安贫的国王(英中对照)

古德明《征服英语》之英语军事故事，古德明，香港英语教育作家，他开了一个《征服英语专栏》，在专栏中专门用英语写了世界近代史上的军事小故事，用英语讲述历史中那些惊心动魄的战争。

安贫的国王

after alexander the great had subdued sidon, he asked whether any of the royal family of sidon was living, that he might set him on the throne. abdalonymus was mentioned to alexander.
notwithstanding his birth, abdalonymus had fallen into such poverty that he had to support himself by the cultivation of a kitchen garden. alexander's men found him, and conducted him to alexander, who was desirous of learning in what manner he bore his poverty."i wish," said abdalonymus,"i may bear my new condition as well. these hands have ministered to all my necessities; and as i possessed nothing, i wanted nothing."

alexander was so pleased with this reply that he not only gave abdalonymus the crown, but also augmented the new king's dominions from a neighbouring country.
亚历山大大帝征服西顿之后，问西顿王室有没有传人在世，想把王位给他。有人向亚历山大提到阿达朗尼马斯。
阿达朗尼马斯虽然生于王室，但家道中落，囊箧萧疏，得以花园作菜圃，耕种自给。亚历山大的手下找到他，带到亚历山大跟前。亚历山大想了解他贫居的生活，阿达朗尼马斯说：「我过新的生活，假如能像贫居时一样，那就好了。我这双手，一直满足了我一切需要；我向来一无所有，也就一无所求。」
亚历山大听到这个回答，十分高兴，不但把王位给了阿达朗尼马斯，还取邻国土地，扩展这位新国王的领土。