向狗致敬
手機：M版 分類：公眾演講 編輯：小景
向狗致敬
名人演講稿
本文是一篇法庭辯護詞，作者GeorgeGraham(1830-1904)是美國密蘇里州的一個議員，是當時傑出的演講家和辯論家。本篇是他早年從事法律工作時在法庭上所作，其時他為一位因狗被殺而起訴的人做辯護。辯護時，Vest沒有要求任何證詞，只是憑藉其辯論就贏得了官司。他辯詞的撼人之處在於：拿出人類獸性的一面與狗人性的一面作對比，引起法官們對狗的感激和同情，以及對殺狗人的強烈憎惡。這不僅僅是一篇辯護詞，也是一篇優秀的講演稿，更是對人性的呼喚……
GentlemenoftheJury:
Thebestfriendamanhasintheworldmayturnagaithimandbecomehisenemy.Hissonordaughterthathehasrearedwithlovingcaremayproveungrateful.Thosewhoarenearestanddearesttous,thosewhomwetrustwithourhaineandourgoodnamemaybecometraitorstotheirfaith.
Themoneythatamanhas,hemaylose.Itfliesawayfromhim,perhawhenheneedsitmost.Aman”sreputationmaybesacrificedinamomentofill-coideredaction.Thepeoplewhoarepronetofallontheirkneestodoushonorwhensucceiswithus,maybethefirsttothrowthestoneofmalicewhenfailuresettlesitsclouduponourheads.
Theoneaolutelyuelfishfriendthatmancanhaveinthisselfishworld,theonethatneverdesertshim,theonethatneverprovesungratefulortreacherousishisdog.Aman”sdogstandsbyhiminproerityandinpoverty,inhealthandinsickne.Hewillsleeponthecoldground,wherethewintrywindsblowandtheowdrivesfiercely,ifonlyhemaybenearhismaster”sside.Hewillkithehandthathasnofoodtooffer.版權所有
Hewilllickthewoundsandsoresthatcomeinencounterswiththeroughneoftheworld.Heguardsthesleepofhispaupermasterasifhewereaprince.Whenallotherfriendsdesert,heremai.Whenrichestakewings,andreputationfallstopieces,heisascotantinhisloveasthesuninitsjourneythroughtheheave.
Iffortunedrivesthemasterforth,anoutcastintheworld,friendleandhomele,thefaithfuldogasksnohigherprivilegethanthatofaccompanyinghim,toguardhimagaitdanger,tofightagaithisenemies.Andwhenthelastsceneofallcomes,anddeathtakeshismasterinitsembraceandhisbodyislaidawayinthecoldground,nomatterifallotherfriendspursuetheirway,therebythegravesidewillthenobledogbefound,hisheadbetweenhispaws,hiseyessad,butopeninalertwatchfulne,faithfulandtrueevenindeath.
註釋:
*jury：“陪審團”。
*turnagait：“反目”、“反對”的意思。最好的朋友有時候也會反目成為敵人。
*rear：“撫養”的意思。用愛心撫養出來的兒女也會不知感激。那些和我們親近的人、我們信任的人也可能
