专四晨读美文：The Queen

The Queen
Queen: Prime Minister?
Blair: Good morning, Majesty. Sorry to disturb,
but I was just wondering whether you'd seen any of todays' papers.
Queen: We've managed to look at one or two, yes.
Blair: In which case my... next question would be
whether you felt some kind of response might be necessary?
Queen: No. I believe a few overeager editors
are doing their best to sell newspapers.
It would be a mistake to dance to their tune.
Blair: Under normal circumstances,
I would agree. But… well,
my advisors have been taking the temperature
among people on the streets
and the information I'm getting is
that the mood is quite delicate.
Queen: So, what would you suggest, Prime Minister?
Some kind of a statement?
Blair: No, ma'am.
I believe the moment for statements has passed.
I would suggest flying the flag
at half mast above Buckingham Palace…
and coming down to London at the earliest opportunity.
It would be of great comfort to your people...
and would help them with their grief.
Queen: Their grief?
If you imagine I'm going to drop everything
and come down to London before I attend to my grandchildren
who've just lost their mother, then you've mistaken.
I doubt there is anyone
who knows the British people more than I do,
Mr. Blair, nor who has greater faith
in their wisdom and judgment.
And it is my belief that they will any moment reject this…
this mood, which is being stirred up by the press, in favor of
a period of restrained grief, and sober, private mourning.
That's the way we do things
in this country, quietly, with dignity.
That's what the rest of the world has always admired us for.
Blair: If that's your decision, ma'am,
of course the government will support it.
Let's keep in touch.
Queen: Yes, let's.
Since last Sunday's dreadful news, we have seen,
throughout Britain and around the world
an overwhelming expression of sadness at Diana's death.
We have all been trying in our different ways to cope.
It is not easy to express a sense of loss
since the initial shock is often succeeded
by a mixture of other feelings-
disbelief, incomprehension, anger and concern for those who remain.
We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.
So what I say to you now, as your Queen, and as a grandmother,
I say from my heart.