Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war ,testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated ,can long endure. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It’s altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate---we can not consecrate---we can not hallow----this ground. The brave men ,living and dead ,who struggled here have consecrated it ,far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little bite, nor long remember what we say here ,but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living ,rather ,to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced, It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us --that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion---that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
dedicated adj. 专注的,献身的
consecrate vt. 用作祭祀,献给,使神圣
in vain 徒然
译文
葛底斯堡演说
87年前,在这个大陆上我们的父辈创建了一个新的国家,一个信仰自由,致力于人生而平等的主张的国家.
现在我们正在从事一场伟大的内战,以考验这个国家或任何具有相同信仰和致力于相同主张的国家能否长存.现在我们在这场战争的一个巨大的战场上战斗,以奉献这个战场的一部分作为战士们的最终安息之地.这些战士们献出了自己的生命以换取车家的生存.我们这样做完全是合适而且恰当的.
但是,从更广的意义而言,对这片土地我们不能够奉献,不能够尊崇,不能增其圣洁.因为在这里奋斗这的勇士,无论活着抑或已经死去,已经荣耀了这块土地,远远超过我们微薄的力量所能增减.这个世界将不太会留意或永记今天在这里所说的话,但是它将绝不会淡忘勇士们在这里所做的一切.我们活着的人更应把自己奉献于他们在此为之战斗并已取得宏伟业绩的那未尽的工作.我们在这里更应献身于摆在我们面前的伟大任务:从烈士身上我们寄去更多的忠诚,以献身于他们为之献出全部忠诚的事业;我们在此坚决保证,他们绝不会平白牺牲;在上帝的见证之下,这个国家必定有自由之新生;这个民有、民治、民享的国家必不至从地球上消失。
