美女和野兽(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。
美女和野兽
james i, king of england in the early 17th century, and his queen were once present at a combat between bull dogs and lions, at that time frequent in london. one of the maids of honour to the queen was attended by a young man, who was much attached to her, but whom she treated with indifference. the lady, either to prove the strength of his passion, or to get rid of him, dropped one of her gloves upon the stage, and turning to the gentleman, affected to be extremely concerned at her loss.
the young man knew what this meant, and quitting his seat very coolly, walked upon the stage with his sword drawn. he then picked up the glove, returned to his seat, and restored to the lady her glove, to everyone's admiration. having vindicated his courage, he very properly punished the coquette by taking no further notice of her.

十七世纪初英王詹姆斯一世有一次和王后一起,观看当时伦敦流行的斗牛犬与狮子决斗。王后有一名侍女,获一年轻人殷勤照顾,但不为所动。也不知是要考验他的爱意还是要打发他离去,那侍女把一只手套掉到狮犬决斗台上,转头望着那年轻人,装出很不开心的样子。
那年轻人明白她的意思,不动声色,起身离座,拔出佩剑,走到决斗台上,拾起手套,回到座席,把手套交还那侍女,赢得全场赞叹。他证实了自己的勇气之后,就不再理睬那卖弄风情的侍女,给了她应得的惩罚。
【附注】
vindicate常解作「证明清白」或「为……辩护」,例如: fresh evidence completely vindicated the defendant(新的证据,证实被告完全无罪