The author’s veracity. His design in publishing this work. —
作者的真实性。他在发布这个作品时的目的。 —

His censure of those travellers who swerve from the truth. —
他谴责那些背离真相的旅行者。 —

The author clears himself from any sinister ends in writing. An objection answered. —
作者澄清自己写作没有任何险恶目的。回应了一个异议。 —

The method of planting colonies. His native country commended. —
殖民地种植的方法。赞扬了他的祖国。 —

The right of the crown to those countries described by the author is justified. —
作者为皇冠对那些被他描述的国家的权利进行了辩护。 —

The difficulty of conquering them. The author takes his last leave of the reader; —
征服它们的困难。作者向读者告别； —

proposes his manner of living for the future; —
提出他未来的生活方式； —

gives good advice, and concludes.
给予良好的建议，并做出结论。

Thus, gentle reader, I have given thee a faithful history of my travels for sixteen years and above seven months: —
因此，亲爱的读者，我为你讲述了我十六年以上七个月的旅行经历： —

wherein I have not been so studious of ornament as of truth. —
在这段时间里，我对于真相比追求华丽的修辞更加用心。 —

I could, perhaps, like others, have astonished thee with strange improbable tales; —
或许我可以像其他人一样，用奇异而不可信的故事吓唬你； —

but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact, in the simplest manner and style; —
但我宁愿用最简单的方式和风格，讲述简单的事实； —

because my principal design was to inform, and not to amuse thee.
因为我最主要的目的是提供信息，而不是取悦你。

It is easy for us who travel into remote countries, which are seldom visited by Englishmen or other Europeans, to form descriptions of wonderful animals both at sea and land. —
在我们这些去偏远国家旅行的人，这些地方很少被英国人或其他欧洲人访问，我们很容易形成关于海洋和陆地上奇异动物的描述。 —

Whereas a traveller’s chief aim should be to make men wiser and better, and to improve their minds by the bad, as well as good, example of what they deliver concerning foreign places.
在旅行者的目标应该是让人们变得更加聪明和善良，通过他们关于外国地方的描述，改善他们的心智，无论是好的还是坏的例子。

I could heartily wish a law was enacted, that every traveller, before he were permitted to publish his voyages, should be obliged to make oath before the Lord High Chancellor, that all he intended to print was absolutely true to the best of his knowledge; —
我真心希望能制定一项法律，要求每个旅行者在发表他的旅行记前，都应该在最高法官面前发誓，所要出版的内容都是他最真实的知识； —

for then the world would no longer be deceived, as it usually is, while some writers, to make their works pass the better upon the public, impose the grossest falsities on the unwary reader. —
这样世界将不再被蒙骗，因为通常在一些作家为了吸引公众，对毫不怀疑的读者编造最荒谬的谎言。 —

I have perused several books of travels with great delight in my younger days; —
当我年轻时，我曾愉快地阅读过几本旅行书籍。 —

but having since gone over most parts of the globe, and been able to contradict many fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has given me a great disgust against this part of reading, and some indignation to see the credulity of mankind so impudently abused. —
但是由于我已经亲眼目睹并驳斥了许多虚假的传闻，我对这种阅读感到非常厌恶，也对人类的轻信感到愤懑。 —

Therefore, since my acquaintance were pleased to think my poor endeavours might not be unacceptable to my country, I imposed on myself, as a maxim never to be swerved from, that I would strictly adhere to truth; —
因此，既然我的朋友们认为我的努力对我的国家可能是受欢迎的，我就自我强加了一个原则，决不偏离真实。 —

neither indeed can I be ever under the least temptation to vary from it, while I retain in my mind the lectures and example of my noble master and the other illustrious Houyhnhnms of whom I had so long the honour to be an humble hearer.
事实上，只要我还记得我崇高的主人和其他崇高的豪因恩马的教诲和榜样，我就永远不会受到任何变动的诱惑。

— Nec si miserum Fortuna Sinonem
“即使不幸的福尔图纳使者辛翁，

Finxit, vanum etiam, mendacemque improba finget.
不会把虚构的谎言也编造得空洞和欺诈。

I know very well, how little reputation is to be got by writings which require neither genius nor learning, nor indeed any other talent, except a good memory, or an exact journal. —
我很清楚，这种不需要天才、学识，实际上也不需要其他任何才能，只要有好记性或者准确的日记的作品所能得到的声誉有多少少。” —

I know likewise, that writers of travels, like dictionary-makers, are sunk into oblivion by the weight and bulk of those who come last, and therefore lie uppermost. —
我同样知道，旅行作家就像编写词典的人一样，都因为后来者的繁多和重量而被淹没在遗忘中，因此留在了最上层。 —

And it is highly probable, that such travellers, who shall hereafter visit the countries described in this work of mine, may, by detecting my errors (if there be any), and adding many new discoveries of their own, justle me out of vogue, and stand in my place, making the world forget that ever I was an author. —
而且可以高度肯定，将来到访我所描述的国家的这些旅行者可能通过揭露我的错误（如果有的话）并增添许多新的发现，将我挤出潮流并取而代之，让世界忘记曾经有我这样的作者存在。 —

This indeed would be too great a mortification, if I wrote for fame: —
如果我是为了追求名声而写作，这确实将是一种极大的沮丧， —

but as my sole intention was the public good, I cannot be altogether disappointed. —
但由于我的唯一意图是为了公共利益，我不能完全失望。 —

For who can read of the virtues I have mentioned in the glorious Houyhnhnms, without being ashamed of his own vices, when he considers himself as the reasoning, governing animal of his country? —
因为当他看到自己作为他所在国家的理性、治理动物时，想到我所提到的荣耀的豪因姆人所拥有的美德，谁能不为自己的恶习感到羞愧呢？ —

I shall say nothing of those remote nations where Yahoos preside; —
我不会说那些由雅虎统治的偏远国家的事情。 —

among which the least corrupted are the Brobdingnagians; —
其中最不腐败的是布罗布丁纳基人。 —

whose wise maxims in morality and government it would be our happiness to observe. —
我们会十分幸福地遵循他在道德和政府方面的智慧格言。 —

But I forbear descanting further, and rather leave the judicious reader to his own remarks and application.
但我不再详述，倒更愿意让明智的读者自行进行观察和应用。

I am not a little pleased that this work of mine can possibly meet with no censurers: —
我很高兴我的这部作品不会遭到任何批评者的指责。 —

for what objections can be made against a writer, who relates only plain facts, that happened in such distant countries, where we have not the least interest, with respect either to trade or negotiations? —
因为对于那位只叙述发生在遥远国度、对我们的贸易和谈判完全没有任何利益关系的作家，还能有什么反对意见呢？ —

I have carefully avoided every fault with which common writers of travels are often too justly charged. —
我小心翼翼地避免了常见旅行作家常常能够受到的每一个指责。 —

Besides, I meddle not the least with any party, but write without passion, prejudice, or ill-will against any man, or number of men, whatsoever. —
除此之外，我一丝不染地涉及任何派别，纯粹客观地撰写，不带任何个人情感、偏见或恶意对任何一个人或一群人。 —

I write for the noblest end, to inform and instruct mankind; —
我撰写这部作品是为了最崇高的目的，即来向人类提供信息和教导； —

over whom I may, without breach of modesty, pretend to some superiority, from the advantages I received by conversing so long among the most accomplished Houyhnhnms. —
作为在最卓越的胡英纳姆人中长期相处所获得的优势，我可以有些优越感，我可以毫不谦虚地声称对人类具有一些优势。 —

I write without any view to profit or praise. —
我写作并不追求利益或赞扬。 —

I never suffer a word to pass that may look like reflection, or possibly give the least offence, even to those who are most ready to take it. —
我绝不让任何看起来像是反思的字句通过，或者可能对那些最容易受到冒犯的人造成最小的伤害。 —

So that I hope I may with justice pronounce myself an author perfectly blameless; —
因此，我希望能公正地宣称自己是一个完全无可指责的作家； —

against whom the tribes of Answerers, Considerers, Observers, Reflectors, Detectors, Remarkers, will never be able to find matter for exercising their talents.
那些回答者、思考者、观察者、反思者、察觉者、评述者的部落永远找不到锻炼他们才华的材料。

I confess, it was whispered to me, “that I was bound in duty, as a subject of England, to have given in a memorial to a secretary of state at my first coming over; —
我承认，有人对我低声耳提面命，”作为英格兰的臣民，我有责任在我刚到这里时向一位国务卿递交一份备忘录； —

because, whatever lands are discovered by a subject belong to the crown. —
因为，由一个臣民发现的任何土地都属于皇冠。 —

” But I doubt whether our conquests in the countries I treat of would be as easy as those of Ferdinando Cortez over the naked Americans. —
但我怀疑，我们在我所讲述的国家的征服将不会像费迪南多·科尔特斯对裸体美洲人那样容易。 —

The Lilliputians, I think, are hardly worth the charge of a fleet and army to reduce them; —
我认为，小人国人几乎不值得派遣舰队和军队来征服他们。 —

and I question whether it might be prudent or safe to attempt the Brobdingnagians; —
同时，我对尝试攻击布隆丁纳吉人是否明智或安全表示疑虑； —

or whether an English army would be much at their ease with the Flying Island over their heads. —
英国军队是否能够适应他们头上飞翔的岛屿； —

The Houyhnhnms indeed appear not to be so well prepared for war, a science to which they are perfect strangers, and especially against missive weapons. —
事实上，侯英人似乎对战争没有充分的准备，他们对这种科学完全陌生，尤其是对于投掷武器而言； —

However, supposing myself to be a minister of state, I could never give my advice for invading them. Their prudence, unanimity, unacquaintedness with fear, and their love of their country, would amply supply all defects in the military art. —
然而，假设我身为一位国家部长，我绝不会建议入侵他们。他们的谨慎、团结、不熟悉恐惧以及对国家的热爱将充分弥补军事艺术上的所有不足； —

Imagine twenty thousand of them breaking into the midst of an European army, confounding the ranks, overturning the carriages, battering the warriors’ faces into mummy by terrible yerks from their hinder hoofs; —
想象一下他们当中两万人冲入欧洲军队的场景，他们会打乱队伍、推翻马车，并用他们强大的后蹄重击将战士们打得面目全非； —

for they would well deserve the character given to Augustus, Recalcitrat undique tutus. —
因为他们将配得上奥古斯都的评价：”随处跃动，在任何地方都能安全无恙”。 —

But, instead of proposals for conquering that magnanimous nation, I rather wish they were in a capacity, or disposition, to send a sufficient number of their inhabitants for civilizing Europe, by teaching us the first principles of honour, justice, truth, temperance, public spirit, fortitude, chastity, friendship, benevolence, and fidelity. —
然而，与其提出征服这个伟大国家的建议，我倒更希望他们有能力或意愿派遣足够数量的居民来为欧洲带来文明，教导我们荣誉、正义、真实、节制、公共精神、坚韧、贞洁、友谊、仁爱和忠诚的基本原则。 —

The names of all which virtues are still retained among us in most languages, and are to be met with in modern, as well as ancient authors; —
所有这些美德的名字在我们大多数语言中仍然存在，并且在现代和古代的作品中都可以找到； —

which I am able to assert from my own small reading.
这一点我能够从我所读的少量书籍中断言。

But I had another reason, which made me less forward to enlarge his majesty’s dominions by my discoveries. —
但是，我还有另一个原因，使我不愿通过我的发现来扩大他的陛下的领土。 —

To say the truth, I had conceived a few scruples with relation to the distributive justice of princes upon those occasions. —
实话说，在这种情况下，我对君主在这些场合上的分配公正性产生了一些疑虑。 —

For instance, a crew of pirates are driven by a storm they know not whither; —
比方说，一群海盗被一场他们所不知道的风暴驱赶到某个地方； —

at length a boy discovers land from the topmast; —
最后一个男孩在桅杆上发现了陆地。 —

they go on shore to rob and plunder, they see a harmless people, are entertained with kindness; —
他们上岸抢劫和劫掠，他们看到了无害的人民，以友好款待他们； —

they give the country a new name; they take formal possession of it for their king; —
他们为这个国家取了一个新的名字；他们以他们国王的名义正式占领它； —

they set up a rotten plank, or a stone, for a memorial; —
他们竖起了一块腐烂的木板或者石头作为纪念物； —

they murder two or three dozen of the natives, bring away a couple more, by force, for a sample; —
他们谋杀了二三十个土著，强迫带走了几个作为样本； —

return home, and get their pardon. Here commences a new dominion acquired with a title by divine right. —
回到家，得到了赦免。这里开始了一个由神圣权利获得的新的统治； —

Ships are sent with the first opportunity; the natives driven out or destroyed; —
船只被派出去，土著被赶走或者消灭； —

their princes tortured to discover their gold; —
他们折磨土著首领以寻求他们的黄金； —

a free license given to all acts of inhumanity and lust, the earth reeking with the blood of its inhabitants: —
对所有不人道和淫乱行为给予自由许可，大地上沾满了居民的鲜血； —

and this execrable crew of butchers, employed in so pious an expedition, is a modern colony, sent to convert and civilize an idolatrous and barbarous people!
这帮可憎的屠夫们在一次虔诚的远征中被派遣去改变和文明化一个邪教和野蛮的民族！

But this description, I confess, does by no means affect the British nation, who may be an example to the whole world for their wisdom, care, and justice in planting colonies; —
但是，我承认，这个描述根本不影响英国这个民族，在种植殖民地方面，他们可以作为全世界的榜样，因为他们在智慧、关怀和公正方面表现出色； —

their liberal endowments for the advancement of religion and learning; —
他们慷慨捐赠用于促进宗教和学术的机构； —

their choice of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity; —
他们选择虔诚而有能力的牧师来传播基督教； —

their caution in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and conversations from this the mother kingdom; —
他们谨慎地将他们的省份安置了自母国带来品行良好的人们； —

their strict regard to the distribution of justice, in supplying the civil administration through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abilities, utter strangers to corruption; —
他们严格重视司法公正，在所有殖民地的民政管理中，提供最有能力并且完全不受贪污腐败干扰的官员； —

and, to crown all, by sending the most vigilant and virtuous governors, who have no other views than the happiness of the people over whom they preside, and the honour of the king their master.
最后，他们派遣最警觉和有道德的总督，他们没有别的目标，只为人民的幸福和统治者的荣誉。

But as those countries which I have described do not appear to have any desire of being conquered and enslaved, murdered or driven out by colonies, nor abound either in gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco, I did humbly conceive, they were by no means proper objects of our zeal, our valour, or our interest. —
但是因为那些国家似乎没有被征服、奴役、谋杀或被殖民地驱逐的渴望，也没有丰富的黄金、白银、糖或烟草，我谦卑地认为，它们绝对不是我们热情、勇气或利益的适当对象。 —

However, if those whom it more concerns think fit to be of another opinion, I am ready to depose, when I shall be lawfully called, that no European did ever visit those countries before me. —
然而，如果那些更关心此事的人持有不同的观点，我愿意在合法要求的情况下作证：在我之前，从未有任何欧洲人访问过那些国家。 —

I mean, if the inhabitants ought to be believed, unless a dispute may arise concerning the two Yahoos, said to have been seen many years ago upon a mountain in Houyhnhnmland.
我的意思是，如果相信当地居民的话，除非对于在Houyhnhnmland山上多年前曾看到的两只雅虎可能会产生争议。

But, as to the formality of taking possession in my sovereign’s name, it never came once into my thoughts; —
但是，至于以我君主的名义占领的形式，我从来没有想过一次； —

and if it had, yet, as my affairs then stood, I should perhaps, in point of prudence and self-preservation, have put it off to a better opportunity.
如果我当时考虑到自己的事务，或许，就出于谨慎和自我保护的角度来看，我应该把它推迟到更好的机会才对。

Having thus answered the only objection that can ever be raised against me as a traveller, I here take a final leave of all my courteous readers, and return to enjoy my own speculations in my little garden at Redriff; —
这样回答了作为一名旅行者我唯一可能面临的反对意见后，我在这里向我所有友好的读者最后告别，回到我在雷德里夫的小花园里，享受我自己的沉思。 —

to apply those excellent lessons of virtue which I learned among the Houyhnhnms; —
把我在Houyhnhnm族中学到的卓越的道德教诲运用起来。 —

to instruct the Yahoos of my own family, is far as I shall find them docible animals; —
尽我所能，教导我家中的Yahoos，只要他们是可教的生物。 —

to behold my figure often in a glass, and thus, if possible, habituate myself by time to tolerate the sight of a human creature; —
经过时间的磨练，通过经常在镜子中看到自己的形象，努力习惯于忍受人类的视觉。 —

to lament the brutality to Houyhnhnms in my own country, but always treat their persons with respect, for the sake of my noble master, his family, his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race, whom these of ours have the honour to resemble in all their lineaments, however their intellectuals came to degenerate.
为我自己国家对Houyhnhnm族的残忍行为感到悲痛，但出于对我的高贵主人、他的家人、他的朋友以及整个Houyhnhnm族的尊重，我会始终尊重他们的人物，因为我们这些人在所有特征上都与他们极为相似，只是智力逐渐堕落了。

I began last week to permit my wife to sit at dinner with me, at the farthest end of a long table; —
上周我开始允许我的妻子与我一起坐在餐桌的最远一端吃饭。 —

and to answer (but with the utmost brevity) the few questions I asked her. —
为了用最简洁的方式回答我提出的几个问题，我问她。 —

Yet, the smell of a Yahoo continuing very offensive, I always keep my nose well stopped with rue, lavender, or tobacco leaves. —
然而，雅虎的气味仍然令人讨厌，我总是用芸香、薰衣草或烟叶堵住鼻子。 —

And, although it be hard for a man late in life to remove old habits, I am not altogether out of hopes, in some time, to suffer a neighbour Yahoo in my company, without the apprehensions I am yet under of his teeth or his claws.
尽管一个人年老时难以改变旧习惯，但我希望以后能够在一个邻居雅虎的陪伴下，不再担心它的牙齿或爪子。

My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general might not be so difficult, if they would be content with those vices and follies only which nature has entitled them to. —
要是雅虎们能满足于他们天生具备的那些恶习和愚蠢，我对整个雅虎种族的和解可能不会那么困难。 —

I am not in the least provoked at the sight of a lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, a fool, a lord, a gamester, a politician, a whoremonger, a physician, an evidence, a suborner, an attorney, a traitor, or the like; —
我对律师、扒手、上校、傻瓜、勋爵、赌徒、政客、纵欲者、医生、证人、唆使者、律师、叛徒等等这些人看法都无动于衷； —

this is all according to the due course of things: —
这一切都是顺应事物的正常规律。 —

but when I behold a lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten with pride, it immediately breaks all the measures of my patience; —
但是当我看到一个身心残疾、充满疾病的畸形的家伙摇身一变成为骄傲之辈时，我的耐心立刻消失殆尽； —

neither shall I be ever able to comprehend how such an animal, and such a vice, could tally together. —
我将永远无法理解这样一种动物和这样一种恶习如何能够结合在一起。 —

The wise and virtuous Houyhnhnms, who abound in all excellences that can adorn a rational creature, have no name for this vice in their language, which has no terms to express any thing that is evil, except those whereby they describe the detestable qualities of their Yahoos, among which they were not able to distinguish this of pride, for want of thoroughly understanding human nature, as it shows itself in other countries where that animal presides. —
智慧而有德行的豪因恩人，他们充满了一切能够装点一只理性生物的优点，他们的语言中没有这个恶习的名称，这个语言无法表达任何邪恶的东西，除了那些用来描述他们的雅虎可憎的品质的词语，其中他们无法区分这种骄傲，因为他们不完全理解在其他国家统治这种动物的人性。 —

But I, who had more experience, could plainly observe some rudiments of it among the wild Yahoos.
但是我这个有更多经验的人，可以明显观察到野生雅虎中的一些骄傲的雏形。

But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the government of reason, are no more proud of the good qualities they possess, than I should be for not wanting a leg or an arm; —
但是生活在理性统治之下的豪因恩人，并不因为他们拥有的美好品质而骄傲，就像我不因为没有一条腿或一只胳膊而骄傲一样； —

which no man in his wits would boast of, although he must be miserable without them. —
一个明智之人不会夸耀的东西，尽管没有它，他必定会感到痛苦不堪。 —

I dwell the longer upon this subject from the desire I have to make the society of an English Yahoo by any means not insupportable; —
我详细谈论这个话题，是因为我希望通过任何方式使英国的雅虎的社交不至于令人无法忍受； —

and therefore I here entreat those who have any tincture of this absurd vice, that they will not presume to come in my sight.
因此，我在此恳求那些有任何这种荒谬恶习的人，不要冒昧来到我的视线之中。

The End
结尾。