从容就义(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。
从容就义
when the saracens besieged the italian city of beneventum in 874, the lombards decided to seek the help of the greeks. a fearless citizen dropped from the walls, and accomplished his mission to greece. as he was returning to beneventum, he fell into the hands of the saracens. they commanded him to deceive his countrymen, with the assurance that wealth and honours should be the reward of his sincerity, and that his falsehood would be punished with immediate death. he agreed.
but as soon as he was conducted within hearing of the lombards on the rampart, he cried out,"friends and brethren, be bold and patient, maintain the city. your deliverers are at hand. i know my doom, and commit my wife and children to your gratitude." he was killed on the spot.

公元八七四年,撤拉逊人围攻意大利贝尼温敦城,城中的伦巴人决定向希腊求援。一个勇士下了城墙,去到希腊,完成使命,回城途中,落在撤拉逊人手上。撤拉逊人要他向同胞使诈,说只要他听话,保证可享荣华富贵;不听话,将马上处死,他答应了。
他被带去向城头上的伦巴人喊话。他立刻高喊:「各位朋友,各位同胞,你们要勇敢,要坚忍,守住城池。救兵快来了。我知道自己劫数难逃,希望你们感我所为,照顾我妻子儿女。」他当场被杀。
【附注】 at hand是「在附近」或「即将到来」的意思,例如: he believes that the end of the world is at hand(他认为世界末日即将到来)。