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LESSON 16 The "mayflower"
第十六课 “五月花”号
On the northern border of Nottinghamshire stands the little town of Scrooby. Here, about the end of the sixteenth century, there were some grave and well-reputed persons, to whom the ceremonies of the Established Church were an offence. They met in secret at the house of one of their number, a gentleman named Brewster. They were ministered to in all scriptural simplicity by the pastor of their choice—Mr. Robinson, a wise and good man. But their secret meetings were betrayed to the authorities, and their lives were made bitter by the persecutions that fell upon them. They resolved to leave their own land, and seek among strangers that freedom which was denied them at home.
史克罗比是诺丁汉郡北部的一个村庄，十六世纪末期，这里出现了一些德高望重的人物，他们是英国国教的攻击对象。他们在其中一个叫布鲁斯特的绅士家中的家中秘密集会。他们侍奉由它们自己选出来的牧师——罗宾逊先生。罗宾逊人很睿智，也很善良。但是有人出卖了他们，告知了当局他们的秘密集会，他们因此受到迫害，生活变得更加艰难。他们决定离开当地，去一个陌生的地方寻求在当地得不到的自由。
They embarked with all their goods for Holland. But when the ship was about to sail, soldiers came upon them, plundered them, and drove them on shore. They were marched to the public square of Boston, and there the Fathers of New England endured such indignities as an unbelieving rabble could inflict. After some weeks in prison, they were suffered to return home.
他们装好所有的东西，准备前往荷兰。但就在船将起航时，来了一群士兵，抢下他们的物品，并将它们赶上了岸，赶往波士顿公共广场。在那里，这些新英格兰的元勋们受到了侮辱，认为他们是一群不信教的乌合之众。被关押了几星期后，它们被赶回了家。
Next spring they tried again to escape. This time a good many were on board, and the others were waiting for the return of the boat which should carry them to the ship suddenly dragoons were seen spurring across the sands. The shipmaster pulled up his anchor, and pushed out to sea with those of his passengers whom he had. The rest were conducted to prison. After a time they were set at liberty. In little groups they also made their way to Holland. Mr. Robinson and his congregation were reunited, and the first stage of the weary pilgrimage from the Old England to the New was at length accomplished.
第二年春天，它们再次打算逃跑。这次很多人都上了船，其他人站在岸边等小船再次返回将他们送到轮船上。突然，他们看到了沙滩上飞驰而来的骑兵。船长拉起锚，载着已经上船的人驶出海去。没有上船的人都被关押，一段时间后他们才重获自由。他们分成小队依次前往了荷兰。罗宾逊先生又能再次举办集会了，这也标志着他们从老英格兰到新英格兰的漫漫朝圣之路的第一阶段完成。
Eleven quiet and not unprosperous years were spent in Holland. The Pilgrims worked with patient industry at their various handicrafts They quickly gained the reputation of doing honestly and effectively whatever they professed to do; and thus they found abundant employment. Mr. Brewster established a printing-press, and printed books about liberty; which, as he had the satisfaction of knowing, greatly enraged the foolish King James. The little colony received additions from time to time as oppression in England became more intolerable.
他们在荷兰过了十一年，这十一年很平静，也很不顺利。清教徒们用坚忍和辛勤在各个行业工作，很快在他们所做的行业中赢得了诚实和高效率的名声；因此，雇佣她们的人数不胜数。布鲁斯特先生开办了一家印刷厂，出版关于自由的书籍；这一做法正如他早已料到的那样，触怒了不开化的詹姆斯国王。随着英国国内的压迫越来越严重，越来越多的人来到了荷兰。
The instinct of separation was strong within the Pilgrim heart. They could not bear the thought that their little colony was to mingle with the Dutchmen and lose its independent existence. But already their sons and daughters were forming alliances which threatened this result. The Fathers considered long and anxiously how the danger was to be averted. They determined again to go on pilgrim age. They would seek a home beyond the Atlantic, where they could dwell apart and found a State in which they should be free to think.
清教徒内心中对隔离都有强烈的直觉。他们无法忍受他们那片小小净土混杂着荷兰人而失去独立性的想法。但是她们的子女的联姻已经威胁到了这一结果。先驱们考虑了很久，忧心忡忡，想着如何避免这样的危险。他们决定再次踏上朝圣之路。他们想要在大西洋之外寻求家园，在那里他们就可以与世人隔绝，建立一个能自由思考的国度。
