E08 塞缪尔·约翰逊：无论是骄傲还是谦卑，都不允许我再逢迎下去

E08 塞缪尔·约翰逊：无论是骄傲还是谦卑，都不允许我再逢迎下去

课程导读

唐代大诗人李白不畏权贵，吟诵着“安能摧眉折腰事权贵，使我不得开心颜”离开京城，英国文人 Samuel Johnson 同样愤而起身，以一封经典名篇捍卫自己的成果。今天让我们一起细细品味这封书信，从中体味大文豪的真性情吧！

▍背景介绍：

塞缪尔·约翰逊（1709-1784），英国历史上最有名的文人之一，集文评家、诗人、散文家、传记家于一身。约翰逊出生于书商之家，家境贫寒。1747年他为编撰词典而寻求赞助人，登门拜访 Lord Chesterfield，却被拒于门外。《约翰逊词典》——自1755年出版以来，一直是英语的词义标准和使用法式，并被评论家称为英语史和英国文化史上的划时代成就。

英文原文

Samuel Johnson

My Lord,

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.

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.

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.

The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.

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.

Having carried on my work thus far, with so little obligations to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I shall 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,
Your lordship's most humble,
most obedient servant,
SAMUEL JOHNSON.