网开一面(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。
网开一面
the battle of bailen was fought in 1808 between napoleonic troops and the spanish army under general reding. on the evening before the battle, several dragoons brought before reding about 20 peasants, who were arrested for trying to provide water to the enemy. the peasants knew well that death was to be their punishment, but one of them made bold to say to reding,"general, we have done wrong. however, our huts and corn were a prey to the flames. no prospect but starvation remained to us for the approaching winter, and the french paid two reales for a glass of water."
tears sparkled in reding's eyes. he gave every peasant a piece of gold worth five ducats, saying,"divide the water among your countrymen, and leave the french to me." he would not stop to receive their thanks, but immediately withdrew.

一八○八年,拿破仑部队和雷丁将军率领的西班牙军队在拜伦交战。战争前一晚,几个龙骑兵把约二十个农人抓到雷丁跟前。这些农人被捕,是因为准备供水给法军。他们很清楚惩罚是死刑,但一人向雷丁大胆陈词:「将军,我们错了,不过,我们的木屋、谷物都被火烧掉,而冬天将临,我们只会饿死。法国人出两个雷阿尔买一杯水。」
雷丁热泪盈眶。他给每个农人一块值五个达卡特的黄金,告诉他们:「把水分给同胞吧,法国人留给我应付。」他马上转身离去,没有让农人道谢。
【附注】
雷丁在拜伦战役之中大败法军。