The author sets out as captain of a ship. —
作者作为船长出发。 —

His men conspire against him, confine him a long time to his cabin, and set him on shore in an unknown land. —
他的船员密谋反对他，长时间将他关在船舱里，然后将他放在一个未知的土地上。 —

He travels up into the country. The Yahoos, a strange sort of animal, described. —
他深入这个国家。描绘了一种奇怪的动物，雅虎。 —

The author meets two Houyhnhnms.
作者遇到了两只豪因思南矮种马。

I continued at home with my wife and children about five months, in a very happy condition, if I could have learned the lesson of knowing when I was well. —
在约莫五个月的时间里，我与妻子和孩子在家中过得非常幸福，如果我能学会知足的话，那就更好了。 —

I left my poor wife big with child, and accepted an advantageous offer made me to be captain of the Adventurer, a stout merchantman of 350 tons: —
我离开了怀孕的妻子，接受了一个有利的提议，成为一艘350吨的强壮商船“冒险家”的船长。 —

for I understood navigation well, and being grown weary of a surgeon’s employment at sea, which, however, I could exercise upon occasion, I took a skilful young man of that calling, one Robert Purefoy, into my ship. —
因为我对航海很有了解，并对海上的外科医生职业感到厌倦，尽管有需要时我仍能行使这一职业，我请了一个熟练的年轻外科医生罗伯特·皮亚福伊进入我的船上。 —

We set sail from Portsmouth upon the 7th day of September, 1710; —
我们在1710年9月7日从朴次茅斯启航。 —

on the 14th we met with Captain Pocock, of Bristol, at Teneriffe, who was going to the bay of Campechy to cut logwood. —
在14日我们在特内里费遇见了布里斯托尔的波科克船长，他正要去坎佩奇湾砍伐板木。 —

On the 16th, he was parted from us by a storm; —
16号，由于一场风暴，他与我们分开了； —

I heard since my return, that his ship foundered, and none escaped but one cabin boy. —
我回来后听说他的船沉没了，除了一个船舱男孩没有逃生； —

He was an honest man, and a good sailor, but a little too positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of his destruction, as it has been with several others; —
他是个诚实的人，一个好水手，但对自己的观点太过坚持，这是导致他毁灭的原因，也是其他人毁灭的原因； —

for if he had followed my advice, he might have been safe at home with his family at this time, as well as myself.
如果他听从了我的建议，他现在可能和家人一起安全待在家里，就像我一样；

I had several men who died in my ship of calentures, so that I was forced to get recruits out of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, where I touched, by the direction of the merchants who employed me; —
我的船上有几个人死于热病，所以我被迫从巴巴多斯和背风群岛去找人补充，这是根据雇佣我的商人的指示； —

which I had soon too much cause to repent: —
很快我就后悔了这么做； —

for I found afterwards, that most of them had been buccaneers. I had fifty hands onboard; —
因为后来我发现，他们大部分都是海盗。我船上有50个人； —

and my orders were, that I should trade with the Indians in the South-Sea, and make what discoveries I could. —
我的命令是与南海的印第安人进行贸易，并尽可能做出一些探索。 —

These rogues, whom I had picked up, debauched my other men, and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the ship, and secure me; —
这些恶棍，我曾经收养他们，然而他们糟蹋了我的其他人，他们继而形成阴谋夺船并捆绑住我； —

which they did one morning, rushing into my cabin, and binding me hand and foot, threatening to throw me overboard, if I offered to stir. —
他们在一个早晨冲进我的舱房里，将我手脚捆绑，威胁如果我有任何动作就将我扔进海里。 —

I told them, “I was their prisoner, and would submit. —
我告诉他们，“我是他们的囚犯，会顺从。 —

” This they made me swear to do, and then they unbound me, only fastening one of my legs with a chain, near my bed, and placed a sentry at my door with his piece charged, who was commanded to shoot me dead if I attempted my liberty. —
”他们让我发誓做到这一点，然后解开了我的束缚，只用一条链子捆住我的一条腿，紧靠我的床，门外还站着一个持枪的哨兵，命令他如果我试图逃脱就将我击毙。 —

They sent me own victuals and drink, and took the government of the ship to themselves. —
他们给我送去食物和饮料，并接管了船的控制权。 —

Their design was to turn pirates and, plunder the Spaniards, which they could not do till they got more men. —
他们的计划是成为海盗并劫掠西班牙人，但在他们得到更多的人之前无法实现。 —

But first they resolved to sell the goods the ship, and then go to Madagascar for recruits, several among them having died since my confinement. —
但首先他们决定把船上的货物出售，然后去马达加斯加招募人员，因为自从我被软禁以来，他们中有几个人已经死亡。 —

They sailed many weeks, and traded with the Indians; —
他们航行了多个星期，并与印度人进行贸易； —

but I knew not what course they took, being kept a close prisoner in my cabin, and expecting nothing less than to be murdered, as they often threatened me.
但是我不知道他们走了什么路线，因为我被关在舱里，一直被威胁要杀死我。

Upon the 9th day of May, 1711, one James Welch came down to my cabin, and said, “he had orders from the captain to set me ashore. —
在1711年5月9日，一个叫詹姆斯·韦尔奇的人来到我的舱房，说“船长让我把你送上岸”。 —

” I expostulated with him, but in vain; —
我和他争辩，但是徒劳无功； —

neither would he so much as tell me who their new captain was. —
他甚至不愿意告诉我他们的新船长是谁。 —

They forced me into the long-boat, letting me put on my best suit of clothes, which were as good as new, and take a small bundle of linen, but no arms, except my hanger; —
他们强迫我进入救生艇，让我穿上我最好的衣服，那些衣服几乎全新，并带了一小捆亚麻布，但没有武器，只有我的匕首； —

and they were so civil as not to search my pockets, into which I conveyed what money I had, with some other little necessaries. —
他们非常客气地没有搜查我的口袋，我把钱和其他一些小东西都藏在了里面。 —

They rowed about a league, and then set me down on a strand. —
他们划船约一个英里，然后把我放在了一个海滩上。 —

I desired them to tell me what country it was. They all swore, “they knew no more than myself; —
我希望他们告诉我那个国家是哪一个。他们都发誓：“他们跟我一样一无所知； —

” but said, “that the captain” (as they called him) “was resolved, after they had sold the lading, to get rid of me in the first place where they could discover land. —
” 但他们说：“船长” （他们称呼他） “决定在卸货后，将我丢弃在他们能找到陆地的第一个地方。 —

” They pushed off immediately, advising me to make haste for fear of being overtaken by the tide, and so bade me farewell.
” 他们立即扬帆启航，劝我赶紧离开以免被潮水困住，然后道别了。

In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and soon got upon firm ground, where I sat down on a bank to rest myself, and consider what I had best do. —
在这荒凉的境地中，我继续向前走，很快就站在了坚实的地面上，我坐在一座堤岸上休息，并考虑该怎么办。 —

When I was a little refreshed, I went up into the country, resolving to deliver myself to the first savages I should meet, and purchase my life from them by some bracelets, glass rings, and other toys, which sailors usually provide themselves with in those voyages, and whereof I had some about me. —
当我稍微恢复了一些精神，我向乡下走去，决定将自己交给我遇到的第一个野蛮人，并用一些手镯、玻璃戒指和其他像水手通常带上这次航行中那样的玩具来买下自己的生命。 —

The land was divided by long rows of trees, not regularly planted, but naturally growing; —
这片土地被一排排树木分割开，但并不是规律地种植，而是自然生长的。 —

there was great plenty of grass, and several fields of oats. —
这里有大片茂盛的草地，还有几块燕麦田。 —

I walked very circumspectly, for fear of being surprised, or suddenly shot with an arrow from behind, or on either side. —
我小心翼翼地走着，唯恐被人从背后或两侧射箭。 —

I fell into a beaten road, where I saw many tracts of human feet, and some of cows, but most of horses. —
我走上一条车辙明显的路，看到了很多人脚印，还有一些牛脚印，但大部分是马脚印。 —

At last I beheld several animals in a field, and one or two of the same kind sitting in trees. —
最后我在一片草地上看到了几只动物，还有一两只同类的动物栖息在树上。 —

Their shape was very singular and deformed, which a little discomposed me, so that I lay down behind a thicket to observe them better. —
它们的形状非常奇特和畸形，让我有些不安，于是我躺在灌木丛后面更仔细地观察它们。 —

Some of them coming forward near the place where I lay, gave me an opportunity of distinctly marking their form. —
其中几只靠近我躺下的地方，给了我一个机会清楚地看到它们的形态。 —

Their heads and breasts were covered with a thick hair, some frizzled, and others lank; —
它们的头部和胸部被一层厚厚的毛覆盖着，有的卷曲，有的直发。 —

they had beards like goats, and a long ridge of hair down their backs, and the fore parts of their legs and feet; —
它们有着像山羊一样的胡须，背部和前腿脚部有一条长长的毛脊， —

but the rest of their bodies was bare, so that I might see their skins, which were of a brown buff colour. —
但是除此之外，它们的身体是裸露的，使我可以看到它们棕褐色的皮肤。 —

They had no tails, nor any hair at all on their buttocks, except about the anus, which, I presume, nature had placed there to defend them as they sat on the ground, for this posture they used, as well as lying down, and often stood on their hind feet. —
它们没有尾巴，在臀部除了肛门周围，几乎没有任何毛发。我猜想自然将它们处于这种姿势时用来保护它们坐在地上，因为它们经常会这样坐着，躺着，有时还会用后腿站立。 —

They climbed high trees as nimbly as a squirrel, for they had strong extended claws before and behind, terminating in sharp points, and hooked. —
它们能像松鼠一样敏捷地爬上高树，因为它们的前后爪都很强壮，并且分别末端尖锐、呈钩状。 —

They would often spring, and bound, and leap, with prodigious agility. —
它们经常能以惊人的敏捷度跳跃和奔跑。 —

The females were not so large as the males; —
雌性没有雄性那么大； —

they had long lank hair on their heads, but none on their faces, nor any thing more than a sort of down on the rest of their bodies, except about the anus and pudenda. —
它们头部长有稀疏的长发，但脸上没有毛发，身体其他部位也只有一种绒毛，除了肛门和外阴部。 —

The dugs hung between their fore feet, and often reached almost to the ground as they walked. —
乳房垂挂在前脚之间，行走时几乎能触及地面。 —

The hair of both sexes was of several colours, brown, red, black, and yellow. —
雌雄的毛发颜色各不相同，有棕色、红色、黑色和黄色。 —

Upon the whole, I never beheld, in all my travels, so disagreeable an animal, or one against which I naturally conceived so strong an antipathy. —
总的来说，我在我的旅行中从未见过一个如此令人不愉快的动物，也没有一个会引发我如此强烈的反感。 —

So that, thinking I had seen enough, full of contempt and aversion, I got up, and pursued the beaten road, hoping it might direct me to the cabin of some Indian. —
所以，我以鄙视和厌恶的心情起身，继续沿着已经走过的道路前行，希望它能引导我找到一位印第安人的小屋。 —

I had not got far, when I met one of these creatures full in my way, and coming up directly to me. —
我还没走多远，就遇到了一只这样的生物直接走向我。 —

The ugly monster, when he saw me, distorted several ways, every feature of his visage, and stared, as at an object he had never seen before; —
当这个丑陋的怪物看到我时，他的脸部特征扭曲了很多，像是看到了前所未见的事物一样瞪着眼睛看着我； —

then approaching nearer, lifted up his fore-paw, whether out of curiosity or mischief I could not tell; —
然后他走近了，抬起了前爪，我无法确定是出于好奇还是恶作剧； —

but I drew my hanger, and gave him a good blow with the flat side of it, for I durst not strike with the edge, fearing the inhabitants might be provoked against me, if they should come to know that I had killed or maimed any of their cattle. —
但是我拔出我的短剑，用平刃给了他一记狠狠的打击，因为我不敢用刃面击打，担心居民们知道我杀死或伤害了他们的牲畜后可能会对我感到愤怒。 —

When the beast felt the smart, he drew back, and roared so loud, that a herd of at least forty came flocking about me from the next field, howling and making odious faces; —
当野兽感到疼痛时，它退后了，发出了如此大的咆哮声，引来了至少四十只从隔壁田地赶来的兽群，它们嚎叫着，做出丑陋的表情； —

but I ran to the body of a tree, and leaning my back against it, kept them off by waving my hanger. —
但我跑到一棵树的枝干前面，背靠着树干，挥舞着我的小剑把它们挡住。 —

Several of this cursed brood, getting hold of the branches behind, leaped up into the tree, whence they began to discharge their excrements on my head; —
这些可恶生物中的几个抓住了树后的枝条，从树上跳了下来，开始向我的头上排泄。 —

however, I escaped pretty well by sticking close to the stem of the tree, but was almost stifled with the filth, which fell about me on every side.
不过，我靠着树干紧紧地贴着，逃脱得相当好，但几乎被四周掉下来的污秽所闷死。

In the midst of this distress, I observed them all to run away on a sudden as fast as they could; —
在这困境中，我看到他们突然都跑开了，飞快地逃走； —

at which I ventured to leave the tree and pursue the road, wondering what it was that could put them into this fright. —
于是，我冒险离开树海，沿着道路继续前行，对他们为什么会如此惊恐感到好奇。 —

But looking on my left hand, I saw a horse walking softly in the field; —
但我向左手看去，看到一匹马在田地里悠然行走； —

which my persecutors having sooner discovered, was the cause of their flight. —
我的追击者们很快发现了它，这就是他们逃跑的原因。 —

The horse started a little, when he came near me, but soon recovering himself, looked full in my face with manifest tokens of wonder; —
马儿接近我时有些惊恐，但很快平复下来，用明显的惊奇望着我的脸； —

he viewed my hands and feet, walking round me several times. —
它观察着我的手和脚，围着我走了几圈。 —

I would have pursued my journey, but he placed himself directly in the way, yet looking with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence. —
我本想继续我的旅程，但它直接挡在了路上，却表现得很温和，从未有任何攻击的迹象。 —

We stood gazing at each other for some time; —
我们相互凝视了一段时间； —

at last I took the boldness to reach my hand towards his neck with a design to stroke it, using the common style and whistle of jockeys, when they are going to handle a strange horse. —
最后我鼓起勇气伸手去抚摸它的脖子，使用了驯马师们在接触陌生马匹时常用的方式和口哨声。 —

But this animal seemed to receive my civilities with disdain, shook his head, and bent his brows, softly raising up his right fore-foot to remove my hand. —
但这匹动物似乎不屑于接受我的礼遇，摇了摇头，皱起眉头，轻轻抬起前脚把我的手拨开。 —

Then he neighed three or four times, but in so different a cadence, that I almost began to think he was speaking to himself, in some language of his own.
接着它嘶鸣了三四声，但音调各异，我差点以为它用自己的语言对自己说话。

While he and I were thus employed, another horse came up; —
在我们忙于互动时，另一匹马走了过来； —

who applying himself to the first in a very formal manner, they gently struck each other’s right hoof before, neighing several times by turns, and varying the sound, which seemed to be almost articulate. —
第一只马非常正式地向另一只马行礼，双方轻轻地互相碰触右蹄，并交替地嘶鸣几次，发出的声音几乎可以听懂。 —

They went some paces off, as if it were to confer together, walking side by side, backward and forward, like persons deliberating upon some affair of weight, but often turning their eyes towards me, as it were to watch that I might not escape. —
它们走开了几步，仿佛是要商议一些重要的事情，来回走动，像在谋划某个事务，但经常转过头盯着我，仿佛是在留意我是否逃跑。 —

I was amazed to see such actions and behaviour in brute beasts; —
看到这样的举动和行为，我感到非常惊讶，竟然是几只畜牲。 —

and concluded with myself, that if the inhabitants of this country were endued with a proportionable degree of reason, they must needs be the wisest people upon earth. —
并且我得出结论，如果这个国家的居民具有相应的理智，他们肯定是地球上最聪明的人。 —

This thought gave me so much comfort, that I resolved to go forward, until I could discover some house or village, or meet with any of the natives, leaving the two horses to discourse together as they pleased. —
这个想法给了我很大的安慰，我决定继续前进，直到能发现一些房屋或村庄，或者遇到其中的居民，让这两匹马自由地交谈。 —

But the first, who was a dapple gray, observing me to steal off, neighed after me in so expressive a tone, that I fancied myself to understand what he meant; —
但第一匹马，一匹花斑色的灰马，观察着我溜掉，用一种非常明确的语气向我嘶鸣，我仿佛能听懂他的意思； —

whereupon I turned back, and came near to him to expect his farther commands: —
于是我转身回去，走近他，等待他的进一步指示； —

but concealing my fear as much as I could, for I began to be in some pain how this adventure might terminate; —
但我尽量隐藏我的恐惧，因为我开始担心这次冒险会如何结束； —

and the reader will easily believe I did not much like my present situation.
读者很容易相信，我并不太喜欢我现在的处境。

The two horses came up close to me, looking with great earnestness upon my face and hands. —
这两匹马靠近我，认真地看着我的脸和手。 —

The gray steed rubbed my hat all round with his right fore-hoof, and discomposed it so much that I was forced to adjust it better by taking it off and settling it again; —
灰马用右前蹄搓了搓我的帽子，搅乱了它，以至于我不得不把它取下来重新整理； —

whereat, both he and his companion (who was a brown bay) appeared to be much surprised: —
这让他和他的伙伴（一匹棕色的栗马）都感到非常惊讶； —

the latter felt the lappet of my coat, and finding it to hang loose about me, they both looked with new signs of wonder. —
后者摸了摸我外套的下摆，发现它在我身上松松垮垮的，他们两个都露出了新的惊奇之色。 —

He stroked my right hand, seeming to admire the softness and colour; —
他抚摸着我的右手，似乎对它的柔软和颜色感到钦佩。 —

but he squeezed it so hard between his hoof and his pastern, that I was forced to roar; —
但它用蹄子和足跗骨使劲地挤压着它，我不得不吼叫； —

after which they both touched me with all possible tenderness. —
之后，他们非常温柔地用手触摸着我。 —

They were under great perplexity about my shoes and stockings, which they felt very often, neighing to each other, and using various gestures, not unlike those of a philosopher, when he would attempt to solve some new and difficult phenomenon.
他们对我的鞋子和袜子感到非常困惑，经常感觉它们，互相嘶鸣，并使用各种手势，有点像哲学家试图解决一些新的难题时的手势。

Upon the whole, the behaviour of these animals was so orderly and rational, so acute and judicious, that I at last concluded they must needs be magicians, who had thus metamorphosed themselves upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way, resolved to divert themselves with him; —
总的来说，这些动物的行为是如此有秩序和理性，如此敏锐和明智，以至于我最后得出结论，它们一定是变魔术的人，以某种目的变成了它们自己，并看到一位陌生人，决定戏耍他； —

or, perhaps, were really amazed at the sight of a man so very different in habit, feature, and complexion, from those who might probably live in so remote a climate. —
或者，也许他们对看到一个在习俗、容貌和肤色上与可能生活在如此遥远气候的人完全不同的人感到惊讶。 —

Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ventured to address them in the following manner: —
有了这个推理的依据，我冒险这样对它们说。 —

“Gentlemen, if you be conjurers, as I have good cause to believe, you can understand my language; —
“先生们，如若你们是魔术师，正如我有足够的理由相信的那样，你们能听懂我的语言；” —

therefore I make bold to let your worships know that I am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by his misfortunes upon your coast; —
因此我冒昧地告诉诸位尊贵的先生们，我是一名不幸的英国人，在我的不幸驱使下来到了你们的海岸； —

and I entreat one of you to let me ride upon his back, as if he were a real horse, to some house or village where I can be relieved. —
我恳求你们中的一位让我骑在他的背上，就像他是一匹真正的马一样，带我到一个能够得到救助的房子或村庄。 —

In return of which favour, I will make you a present of this knife and bracelet,” taking them out of my pocket. —
作为回报，我将把这把刀和手镯送给你们，”我从口袋里拿出它们。 —

The two creatures stood silent while I spoke, seeming to listen with great attention, and when I had ended, they neighed frequently towards each other, as if they were engaged in serious conversation. —
在我说话的时候，这两个生物静静地站着，似乎非常注意地倾听着。当我说完后，它们相互之间频繁地嘶鸣，就像它们在进行着严肃的对话。 —

I plainly observed that their language expressed the passions very well, and the words might, with little pains, be resolved into an alphabet more easily than the Chinese.
我清楚地观察到它们的语言非常好地表达了情感，这些词汇可以很容易地按字母表解释，比汉语还容易。

I could frequently distinguish the word Yahoo, which was repeated by each of them several times: —
我经常听到重复多次的“雅虎”这个词： —

and although it was impossible for me to conjecture what it meant, yet while the two horses were busy in conversation, I endeavoured to practise this word upon my tongue; —
虽然我无法猜测它的意思，但在那两匹马忙着交谈的时候，我试着在舌尖上练习这个词； —

and as soon as they were silent, I boldly pronounced Yahoo in a loud voice, imitating at the same time, as near as I could, the neighing of a horse; —
当它们安静下来时，我大胆地大声说出“Yahoo”，同时尽量模仿马儿的嘶鸣声； —

at which they were both visibly surprised; —
他们明显感到惊讶； —

and the gray repeated the same word twice, as if he meant to teach me the right accent; —
灰色的马重复了这个词两次，似乎是要教我正确的发音； —

wherein I spoke after him as well as I could, and found myself perceivably to improve every time, though very far from any degree of perfection. —
我尽量效仿他的发音，每一次都有明显的进步，尽管离完美还差得很远。 —

Then the bay tried me with a second word, much harder to be pronounced; —
然后，栗色的马考验了我一个更难发音的词； —

but reducing it to the English orthography, may be spelt thus, Houyhnhnm. —
但是把它转换为英语拼写，可能是Houyhnhnm。 —

I did not succeed in this so well as in the former; —
我在这方面的成功没有之前那么好； —

but after two or three farther trials, I had better fortune; —
但经过两三次尝试，我运气好了些； —

and they both appeared amazed at my capacity.
他们两个都对我的能力感到惊讶。

After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might relate to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same compliment of striking each other’s hoof; —
在一番进一步的交谈后，我猜测这可能与我有关，这两位朋友便告辞了，彼此互相赞美着拍打彼此的蹄子。 —

and the gray made me signs that I should walk before him; —
灰色的那匹马给我打手势示意我应该在他前面走。 —

wherein I thought it prudent to comply, till I could find a better director. —
我觉得顺从起来是明智的，直到我能找到一位更好的指引者。 —

When I offered to slacken my pace, he would cry hhuun hhuun: —
当我试图放慢脚步时，他会喊“嘿嘿”。 —

I guessed his meaning, and gave him to understand, as well as I could, “that I was weary, and not able to walk faster; —
我猜到了他的意思，尽量让他明白我“走得很累，无法走得更快”。 —

” upon which he would stand awhile to let me rest.
听到这句话，他会停下来让我休息一下。