A COBBLER unable to make a living by his trade and made desperate by poverty, began to practice medicine in a town in which he was not known. —
一个鞋匠无法以自己的手艺谋生，因为贫穷而绝望，开始在一个他不为人所知的城镇行医。 —

He sold a drug, pretending that it was an antidote to all poisons, and obtained a great name for himself by long-winded puffs and advertisements. —
他出售一种药物，假装它是一种解毒剂，通过冗长的吹嘘和广告来获得了很好的声誉。 —

When the Cobbler happened to fall sick himself of a serious illness, the Governor of the town determined to test his skill. —
当鞋匠自己患上一种严重的疾病时，镇上的州长决定测试他的技能。 —

For this purpose he called for a cup, and while filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the Cobbler’s antidote, commanding him to drink it on the promise of a reward. —
为此他叫来一个杯子，边注水边假装往鞋匠的解毒剂中加毒药，命令他喝下去，并承诺给予奖赏。 —

The Cobbler, under the fear of death, confessed that he had no knowledge of medicine, and was only made famous by the stupid clamors of the crowd. —
在死亡的恐惧下，鞋匠承认自己对医学一无所知，只是因为人们的愚蠢喧闹而变得有名。 —

The Governor then called a public assembly and addressed the citizens: —
州长随后召集了一个公众会议，并对市民们发表了讲话： —

“Of what folly have you been guilty? —
“你们犯了什么愚蠢的错误？ —

You have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man, whom no one could employ to make even the shoes for their feet.”
你们竟然毫不犹豫地把自己的生命交给一个连为脚制鞋都没人雇佣的人。”