To George Mordaunt, Esq;
Belmont House, July 3, 1762.
致乔治·莫当特先生；
1762年7月3日，于贝尔蒙特住宅。

I AM indeed, my dear George, the most happy of human beings; happy in the paternal regard ^[1] of the best of parents, the sincere esteem of my worthy relations, Lord and Lady Belmont, and the friendship, the tender friendship, of their lovely daughter, the amiable lady Julia. An increase of fortune, which you are kind enough to wish me, might perhaps add something to my felicity, but is far from being necessary to constitute it, nor did it ever excite in my bosom an anxious wish. My father, though he educated me to become the most splendid situation, yet instructed me to be satisfied with my own moderate one; he taught me, that independence was all a generous mind required; and that virtue, adorned by that liberal ^[2] education his unsparing bounty lavished^[3] on me, would command^[4] through life that heart−felt esteem from the worthy of every rank, which the most exorbitant wealth alone could never procure its possessors^[5]. Other parents hoard up riches for their children; mine, with a more noble, more enlightened solicitude, expended his in storeing my mind with generous sentiments and useful knowledge, to which his unbounded goodness added every outward accomplishment that could give grace to virtue, and set her charms in the fairest light.
亲爱的乔治，我的确是世界上最幸福的人；无论是我最好的父亲的父爱，还是我尊贵的亲戚贝尔蒙特勋爵和他夫人对我的诚挚敬意，亦或者和他们可爱的女儿——亲切的茱莉亚女士之间的温柔友谊，都使我感到快乐。承蒙你的好意，想让我的财运有所增加，这也许会使我的幸福有所提升，但并没有必要使我有这种幸福，它也从来没有在我心中激起过急切的愿望。我的父亲，虽然他教育我要成为一个最优秀的人，但他也教导我要满足于适合我自身的生活；他教会我，独立是一个博雅的灵魂所必需的；这种美德，再加上他慷慨无私、毫无保留地馈赠于我的人文主义教育，就会使我终生受到来自各个阶层的知名人士发自内心的尊敬。即使再富有，也不能使人得到这种尊敬。其他父母为孩子囤积财富，但我的父亲以更高尚、更文明的关怀，费尽心力地用丰沛的情感和有用的知识来充实我的心灵。他那无限的仁爱和所有流露出的才能，让他的德行增色，也让光彩夺目的他更添魅力。

1. regard：注意；尊重；问候；凝视
   此处为单词的原始用法，即re+guard，即“一遍遍地护卫”，搭配paternal可译为父爱。
2. liberal主要作形容词用，用于对别人的态度时，指开明而心胸宽阔，能接受新思想，liberal attitudes即为开明的态度；用于政治方向时，指自由的，此处的自由偏向于指一种开明、宽松的风气，而非我行我素的自由，liberal democracy即为自由民主，liberal trade即为自由贸易；用于生活场景时，意为慷慨大方的，跟generous和lavish近义，尤以liberal with sth的搭配较多，如liberal with one’s money，指某人用钱大方；但是liberal还有一个不太常见的用法，即本文的liberal education，特指人文主义教育。
3. ①unsparing是形容词，一是指严厉、不留情面的，二可指慷慨大方、不吝啬的。如：He won his mother’s unsparing approval. （他赢得了母亲毫无保留的赞同。）unsparing来源于单词sparing，sparing即俭省、节俭、不轻易、不慷慨的意思。
   ②bounty本为奖金、赏金之意，尤其特指悬赏金、贸易津贴、入伍津贴等，bounty hunter则为赏金猎人。该单词可引申为慷慨恩赐的大量之物，如nature’s bounties即为自然馈赠，Lord’s bounty即为主的恩赐。
   ③lavish作动词用，意为“慷慨乃至于过度的给与”，偏向于指给与关照、关爱，固定搭配有：lavish sth on/upon sb/sth，如：She lavishes most of her attention on her youngest son. （她溺爱小儿子。）另外，lavish也可以做形容词，指豪华的、奢靡的、奢侈的、盛大的、慷慨不节制的，跟extravagant与luxuriously近义。lavish lifestyle即为挥霍无度的生活，lavish (in one’s) praise即为（某人的）溢美之词。
4. command作动词用时，通常指命令，偏重于强制性、权威性很强的指示命令，give command为发出命令，at one’s command为服从某人命令，at your command则为可任你自由支配；在军事环境中，command又有统帅、指挥之意，command troops为统帅军队；而在古典英语中，command oneself有控制/抑制某人感情的意思。抛开这些跟命令、掌控相关的用法，command还有一种广泛使用的含义，指应得、应受到、值得、可获得、应拥有，跟deserve近义，即本文所用，to command sympathy/support为值得同情╱支持，command the respect/esteem则为受到尊重，commanded one’s attention为引起某人注意。
5. ①procure是动词，意为想尽办法、费尽心力地想得到，常用搭配manage to procure则更强调了“想方设法弄到”。
   ②possessor为名词，指持有人，所有者，跟owner近义，常用搭配the proud possessor of指因……而自豪、引以为豪。如：she is the proud possessor of a truly incredible voice.引以为豪的是她拥有一副美妙动听的嗓音。

Shall I then murmur because I was not born to affluence? No, believe me, I would not be the son of any other than this most excellent of men, to inherit^[1] all the stores which avarice and ambition sigh for. I am prouder of a father, to whose discerning^[2] wisdom and generous expanded heart I am so obliged^[3], than I should be of one whom I was to succeed in all the titles and possessions in the power of fortune to bestow. From him I receive, and learn properly to value, the most real of all treasures, independence and content.
那么，我应该低声抱怨，因为我不是生而富有吗？不，相信我，我绝不愿为了继承所有的那些标志着贪婪和野心的财富，就要去做除这个最优秀男人之外的其他人的儿子。相比一个生而就能够授予我所有头衔和财产的父亲，一位让我感激不尽的有高妙智慧和宽广胸怀的父亲更能让我感到骄傲。我从他那里正确地接受并学到了去重视最真实的财富：独立和自足。

1. inherit：继承，接手。继承财产/资产有多种说法，比如inherit possessions/property/fortune，乃至于本文用的inherit stores。
2. discerning：为形容词，指有眼力的，有洞察力的，精明的，形容这个人对事物可以做出高质量的评审，智慧独到，眼光高妙。
3. oblige：为动词，一是指强迫、迫使、不得不做，偏向于根据法律、道义等来迫使做某事。如：Parents are obliged by law to send their children to school.（法律规定父母必须送子女入学。）二是指（根据要求或需要）帮忙，效劳，满足，依从。如：Call me if you need any help—I’d be happy to oblige.（若有需要，尽管给我打电话——我很乐意帮忙。）但是oblige还有一个固定搭配，即本文用的be obliged，它类似于be indebted或be grateful，指感激，如：I wil be much obliged.（我将不胜感激）

What a divine^[1] morning! how lovely is the face of nature! The blue serene^[2] of Italy, with the lively verdure^[3] of England. But behold^[4] a more charming object than nature herself! the sweet, the young, the blooming lady Julia, who is this instant stepping into her post chaise^[5] with lady Anne Wilmot! How unspeakably lovely! she looks up to the window; the smiles; I understand that smile; she permits me to have the honour of following her: I’ll order my horses; and, whilst^[6] they are getting ready, endeavour to describe this most angelic of womankind.
多么神圣的早晨！大自然的面貌是多么可爱啊！意大利的蔚蓝宁静，英格兰的生机盎然。但是看看比大自然本身更迷人的东西吧！甜美、年轻、动人的朱丽亚小姐，她正在和安妮·威尔莫特小姐一起步入她的马车！简直是无法形容的可爱啊！她抬头看着窗户，微笑着；我理解那个微笑；她允许我荣幸地跟随她：我会命令我的马；并且当他们准备的时候，我会努力描述这个最天使般的女性。

1. divine：可做动词，意为凭直觉的猜测、发现，亦或是占卜、预测，如：She could divine what he was thinking just by looking at him.（她一看就知道他在想什么。）但divine更多作为形容词用，表示上帝的、神圣的、天赐的，可引申为绝妙的、非凡的、极美的，如：Bums are as divine as seraphs!（流浪汉和六翼天使一样神圣！）又如：To err is human, to forgive, divine.（犯错是人的行为，而宽恕是神的事情。）
2. serene：是较为文雅、古典的用法，表示平静的、宁静的、安详的，约等于calm＋peaceful。英国有俚语all serene，意为太平无事。本文中为古典用法，做名词用，表示晴空，deep serene可表示万里无云的晴朗天空。
3. verdure：也是较为古典的名词，指青葱的草木、郁郁葱葱的植物。with abundance of flowers and of verdure为草木葱郁、花团锦簇。
4. behold：一般只出现在古英文或诗句中，表示观看、看见、注目，尤其指去看非凡的、感人的事物。
5. chaise：是一种旧时的富贵人家用的轻便马车，通常有车蓬。
6. whilst：古典词汇，当……的时候；与……同时；等同于while。

Lady Julia then, who wants only three months of nineteen, is exactly what a poet or painter would wish to copy, who intended to personify^[1] the idea of female softness. Her whose form is delicate^[2] and feminine to the utmost^[3] degree: her complexion is fair, enlivened by the bloom of youth, and often diversified^[4] by blushes more beautiful than those of the morning: her features are regular; her mouth and teeth particularly lovely; her hair light brown; her eyes blue, full of softness, and strongly expressive of the exquisite^[5] sensibility of her soul. Her countenance, the beauteous abode of the Loves and the Smiles, has a mixture of sweetness and spirit, which gives life and expression to her charms.
那么：打算把女性的柔情生动地描绘出来诗人和画家们，多么希望，正好能要到茱莉亚小姐十九岁中的三个月时光，将她留存纸间。身材娇柔到极致的她：肤色白皙，青春洋溢，脸上常常泛起比早晨更美丽的红晕。她五官端正，嘴和牙齿特别可爱，她的头发是浅棕色，她蓝色的眼睛充满了温柔，这强烈地展示出她灵魂的细腻感性。她的面容是爱与笑的美丽居所，甜美与灵气交织，赋予她生命力和魅力。

1. personify：这是一个动词，从person演化而来，后缀-fy意为使、化，该词的一个意思就是把……拟人化、人格化，常用搭配为personify sth (as sb)，如：I have tried to personify philosophy and inner feeling of human mind in my creation in a natural way.（艺术家努力以一种自然的方式，在创作中体现哲学和人的内心情感。）该词还有另一层意思，即是……的典型、集中表现、象征、化身，如：She seemed to personify goodness and nobility.（她似乎是善良和高贵的化身。）
2. delicate：主要作形容词。第一层意思为细腻、精巧、精美，进而引申为可形容颜色的柔和与细微，也可以形容食物等鲜美、清淡。第二层意思为脆弱的、易损坏的，进而可引申为形容生物的病娇与柔弱。第三层意思为微妙的、难以处理的，进而可引申为形容仪器的精巧、灵敏与行为的巧妙和周到。
3. utmost：最大的；极度的。如：This is a matter of the utmost importance.（这是个极其重要的问题。）
4. diversify：动词，第一层意思为增加…的品种；从事多种经营；扩大业务范围，与branch out近义，常用搭配为~diversify (sth) (into sth)，如：Farmers are being encouraged to diversify into new crops.（目前正鼓励农民兼种新的农作物。）第二层意思为（使）多样化、变化、不同，如：Patterns of family life are diversifying.（家庭生活模式正在变得多样化。）
5. exquisite：该单词和delicate较为相似。第一层意思为精美的、精致的，exquisite craftsmanship为精美的工艺。第二层意思为剧烈的，强烈的，exquisite pain/pleasure为剧烈的疼痛/极大的快乐。第三层意思为微妙的，雅致的，敏锐的，敏感的，如：The room was decorated in exquisite taste.（这个房间的装饰情趣高雅。）

As her mind has been adorned, nor warped^[1], by education, it is just what her appearance promises^[2]; artless, gentle, timid, soft, sincere, compassionate^[3], awake to all the finer impressions of tenderness, and melting with pity for every human woe.
由于她很有教养，心性未被扭曲，因此正如她的外表所展示的那样：她天真、温雅、羞涩、柔和、真诚、富有同情心，对所有美好的温柔的印象都很敏感，对每个人的不幸都充满同情。

1. warp：动词，为（使）扭曲，弯曲，变形，也可以用于形容人，为使（行为等）不合情理；使乖戾；不正常有偏见的。如：Years of living alone may warp one’s personality.（长期的孤身生活会使人的性格变得乖戾。）
2. promise：基本意思为许诺；承诺；答应；保证。但本文为另一种较少见的用法，即使很可能、预示、揭示出。如：There were dark clouds overhead promising rain.（天上乌云密布，预示就要下雨。）
3. compassionate：有同情心的；表示怜悯的，与tender-hearted或merciful近义。

But my horses are in the court, and even this subject cannot detain me a moment longer. Adieu!
但是我的马在法庭上，甚至这个话题也不能再耽搁我一会儿。再见！

H. Mandeville.
H·曼德维尔。

To George Mordaunt, Esq;
致乔治·莫当特先生；

YOUR raillery, my dear Mordaunt, gives me pain; that I have the tenderest attachment to lady Julia is certain; but it is an attachment which has not the least resemblance to love. I should be the most ungrateful of mankind to make so ill a return to the friendship lord Belmont honours me with, and the most selfish to entertain a wish so much to lady Julia’s disadvantage. My birth, it must be confessed, is not unworthy even her, since the same blood fills our veins; my father being descended from the eldest broth of the first earl of Belmont, great grandfather of the present: but it would ill become a man whose whole expectations are limited to the inheritance of seven hundred pounds a year (long, very long, may it be before the greatest of all misfortunes makes even that little mine!) to aspire to the heiress of twice as many thousands.
亲爱的莫当特，你的玩笑真叫我伤心。我对朱莉亚小姐非常钟情，这是毫无疑问的；但这是一种依恋，一点也不像爱情。贝尔蒙特大人赐予我忱挚的友谊，我却给他如此差的回报，我就是最忘恩负义的人；我也是最自私的人，竟抱着这样一个对茱莉亚小姐不利的愿望。我必须承认，即使是她，我的出生也并非配不上的，因为我们的血管里流淌着同样的血液；我父亲是贝尔蒙特第一任伯爵的长兄的后裔，第一任伯爵也就是现在贝尔蒙特勋爵的曾祖父。但是如果一个人的全部期望仅仅局限于每年能继承到七百镑遗产，那将是病态的。(愿在所有不幸中最大的不幸还没降临到我的头上之前，这是很漫长的，非常漫长的！)

What I feel for this most charming of women is, the tenderness of a relation mixed with that soft and lively esteem which it is impossible to refuse to the finest understanding and noblest mind in the world, lodged in a form almost celestial.
我对这个最迷人的女人的感觉是：一种温馨而活泼的敬仰交织形成的柔情美意。这种感受是世界上最知性、最高贵的心灵无法拒绝的，它以一种近乎仙境的形式存在着。

Love, for I have tasted its poisoned cup, is all tumult, disorder, madness; but my friendship for lady Julia, warm and animated as it is, is calm, tranquil, gentle; productive of a thousand innocent pleasures, but a stranger to every kind of inquietude: it does not even disturb my rest, a certain consequence of love, even in its earliest approaches.
因为我已经尝过爱的毒，它全是骚动，混乱，疯狂；但是我对茱莉亚小姐的情谊，虽然热烈而充满活力，却是宁谧、安然、温柔的；它创造了无数的天真快乐，却不会产生一丝一毫的不安：即使是在最开始的时候，它甚至也不会打扰到我的休息，这是爱情的必然结果。

Having thus vindicated myself from all suspicion of a passion, which is the present situation of my fortune I should think almost a criminal one, I roceedp to obey you in giving you the portraits of my noble friends; though, I assure you, my sketches will be very imperfect ones.
这样一来，我就摆脱了对我的感情的种种怀疑，而我的财产目前就是这样，我认为这几乎是一种罪恶的感情。我就听从你，把我那些高贵的朋友们的画像给你看。不过，我向你保证，我的草图会很不完美。

Lord Belmont, who lives eight months of the year at this charming seat, with all the magnificence and hospitality of our ancient English nobility, is about sixty years old; his person is tall, well made, graceful; his air commanding, and full of dignity: he has strong sense, with a competent share of learning, and a just and delicate taste for the fine arts; especially musick, which he studyed in Italy, under the best masters that region of harmony afforded. His politeness is equally the result of a natural desire of obliging, and an early and extensive acquaintance with the great world.
贝尔蒙特勋爵大约六十岁了，每年有八个月住在这个迷人的地方，这里能感受到我们古代英国贵族的富丽雍容和热情好客。他身形高大，身材匀称，举止优雅；他气宇轩昂，神态威严。他有很强的判断力，有足够的学识，对艺术有公正而细腻的鉴赏力；尤其是音乐，他曾在意大利学习音乐，师从那个地区最优秀的音乐大师。他的彬彬有礼同样是出于一种乐于助人的自然愿望，以及对这个伟大世界的一切的熟知。

A liberality which scarce his ample possessions can bound, a paternal care of all placed by Providence under his protection, a glowing zeal for the liberty, prosperity, and honour of his country, the noblest spirit of independence, with the most animated attachment and firmest loyalty to his accomplished sovereign, are traits too strongly marked to escape the most careless observer; but those only who are admitted to his nearest intimacy are judges of his domestic virtues, or see in full light the tender, the polite, attentive husband, the fond indulgent parent, the warm unwearied friend.
丰富的财产也不能束缚他的自由之心，他有着对上帝保护下的所有人的慈父般的关怀，对国家的自由、繁荣和荣誉的炽热之情，最高尚的独立精神，对他功成名就的君主最强烈的思慕和最坚定的忠诚……他的这些特质太过浓烈，以至于最粗心的人也不可能看不出来。但是，只有那些与他最亲密的人，才能对他的家庭美德作出判断，或者说，才能完全看清他是温柔、礼貌、细心的丈夫，是慈爱、宽容的父母，是热情、孜孜不倦的朋友。

If there is a shade in this picture, it is a prejudice, perhaps rather too strong, in favour of birth, and a slowness to expect very exalted virtues in any man who cannot trace his ancestors as far back, at least, as the Conquest.
如果说这幅画中有一层阴影的话，那就是对出身的偏爱，也许有些过分了：如果一个人无法追溯到他久远的祖先，至少无法追溯到征服时代的话，那么人们将难以对他本人的高尚品德抱有期待。

Lady Belmont, who is about six years younger than her lord, with all the strength of reason and steadiness of mind generally confined to the best of our sex, has all the winning softness becoming the most amiable of her own; gentle, affable, social, polite, she joins the graces of a court to the simplicity of a cottage; and, by an inexpressible ease and sweetness in her address, makes all who approach her happy: impartial in her politeness, at her genial board no invidious distinctions take place, no cold regards damp the heart of an inferior: by a peculiar delicacy of good breeding and engaging attention to every individual, she banishes reserve, and diffuses a spirit of convivial joy around her: encouraged by her notice, the timid lose their diffidence in her presence, and often surprized exert talents of pleasing they were before themselves unconscious of possessing.
贝尔蒙特夫人比她的勋爵大约小六岁，她具有我们女性中普遍缺少的最优秀的那种理性的力量和沉稳的头脑，但也有着她自己最可爱的温柔迷人的一面。她温文尔雅、和蔼可亲、善于交际、彬彬有礼，使宫廷的优雅与乡下人的质朴融为一体。而且，由于她在讲话中的难以言喻的轻松和甜蜜，所有接近她的人都会很高兴。她的优雅恰到好处，与她亲切同餐时，感受不到令人生嫉的地位差异存在，也没有会挫伤下等人的心的冷淡问候。因为她有特别优雅的教养和对每个人动人心扉的关心。她摒弃矜持，让欢乐的气氛弥漫在周围。被她的关心所鼓舞，羞怯的人在她面前不再胆怯，他们常常能惊奇地发挥出健谈的才能，甚至在此之前，他们自己都没有意识到自己有这样的才能。

The best, and most beloved of wives, of mothers, of mistresses, her domestic character is most lovely; indeed all her virtues are rendered doubly charming, by a certain grace, a delicate finishing, which it is much easier to feel than to describe.
她是最好的，最受人喜爱的妻子、母亲、主妇，她的家庭品性是最可爱的：的确，她的所有美德都由于某种优雅和精致的修饰而显得格外迷人。这种优雅和精致，说起来容易，做起来难。

The economy of her house, which she does not disdain herself to direct, is magnificent without profusion, and regular without constraint. The effects of her cares appear, the cause is unobserved; all wears the smiling easy air of chance, though conducted with the most admirable order.
对于家庭开支，她亲力亲为。整个家居华美而不奢靡，整洁而不拘谨。她对家庭的关心带来了润物无声的影响：所有的人都带着一种自然的微笑，同时他们的举止散发出令人心折的秩序感。

Her form is perfectly elegant; and her countenance, without having ever been beautiful, has a benignity in it more engaging than beauty itself.
她的形体完美优雅；她的面容，虽然从未美丽过，却有一种比美丽本身更迷人的亲切。

Lady Anne Wilmot, my father, and myself, make up the present party at Belmont. Lady Anne, who without regularity of features has that animation which is the soul of beauty, is the widow of a very rich country gentleman; if it be just to prostitute the name of gentleman to beings of his order, only because they have estates of which they are unworthy, and are descended from ancestors whom the dishonour: who, when riding post through Europe, happened to see her with her father at Turin; and as she was the handsomest Englishwoman there, and the whim of being marryed just then seized him, asked her of Lord —, who could not refuse his daughter to a jointure of 3000 l. a year. She returned soon to England with her husband, where, during four years, she enjoyed the happiness of listening to the interesting histories of the chace, and entertaining the—shire hunt at dinner: her slumbers broke by the noise of hounds in a morning, and the riotous mirth of less rational animals at night. Fortune however at length took pity on her sufferings; and the good squire, overheating himself at a fox−chace, of which a fever was the consequence, left her young and rich, at full liberty to return to the chearful haunts of men, with no very high ideas of matrimonial felicity, and an abhorrence of a country life, which nothing but her friendship for Lady Belmont could have one moment suspended.
安妮·威尔莫特夫人、我父亲和我，组成了目前在贝尔蒙特的聚会。安妮夫人是一位非常富有的乡村绅士的寡妇，她相貌平平，却有一种活力，那是一种来自灵魂的美。但那不过是把绅士的名字出卖给他这个等级的人罢了，只是因为他们有着不配拥有的财产，他们的祖先是不光彩的：当她骑马穿越欧洲时，碰巧看见她和她父亲在都灵，因为她是那儿最漂亮的英国女人，他一时心血来潮，就向上帝请求——谁又能拒绝自己的女儿每年受赠三千镑呢？不久，她就和丈夫回到了英国。在四年的时间里，她在那里享受着幸福的生活，听着关于这一奇遇的有趣故事，吃着晚餐，享受着狩猎的乐趣。她的睡眠被清晨猎狗的叫声和夜晚狂乱的动物狂欢所打破。然而，命运最终同情了她的苦难，这位好心的乡绅，在一次狐狸精聚会上大发雷霆，最终导致了高烧，留下了年轻富有的她，自由自在地回到人们常去的地方。她对婚姻的幸福没有什么很高的理想，对乡村生活深恶痛绝，除了她与贝尔蒙夫人的友谊之外，再也没有什么能使她暂时停止这种生活。

A great flow of animal spirits, and a French education, have made her a Coquet, though intended by nature for a much superior character. She is elegant in her dress, equipage, and manner of living, and rather profuse in her expences. I had first the honour of knowing her last winter at Paris, from whence she has been returned about six weeks, three of which she has passed at Belmont.
虽然她生来就要有高尚的品格，但丰富的动物式情绪和法国式的教育使她成了一个卖弄风情的姑娘。她的衣着、用具和生活方式都很高雅，而且开销也相当可观。我第一次有幸认识她是去年冬天在巴黎。她从巴黎回来大约六个星期，其中三个星期在贝尔蒙特度过。

Nothing can be more easy or agreeable than the manner of living here; it is perfectly domestic, yet so diversified with amusements as to exclude that satiety from which the best and purest of sublunary enjoyments are not secure, if continued in too uniform a course. We read, we write, we ride, we converse; we play, we dance, we sing; join the company, or indulge in pensive solitude and meditation, just as fancy leads; liberty, restrained alone by virtue and politeness, is the law, and inclination the sovereign guide, at this mansion of true hospitality. Free from all the shackles of idle ceremony, the whole business of Lord Belmont’s guests, and the highest satisfaction they can give their noble host, is to be happy, and to consult their own taste entirely in their manner of being so.
再没有比这儿的生活方式更舒适愉快的了，这是一种完全家庭式的生活，但娱乐却是多种多样的。多样化的娱乐不会造成餍足感。即如果以一种过于单一的方式持续下去，那么最美好和最纯粹的尘世享受将会逐渐不在的感受。我们读书，我们写作，我们骑马，我们交谈；我们玩耍，我们跳舞，我们唱歌；加入同伴，或沉浸在沉思和冥想中，就像想象中那样。在这个真正好客的府邸里，仅受美德和礼貌约束的自由就是法律，而意志就是至高无上的向导。摆脱了所有无聊仪式的束缚，贝尔蒙特勋爵的客人们的全部工作，以及他们能给他们高贵的主人的最高满足，就是快乐，并完全按照他们的方式来考虑自己的品味。

Reading, musick, riding, and conversation are Lord Belmont’s favourite pleasures, but none that are innocent are excluded; balls, plays, concerts, cards, bowls, billiards, and parties of pleasure round the neighbouring country, relieve each other; and, whilst their variety prevents any of them from satiating, all conspire to give a double poignancy to the sweeter joys of domestic life, the calm and tender hours which this charming family devote to the endearing conversation of each other, and of those friends particularly honoured with their esteem.
阅读、音乐、骑马和谈话是贝尔蒙特勋爵最喜爱的乐趣，没有一个被无缘无故的除开；邻近国家的舞会、戏剧、音乐会、纸牌、保龄球、台球和娱乐聚会，互相调剂。而它们的多样性使大家永远无法餍足。所有这一切都给家庭生活的甜蜜乐趣增添了双重享受。这个可爱的家庭在恬静温柔的时光里互相谈笑风生，谈论备受尊敬的朋友们。

The house, which is the work of Inigo Jones, is magnificent to the utmost degree; it stands on the summit of a slowly−rising hill, facing the South; and, beyond a spacious court, has in front an avenue of the tallest trees, which lets in the prospect of a fruitful valley, bounded at a distance by a mountain, down the sides of which rushes a foaming cascade, which spreads into a thousand meandering streams in the vale below.
这所房子是伊尼戈·琼斯的作品，非常壮观。它坐落在一座缓缓升起的小山的山顶上，面朝南方。在一个宽敞的庭院的后面，有一条林荫道，林荫道上的树木最高，从这里可以看到一个丰饶的山谷，在远处有一座山，从山的两侧冲下来一个泡沫状的瀑布，在下面的山谷里汇成千条蜿蜒的小溪。

The gardens and park, which are behind the house, are romantic beyond the wantonness of imagination; and the whole adjoining country diversified with hills, vallies, woods, rivers, plains, and every charm of lovely unadorned nature.
房子后面的花园和公园，浪漫得超乎想象。整个毗邻的国家因丘陵、山谷、森林、河流、平原和各种可爱的自然而散发出多重魅力。

Here Lord Belmont enjoys the most unmixed and lively of all human pleasures, that of making others happy. His estate conveys the strongest idea of the patriarchal government; he seems a beneficent father surrounded by his children, over whom reverence, gratitude, and love, give him an absolute authority, which he never exerts but for their good: every eye shines with transport at his sight; parents point him out to their children; the first accents of prattling infancy are taught to lisp his honoured name; and age, supported by his bounteous hand, pours out the fervent prayer to Heaven for its benefactor.
在这里，贝尔蒙勋爵享受着人类所有快乐中最单纯、最活泼的快乐，那就是让他人快乐。他的庄园传达了最强烈的宗法社会思想；他好似一位慈爱的父亲，被孩子们围绕着，对孩子们的尊敬、感激和爱赋予了他一种绝对的权威，他从不施展这种权威，除非是为了孩子们的利益。父母把他指给他们的孩子看；咿呀学语的婴儿最初的口音被教导着，口齿不清地说出他的尊称；年老者在他那慷慨的手的指挥下，向上天，向他的恩人发出热烈的祈祷。

To a life like this, and to an ardent love of independence, Lord Belmont sacrifises all the anxious and corroding cares of avarice and ambition; and finds his account in health, freedom, chearfulness, and “that sweet peace which goodness bosoms ever.” Adieu! I am going with Lord Belmont and my father to Acton−Grange, and shall not return till Thursday.
为了这样的生活，为了对独立的热爱，贝尔蒙特勋爵牺牲了贪婪和野心所带来的焦虑和腐蚀，他在健康、自由、快乐和“善良永远包含在心中的甜蜜和平”中找到了自己的意义。告辞！我要跟贝尔蒙特勋爵和我父亲到阿克顿田庄去，星期四才回来。

H. Mandeville.
H·曼德维尔。

To George Mordaunt, Esq; Friday.
致乔治·莫当特先生；星期五；

WE returned yesterday about six in the evening, and the moment we alighted, my Lord leading us into the garden, an unexpected scene opened on my view, which recalled the idea of the fabulous pleasures of the golden age, and could not but be infinitely pleasing to every mind uncorrupted by the false glare of tinsel pomp and awake to the genuine charms of simplicity and nature.
我们昨天晚上六点左右回来的，我们一下车，主人就把我们领进花园，一幅意想不到的景象映入我的眼帘，让我想起了黄金时代令人难以置信的欢乐，它能无限地取悦每一个没有被虚假的浮华艳丽的光芒所腐蚀的心灵，唤醒朴素和自然的真正魅力。

On a spacious lawn, bounded on every side by a profusion of the most odoriferous flowering shrubs, a joyous band of villagers were assembled: the young men drest in green, youth, health, and pleasure in their air, led up their artless charmers, in straw hats adorned with the spoils of Flora, to the rustic sound of the tabor and pipe: Round the lawn, at equal intervals, were raised temporary arbors of branches of trees, in which refreshments were prepared for the dancers: and between the arbors, seats of moss for their parents, shaded from the sun by green awnings on poles, round which were twined wreaths of flowers, breathing the sweets of the spring. The surprize, the gaiety of the scene, the flow of general joy, the sight of so many happy people, the countenances of the enraptured parents, who seemed to live over again the sprightly season of youth in their children, with the benevolent pleasure in the looks of the noble bestowers of the feast, filled my eyes with tears, and my swelling heart with a sensation of pure yet lively transport, to which the joys of courtly balls are mean.
在一片宽阔的草坪上，四周环绕着大量散发着最芬芳气息的花灌木，一群快乐的村民聚集在一起：年轻的人们沉浸在绿色、青春、健康和快乐的氛围中，看起来有股天真的魅力，他们戴着饰有弗洛拉战利品的草帽，用大鼓和笛子演奏着乡村声音。在草坪的周围，每隔一段距离就有临时搭起来的树枝棚，这里为跳舞的人准备了点心。他们的父母坐在在树木之间的苔藓石座上，并用柱子上的绿色遮阳篷遮阳。周围缠绕着花环，他们正呼吸着春天的甜蜜。惊喜，欢乐的场面，普遍的喜悦：看到那么多幸福的人们，看到狂喜的父母们的表情，他们仿佛在孩子们身上重新活过了青春的活泼季节，也看到了宴席上那些高贵的恩人的慈祥的喜悦。泪水充满了我的眼睛，我膨胀的心充满了一种纯洁而又活泼的感情，这是宫廷舞会的乐趣所在。

The ladies, who were sitting in conversation with some of the oldest of the villagers, rose at our approach; and, my Lord giving Lady Anne Wilmot’s hand to my father and honoring me with Lady Julia’s, we mixed in the rustic ball. The loveliest of women had an elegant simplicity in her air and habit which became the scene, and gave her a thousand new charms: she was drest in a straw−coloured lutestring night gown, the lightest gauze linen, a hat with purple ribbons, and a sprig of glowing purple amaranthus in her bosom: I know not how to convey an idea of the particular stile of beauty in which she then appeared. − Youth, health, sprightliness, and innocence, all struck the imagination at once. − Paint to yourself the exquisite proportion, the playful air, and easy movement of a Venus, with the vivid bloom of an Hebe; − however high you raise your ideas, they will fall infinitely short of the divine original.
坐在那里和几个年纪最大的村民谈话的太太们，一看到我们走近，便站了起来。勋爵把安妮·威尔莫特夫人的手递给我父亲，请茱莉亚夫人与我握手，我们一起参加了乡村舞会。她是最可爱的女人，她的举止和习惯上都有一种优雅而单纯的气质，这已成为一种展现她身上数不尽的光芒的优美场景。她穿着一件稻草色的黄线睡衣，是最轻的纱布亚麻布制成，戴着一顶带紫色丝带的帽子，胸前插着一束鲜艳的紫红色的小枝。我不知道如何表达她当时出现的那种特殊的美。年轻、健康、活泼和天真，所有这些都立刻激发了人们的想象力：给自己画一幅维纳斯的精致比例、俏皮的空气和轻松的动作，再加上赫伯的生动的花朵。无论你把你的想法提得多高，它们都将远远达不到神圣的初衷。

The approach of night putting an end to the rural assembly, the villagers retired to the hall, where they continued dancing, and our happy party passed the rest of the evening in that sweet and lively conversation, which is never to be found but amongst those of the first sense and politeness, united by that perfect confidence which makes the most trifling subjects interesting; none of us thought of separating, or imagined it midnight, when, my father opening a window, the rising sun broke in upon us, and convinced us on what swift and downy pinions the hours of happiness flit away. Adieu!
夜幕降临，乡村聚会结束了，村民们退到大厅里，继续跳舞，我们这群快乐的人在甜蜜而活泼的谈话中度过了晚上剩下的时间。只有那些有见识、有礼貌的人，加上那种能使最琐碎的事情也变得有趣的自信，才能找到这种自信。我们谁也没有想到要分开，也没有想象那是在午夜。当父亲打开窗户时，初升的太阳射了进来，使我们确信幸福的时光是多么迅捷而又柔和的羽翼在飞逝。告辞！

H. Mandeville.
H·曼德维尔。

To George Mordaunt, Esq; Belmont.
致乔治·莫当特先生；贝尔蒙特；

NO, my friend, I have not always been this hero: too sensible to the power of beauty, I have felt the keenest pangs of unsuccessful love: but I deserved to suffer; my passion was in the highest degree criminal; and I blush, though at this distance of time, to lay open my heart even to the indulgent eyes of partial friendship.
不，我的朋友，我并非一直都是这样的英雄。我对美的力量太敏感了，我曾感受到过不成功的爱情所带来的最剧烈的痛苦，可那是我罪有应得，我的热情是最高程度的犯罪。虽然时隔这么久，对那只偏爱友谊的放纵的眼睛去敞开我的心扉，我还是羞红了脸。

When your father’s death called you back to England, you may remember I continued my journey to Rome: where a letter from my father introduced me into the family of Count Melespini, a nobleman of great wealth and uncommon accomplishments. As my father, who has always been of opinion that nothing purifies the manners, like the conversation of an amiable, well−educated, virtuous woman, had particularly entreated for me the honour of the Countess’s friendship, whom he had known almost a child, and to whom he had taught the English language; I was admitted to the distinction of partaking in all her amusements, and attending her every where in the quality of Cecisbeo. To the arts of the libertine, however fair, my heart had always been steeled; but the Countess joined the most piercing wit, the most winning politeness, the most engaging sensibility, the most exquisite delicacy, to a form perfectly lovely. You will not therefore wonder that the warmth and inexperience of youth, hourly exposed in so dangerous a situation, was unable to resist such variety of attractions. Charmed with the flattering preference she seemed to give me, my vanity fed by the notice of so accomplished a creature, forgetting those sentiments of honour which ought never to be one moment suspended, I became passionately in love with this charming woman: for some months, I struggled with my love; till, on her observing that my health seemed impaired and I had lost my usual vivacity, I took courage to confess the cause, though in terms which sufficiently spoke my despair of touching a heart which I feared was too sensible to virtue for my happiness: I implored her pity, and protested I had no hope of inspiring a tenderer sentiment. Whilst I was speaking, which was in broken interrupted sentences, the Countess looked at me with the strongest sorrow and compassion painted in her eyes; she was for some moments silent, and seemed lost in thought; but at last, with an air of dignified sweetness, “My dear Enrico,” said she, “shall I own to you that I have for some time feared this confession? I ought perhaps to resent this declaration, which from another I could never have forgiven: but, as I know and esteem the goodness of your heart, as I respect your father infinitely, and love you with the innocent tenderness of a sister, I will only entreat you to reflect how injurious this passion is to the Count, who has the tenderest esteem for you, and would sacrifise almost his life for your happiness: be assured of my eternal friendship, unless you forfeit it by persisting in a pursuit equally destructive to your own probity and my honor; receive the tenderest assurances of it,” continued she, giving me her hand to kiss, but believe, at the same time, that the Count deserves and possesses all my love, I had almost said, my adoration. The fondest affection united us, and time, instead of lessening, every hour encreases our mutual passion. Reserve your heart, my good Enrico, for some amiable lady of your own nation; and believe that love has no true pleasures but when it keeps within the bounds of honour.”
当你父亲的死召唤你回到英国时，你可能还记得我继续去了罗马，在那里我父亲写了一封信，把我介绍给了梅勒斯皮尼伯爵的家人，这是一个富有而不凡的贵族。就像我的父亲，他总是认为，没有什么比一个和蔼、受过良好教育、贤惠的女人的交谈更能净化人的举止了，他曾特别请求我与伯爵夫人建立友谊。他几乎把我当作一个孩子，教我英语，我被允许参加她的一切娱乐活动，并以塞西贝奥的身份处处陪着她。对于放荡不羁者的艺术，无论多么公平，我的心一直是钢铁般的；但是伯爵夫人把最尖锐的智慧、最动人的礼貌、最动人的情感、最精致的世故结合起来，形成了一种极其令人喜爱的风格。因此，你不会奇怪，年轻时的温暖和缺乏经验，每时每夜暴露在如此危险的环境中，无法抗拒这样的各种吸引人的东西。她似乎对我宠爱有加，这使我陶醉，看到这样一个多才多艺的人，我的虚荣心得到了满足。我忘记了那种一刻也不该停止的荣誉情感，我热烈地爱上了这个迷人的女人，有好几个月了，我在爱中挣扎。直到她发现我的健康似乎受到了损害，我也失去了平时的活泼，我才鼓起勇气承认了原因。虽然这足以说明我对打动一颗心的绝望，我担心这颗心过于理智，而不是美德，不会给我带来幸福。我求她怜悯，并抗议说我不希望激起更温柔的感情。当我断断续续地说话的时候，伯爵夫人用最强烈的悲伤和怜悯的目光望着我。她沉默了一会儿，似乎陷入了沉思。最后，她带着高贵而温柔的神气对我说：“我亲爱的恩里科，我要向你承认，我曾经害怕过这番坦白吗？我也许应该对这句话感到气愤，因为这是另一个我永远无法原谅的人说的，但我知道并且敬重你的善良，正如我无限地尊敬你的父亲，像一个妹妹那样天真温柔地爱着你，我只请求您考虑一下这种感情对伯爵的伤害有多大，谁最敬重你，甚至愿意为你的幸福而牺牲自己的生命。请相信我永远是你的朋友，除非你坚持一项同样会损害你自己的正直和我的荣誉的事业，从而丧失了我的友谊。接受我最温柔的保证。”她继续说，一面伸出手来吻我，但同时请相信，伯爵值得并且拥有我所有的爱，我几乎说过，我所有的爱慕。最真挚的爱把我们结合在一起，时间不但没有减少，反而每小时都增加了我们彼此的激情。我的好恩里科，把你的心留给你自己国家的一位可爱的小姐吧；相信爱情没有真正的快乐，只有在荣誉的范围内。”

It is impossible, my dear Mordaunt, to express to you the shame this discourse filled me with: her gentle, her affectionate reproofs, the generous concern she shewed for my error, the mild dignity of her aspect, plunged me into inexpressible confusion, and shewed my fault in its blackest colours; at the same time that her behaviour, by increasing my esteem, added to the excess of my passion. I attempted to answer her; but it was impossible; awed, abashed, humbled before her, I had not courage even to meet her eyes: like the fallen angel in Milton, I felt
我亲爱的莫当特，我无法向你表达这番话使我感到的羞愧。她温柔而亲切的责备，她对我的错误表现出的慷慨关怀，她那温和而高贵的面容，使我陷入了说不出的混乱，用最阴暗的色彩暴露了我的错误。同时，她的行为增加了我的自尊，也增加了我过分的感情。我试图回答她;但这是不可能的;在她面前，我畏惧、羞愧、谦卑，甚至没有勇气正视她的眼睛:就像弥尔顿笔下堕落的天使一样，我感到：

“How awful goodness is, and saw, Virtue in her own shape how lovely.”
“善良是多么可怕，美德的形体是多么可爱。”

The Countess saw, and pitied, my confusion, and generously relieved me from it by changing the subject: she talked of my father, of his merit, his tenderness for me, and expectations of my conduct; which she was sure I should never disappoint. Without hinting at what had past, she with the utmost exquisite delicacy gave me to understand it would be best I should leave Rome, by saying she knew how ardently my father wished for my return, and that it would be the height of cruelty longer to deprive him of the pleasure of seeing a son so worthy of his affection: “The Count and myself,” pursued she, “cannot lose you without inexpressible regret; but you will alleviate it by letting us hear often of your welfare. When you are united to a lady worthy of you, my dear Enrico, we may perhaps make you a visit in England: in the mean time, be assured, you have not two friends who love you with a sincerer affection.”
伯爵夫人看到了，很同情我的慌乱，她改变了话题，慷慨地把我从慌乱中解救了出来。她谈到了我的父亲，谈到了他的优点，谈到了他对我的温柔，谈到了对我行为的期望。她对过去的事只字不提，极其细致地告诉我，我最好还是离开罗马。她说，她知道我父亲是多么热切地希望我回去，要是让他失去了见到一个如此值得他疼爱的儿子而获得的快乐，那就再残忍不过了。“伯爵和我，”她接着说，“失去了您，一定会有一种难以言表的遗憾；但如果你常让我们知道你的幸福，我们就能减轻痛苦。当你和一位配得上你的小姐结合在一起，我亲爱的恩里科，我们也许会让你到英国去一趟。同时，请相信，你并没有两个真心爱你的朋友。”

At this moment the Count entered, who, seeing my eyes filled with tears of love, despair, and admiration, with the tenderest anxiety enquired the cause. “I shall tell you news which will afflict you, my Lord,” said the Countess: “Signor Enrico comes to bid us farewel; he is commanded by his father to return to England; tomorrow is the last day of his stay in Rome: he promises to write to us, and to preserve an eternal remembrance of our friendship, for which he is obliged only to his own merit: his tender heart, full of the most laudable, the most engaging sensibility, melts at the idea of a separation which will not be less painful to us.”
这时，伯爵进来了，他看到我的眼睛里充满了爱情、绝望和钦佩的泪水，带着最温柔的焦虑，问我是怎么回事。“我要告诉你一个使你难过的消息，大人”，伯爵夫人说，“恩里科先生来向我们告别；他的父亲命令他返回英国。明天是他在罗马逗留的最后一天。他答应给我们写信，让我们的友谊永垂不朽。他只感激他自己的优点。他那颗温柔的心充满了最值得称赞、最动人的情感，一想到要和你分别，我们就会感到同样痛苦。

The Count, after expressing the most obliging concern at the thought of losing me, and the warmest gratitude for these supposed marks of my friendship, insisted on my spending the rest of the day with them. I consented, but begged first to return to my lodgings; on pretence of giving some necessary orders, but in reality to give vent to my full heart, torn with a thousand contrary emotions, amongst which, I am shocked to own, hatred to the generous Count was not the weakest. I threw myself on the ground, in an agony of despair; I wept, I called Heaven to witness the purity of my love; I accused the Countess of cruelty in thus forcing me from Rome; I rose up; I begun a letter to her, in which I vowed an eternal silence and respect, but begged she would allow me still the innocent pleasure of beholding her; swore I could not live without seeing her, and that the day of my leaving Rome would be that of my death. − But why do I thus tear open wounds which are but just healed? let it suffice, that a moment’s reflexion convinced me of my madness, and shewed the charming Countess in the light of a guardian angel snatching me from the edge of a precipice. My reason in some degree returning, I drest myself with the most studious care, and returned to the Melespini palace, where I found the Abbate Camilli, a near relation of the family, whose presence saved me the confusion of being the third with my injured friends, and whose lively conversation soon dissipated the air of constraint I felt on entering the room, and even dispelled part of my melancholy.
伯爵一想到要辞别我，就表示了最亲切的关心，并对这些所谓的友谊的象征表示了最热烈的感激之情，然后坚持要我和他们待在一起。我同意了，但首先要求回到我的住处。我假装要下达一些必要的命令，实际上是要发泄我内心的怨气，我的内心被无数相反的情绪所撕裂，其中，我很震惊地承认，对慷慨的伯爵的仇恨并不是最脆弱的。我扑倒在地，陷入了绝望的痛苦之中。我哭泣，我呼唤上天见证我纯洁的爱情；我指责伯爵夫人这样强迫我离开罗马是残忍的。我起来后，开始给她写信，在信中我发誓永远保持沉默和尊敬，但请求她允许我继续享受见她的那种天真的快乐。发誓说我不能见她而活，我离开罗马的那天就是我的死亡。但我为什么要这样撕裂刚刚愈合的伤口呢？我想了一会儿，就确信我是疯了，迷人的伯爵夫人在守护天使的光芒下把我从悬崖边上抓了起来。我的理智在某种程度上恢复了，我非常小心地穿上衣服，回到了梅雷斯皮尼的宫殿。我在那里找到了卡米利神父，他是我家人的近亲，他的出现让我避免了和我受伤的朋友们一起成为第三个的困惑。她的谈笑风生很快驱散了我一进屋就感到的拘束气氛，甚至驱散了我的部分忧郁。

The Count, whose own probity and virtue set him far above suspecting mine, pressed me, with all the earnestness of a friendship I so little merited, to defer my journey a week: on which I raised my downcast eyes to Madam Melespini; for such influence had this lovely woman over my heart, I did not dare to consent till certain of her permission; and, reading approbation in a smile of condescending sweetness, I consented with a transport which only those who have loved like me can conceive: my chearfulness returning, and some of the most amiable people in Rome coming in, we past the evening in the utmost gaiety. At taking leave, I was engaged to the same company in different parties of amusement for the whole time I had to stay, and had the joy of being every day with the Countess; though I never found an opportunity of speaking to her without witnesses, till the evening before I left Rome, when, going to her house an hour sooner than I was expected, I found her alone in her closet. When I approached her, my voice faltered; I trembled; I wanted power to address her: and this moment, fought with such care, wished with such ardor, was the most painful of my life. Shame alone prevented my retiring; my eyes were involuntarily turned towards the door at which I entered, in a vain hope of that interruption I had before dreaded as the greatest misfortune; and even the presence of my happy envied rival would at that moment have been most welcome.
伯爵，他自己的正直和美德使他永远不会怀疑我，他以一种我根本不配得到的真诚的友谊，敦促我把我的旅行推迟一个星期。我抬起低垂的眼睛望着梅雷斯皮尼夫人。因为这个可爱的女人对我的心产生了这样的影响。没有得到她的允许，我不敢答应。从那居高临下的甜蜜微笑中读出赞许后，我情不自禁地答应了。只有像我这样深爱过的人才会有这样的心情。我高高兴兴地回来了，罗马几个最和蔼可亲的人也进来了，我们就兴高采烈地过了那个晚上。告别的时候，我一直这里，参加各种各样的娱乐活动，每天和伯爵夫人在一起，享受着每天的乐趣。虽然直到我离开罗马的那天晚上，我还没有找到没有人在场的机会同她说话。我比预期的早了一个小时去她家，发现她一个人在壁橱里。当我走近她时，我的声音颤抖了。我颤抖着，我需要有能力跟她说话，而此时，我如此小心地斗争着，如此热情地渴望着，却是我一生中最痛苦的时刻。光是羞愧就妨碍了我的退场。我的眼睛不由自主地转向我进去的那扇门。徒劳地希望中断我之前害怕的最大的不幸，即使是我那令人羡慕的快乐的对手出现在我面前，在那一刻也是最受欢迎的。

The Countess seemed little less disconcerted than myself; however, recovering herself sooner, “Signor Enrico,” said she, “your discretion charms me; it is absolutely necessary you should leave Rome; it has already cost me an artifice unworthy of my character to conceal from the Count a secret which would have wounded his nice honor and destroyed his friendship for you. After this adored husband, be assured, you stand first of all your sex in my esteem: the sensibility of your heart, though at present so unhappily misplaced, encreases my good opinion of you: may you, my dear Enrico, meet with an English Lady worthy of your tenderness, and be as happy in marriage as the friends you leave behind. Accept,” pursued she, rising and going to a cabinet, “these miniatures of the Count and myself, which I give you by his command; and, when you look on them, believe they represent two faithful friends, whose esteem for you neither time nor absence can lessen.”
伯爵夫人似乎和我一样不安。不过，她很快就恢复过来了。“恩里科先生，”她说，“你的谨慎使我着迷；你必须离开罗马，为了向伯爵隐瞒一个会损害他的名誉和破坏他与您的友谊的秘密，我已经付出了一个不符合我人格的代价。在我所崇拜的丈夫之后，请相信，在所有女性中，你在我心目中是最重要的。你内心的感情，虽然目前很不幸地放错了地方，却增加了我对你的好感。愿你，我亲爱的恩里科，能遇见一位值得你温柔对待的英国女士。和你身后的朋友们一样幸福。接受她吧。”她站起身来，走到一个橱柜前，接着说：“这些伯爵和我的微型画像，我奉他之命交给您。并且，当你看着他们的时候，相信他们代表着两个忠实的朋友，他们对你的尊重不会因为时间和离开而减少。”

I took the pictures eagerly, and kissed that of the Countess with a passion I could not restrain, of which however she took not the least notice. I thanked her, with a confused air, for so valuable a present; and intreated her to pity a friendship too tender for my peace, but as respectful and as pure as she herself could wish it.
我热切地拿起这些画，情不自禁地吻了吻伯爵夫人的画，但她一点也不在意。我带着困惑的神情感谢她送了这么贵重的礼物。恳求她怜悯一段对我的和平来说太温柔的友谊，但像她自己希望的那样尊重和纯洁。

The Abbate Camilli here joined us, and once more saved me a scene too interesting for the present situation of my heart. The Count entered the room soon after, and our conversation turned on the other cities of Italy, which I intended visiting; to most of which he gave me letters of recommendation to the noblest families, wrote in terms so polite and affectionate as stabbed me to the heart with a sense of my own ingratitude. He did me the honor to accept my picture, which I had not the courage to offer the Countess. After protracting till morning a parting so exquisitely painful, I tore myself from all I loved; and, bathing with tears her hand which I pressed eagerly to my lips, threw myself into my chaise, and, without going to bed, took the road to Naples. But how difficult was this conquest! How often was I tempted to return to Rome, and throw myself at the Countess’s feet, without considering the consequences of so wild an action! You, my dearest Mordaunt, whose discerning spirit knows all the windings, the strange inconsistences, of the human heart, will pity rather than blame your friend, when he owns there were moments in which he formed the infamous resolution of carrying her off by force.
卡米利修士也加入了我们的行列，再一次给我留下了一个对我目前的心情来说比较有趣的场景。不久，伯爵也进了房间，我们的谈话转到我打算访问的意大利其他城市。他给我的大部分推荐信都是给那些最高贵的人家写的。用如此彬彬有礼而又充满深情的语言写出来的东西刺痛了我的心，让我感到自己的忘恩负义。他很荣幸地收下了我的画，我没有勇气把它送给伯爵夫人。在把一场如此痛苦的离别拖到早晨之后，我离开了我所爱的一切。我迫不及待地把她的手放在唇边，泪流满面地亲吻，然后一头扎进我的马车里，没有上床睡觉，便踏上了去那不勒斯的路。但是这次征服是多么困难啊！我有多少次想回到罗马，拜倒在伯爵夫人的脚下，而不考虑这样一种野蛮行为的后果！你，我最亲爱的莫当特，你有敏锐的洞察力，知道人类心灵的一切曲折和奇怪的矛盾，当你的朋友承认他曾经下过不光彩的决心要强行带走她的时候，你会同情他，而不是责备他。

But when the mist of passion a little dispersed, I began to entertain more worthy sentiments; I determined to drive this lovely woman from my heart, and conquer an inclination, which the Count’s generous unsuspecting friendship would have made criminal even in the eyes of the most abandoned libertine; rather owing this resolution however to an absolute despair of success than either to reason or a sense of honor, my cure was a work of time. I was so weak, during some months, as to confine my visits to the families where the Count’s letters introduced me, that I might indulge my passion by hearing the lovely Countess continually mentioned.
但当激情的迷雾稍稍散去时，我开始有了更有价值的情感。我决心把这个可爱的女人从我的心里赶出去，克服我的这种爱好，即使在最放纵的浪荡子眼里，伯爵的慷慨和毫无戒心的友谊也会使我犯罪的。我做出这样的决定，与其说是出于理智或荣荣感，不如说是由于对成功的绝对绝望，我的治疗需要时间。在几个月的时间里，我身体很虚弱，只能去伯爵的信件介绍给我的那些家庭，以便不断地听人提起可爱的伯爵夫人，以此来发泄我的感情。

Convinced at length of the folly of thus feeding so hopeless a flame, I resolved to avoid every place where I had a chance of hearing that adored name: I left Italy for France, where I hoped a life of dissipation would drive her for ever from my remembrance. I even profaned my passion for her, by meeting the advances of a Coquette; but disgust succeeded my conquest, and I found it was from time alone I must hope a cure. I had been near a year at Paris, when, in April last, I received a letter from my father, who pressed my return, and appointed me to meet him immediately at the Hague, from whence we returned together; and after a few days stay in London, came down to Belmont, where the charms of Lady Julia’s conversation, and the esteem she honors me with, entirely compleated my cure, which time, absence, and the Count’s tender and affectionate letters, had very far advanced. There is a sweetness in her friendship, my dear Mordaunt, to which love itself must yield the palm; the delicacy, yet vivacity of her sentiments; the soft sensibility of her heart, which without fear listens to vows of eternal amity and esteem − O Mordaunt, I must not, I do not hope for, I do not indeed wish for, her love; but can it be possible there is a man on earth to whom heaven destines such a blessing?
最后，我终于认识到，这样做是愚蠢的，助长了如此毫无希望的火焰，我决心避开每一个有机会听到那个令人崇拜的名字的地方。我离开意大利去了法国，我希望在那里放荡的生活将把她永远从我的记忆中赶走。我甚至亵渎了我对她的感情，因为我遇到了一个卖弄风情的姑娘。但是厌恶的情绪征服了我，我发现我只能靠时间来希望治愈。我在巴黎已经快一年了，去年四月，我收到父亲的一封信，他催我赶快回去，并派我立即到海牙去和他见面。我们是一起从那儿回来的。在伦敦待了几天之后，我来到贝尔蒙特。在那里，朱利亚夫人的谈情达理和她对我的尊敬使我完全痊愈了。而离别之后，伯爵的亲切和深情的信，已经过去很久了。我亲爱的莫当特，她的友谊有一种甜蜜，爱情本身就得让它屈服。她的感情细腻而又活泼。她那温柔的敏感的心，毫无畏惧地倾听着她对我们永远友好和尊重的誓言。啊，莫当特，我不能，我不希望，我确实不希望得到她的爱。可是，上天会把这样的福气赐给世上的一个人吗？

H. Mandeville.
H·曼德维尔。

To Col. Bellville. Tuesday, Belmont.
致贝尔维尔上校。周二，贝尔蒙特。

OH! you have no notion what a reformation: Who but Lady Anne Wilmot at chapel every Sunday? grave, devout, attentive! scarce stealing a look at the prettiest fellow in the world, who sits close by me! Yes, you are undone, Bellville; Harry Mandeville, the young, the gay, the lovely Harry Mandeville, in the full bloom of conquering three and twenty, with all the fire and sprightliness of youth, the exquisite symmetry and easy grace of an Antinous; a countenance open, manly, animated; his hair the brightest chesnut; his complexion brown, flushed with the rose of health; his eyes dark, penetrating, and full of fire, but when he addresses our sex softened into a sweetness which is almost irresistible; his nose inclining to the aquiline; his lips full and red, and his teeth of the most pearly whiteness. There, read and die with envy:
哦!你不知道什么是宗教改革：每个礼拜日除了安妮·威尔莫特夫人还有谁在教堂?坟墓,虔诚,细心!这个坐在我身边的世界上最漂亮的小伙子几乎看都不看一眼!是的，你完了，贝尔维尔;年轻的、快活的、可爱的哈里·曼德维尔，正盛放着征服二十三岁的青春，拥有青春的全部热情和活力，安提诺斯的那种精致的匀称和从容的优雅;开朗、有男子气概、活泼的面容;他的头发是最鲜艳的栗色;他的皮肤黝黑，泛着健康玫瑰的红晕;他的眼睛是黑色的，锐利的，充满了火焰，但当他对我们的女性柔和成一种几乎无法抗拒的甜蜜;他的鼻子向鹰钩鼻倾斜;他的嘴唇又红又厚，牙齿白得像珍珠。在那里，羡慕地读着书死去;

“You with envy, I with love.”
“你用嫉妒，我用爱。”

Fond of me too, but afraid to declare his passion; respectful − awed by the commanding dignity of my manner − poor dear creature! I think I must unbend a little, hide half the rays of my divinity, to encourage so timid a worshiper.
也喜欢我，但不敢表白;对我威严的态度感到敬畏，可怜的宝贝!我想我必须舒展一下身子，隐藏一半我的神性的光芒，来鼓励这样胆怯的崇拜者。

Some flattering tawdry coxcomb, I suppose; some fool with a tolerable outside.
我猜想是一个讨人喜欢的俗丽的花花公子;一个在外面还过得去的傻瓜。

No, you never was more mistaken, Bellville: his charms, I assure you, are not all external. His understanding is of the most exalted kind, and has been improved by a very extraordinary education, in projecting which his father has employed much time and thought, and half ruined himself by carrying it into execution. Above all, the Colonel has cultivated in his son an ardent love of independence, not quite so well suited to his fortune; and a generous, perhaps a romantic, contempt of riches, which most parents if they had found would have eradicated with the utmost care. His heart is warm, noble, liberal, benevolent: sincere and violent in his friendships, he is not less so, though extremely placable, in his enmities; scorning disguise, and laying his faults as well as his virtues open to every eye: rash, romantic, imprudent; haughty to the assuming sons of wealth, but to those below him,
不，你从来没有搞错过，贝尔维尔。我向你保证，他的魅力并不全是外在的。他的理解力极好，受过非凡的教育才有了进步，他的父亲在规划方面花了很多时间和心思，可是为了把它付诸实施，竟把自己毁了一半。最重要的是，上校培养了他儿子对独立的强烈热爱，这并不太适合他的财产。还有一种慷慨的，也许是浪漫的，对财富的蔑视，如果大多数父母发现了，他们会极其小心地根除这种蔑视。他的心是热情、高尚、慷慨、仁慈的;他的友谊真诚而激烈，他的敌意虽然和和气气，但同样如此;蔑视伪装，把他的缺点和优点都暴露给大家:轻率、浪漫、轻率;对阔绰的公子们傲慢，但对地位低于他的人，

“Gentle As Zephyr blowing underneath the violet.”
“温柔如紫罗兰下吹起的和风。”

But whither am I running? and where was I when this divine creature seduced me from my right path? Oh, I remember, at chapel: it must be acknowledged my digressions are a little Pindaric. True, as I was saying, I go constantly to chapel. ‘Tis strange; but this lady Belmont has the most unaccountable way in the world of making it one’s choice to do whatever she has an inclination one should, without seeming to desire it. One sees so clearly that all she does is right, religion fits so easy upon her, her style of goodness is so becoming and graceful, that it seems want of taste and elegance not to endeavour to resemble her. Then my Lord too loves to worship in the beauty of holiness; he makes the fine arts subservient to the noblest purpose, and spends as much on serving his Creator as some people of his rank do on a kennel of hounds. We have every external incitement to devotion; exquisite paintings, an admirable organ, fine voices, and the most animated reader of prayers in the universe.
可是我往哪里跑呢?当这个神圣的创造物引诱我偏离正确的道路时，我在哪里?噢，我想起来了，在礼拜堂。必须承认，我的离题有点品达尔式的。没错，就像我说的，我经常去教堂。这奇怪的;但是这位贝尔蒙特夫人有一种世界上最难以解释的方式，那就是让一个人选择去做她想做的任何事情，而不让人觉得她想做。人们可以清楚地看到，她所做的一切都是正确的，宗教信仰对她是那么合适，她的善良的作风是那么得体，那么优雅，因此，如果不竭力模仿她，似乎就没有情趣和高雅了。我主也爱以圣洁的美敬拜。他使艺术屈从于最崇高的目的，并且花费在为造物主服务上的钱，和他这种地位的人花在一窝猎犬上的钱一样多。我们有一切献身的外在动力;精美的绘画，令人赞叹的风琴，优美的声音，以及宇宙中最活泼的祈祷者。

Col. Mandeville, whom I should be extremely in love with if his son was not five and twenty years younger, leaves us tomorrow morning, to join his regiment, the shire militia: he served in the late war with honour; but, meeting with some ill usage from a minister on account of a vote in parliament, he resigned his commission, and gave up his whole time to the education of my lovely Harry, whose tenderness and merit are a full reward for all his generous attention. Adieu!
曼德维尔上校，如果他的儿子不是比我小二十五岁的话，我是会非常喜欢他的。明天早晨他就要离开我们，到他所在的兵团去，那是郡民兵。但是，由于议会投票，他遇到了一位部长的不公正对待，他辞去了他的职务，把全部时间都献给了我可爱的哈里的教育，他的温柔和优点是对他所有慷慨关注的充分回报。告别!

A. Wilmot.
安妮·韦尔蒙特。

To Colonel Bellville. Belmont, Thursday.
致贝尔维尔上校。周四，贝尔蒙特。