母仪天下(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。
母仪天下
In 1711, Peter the Great of Russia did battle with the Ottoman Empire. At the Pruth River, he and his army were trapped and surrounded by forces four times as strong. Peter wanted to break out of the encirclement, but his wife Catherine, who accompanied him on the campaign, realised that such a move would be suicidal. She persuaded Peter to sent a letter to the Grand Vizier, to which she appended all her valuables. This decided the matter. The Turks agreed to negotiations, and peace was concluded.
Catherine was not only wise, but had heart and compassion. After Peter's death, she ascended the throne. Unlike the despots who had ruled Russia before her, she wanted her reign to be underpinned by the will of the people rather than their fear."I hope," she said,"I shall always act as a mother of my people." And she did what she said.
一七一一年，俄国彼得大帝率军和土耳其帝国交战，在普鲁特河中伏，被四倍他兵力的敌军围困。他准备突围，但陪同他出征的凯瑟琳皇后知道突围等于送死，于是说服丈夫致函土耳其大宰相。凯瑟琳还把自己所有珍贵物品随函送出。这一着十分成功。土耳其人答应谈判，双方缔结和约。
凯瑟琳不但聪明，而且慈爱为怀，彼得去世后，继承帝位。她和俄国历代独裁者不同，不要恐怖统治，而要以民意为政权的基础。她说：「我希望能够做百姓的母亲。」她没有食言。