英国语文第四册(双语):华盛顿轶事(2)
The corporal was thunder-struck. It was Washington!
这位下士震惊不已，这个人是华盛顿！
When Washington had closed his career in the French and Indian War,
华盛顿在法国和非洲战争时已结束了他的军旅职业生涯，
he became a member of the House of Burgesses.
成为下议院的一名成员。
The Speaker was directed, by a vote of the House,
这是由众议院议长主持，经众议院投票的结果，
to return their thanks to that officer for the distinguished military services which he had rendered to his country.
以感谢他为效忠国家而做出的丰功伟业。
As soon as Washington entered the House, the Speaker, in obedience to this order,
华盛顿步入众议院后，众议院议长服从规定的程序，
and following the impulse of his own grateful heart, discharged the duty with great dignity.
带着内心难以掩饰的冲动，庄严地履行了职责。
But he spoke with such warmth of colouring, and strength of expression, that the young hero was entirely confounded.
但是，他的讲话包含浓烈的色彩和强烈的情感，让这位年轻的英雄感到不知所措。
He rose to express his thanks for the honour which had been done to him; but such were his emotion and confusion,
他表达了对他所颁发荣誉的感谢；
that he could not give distinct utterance to a single syllable.
但他情绪失控又感到混乱，完全说不出话来。
He blushed, stammered, and trembled for a second, when the Speaker relieved him by a happy stroke of address.
他脸红了，颤抖着结结巴巴地说了几句话。随后众议院议长与他开玩笑时，让他感到如释重负。
"Sit down, Mr. Washington," said he, with a reassuring smile;
“坐下来，华盛顿，”他说，脸上挂着安抚的微笑；
"we perceive that your modesty is equal to your valour, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess."
“我们认为你的谦虚和英勇并驾齐驱，超越了任何语言的力量。”
