向狗致敬

名人演讲稿

本文是一篇法庭辩护词，作者GeorgeGraham(1830-1904)是美国密苏里州的一个议员，是当时杰出的演讲家和辩论家。本篇是他早年从事法律工作时在法庭上所作，其时他为一位因狗被杀而起诉的人做辩护。辩护时，Vest没有要求任何证词，只是凭借其辩论就赢得了官司。他辩词的撼人之处在于：拿出人类兽性的一面与狗人性的一面作对比，引起法官们对狗的感激和同情，以及对杀狗人的强烈憎恶。这不仅仅是一篇辩护词，也是一篇优秀的讲演稿，更是对人性的呼唤……

GentlemenoftheJury:　　

　　Thebestfriendamanhasintheworldmayturnagaithimandbecomehisenemy.Hissonordaughterthathehasrearedwithlovingcaremayproveungrateful.Thosewhoarenearestanddearesttous,thosewhomwetrustwithourhaineandourgoodnamemaybecometraitorstotheirfaith.

Themoneythatamanhas,hemaylose.Itfliesawayfromhim,perhawhenheneedsitmost.Aman'sreputationmaybesacrificedinamomentofill-coideredaction.Thepeoplewhoarepronetofallontheirkneestodoushonorwhensucceiswithus,maybethefirsttothrowthestoneofmalicewhenfailuresettlesitsclouduponourheads.

Theoneaolutelyuelfishfriendthatmancanhaveinthisselfishworld,theonethatneverdesertshim,theonethatneverprovesungratefulortreacherousishisdog.Aman'sdogstandsbyhiminproerityandinpoverty,inhealthandinsickne.Hewillsleeponthecoldground,wherethewintrywindsblowandtheowdrivesfiercely,ifonlyhemaybenearhismaster'sside.Hewillkithehandthathasnofoodtooffer.范文先生版权所有

Hewilllickthewoundsandsoresthatcomeinencounterswiththeroughneoftheworld.Heguardsthesleepofhispaupermasterasifhewereaprince.Whenallotherfriendsdesert,heremai.Whenrichestakewings,andreputationfallstopieces,heisascotantinhisloveasthesuninitsjourneythroughtheheave.

Iffortunedrivesthemasterforth,anoutcastintheworld,friendleandhomele,thefaithfuldogasksnohigherprivilegethanthatofaccompanyinghim,toguardhimagaitdanger,tofightagaithisenemies.Andwhenthelastsceneofallcomes,anddeathtakeshismasterinitsembraceandhisbodyislaidawayinthecoldground,nomatterifallotherfriendspursuetheirway,therebythegravesidewillthenobledogbefound,hisheadbetweenhispaws,hiseyessad,butopeninalertwatchfulne,faithfulandtrueevenindeath.

注释:

*jury：“陪审团”。
*turnagait：“反目”、“反对”的意思。最好的朋友有时候也会反目成为敌人。
*rear：“抚养”的意思。用爱心抚养出来的儿女也会不知感激。那些和我们亲近的人、我们信任的人也可能 《向狗致敬》