故国遥看未敢回(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。

故国遥看未敢回
in january 330, alexander the great reached the capital of the persian empire, where he found 4000 greeks, who had been made prisoners by the persians. the hands and feet of some of them, and the noses and ears of others, had been cut off, and their faces branded with hot irons. alexander assured them that they should again see their families and native country.
"alas!" answered they,"how will it be possible for us to appear before all greece in this dreadful condition? the best way to bear misery is to conceal it." they entreated that they might be permitted to end their days among those accustomed to their misfortunes. alexander therefore gave to each of them 3000 drachmas, two couple of oxen to plough with, and a quantity of corn to sow. he also commanded the governor of the province to protect them.

公元三三○年一月,亚历山大大帝来到波斯帝国的首都,看见四千个遭波斯俘虏的希腊人,其中一些人被斩去了手脚,其余的则被割去了耳鼻,面孔也用烙铁烧了印记。亚历山大告诉他们说,会让他们重返故国再见家人。
众俘虏回答说:「唉,我们这样凄惨,在所有希腊人面前,怎能现身?忍受苦痛,最好的办法,是把苦痛隐藏。」他们希望在惯见其惨状的人之中,度过残生,请亚历山大答应这要求。亚历山大于是给他们每个人三千德拉克马银币,并各给四只牛和一些谷粒,以供耕种。他还命令行省总督好好保护这四千人。