A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and astronomy. —
现代哲学和天文学解决了一个现象。 —

The Laputians’ great improvements in the latter. —
拉普图亚人在后者方面取得了巨大的进步。 —

The king’s method of suppressing insurrections.
国王用压制叛乱的方法。

I desired leave of this prince to see the curiosities of the island, which he was graciously pleased to grant, and ordered my tutor to attend me. —
我请求这位国王允许我参观这个岛屿的奇迹，并且他很慈悲地同意了，并指示我的导师陪同我。 —

I chiefly wanted to know, to what cause, in art or in nature, it owed its several motions, whereof I will now give a philosophical account to the reader.
我主要想了解它的各种运动的原因，是由于艺术还是自然，现在我将给读者一个哲学解释。

The flying or floating island is exactly circular, its diameter 7837 yards, or about four miles and a half, and consequently contains ten thousand acres. —
这个飞行或漂浮的岛屿是完全圆形的，直径为7837码，或者大约四英里半，因此包含一万英亩。 —

It is three hundred yards thick. The bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it below, is one even regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of about two hundred yards. —
它有三百码的厚度。底部，或者从下面观察它的人看到的下表面，是一片均匀的方形金刚石板，突出到大约两百码的高度。 —

Above it lie the several minerals in their usual order, and over all is a coat of rich mould, ten or twelve feet deep. —
它上面是按照通常的顺序排列的几种矿物，而所有这些矿物上面还有一层厚约十到十二英尺的肥沃土壤。 —

The declivity of the upper surface, from the circumference to the centre, is the natural cause why all the dews and rains, which fall upon the island, are conveyed in small rivulets toward the middle, where they are emptied into four large basins, each of about half a mile in circuit, and two hundred yards distant from the centre. —
从圆周到中心的上表面的斜坡是岛上所有露水和降雨流入中心的自然原因，它们通过小溪流向四个大水池，每个水池的周长约为半英里，距离中心约为两百码。 —

From these basins the water is continually exhaled by the sun in the daytime, which effectually prevents their overflowing. —
这些水池的水在白天被持续地晒干，有效地防止了它们的溢出。 —

Besides, as it is in the power of the monarch to raise the island above the region of clouds and vapours, he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. —
此外，君主有能力将岛屿抬升至云和水汽的区域之上，他可以随心所欲地阻止露水和雨水的降落。 —

For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists agree, at least they were never known to do so in that country.
因为据自然学家们所认同，最高的云朵不能升至超过两英里的高度，至少在那个国家没有出现过这种情况。

At the centre of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in diameter, whence the astronomers descend into a large dome, which is therefore called flandona gagnole, or the astronomer’s cave, situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper surface of the adamant. —
岛的中心有一个直径约为五十码的裂缝，天文学家们可以从这个裂缝下降到一个大圆顶下面，所以它被称为flandona gagnole，或者天文学家的洞穴，位于坚硬岩石的地表下百码之处。 —

In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, which, from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into every part. —
这个洞穴里有二十盏不断燃烧的灯，从坚硬岩石的反射中，将强光照射到每一个角落。 —

The place is stored with great variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical instruments. —
这个地方存放着各种各样的六分仪、四分仪、望远镜、星盘仪和其他天文仪器。 —

But the greatest curiosity, upon which the fate of the island depends, is a loadstone of a prodigious size, in shape resembling a weaver’s shuttle. —
然而最引人注目的，也是这个岛命运所依赖的，是一块巨大的磁石，形状类似于织布机上的梭子。 —

It is in length six yards, and in the thickest part at least three yards over. —
它的长度有六码，最宽处至少有三码。 —

This magnet is sustained by a very strong axle of adamant passing through its middle, upon which it plays, and is poised so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it. —
这个磁石由一根非常坚硬的坚石轴承支撑，并且通过轴线中心进行平衡，以至于即使是最弱小的手也可以转动它。 —

It is hooped round with a hollow cylinder of adamant, four feet yards in diameter, placed horizontally, and supported by eight adamantine feet, each six yards high. —
它被一根直径为四英尺的坚固圆柱包裹，呈水平放置，并由八只六码高的坚固足支撑。 —

In the middle of the concave side, there is a groove twelve inches deep, in which the extremities of the axle are lodged, and turned round as there is occasion.
在凹面的中央有一个深约十二英寸的凹槽，用于容纳轴的末端，并根据需要旋转。

The stone cannot be removed from its place by any force, because the hoop and its feet are one continued piece with that body of adamant which constitutes the bottom of the island.
由于圈和足与构成岛屿底部的坚固物质连为一体，因此岛石无法被任何力量移动。

By means of this loadstone, the island is made to rise and fall, and move from one place to another. —
借助这块磁石，岛屿可以升降和移动到不同的地方。 —

For, with respect to that part of the earth over which the monarch presides, the stone is endued at one of its sides with an attractive power, and at the other with a repulsive. —
对于君主统治的这部分地球而言，石头的一侧具有吸引力，另一侧具有排斥力。 —

Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end towards the earth, the island descends; —
当将磁石竖直放置，吸引端指向地球时，岛屿下降。 —

but when the repelling extremity points downwards, the island mounts directly upwards. —
但是当排斥端向下指向时，岛屿直接上升。 —

When the position of the stone is oblique, the motion of the island is so too: —
当石头的位置是斜线时，岛屿的运动也是如此： —

for in this magnet, the forces always act in lines parallel to its direction.
因为在这个磁铁中，力永远沿着与其方向平行的线作用。

By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s dominions. —
通过这种斜线运动，岛屿会被传送到君主的领土的不同部分。 —

To explain the manner of its progress, let A B represent a line drawn across the dominions of Balnibarbi, let the line c d represent the loadstone, of which let d be the repelling end, and c the attracting end, the island being over C: —
为了说明其进展方式，让AB代表横穿巴尔尼巴比领土的线，让cd代表磁石，其中d是排斥性的一端，c是吸引性的一端，岛屿位于C上： —

let the stone be placed in position c d, with its repelling end downwards; —
让石头放置在cd的位置，其排斥性一端朝下； —

then the island will be driven upwards obliquely towards D. When it is arrived at D, let the stone be turned upon its axle, till its attracting end points towards E, and then the island will be carried obliquely towards E; —
然后岛屿将被斜向上驱向D。当它到达D时，让石头围绕其轴旋转，直到其吸引性一端指向E，然后岛屿将被斜向E带去； —

where, if the stone be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the position E F, with its repelling point downwards, the island will rise obliquely towards F, where, by directing the attracting end towards G, the island may be carried to G, and from G to H, by turning the stone, so as to make its repelling extremity to point directly downward. —
如果石头再次转动到它以E F的位置站立，其斥力指向下，岛屿将呈斜向上升，直到F，通过将吸引端朝向G，通过转动石头，使其斥力极端直接指向下，岛屿可以被带到G，并通过转动石头从G到H。 —

And thus, by changing the situation of the stone, as often as there is occasion, the island is made to rise and fall by turns in an oblique direction, and by those alternate risings and fallings (the obliquity being not considerable) is conveyed from one part of the dominions to the other.
因此，通过根据需要改变石头的位置，岛屿以斜向上下的方式交替上升和下降，并由于这些交替的上升和下降（斜度不大），岛屿被传送到领土的另一部分。

But it must be observed, that this island cannot move beyond the extent of the dominions below, nor can it rise above the height of four miles. —
但必须注意，该岛屿不能超出下属的范围，也不能上升超过四英里的高度。 —

For which the astronomers (who have written large systems concerning the stone) assign the following reason: —
天文学家（对石头写过大量的系统）对此给出了以下解释。 —

that the magnetic virtue does not extend beyond the distance of four miles, and that the mineral, which acts upon the stone in the bowels of the earth, and in the sea about six leagues distant from the shore, is not diffused through the whole globe, but terminated with the limits of the king’s dominions; —
第一，磁性的作用范围不超过四英里的距离，而那种在地底和离岸约六海里的海域中影响石头的矿物并未分布于整个地球，而是在国王的领土边界上终止。 —

and it was easy, from the great advantage of such a superior situation, for a prince to bring under his obedience whatever country lay within the attraction of that magnet.
具有如此出色位置优势的情况下，一个王子可以轻而易举地将那些受磁性吸引的国家纳入自己的统治之下。

When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the horizon, the island stands still; —
当石头与地平面平行放置时，岛屿保持静止。 —

for in that case the extremities of it, being at equal distance from the earth, act with equal force, the one in drawing downwards, the other in pushing upwards, and consequently no motion can ensue.
因为在这种情况下，岛屿两端与地面距离相等，它们产生的力相等，一个向下拉，一个向上推，因此不会发生任何运动。

This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, give it such positions as the monarch directs. —
这块磁铁石由一些天文学家负责，他们会按照君主的指示不断改变它的位置。 —

They spend the greatest part of their lives in observing the celestial bodies, which they do by the assistance of glasses, far excelling ours in goodness. —
他们把自己生命中最大的一部分用来观察天体，他们借助望远镜进行观察，这些望远镜比我们的好得多。 —

For, although their largest telescopes do not exceed three feet, they magnify much more than those of a hundred with us, and show the stars with greater clearness. —
因为他们最大的望远镜长度不超过三英尺，但它们的放大倍数比我们这里的一百倍还要大，并且能够清晰地显示星星。 —

This advantage has enabled them to extend their discoveries much further than our astronomers in Europe; —
这个优势使得他们的天文学家在发现上比我们欧洲的天文学家取得了更大的进步。 —

for they have made a catalogue of ten thousand fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours do not contain above one third part of that number. —
因为他们已经编制了一个由一万颗固定星星组成的目录，而我们这里最大的目录中只包含其中的三分之一。 —

They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satellites, which revolve about Mars; —
他们还发现了绕火星运转的两颗较小的星星，也就是卫星。 —

whereof the innermost is distant from the centre of the primary planet exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost, five; —
其中，内侧的卫星与主行星中心距离正好是火星直径的三倍，而外侧的卫星则是五倍。 —

the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half; —
前者绕行一圈需要十个小时，而后者则需要二十一个半小时。 —

so that the squares of their periodical times are very near in the same proportion with the cubes of their distance from the centre of Mars; —
所以他们的周期时间的平方非常接近于它们距离火星中心的距离的立方；(The squares of their periodical times are very near in the same proportion with the cubes of their distance from the centre of Mars.) —

which evidently shows them to be governed by the same law of gravitation that influences the other heavenly bodies.
这显然表明它们受到了影响其他天体的同一引力法则的支配。(which evidently shows them to be governed by the same law of gravitation that influences the other heavenly bodies.)

They have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with great exactness. —
他们观察到了九十三颗不同的彗星，并且准确地确定了它们的周期。(They have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with great exactness.) —

If this be true (and they affirm it with great confidence) it is much to be wished, that their observations were made public, whereby the theory of comets, which at present is very lame and defective, might be brought to the same perfection with other arts of astronomy.
如果这是真的（他们非常自信地肯定了这一点），那么我们非常希望他们的观测结果可以公开，以使得彗星理论与其他天文学的艺术一样完善。(If this be true (and they affirm it with great confidence) it is much to be wished, that their observations were made public, whereby the theory of comets, which at present is very lame and defective, might be brought to the same perfection with other arts of astronomy.)

The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to join with him; —
如果他能说服内阁与他一同合作，国王将成为宇宙中最绝对的君主。(The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to join with him;) —

but these having their estates below on the continent, and considering that the office of a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never consent to the enslaving of their country.
但是由于内阁成员的财产都在大陆上，而且考虑到成为宠臣的职位非常不稳定，他们决不会同意奴役自己的国家。(but these having their estates below on the continent, and considering that the office of a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never consent to the enslaving of their country.)

If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny, fall into violent factions, or refuse to pay the usual tribute, the king has two methods of reducing them to obedience. —
如果任何城镇发生叛乱或纷争，或拒绝支付通常的贡品，国王有两种方法迫使他们服从。 —

The first and the mildest course is, by keeping the island hovering over such a town, and the lands about it, whereby he can deprive them of the benefit of the sun and the rain, and consequently afflict the inhabitants with dearth and diseases: —
第一种也是最温和的方法是，让岛屿悬停在这样一个城镇上方，以及周围的土地上，从而剥夺他们享受阳光和雨水的好处，因此使居民陷入饥荒和疾病之中。 —

and if the crime deserve it, they are at the same time pelted from above with great stones, against which they have no defence but by creeping into cellars or caves, while the roofs of their houses are beaten to pieces. —
如果罪行值得，他们同时被从上方投下的巨石砸击，对此他们只能躲进地窖或洞穴中，而他们的房顶被击碎。 —

But if they still continue obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to the last remedy, by letting the island drop directly upon their heads, which makes a universal destruction both of houses and men. —
但是，如果他们仍然固执，或者企图发起起义，国王会采取最后的办法，让岛屿直接掉在他们头上，这将导致房屋和人的普遍毁灭。 —

However, this is an extremity to which the prince is seldom driven, neither indeed is he willing to put it in execution; —
然而，这是国王很少采取的极端措施，他也不愿意执行这个办法。 —

nor dare his ministers advise him to an action, which, as it would render them odious to the people, so it would be a great damage to their own estates, which all lie below; —
也不敢他的部长们劝他采取行动，因为这将使他们在人民中变得可憎，也会给他们自己的财产带来很大的损害，而他们的财产都位于下层地区； —

for the island is the king’s demesne.
因为这个岛是国王的领地。

But there is still indeed a more weighty reason, why the kings of this country have been always averse from executing so terrible an action, unless upon the utmost necessity. —
但事实上还有一个更重要的原因，为什么这个国家的国王们总是不愿意执行如此可怕的行动，除非在最极端的必要情况下。 —

For, if the town intended to be destroyed should have in it any tall rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger cities, a situation probably chosen at first with a view to prevent such a catastrophe; —
因为，如果打算摧毁的城市中有任何高大的岩石，正如通常在大城市中发生的情况一样，这个位置可能最初是为了防止这种灾难； —

or if it abound in high spires, or pillars of stone, a sudden fall might endanger the bottom or under surface of the island, which, although it consist, as I have said, of one entire adamant, two hundred yards thick, might happen to crack by too great a shock, or burst by approaching too near the fires from the houses below, as the backs, both of iron and stone, will often do in our chimneys. —
或者如果它充满了高耸的尖塔或石柱，一个突然的坠落可能会危及到岛屿的底部或下表面，虽然它由一整块厚度为两百码的金刚石构成，但可能会因为过大的冲击而裂开，或者因为接近下面的房屋的火而破裂，就像我们的烟囱里的铁和石头的后部经常会发生的情况一样。 —

Of all this the people are well apprised, and understand how far to carry their obstinacy, where their liberty or property is concerned. —
人们对所有这一切都非常熟悉，并且明白在涉及到他们的自由或财产时应该坚持到何种程度。 —

And the king, when he is highest provoked, and most determined to press a city to rubbish, orders the island to descend with great gentleness, out of a pretence of tenderness to his people, but, indeed, for fear of breaking the adamantine bottom; —
当国王被激怒到极点、决心要将一座城市夷为平地时，他下令岛屿以极其温和的方式降下来，借口是对人民的关心，但实际上是为了不破坚硬的底部。 —

in which case, it is the opinion of all their philosophers, that the loadstone could no longer hold it up, and the whole mass would fall to the ground.
在这种情况下，所有他们的哲学家都认为，磁石将无法继续支撑它，整个岛屿将坠落到地面上。

By a fundamental law of this realm, neither the king, nor either of his two eldest sons, are permitted to leave the island; —
根据这个国家的基本法，国王及其两个长子都不被允许离开岛屿。 —

nor the queen, till she is past child-bearing.
直到女王过了生育年龄，她才能离开。