunities which it brings have passed away without improvement,
但可以肯定的是，如果年龄赋予的机会在没有任何改善的情况下悄悄溜走的话，年龄或许成为遭到轻蔑的正当理由，
and vice appears to prevail when the passions have subsided.
当激情冷静下来时堕落开始崭露头角。
The wretch, who, after having seen the consequences of a thousand errors, continues still to blunder,
在目睹一千个过错产生的恶果后，这个可怜的人会继续错上加错，
and whose age has only added obstinacy to stupidity, is surely the object either of abhorrence or contempt,
他的年龄只不过会令他的愚蠢更加顽固，他当然成了厌恶或轻蔑的对象，
and deserves not that his gray hairs should secure him from insult.
他的灰头发不应该确保他免受攻讦。
Much more is he to be abhorred, who, as he has advanced in age, has receded from virtue, and become more wicked—with less temptation;
更有甚者，尽管他在年龄上逐渐增长，可是在德性上却愈发退步，变得更加邪恶——更加经不起诱惑。
who prostitutes himself for money which he can not enjoy, and spends the remains of his life in the ruin of his country.
这个为了金钱而甘愿出卖自己的人，尽管没有带来欢乐，却用自己的余生毁掉了自己的国家。
But youth is not my only crime; I am accused of acting a theatrical part.
但是，年轻不是我唯一的罪过;我被指责为扮演有威胁的角色。
A theatrical part may either imply some peculiarity of gesture, or a dissimulation of my real sentiments, and an adoption of the opinions and language of another man.
所谓有威胁的角色要么暗示姿态具有某种特征，要么暗示我在掩饰自己的真正情感。
