評論
打印
The man was silent.
這個陌生人停下話來。
"What did Carasierra do?" I asked.
“卡拉西爾拉干了什么呢？”我問道。
"That ambition was driving him all the time," he said. "He knew that he was the greatest scientist in the world, and he was determined to show it. As long as the germ on which he was working seemed the most wonderful thing ever invented, he was more than content. But before he had completed it, another inspiration came to him and drove him away. I tried everything: threats, appeals to him to think of our ancient glory, even bribes. But nothing would turn him from his project. The splendor of his new inspiration gripped him, and he was like a man drugged.
“這個志向始終鼓舞著他，”他說道，“他知道他是這個世界上最偉大的科學家，他決定證明給世人看。只要他想到研究著的細菌是有史以來最偉大的發明，他就心滿意足了。但在他完成研究之前，他又有了另一種靈感，他把心思放到了別的上面。我試了一切辦法勸他改變主意：威脅他，懇請他想想我們舊時的榮耀，甚至是賄賂他。但是什么也不能使他放棄他的新想法。他的新想法牢牢吸引著他，以至于他像犯了毒癮一樣不能自拔。”
"And the splendor of our positions faded like dreams. We were so nearly one of the Great Powers but for a fancy that came to this man's mind."
“而我們國家地位的光榮夢想像肥皂泡一樣被滅了。我們差點就成為一個強大的國家，如果卡拉西爾拉腦中沒有出現那種幻想的話。”
"What was Carasierra's fancy?" I asked.
“是什么幻想呢？”我問道。
"I will tell you," he said. "Day after day I went to his laboratory and appealed to him, almost with tears, to return to his work for us. But no, he would not listen. I gave him every chance. But at last I had to threaten him with death.
“我告訴你吧，”他說道，“我每天都去他的實驗室，聲淚倶下地乞求他為我們繼續工作。但他一點也不聽。我給了他很多機會，但最終我只得以死亡威脅他。
