决斗(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。
决　斗
in 1793, the prussian officers of the garrison of colberg established an economical mess. they observed one day an old major of hussars, who was covered with the scars of wounds received in the seven years' war. the conversation turned on duels.
a young stout-built cornet began to prate in an authorative tone on the subject."and you, major, how many duels have you fought?"
"none, thank heaven," answered the old major."i have 14 wounds, and, heaven be praised, there is not one in my back."
"but you shall fight a duel with me," said the cornet, reaching across to give him a blow. the major, agitated, was getting up when all the other officers present cried,"don't stir, major!" the officers joined in seizing the cornet. they threw him out at the window, and sat down again to table as if nothing had occurred.

一七九三年,科尔伯格 卫戍部队的普鲁士军官成立廉价食堂。有一天,他们看见一个年长的轻骑兵少校,身上满是七年战争期间所受伤疤。大家渐渐谈到决斗。
一个年轻壮健的掌旗军官以很权威的语气,在这话题上夸夸其谈。「少校,你身经几场决斗?」
那年长少校回答:「谢天谢地,一场都没有。我身上有十四个伤疤,值得庆幸的,是都来自和敌人正面交锋,背上一个伤疤都没有。」
那掌旗军官说:「但你得和我决斗。」他伸手到对面,打了那少校一下。那少校很愤慨,正要站起来,在场所有其他军官高喊:「少校,不要动!」他们合力抓住那掌旗军官,从窗口抛出去,然后若无其事,再次坐下来吃饭。