达摩克利斯之剑

从前有一位国王，名字叫狄奥尼修斯。他为人不公，残暴无情，因此得到了暴君的名号。他知道几乎所有人都恨他，所以总是提心吊胆，害怕有人会要了他的命。

There was once a king whose name was Dionysius. He was so unjust and cruel that he won for himself the name of tyrant. He knew that almost everybody hated him, and so he was always in dread lest some one should take his life.

但他非常富有，住在一座豪华的宫殿里，殿内满是精美昂贵的东西。许多仆人伺候着他，随时听候他的差遣。

But he was very rich, and he lived in a fine palace where there were many beautiful and costly things, and he was waited upon by a host of servants who were always ready to do his bidding.

有一天，他的一位名叫达摩克利斯的朋友对他说：

One day a friend of his, whose name was Damocles, said to him,—

“您一定过得太幸福了！任何人都梦寐以求的一切，您这里全都有。”

“How happy you must be! You have here everything that any man could wish.”

“也许你想和我换换位置呢。”暴君说。

“Perhaps you would like to change places with me,” said the tyrant.

“不，那怎么行呢，国王陛下！”达摩克利斯说，“不过我想，只要能享受一天的财富和快乐，我就再也没有别的奢求了。”

“No, not that, O king!” said Damocles; “but I think, that, if I could only have your riches and your pleasures for one day, I should not want any greater happiness.”

“很好，”暴君说，“那我就成全你。”

“Very well,” said the tyrant. “You shall have them.”

于是，第二天，达摩克利斯被领进了宫殿，所有的仆人都奉命像对待主人一样对待他。他在宴会厅的一张桌子旁坐下，丰盛的美食被端到了他的面前。

And so, the next day, Damocles was led into the palace, and all the servants were bidden to treat him as their master. He sat down at a table in the banquet hall, and rich foods were placed before him.

凡是能让他快乐的东西，这里应有尽有。有昂贵的美酒、美丽的鲜花、名贵的香水，还有美妙动听的音乐。他靠在柔软的垫子里，觉得自己是世界上最幸福的人。

Nothing was wanting that could give him pleasure. There were costly wines, and beautiful flowers, and rare perfumes, and delightful music. He rested himself among soft cushions, and felt that he was the happiest man in all the world.

这时，他偶然抬头看向天花板。悬在他头顶上的是什么东西？那剑尖几乎碰到了他的头！那是一把锋利的宝剑，仅仅用一根马鬃吊着。万一这根马鬃断了怎么办？

Then he chanced to raise his eyes toward the ceiling. What was it that was dangling above him, with its point almost touching his head? It was a sharp sword, and it was hung by only a single horse-hair. What if the hair should break?

它随时都有断开的危险。

There was danger every moment that it would do so.

达摩克利斯嘴角的微笑消失了。他的脸变得像纸一样苍白，双手止不住地发抖。他不想再吃东西了，也喝不下酒了，音乐再也不能让他感到快乐。他只想离开王宫，逃得远远的，去哪里都行。

The smile faded from the lips of Damocles. His face became ashy pale. His hands trembled. He wanted no more food; he could drink no more wine; he took no more delight in the music. He longed to be out of the palace, and away, he cared not where.

“怎么了？”暴君问。

“What is the matter?” said the tyrant.

“那把剑！那把剑！”达摩克利斯喊道。他吓得厉害，一动也不敢动。

“That sword! that sword!” cried Damocles. He was so badly frightened that he dared not move.