A_Modest_Proposal中英文对照.doc

1 It is a melancholy Object to those, who walk through this great Town,1 or travel in the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms.对于走过这座大城市，或在乡间旅行的人，他们看到的这些景象真是悲凉：街上、马路上、茅屋内挤满了女乞丐，后面跟着三个、四个或六个衣衫褴褛的孩子，向每个路人强要施舍。These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in Strolling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain,2 or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.这些母亲无法靠诚实劳动谋生，被迫终日游荡去养活那些无助的孩子，这些孩子长大后要么因找不到工作而沦为小偷，要么背井离乡去为西班牙那个觊觎王位者卖命，也许还会卖身到巴巴多斯。2 I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms, or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers, and frequently of their Fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom a very great additional grievance; 我想所有的党派 人士 （各方面）都会同意，这些母亲（有时常常是父亲）怀中抱着、背上背着以及身后跟着的数量如此多的孩子 ，在王国可悲的现状下，将是一个平添民怨的灾难。and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these Children sound and useful Members of the common-wealth would deserve so well of the public, as to have his Statue set up for a preserver of the Nation.如果谁能想出一个简单易行的办法让这些孩子成为国家的健全有用之才，他将值得公众为他树立雕像，尊他为保国英雄。3 But my Intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the Children of professed beggars, it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of Infants at a certain Age, who are born of Parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our Charity in the Streets.然而我的目的远不止限于救治那些公开宣称的乞丐的孩子，我所说的范围要大得多，包括所有那些在某个年代出生，其父母与那些在街上要求我们大发慈悲的乞丐一样，无力养活他们的幼儿。4 As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many Years, upon this important Subject, and maturely weighed the several Schemes of other Projectors,4 I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. .至于我自己，我酝酿这个想法已有多年，也曾和其他提出计划的人充分地权衡过几个方案，但总是发现他们在计算时犯了极大的错误。It is true a Child, just dropt from its Dam,5 may be supported by her Milk, for a Solar year with little other Nourishment, at most not above the Value of two Shillings, which the Mother may certainly get, or the Value in Scraps, by her lawful Occupation of begging, and it is exactly at one year Old that I propose to provide for them, in such a manner, as, instead of being a Charge upon their Parents, or the Parish,6 or wanting7 Food and Raiment for the rest of their Lives, they shall, on the Contrary, contribute to the Feeding and partly to the Clothing of many Thousands.确实，一个初生的婴儿在第一年里也许只需母乳而不用其他营养品，费用顶多不超过两先令，或不超过乞讨所得的残羹剩饭的价值。这两先令他们的母亲通过合法的乞讨肯定能挣到的。为了使他们不再成为父母或其所在教区的负担，也无需在余生要吃要穿，我提议，在正好一岁的时候，他们反而应该为成千上万的人的食物，部分也可以作为衣物。5 There is likewise another great Advantage in my Scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary Abortions, and that horrid practice of Women murdering their Bastard Children, alas, too frequent among us, Sacrificing the poor innocent Babes, I doubt,8 more to avoid the Expense, than the Shame, which would move Tears and Pity in the most Savage and inhuman breast.我的方案也有另外一个很大的好处,它能使妇女自愿堕胎和可怕的杀婴行为就此绝迹。唉，这种现象在我们之中太普遍了，我怀疑（她们）牺牲那些无辜的婴儿与其说是为了逃避耻辱，不如说是为了逃避抚养的代价。即使是最无情最没人性的人，对此也将一洒同情之泪。6 The number of Souls in this Kingdom being usually reckoned one Million and a half, Of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand Couple whose Wives are breeders, from which number I Subtract thirty Thousand Couples, who are able to maintain their own Children, although I apprehend9 there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the Kingdom, but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand Breeders.这个王国的人口数量大概总计为一百五十万，在其中我估计有二十万对夫妇妻子尚能生育，从这个数目里我减去三千对有能力抚养孩子的夫妇虽然我知道在王国现今十分窘迫，不可能有这么多确定之后，就剩下十七万能够生育的妇女。I again Subtract fifty Thousand for those Women who miscarry, or whose Children die by accident or disease within the Year. 我再减去五万流产的或孩子在一年内死于意外和疾病的妇女。 There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand Children of poor Parents annually born.现在实际出生的贫困家庭孩子只余十二万。 The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present Situation of Affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed.所以问题是如何抚养这么多的孩子，这个我之前已经说过，在目前的条件下，迄今所提的方案无一能解决。For we can neither employ them in Handicraft, or Agriculture; we neither build Houses, (I mean in the Country) nor cultivate Land.10 因为我们既不能雇他们从事手工业，也不可能雇他们从事农业；我们不建造房屋（我指的是在农村），也不用开拓耕地。They can very seldom pick up a Livelyhood by Stealing until they arrive at six years Old, except where they are of towardly parts,11 although, I confess they learn the Rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as Probationers, as I have been informed by a principal Gentleman in the County of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two Instances under the Age of six, even in a part of the Kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that Art.这些孩子在六岁之前几乎不可能靠小偷小摸自讨生计，除非在那些他们有望拉帮抱团的地方。我承认，他们很早前就开始入门，但在这段期间他们只能被看作见习小偷。我从卡文郡一个数一数二的缙绅那里得知此中内情，他曾对我断言，在这么一个因对那门艺术掌握得最迅速最熟练而闻名的王国里，他从没听说过哪个地方有小于六岁的小偷的一两个事例。7 I am assured by our Merchants, that a Boy or Girl, before twelve years Old, is no saleable Commodity, and even when they come to this Age, they will not yield above three Pounds, or three Pounds and half a Crown at most on the Exchange, which cannot turn to Account either to the Parents or the Kingdom, the Charge of Nutriments and Rags having been at least four times that Value.我从我们的商人那里得到确证，十二岁前的男孩或女孩作为商品并不适合销售，即使他们到了十二岁，他们的利润也不会多于三镑，最多通过交易获利三镑五先令，可这并不能补偿他们的父母，也不能补偿王国，他们吃过的营养品和穿过的衣物的钱至少是这些的四倍。8 I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least Objection.因此，我谨此提出我的想法，希望不至遭到任何反对。9 I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy Child well Nursed is at a year Old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food, whether Stewed, Roasted, Baked, or Boiled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a Fricassee, or Ragout.12我在伦敦的一个深知内情的美国朋友向我证实，一个年轻健康、营养良好的孩子在一岁的时候是味道最美、营养最佳、最有益健康的食品，焖、烤、焙、煮皆无不可；而我也确信无论做成炖重汁肉丁和蔬菜炖肉，他们都一样美味可口。10 I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand Children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for Breed, whereof only one fourth part to be Males, which is more than we allow to Sheep, black Cattle, or Swine, and my reason is, that these Children are seldom the Fruits of Marriage, a Circumstance not much regarded by our Savages, therefore, one Male will be sufficient to serve four Females. 因此我谨将其提交公众考虑：上面统计过的十二万名儿童，两万也许将留于饲养，其中男性只需四分之一这已经比猪牛羊的比例大了我的理由是：这些孩子不是婚姻的产物，我们的粗人也不会计较这些，因此一男足配四女。That the remaining hundred thousand may at a year Old be offered in Sale to the persons of Quality,13 and Fortune, through the Kingdom, always advising the Mother to let them Suck plentifully in the last Month, so as to render them Plump and Fat for a good Table. 剩下的十万名在满一周岁时可以卖给国内有权有势的人，要总叮嘱母亲在他们最后一个月让他们喝饱奶，把他们养得圆圆胖胖，好作成美味佳肴。A Child will make two Dishes at an Entertainment for Friends, and when the Family dines alone, the fore or hind Quarter will make a reasonable Dish, and seasoned with a little Pepper or Salt will be very good Boiled on the fourth Day, especially in Winter.在招待朋友的筵席上，一个孩子可以做成两道菜，家庭聚餐的话，孩子的前后腿的四分之一已经可以作为一道好菜了，如果加点胡椒粉和盐放上四天再煮，味道将更好，尤其是在冬天。11 I have reckoned upon a Medium, that a Child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar Year if tolerably nursed increaseth to 28 Pounds.我算过，一个刚出生的孩子重十二磅，照料得好的话一年以后就可增至二十八磅。12 I grant this food will be somewhat dear,14 and therefore very proper for Landlords,15 who, as they have already devoured most of the Parents, seem to have the best Title to the Children.我承认这种食物多少有点昂贵，所以非常适合地主们食用，他们已经榨干了孩子的父母，似乎也最有资格吃掉孩子。13 Infants flesh will be in Season throughout the Year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after.幼儿的嫩肉一年四时当令，但在三月及前后供应最为充足。 For we are told by a grave Author16 an eminent French physician, that Fish being a prolific Diet, there are more Children born in Roman Catholic Countries about nine Months after Lent, than at any other Season; therefore reckoning a Year after Lent, the Markets will be more glutted than usual, because the Number of Popish Infants, is at least three to one in this Kingdom; and therefore it will have one other Collateral advantage by lessening the Number of Papists among us.一位严肃的作家著名的法国内科医生告诉我们，由于鱼是促进生育的食物，在信仰罗马天主教国家里，出生在四旬斋后九个月后的孩子要比别的时节多。因此估计四旬节过后一年，市场上婴儿肉的供应将比平常充足，因为这个王国里天主教婴儿的数量至少是三比一。所以这个方案还有一个附带的好处，就是可以减少天主教婴儿的数量。14 I have already computed the Charge of nursing a Beggars Child (in which list I reckon all Cottagers, Labourers, and four fifths of the Farmers) to be about two Shillings per Annum, Rags included; and I believe no Gentleman would repine to give Ten Shillings for the Carcass of a good fat Child, which, as I have said will make four Dishes of excellent Nutritive Meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own Family to Dine with him.我已经算过，照料一个乞丐孩子的费用（我把所有的佃农、劳工和五分之四的农民都算进去）每年大约要两先令，包括衣物；我相信没有一个绅士会对花十先令买一个优质多肉的婴儿的躯体有任何意见，我之前已经说过，一个婴儿可以做成四道营养丰富的菜肴，如果他只有一些特别嘉宾、或只是和家人用餐的话。 Thus the Squire will learn to be a good Landlord, and grow popular among his Tenants, the Mother will have Eight Shillings neat profit, and be fit for Work till she produceth another Child.这样，乡绅们都会成为好地主，并受到佃户们的敬爱，母亲们将有八先令的净利润，在生出下一胎之前还可以出外打工。15 Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times require) may flay the Carcass; the Skin of which, Artificially17 dressed, will make admirable Gloves for Ladies, and Summer Boots for fine Gentlemen.那些比较注重节约的绅士（我必须说明这是时代所需）可以剥下婴尸的皮，经过加工，这些皮可以制成极好的女用手套和绅士穿的夏季长靴。16 As to our City of Dublin, Shambles18 may be appointed for this purpose in the most convenient parts of it, and Butchers we may be assured will not be wanting, although I rather recommend buying the Children alive, and dressing them hot from the Knife, as we do roasting Pigs.至于在我们的都柏林城，屠宰场可以借便承担这项任务，我们将保证屠夫不会紧缺，虽然我建议大家还是买活的婴儿，在家用刀活生生地把他剥皮更好，就像我们对烤猪一样。17 A very worthy Person, a true Lover of his Country, and whose Virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my Scheme.一位十分可敬的人他是一个真正的爱国者，我对他的德行十分敬重最近在这件事的讨论上，十分愿意根据我的方案再加改进。He said, that many Gentlemen of this Kingdom, having of late destroyed their Deer, he conceived that the want of Venison might be well supplied by the Bodies of young Lads and Maidens, not exceeding fourteen Years of Age, nor under twelve; so great a Number of both Sexes in every County being now ready to Starve, for want of Work and Service: And these to be disposed of by their Parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest Relations.他说，近来这个王国的许多绅士畋猎无度导致野鹿绝迹。他构想对鹿肉的需求可以由十四周岁以下、十二周岁以上的童男童女的肉来填补。眼下在每个国家里，这个年龄段的童男童女快饿死的、找工作的、要服役的数不胜数 。他们的父母（如果还活着的话）或最近亲的人早就想这么做了。But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a Patriot, I cannot be altogether in his Sentiments, for as to the Males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent Experience, that their flesh was generally Tough and Lean, like that of our School-boys, by continual exercise, and their Taste disagreeable, and to Fatten them would not answer the Charge.一个这么优秀的朋友，这么值得褒奖的爱国者，我本应当听从他的意见，可我不能完全站在他的立场，因为我的美国朋友告诉我，根据他丰富的经验，男性由于经常活动，肉一般又硬又瘦，像我们的小学生一样，而且味道也很糟，养肥之后卖出去也抵不回这期间的费用。Then as to the Females, it would, I think, with humble Submission, be a loss to the Public, because they soon would become Breeders themselves: And besides it is not improbable that some scrupulous People might be apt to Censure such a Practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon Cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any Project, how well soever intended.至于女性，我认为，虽然她们天性顺从，但这对公众也仍是一笔损失，因为她们很快便要成为哺乳者。除此，一些自命善良的人也有可能对此提出非难（尽管这是十分不公正的），说这个方案有失残忍。对于我而言，这种抗议总是最义愤填膺地针对任何方案，无论这种方案多么好。18 But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Psallmanazor,19 a Native of the Island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty Years ago, and in Conversation told my friend, that in his Country when any young Person happened to be put to Death, the Executioner sold the Carcass to Persons of Quality, as a prime Dainty, and that, in his Time, the Body of a plump Girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to Poison the Emperor, was sold to his Imperial Majestys prime Minister of State, and other great Mandarins20 of the Court, in Joints from the Gibbet,21 at four hundred Crowns.为了证明自己，我的朋友坦言， 这个权宜之计是那著名的台湾岛公民Psallmanazor 灌输给他的，此人二十多年前从台湾去到伦敦，在一次谈话中他告诉我的朋友，在他的国家，年轻人被处死时，其躯体的肉会被刽子手卖给有权势的人作为一种上等的美食。在他那时还有一个十五岁的胖姑娘意谋弑君，被钉死在十字架上，绞架上的大块肉以四百克朗的价钱卖给了帝国最权威的宰相以及朝廷的其他王公大臣。Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young Girls in this Town, who, without one single Groat22 to their Fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a Chair,23 and appear at a Play-House, and Assemblies in Foreign fineries, which they never will Pay for; the Kingdom would not be the worse.确实，我两者都不能否认：如果这个城市里那些年轻的胖姑娘也被如此处理的话这些身无分文的小姐没有轿子就绝不踏出家门一步，在剧场招摇，身着外国绸缎（她们永远不会为此掏一点钱）聚集成群我们的王国就不会每况愈下了。19 Some Persons of a desponding Spirit are in great concern about that vast Number of poor People, who are aged, diseased, or maimed, and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what Course may be taken to ease the Nation of so grievous an encumbrance.一些心灰意冷的人对数目庞大的穷苦人民感到担忧，这些人老的老，病的病，残的残，我极其渴望运用我的才智让我们的国家采取措施清除这些令人忧心的累赘。 But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every Day dying, and rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected.我并非对此毫无恻隐，众所周知，他们每天都在垂死、腐烂，为饥饿寒冷所迫，与尘菌虫鼠为伍，快得正如可以合理地预料的那样。 And as to the younger Labourers, they are now in almost as hopeful a Condition.那些年轻的劳动者，他们现在几乎也和那样老弱病残一样可悲。They cannot get Work, and consequently pine away from want of Nourishment to a degree that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common Labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the Country and themselves are happily delivered from the Evils to come.他们找不到工作，如果由于某个偶然的机会他们被招为一个低贱的劳工，他们也没有力气做好，最终由于营养不足而形如槁木，国家和他们自己都十分高兴因此摆脱了厄运。20 I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the Proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.我扯得太远，还是回到正题吧。我认为我的提议有众多明显的好处，而且包含极端的重要性。21 For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the Number of Papists, with whom we are Yearly over-run, being the principal Breeders of the Nation, as well as our most dangerous Enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the Kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their Advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants,24 who have chosen rather to leave their Country, than stay at home, and pay Tithes against their Conscience, to an idolatrous Episcopal Curate.首先，正如我已经认识到的，方案将会大大地减少天主教徒的数量，他们每年都在侵占我们的地盘，已经成了国家的主要生育者，而且也是我们最危险的敌人。他们故意留守家园，趁着众多新教徒不在的时候新教徒们出于宗教良心，宁愿离乡也不愿向主教的助理牧师缴纳什一税图谋把王国献给那个觊觎王位的人。22 Secondly, the poorer Tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by Law may be made liable to Distress,25 and help to pay their Landlords Rent, their Corn and Cattle being already seized, and Money a thing unknown.其次，许多贫困的佃户将因此有自己的值钱的东西，可在法律上可充当抵押品，用以偿付地主的租金。他们的庄稼和牲畜早已被没收，而钱根本毫无着落。23 Thirdly, Whereas the Maintenance of an hundred thousand Children, from two Years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than Ten Shillings a piece per Annum, the Nations Stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per Annum, besides the profit of a new Dish, introduced to the Tables of all Gentlemen of Fortune in the Kingdom, who have any refinement in Taste. 第三，供养十万两岁和两岁以上的儿童，每人每年的花费不会少于十先令，因此，除了国内所有食不厌精的富绅们的饭桌可添加一碟新鲜菜肴外，国库每年也将有五万英镑的额外收入。And the Money will circulate among ourselves, the Goods being entirely of our own Growth and Manufacture.而且这笔钱将在我们之间流通，货品也完全由我们自产自制。24 Fourthly, The constant Breeders, besides the gain of Eight Shillings Sterling per Annum, by the Sale of their Children, will be rid of the Charge of maintaining them after the first Year.第四，那些常年生育的妇女，除了每年卖孩子可以拿到八个先令的钱外，也能在第一年后免去抚养的负担。25 Fifthly, this food would likewise bring great Custom to Taverns, where the Vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts26 for dressing it to perfection, and consequently have their Houses frequented by all the fine Gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good Eating, and a skillful Cook, who understands how to oblige his Guests will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.第五，这些食品还可为酒馆招徕大批主顾。酒馆老板必将小心精明地搜寻最好的食谱，从而使自己的酒馆成为那些自命美食家的富绅们频频光临之所；熟知顾客心理的手艺高超的厨师，也将把它做成一道阔气的菜肴，以满足顾客所好。26 Sixthly, This would be a great Inducement to Marriage, which all wise Nations have either encouraged by Rewards, or enforced by Laws and Penalties.第六，这对促进婚姻也有诱导作用。一切明智的国家对婚姻如非通过奖赏来鼓励，就是通过法律和刑罚来强制实行。It would increase the care and tenderness of Mothers towards their Children, when they were sure of a Settlement for Life to the poor Babes, provided in some sort by the Public, to their Annual profit instead of Expense. 此举将增进母亲对孩子的关爱和呵护，她们的孩子每年将受到公家某种形式的救助，她们不用再为孩子花销，还可以获得收益。We should soon see an honest Emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest Child to the Market.我们很便可看到已婚妇女中的诚实竞争，看谁能养出最胖的孩子送到市场去。 Men would become as fond of their Wives, during the Time of their Pregnancy, as they are now of their Mares in Foal, their Cows in Calf, or Sows when they are ready to Farrow, nor offer to Beat or Kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a Miscarriage.在女人怀孕期间，男人们也会十分爱护她们的妻子，就像他们现在爱护怀着马驹的母马，爱护怀着牛犊的母牛，爱护