马拉松战役(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。
马拉松战役
the battle of marathon was fought in 490 bc, when the persians became enervated by luxury and servitude, and the athenians were animated by their freedom. in this battle, 9,000 athenians defeated the invading army of 25,000 persians, and pursued them to their very ships, of which they took seven.
one cynegirus, after performing prodigies of valour in the field, endeavoured to prevent a persian galley from putting to sea. he held it fast with his right hand; when his right hand was cut off, he seized the galley with his left, which being also cut off, he fought the enemy with his teeth until he was killed. another soldier, all covered with the blood of the enemy, ran the 26 miles from the battlefield to athens to announce the victory. after crying out,"rejoice, we are conquerors!" he fell dead.

马拉松战役发生于公元前四九○年。当时波斯人在骄奢、劳役之下,颓堕委靡;雅典人则在自由之中,发扬蹈厉。是役雅典以九千人,打败入侵的二万五千波斯军,一直追到波斯船停泊处,夺去七艘。
有个士兵叫西奈吉鲁斯,战场上已见一身是胆,这时力阻一艘波斯战船逃回海上。他用右手抓紧战船,右手被砍下之后,改用左手,左手也被砍断,就用牙齿作战,终于战死。还有一个士兵,浑身是敌人鲜血,从战场跑了二十六英里回到雅典报捷,高喊「庆祝吧,我们战胜了」之后,倒地死去。
【附注】马拉松平原位在雅典以东,东临爱琴海。