評論
打印
For countless thousands of Scots,signing the covenant was just an extension of the vows they took in Kirk, banding them with God.
而對于成千上萬的蘇格蘭人而言 簽署這份公約僅僅是他們 在教堂誓言的延伸 是常伴上帝左右的見證
But very rapidly,the document assumed the status of a kind of patriotic scripture,
但好景不長 該文件也一肩扛起了愛國圣典的職能
determining who and who was not a real Christian,who and who was not truly a Scot.
對真正的基督教徒給出了定義 當然也對真正的蘇格蘭人下了定義
For Charles, there was no question of negotiating.
對于查理來說 根本沒有協商的余地
They were all rebels, they must all be punished.
他們都是反叛者 必須受到嚴厲懲罰
There was just one snag.It wasn't Charles who had the formidable army, but the Scots,
但問題在于 查理的軍隊并非戰無不克
veterans of the wars of religion in Europe.
蘇格蘭人早已在歐洲宗教戰爭中身經百戰
Facing his first really crucial test,Charles, the British Charlemagne,
而查理 英國的查理曼大帝 面對的第一個嚴峻的考驗就是
found he couldn't raise money and he couldn't raise men.
資金人手全都不足
It took one bruising skirmish for Charles to see the folly of further fighting.
查理直到付出了慘痛代價 才認識到戰爭的愚蠢性
A truce was hastily signed.But he wouldn't back off.
最終他還是草草地簽署了停戰協議 但他并沒有打算退讓
By now, Charles was desperate enough for men and money
之后 查理為了籌集足夠的資金和人馬 幾欲絕望
to do what he must have hoped he'd never have to do again:Call a parliament.
不得不硬著頭皮做了一件事 召開議會
After eleven years of gathering dust,the House of Commons would once again
下議院在大門緊閉了11年后 終于又迎來了
be full of passionate argument and legal fury.
充斥著激情的辯論的一天
