The British Empire 大英帝國

好文共賞
V25 Sharp Daily - Hong Kong Version 馮強
2012-09-20


The British Empire 大英帝國

英國殖民部大臣張伯倫（Joseph Chamberlain）

1895.11.6在倫敦演說節錄

I think it will not be disputed ① that we are approaching a critical stage ② in the history of the relations between ourselves and the self-governing colonies. That Empire, gentlemen, that world-wide dominion to which no Englishman can allude without a thrill of enthusiasm and patriotism, which has been the admiration, and perhaps the envy, of foreign nations, hangs together by a thread ③ so slender that it may well seem that even a breath would sever it.

The time to which they looked forward has arrived sooner than they expected ④. The conditions to which they referred have been more than fulfilled; and now these great communities, which have within them every element of national life, have taken their rank ⑤ amongst the nations of the world. As the possibility of separation has become greater, desire for separation has become less.

I rejoice at the change that has taken place. I rejoice at the wider patriotism, no longer confined to this small island. How could it be otherwise? We have a common origin, a common history, a common language, a common literature, and a common love of liberty and law. May it not be the same with the relations which exist between the colonies and ourselves; and may not that thread of union be capable of carrying a force of sentiment and of sympathy which will yet be a potent factor ⑥ in the history of the world?

There is a word which I am almost afraid to mention ⑦, lest at the very outset of my career I should lose my character as a practical states-man. I am told on every hand that Imperial Federation is a vain and empty dream ⑧. I will say this: If it be a dream, it is dream that appeals to the highest sentiments of patriotism. It is a dream which is calculated to stimulate and to inspire ⑨ everyone who cares for the future of the Anglo-Saxon people.

馮強短評

好辭彙共賞：

① will not be disputed =不再有爭論。Dispute every inch of ground =寸土必爭。A bitter [hot] dispute=激烈的爭論。

② a critical stage =重要時刻。I am nothing, if not critical =只有這張刻薄的嘴是我的長處。Be critical about =愛挑剔。

③ hangs together by a thread =懸繫一線。Hang in the balance =安危未定；成敗未決。The thread of one's argument =爭辯的頭緒。

④ sooner than they expected =比預期中快。Quicker是sooner的同義詞。

⑤ have taken their rank =有自己的身份。People of all ranks =各階層的人們。 A man of high rank =地位高的人。Rank and file =隊伍，行伍，士兵。Rise from the ranks=行伍出身；布衣起家。

⑥ a potent factor =強而有力的因素。Potent =有效力的；烈性的；(議論)使人心服的。Potent的同義詞有 mighty, powerful, puissant 和strong等。

⑦ afraid to mention =害怕提出。

⑧ a vain and empty dream = 一個徒然和空虛的夢。

⑨ to stimulate and to inspire =鼓勵、激勵和啟發。Daisy's encouragement will stimulate me to work harder = Daisy的鼓勵會激發我進一步努力。

短評共賞：

英國殖民部大臣張伯倫希望殖民地獨立後仍然成為「大英帝國聯邦」（Imperial Federation）的成員。這是一個徒然和空虛的夢（a vain and empty dream）。

馮強

浸會大學傳理學院財經新聞統籌主任

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