Letter to Lord Chesterfield
致切斯特菲尔德伯爵书
February 7, 1755
1755年2月7日
My Lord,
伯爵大人：
I have been lately informed, by the proprietor of The World, that two papers, in which my Dictionary is recommended to the public, were written by your lordship. To be so distinguished is an honour which, being very little accustomed to favours from the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge.
“世界杂志”业主最近告诉我，两篇向公众推荐我所编词典的文章是大人的手笔。承蒙如此推崇，不胜荣幸。只是我素来不惯于贵人的恩赐，实在不知该如何领情，或以何言词来答谢。
When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of your address, and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself Le vainqueur du vainqueur de la terre;—that I might obtain that regard for which I saw the world contending; but I found my attendance so little encouraged, that neither pride nor modesty would suffer me to continue it. When I had once addressed your Lordship in public, I had exhausted all the art of pleasing which a retired and uncourtly scholar can possess. I had done all that I could; and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.
当初，受到些许鼓励，造访大人时，我一如其余万民百姓，为您富有魅力的谈吐所折服，不禁奢望能自诩“世界征服者的征服者”；——我虽然目睹举世之人为博得大人眷顾，竞相争斗，却仍不免奢望自己或可身受大人关切；不料晋谒之后，竟未得丝毫鼓励，自尊自惭之心，不容我再次登门。我是个闲散书生，不善奉承，以前当众向大人致意时，实已竭尽了取宠之能事。我已做了所能做的一切；然而倾全力而遭冷遇，世上是决不会有人引以为乐的，即使你所做的微乎其微。
Seven years, my lord, have now passed, since I waited in your outward rooms, or was repulsed from your door; during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it, at last, to the verge of publication, without one act of assistance, one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a patron before.
伯爵大人，自我在府上外房恭候，或被拒之门外以来，七年已经逝去；在此期间，我自披荆斩棘，坚持编纂工作，艰苦备尝，说也无益。而今，词典出版在即，我未领受一次资助，未听到一句鼓励之辞，未看到一丝赞赏的微笑。这类厚赐我本未指望，因为我从不曾有过任何庇护人。
The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.
维吉尔笔下的牧童终于认清了爱神，发现他原来是蛮荒野人。
Is not a Patron my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it, till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a patron, which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.
伯爵大人，如果有人在落水者拼死挣扎时袖手旁观，落水者上岸后才给以援手，这样的人可以称为恩人吗？您现在对我的辛勤劳动所表示的关注，倘来得早些，我怎不领情？可惜为时过晚，我已无动于衷，无从消受；我已子然一身，无法与人共享；况且我已成名，无需大人关注了。我未受恩典，无须承情；上帝助我独立完成工作，我自不愿公众以为有庇护者相助；这总不致被看作刻薄无礼吧！
Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if less be possible, with less; for I have been long wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, my Lord.
我未领受任何关怀学术者的恩情，便把工作推进到今日的局面，所以在这项工作行将结束时，自然不会因为丝毫不能得到恩情而感到失望，因为我早已从希望的梦想中清醒过来。——在那梦想中我曾一度扬扬自得，自诩为大人您
Your lordship's most humble, most obedient servant,
最卑顺的仆人
Samuel Johnson
塞缪尔·约翰逊
