A grand debate at the general assembly of the Houyhnhnms, and how it was determined. —
在霍因恩姆族大会上的盛大辩论及其决定方式。 —

The learning of the Houyhnhnms. Their buildings. —
霍因恩姆族的学习方式。他们的建筑物。 —

Their manner of burials. The defectiveness of their language.
他们的葬礼方式。他们语言的缺陷。

One of these grand assemblies was held in my time, about three months before my departure, whither my master went as the representative of our district. —
在我离开之前大约三个月的某个时候，曾经举行了一次这样的盛大会议，我的主人作为我们地区的代表参加了会议。 —

In this council was resumed their old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever happened in their country; —
在这个议会上，他们重新开始了他们的旧辩论，实际上这是他们国家唯一一次辩论。 —

whereof my master, after his return, give me a very particular account.
在我主人回来后，他向我详细讲述了这个辩论。

The question to be debated was, “whether the Yahoos should be exterminated from the face of the earth? —
辩论的问题是：“是否应该从地球上消灭雅虎人？” —

” One of the members for the affirmative offered several arguments of great strength and weight, alleging, “that as the Yahoos were the most filthy, noisome, and deformed animals which nature ever produced, so they were the most restive and indocible, mischievous and malicious; —
一位赞同派的成员提出了几个有力的论点，声称“雅虎人是自然界产生的最肮脏、恶心和畸形的动物，同时也是最不服从和不可教化、有害和恶毒的动物。” —

they would privately suck the teats of the Houyhnhnms’ cows, kill and devour their cats, trample down their oats and grass, if they were not continually watched, and commit a thousand other extravagancies. —
如果没有持续的监督，它们会私下吮吸Houyhnhnms的奶牛的乳房，杀死并吞食它们的猫，践踏它们的燕麦和草，还会进行无数其他荒唐行为。 —

” He took notice of a general tradition, “that Yahoos had not been always in their country; —
他注意到了一个普遍的传说，“Yahoos并非一直存在于他们的国家； —

but that many ages ago, two of these brutes appeared together upon a mountain; —
但很久以前，这种畜生的两只同时出现在一座山上； —

whether produced by the heat of the sun upon corrupted mud and slime, or from the ooze and froth of the sea, was never known; —
这是由太阳对腐烂的泥浆和泥沫的热力产生的，或者是由海水的泥浆和泡沫产生的，具体不得而知； —

that these Yahoos engendered, and their brood, in a short time, grew so numerous as to overrun and infest the whole nation; —
这些Yahoos繁衍后，它们的后代很快就变得如此众多，以至于整个民族被它们所侵扰； —

that the Houyhnhnms, to get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at last enclosed the whole herd; —
为了摆脱这种恶劣情况，Houyhnhnms进行了一次大规模的狩猎，最终将整个兽群驱赶进了围栏； —

and destroying the elder, every Houyhnhnm kept two young ones in a kennel, and brought them to such a degree of tameness, as an animal, so savage by nature, can be capable of acquiring, using them for draught and carriage; —
然后，每个Houyhnhnm都会保留两只幼仔在狗窝里，并使它们达到了能够被驯服的程度，用它们来进行牵引和运输。 —

that there seemed to be much truth in this tradition, and that those creatures could not be yinhniamshy (or aborigines of the land), because of the violent hatred the Houyhnhnms, as well as all other animals, bore them, which, although their evil disposition sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree if they had been aborigines, or else they would have long since been rooted out; —
这个传统似乎有很多真实性，而那些生物不可能是yinhniamshy（或者是土著居民），因为Houyhnhnm以及其他动物对它们怀有强烈的仇恨，尽管它们确实应得此报，但如果它们是土著，这种仇恨就不可能达到如此程度，因为它们早就已经被消灭了。 —

that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the service of the Yahoos, had, very imprudently, neglected to cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely animal, easily kept, more tame and orderly, without any offensive smell, strong enough for labour, although they yield to the other in agility of body, and if their braying be no agreeable sound, it is far preferable to the horrible howlings of the Yahoos.”
居民们痴迷于使用Yahoos的服务，非常不明智地忽视了家养驴的品种，驴是一种漂亮的动物，容易饲养，更温顺和有序，没有任何刺鼻的气味，足够强壮从事劳动，虽然在身体敏捷性方面不如其他动物，而且虽然它们的叫声不是令人愉快的声音，但它远比Yahoos的可怕嚎叫要好得多。

Several others declared their sentiments to the same purpose, when my master proposed an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had indeed borrowed the hint from me. —
其他几人也表示了相同的意见，这时我的主人向议会提出了一个解决办法，事实上，他从我这里借鉴了这个提示。 —

“He approved of the tradition mentioned by the honourable member who spoke before, and affirmed, that the two Yahoos said to be seen first among them, had been driven thither over the sea; —
“他赞同前面发言的尊敬议员所提到的传统，并且断言，所谓的两只雅虎是从海上被驱赶到那里的; —

that coming to land, and being forsaken by their companions, they retired to the mountains, and degenerating by degrees, became in process of time much more savage than those of their own species in the country whence these two originals came. —
他们上岸后，被同伴抛弃后，退到了山上，逐渐堕落，变得比他们所在国家的同类更加野蛮。 —

The reason of this assertion was, that he had now in his possession a certain wonderful Yahoo (meaning myself) which most of them had heard of, and many of them had seen. —
他这样说的原因是，他现在手中握有一只非常奇特的雅虎（指的是我），他们中的多数人都听说过，其中许多人也见过。 —

He then related to them how he first found me; —
然后他向他们讲述了他是如何找到我； —

that my body was all covered with an artificial composure of the skins and hairs of other animals; —
我的身体全部被其他动物的皮毛人为地组合覆盖； —

that I spoke in a language of my own, and had thoroughly learned theirs; —
我会用一种我自己的语言，并且完全掌握了他们的语言； —

that I had related to him the accidents which brought me thither; —
我曾经告诉过他如何被带到这里的事件； —

that when he saw me without my covering, I was an exact Yahoo in every part, only of a whiter colour, less hairy, and with shorter claws. —
當他看到我沒有遮蓋物時，他覺得我每個部位都是一個完全的雅虎，只是顏色更白，毛髮較少，爪子較短。 —

He added, how I had endeavoured to persuade him, that in my own and other countries, the Yahoos acted as the governing, rational animal, and held the Houyhnhnms in servitude; —
他補充道，在我自己和其他國家中，我試圖說服他雅虎是統治和理性的動物，並且讓豪因姆尼人奴役。 —

that he observed in me all the qualities of a Yahoo, only a little more civilized by some tincture of reason, which, however, was in a degree as far inferior to the Houyhnhnm race, as the Yahoos of their country were to me; —
他觀察到我所有雅虎的特點，只不過多了一點點文明的理性，然而這種理性程度遠不及豪因姆尼馬族群，就像他們國家的雅虎比我還要低劣一樣。 —

that, among other things, I mentioned a custom we had of castrating Houyhnhnms when they were young, in order to render them tame; —
我提到我們有一種習慣，就是在豪因姆尼馬還小的時候給他們閹割，以便讓他們變得溫順。 —

that the operation was easy and safe; that it was no shame to learn wisdom from brutes, as industry is taught by the ant, and building by the swallow (for so I translate the word lyhannh, although it be a much larger fowl); —
這個手術簡單又安全，從動物身上學習智慧並不可恥，就像螞蟻教導勤奮，燕子教導建造一樣（我這樣將lyhannh一詞翻譯為燕子，儘管它是一種更大的鳥類）。 —

that this invention might be practised upon the younger Yahoos here, which besides rendering them tractable and fitter for use, would in an age put an end to the whole species, without destroying life; —
这一发明可能会在这里的年轻雅虎身上实施，这不仅会使它们易控制和更适合使用，而且在一代人的时间里将终结整个物种，而不破坏生命。 —

that in the mean time the Houyhnhnms should be exhorted to cultivate the breed of asses, which, as they are in all respects more valuable brutes, so they have this advantage, to be fit for service at five years old, which the others are not till twelve.”
同时应该敦促豪因恩们培育驴的品种，因为驴在所有方面都是更有价值的牲畜，而且它们有一个优势，就是五岁的时候就能胜任工作，而其他的则要到十二岁。

This was all my master thought fit to tell me, at that time, of what passed in the grand council. —
这是我的主人当时认为适合告诉我的关于大议会的事情。 —

But he was pleased to conceal one particular, which related personally to myself, whereof I soon felt the unhappy effect, as the reader will know in its proper place, and whence I date all the succeeding misfortunes of my life.
但他并没有透露一个关于我个人的细节，这个细节很快让我感受到了不幸的影响，读者将会在适当的地方了解到这个细节，这个细节是我一生中所有随后不幸的起源。

The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and consequently their knowledge is all traditional. —
豪因恩们没有文字，因此他们的知识都是传统的。 —

But there happening few events of any moment among a people so well united, naturally disposed to every virtue, wholly governed by reason, and cut off from all commerce with other nations, the historical part is easily preserved without burdening their memories. —
但在一个如此团结、自然倾向于每一种美德、完全理性统治、与其他国家隔绝的民族中，发生的重要事件并不多，历史部分自然能够轻易保存下来，而不给他们的记忆带来负担。 —

I have already observed that they are subject to no diseases, and therefore can have no need of physicians. —
我已经观察到他们没有疾病，因此不需要医生。 —

However, they have excellent medicines, composed of herbs, to cure accidental bruises and cuts in the pastern or frog of the foot, by sharp stones, as well as other maims and hurts in the several parts of the body.
然而，他们有出色的草药制成的药物，可以治愈由锐利的石头引起的蹄部或脚部革部的意外挫伤和割伤，以及身体其他部位的损伤。

They calculate the year by the revolution of the sun and moon, but use no subdivisions into weeks. —
他们以太阳和月亮的运行来计算年份，但不使用星期的划分。 —

They are well enough acquainted with the motions of those two luminaries, and understand the nature of eclipses; —
他们对这两个光体的运动非常熟悉，也了解日食和月食的性质。 —

and this is the utmost progress of their astronomy.
这是他们天文学的最大进展。

In poetry, they must be allowed to excel all other mortals; —
在诗歌方面，他们可以被允许超过其他凡人。 —

wherein the justness of their similes, and the minuteness as well as exactness of their descriptions, are indeed inimitable. —
其中他们的比喻的公正和描述的细致和准确是无与伦比的。 —

Their verses abound very much in both of these, and usually contain either some exalted notions of friendship and benevolence or the praises of those who were victors in races and other bodily exercises. —
他们的诗歌很丰富，通常包含对友谊和仁爱的崇高概念，或者对在比赛和其他体力锻炼中获胜的人的赞美。 —

Their buildings, although very rude and simple, are not inconvenient, but well contrived to defend them from all injuries of and heat. —
他们的建筑虽然非常简陋和简单，但并不不方便，而是经过精心设计，可以保护他们免受各种伤害和热浪的侵害。 —

They have a kind of tree, which at forty years old loosens in the root, and falls with the first storm: —
他们有一种树，在四十岁的时候根部会变松，随着第一场风暴倒下。 —

it grows very straight, and being pointed like stakes with a sharp stone (for the Houyhnhnms know not the use of iron), they stick them erect in the ground, about ten inches asunder, and then weave in oat straw, or sometimes wattles, between them. —
它生长得很直，像木桩一样尖锐，用尖石刺入地面，间距约为十英寸，然后在它们之间编入燕麦秸秆，有时使用柳条编织。 —

The roof is made after the same manner, and so are the doors.
屋顶也是用同样的方法制作，门也是如此。

The Houyhnhnms use the hollow part, between the pastern and the hoof of their fore-foot, as we do our hands, and this with greater dexterity than I could at first imagine. —
侏儒马能够运用前脚的蹄裆与蹄间的空隙，类似我们使用手的方式，而且比我当初想象的更为灵巧。 —

I have seen a white mare of our family thread a needle (which I lent her on purpose) with that joint. —
我曾见过我们家族的一匹白色母马，借给我一辆针，她用那个关节穿起了针眼。 —

They milk their cows, reap their oats, and do all the work which requires hands, in the same manner. They have a kind of hard flints, which, by grinding against other stones, they form into instruments, that serve instead of wedges, axes, and hammers. —
他们挤牛奶，收割燕麦，以及其他需要手的工作，都是以同样的方式进行。他们有一种坚硬的打磨后的燧石，通过与其他石头磨擦，制作成替代楔子、斧头和锤子的工具。 —

With tools made of these flints, they likewise cut their hay, and reap their oats, which there grow naturally in several fields; —
他们也用这些燧石工具割草和收割燕麦，因为那里的燕麦自然生长在几个田地里。 —

the Yahoos draw home the sheaves in carriages, and the servants tread them in certain covered huts to get out the grain, which is kept in stores. —
雅虎们用马车把庄稼拉回家，仆人们在一些有盖的小屋里践踏谷物，以取出谷粒，并把它存放在仓库里。 —

They make a rude kind of earthen and wooden vessels, and bake the former in the sun.
他们制作一种粗糙的陶土和木制容器，然后在阳光下烘烤陶器。

If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old age, and are buried in the obscurest places that can be found, their friends and relations expressing neither joy nor grief at their departure; —
如果他们能避免伤亡，那么他们只会因为年老而死亡，并被埋葬在能找到的最偏僻的地方，他们的朋友和亲属对他们的离去既不表达喜悦也不表达悲伤。 —

nor does the dying person discover the least regret that he is leaving the world, any more than if he were upon returning home from a visit to one of his neighbours. —
临终的人对离开这个世界没有丝毫的遗憾，就像他从邻居家回家一样。 —

I remember my master having once made an appointment with a friend and his family to come to his house, upon some affair of importance: —
我记得我的主人曾经与一位朋友及其家人约定在他家碰面，因为有一项重要的事情要商讨。 —

on the day fixed, the mistress and her two children came very late; —
约定的那天，夫人和她的两个孩子来得很晚。 —

she made two excuses, first for her husband, who, as she said, happened that very morning to shnuwnh. —
她为她丈夫提出了两个借口，她说他发生了一件事，正好在这个早上发生了。 —

The word is strongly expressive in their language, but not easily rendered into English; —
这个词在他们的语言中表达得很强烈，但很难译成英文。 —

it signifies, “to retire to his first mother. —
它的意思是“退回到他的第一个母亲那里去”。 —

” Her excuse for not coming sooner, was, that her husband dying late in the morning, she was a good while consulting her servants about a convenient place where his body should be laid; —
她迟到的借口是她丈夫上午去世后，她花了很长时间和仆人商量一个合适的地方来安置他的尸体； —

and I observed, she behaved herself at our house as cheerfully as the rest. —
我观察到，她在我们家的表现与其他人一样开心。 —

She died about three months after.
她大约在三个月后去世。

They live generally to seventy, or seventy-five years, very seldom to fourscore. —
他们一般活到七十或七十五岁，很少超过八十岁。 —

Some weeks before their death, they feel a gradual decay; but without pain. —
在他们去世前几个星期，他们感到逐渐衰退，但没有疼痛。 —

During this time they are much visited by their friends, because they cannot go abroad with their usual ease and satisfaction. —
在这段时间里，他们的朋友经常来探望他们，因为他们不能像平常那样轻松自在地外出。 —

However, about ten days before their death, which they seldom fail in computing, they return the visits that have been made them by those who are nearest in the neighbourhood, being carried in a convenient sledge drawn by Yahoos; —
然而，在他们预计的去世前大约十天，他们会回访邻近地区最近来拜访他们的人，他们坐在由雅虎牵引的便利雪橇里前往； —

which vehicle they use, not only upon this occasion, but when they grow old, upon long journeys, or when they are lamed by any accident: —
他们不仅在这个场合使用这种交通工具，而且当他们年老时，也会在长途旅行或因意外事故受伤时使用。 —

and therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms return those visits, they take a solemn leave of their friends, as if they were going to some remote part of the country, where they designed to pass the rest of their lives.
因此，当垂死的侯赫赫尼姆人回访他们的朋友时，他们像是要去遥远的地方度过余生一样庄重地告别。

I know not whether it may be worth observing, that the Houyhnhnms have no word in their language to express any thing that is evil, except what they borrow from the deformities or ill qualities of the Yahoos. —
我不知道是否值得观察的是，侯赫赫尼姆人的语言中没有一个词可以表达任何邪恶的东西，除非他们从雅虎的丑陋或恶劣品质中借用。 —

Thus they denote the folly of a servant, an omission of a child, a stone that cuts their feet, a continuance of foul or unseasonable weather, and the like, by adding to each the epithet of Yahoo. For instance, hhnm Yahoo; —
所以他们用雅虎一词来表示仆人的愚蠢、孩子的疏忽、切破脚的石头、肮脏或不适时的天气等等。例如，hhnm雅虎； —

whnaholm Yahoo, ynlhmndwihlma Yahoo, and an ill-contrived house ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo.
whnaholm雅虎，ynlhmndwihlma雅虎，和设计不当的房子ynholmhnmrohlnw雅虎。

I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon the manners and virtues of this excellent people; —
我非常愿意进一步详细介绍这个优秀民族的风俗和美德； —

but intending in a short time to publish a volume by itself, expressly upon that subject, I refer the reader thither; —
但因为打算在短时间内单独出版一本专门讨论这个话题的书，所以我把读者引荐到那里。 —

and, in the mean time, proceed to relate my own sad catastrophe.
同时，在此期间，继续讲述我的悲惨遭遇。