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On this it was propos'd that we should each of us, at our next meeting, produce a piece of our own composing, in order to improve by our mutual observations, criticisms, and corrections.
关于写诗，这时有人提议，为了相互观摩、批评和改进，我们每人在下次会面时拿出一篇自己写的诗来。
As language and expression were what we had in view, we excluded all considerations of invention by agreeing that the task should be a version of the eighteenth Psalm, which describes the descent of a Deity.
因为我们的目标只限于语言和表达方式，我们不考虑虚构幻想，我们大家同意我们的课题是改写《诗篇》第十八篇，这一篇描述上帝的降临。
When the time of our meeting drew nigh, Ralph called on me first, and let me know his piece was ready.
当会期将到时，雷夫首先来访我，告诉我他的诗已经写好了。
I told him I had been busy, and, having little inclination, had done nothing.
我告诉他我一直没空，也没有兴趣，因此没有写。
He then show'd me his piece for my opinion, and I much approv'd it, as it appear'd to me to have great merit.
然后他给我看他的诗，并征求我的意见，我十分欣赏它，因为在我看来它好像是一首十分优秀的诗。
"Now," says he, "Osborne never will allow the least merit in anything of mine, but makes 1000 criticisms out of mere envy.
他说：“但是奥斯朋决不肯承认我的任何作品会有一丝一毫的优点，由于忌妒，他总是千方百计地加以攻击。
He is not so jealous of you; I wish, therefore, you would take this piece, and produce it as yours; I will pretend not to have had time, and so produce nothing. We shall then see what he will say to it."
他对你并不怎样妒忌。因此我希望你拿着这首诗，把它当作你自己的交出去，我将假装没有空交白卷。那么我可以看他有什么话可讲。”
It was agreed, and I immediately transcrib'd it, that it might appear in my own hand.
我同意了，我立刻把它誊了一篇，使它看起来好像是我写的。
We met; Watson's performance was read; there were some beauties in it, but many defects.
我们开会了。华生的诗读了出来，里面有些佳句，但是缺点很多。
Osborne's was read; it was much better; Ralph did it justice; remarked some faults, but applauded the beauties.
奥斯朋的读了出来，比华生的好多了。雷夫主持公道：他指出了一些缺点，但是称赞了它的佳句。
I was backward; seemed desirous of being excused; had not had sufficient time to correct, etc.; but no excuse could be admitted; produce I must.
我很忸怩，好像想请求免交似的，说我没有时间加以修改等等的话，但是他们不允许任何借口，我必须把诗读出来。
It was read and repeated; Watson and Osborne gave up the contest, and join'd in applauding it.
所以我的诗就读了出来而且重复了一遍，华生和奥斯朋自认输了，退出了竞赛，跟大伙儿一起热烈地赞扬着。
Ralph only made some criticisms, and propos'd some amendments; but I defended my text.
雷夫仅仅提出了一些批评，建议作一些修改，但是我替我的原文辩护。
Osborne was against Ralph, and told him he was no better a critic than poet, so he dropt the argument.
奥斯朋反对雷夫，说他的批评比他的诗高明不了多少，所以雷夫就不再争辩了。
As they two went home together, Osborne expressed himself still more strongly in favor of what he thought my production; having restrain'd himself before, as he said, lest I should think it flattery.
当他们两人一起回去时，奥斯朋对被他当作是我的作品更加赞不绝口，他说他早先抑止了他自己，因为他说他怕说出来我会认为是当面阿谀。
"But who would have imagin'd," said he, "that Franklin had been capable of such a performance; such painting, such force, such fire!
“但是过去谁想得到，”他说，“富兰克林能写出这样的作品，如此绘声绘色，如此坚强有力，如此热情！
He has even improv'd the original. In his common conversation he seems to have no choice of words; he hesitates and blunders; and yet, good God! how he writes!"
他甚至改进了原来的《诗篇》。在他日常谈话中他好像词不达意，他讲话疙疙瘩瘩错误百出。但是天啊！他写得多好呀！”
When we next met, Ralph discovered the trick we had plaid him, and Osborne was a little laughed at.
当我们下次会见时，雷夫揭穿了我们向他开的玩笑，大家都笑了奥斯朋一阵。
This transaction fixed Ralph in his resolution of becoming a poet.
这一事件使雷夫立意要成为一个诗人。
I did all I could to dissuade him from it, but he continued scribbling verses till Pope cured him.
我尽我之所能劝阻他，但是他继续写诗，直到蒲柏治了他。
He became, however, a pretty good prose writer. More of him hereafter.
但是，他后来成了一个相当好的散文家，以后我还要提到他。
But, as I may not have occasion again to mention the other two, I shall just remark here, that Watson died in my arms a few years after, much lamented, being the best of our set.
但是因为也许我以后不再有机会提到其他两个，我在这里交代一下：过了几年，华生躺在我的怀抱里死去了，使我大为悲痛，他是我们当中最优秀的一个人。
Osborne went to the West Indies, where he became an eminent lawyer and made money, but died young.
奥斯朋到西印度群岛去了，在那里他成了一个著名的律师，赚了钱，但是早年夭折了。
He and I had made a serious agreement, that the one who happen'd first to die should, if possible, make a friendly visit to the other, and acquaint him how he found things in that separate state.
我和他曾经认真地订了一个合同：谁先死，如果可能的话，就应当向另外的一个人作一个友好的探访，告诉他死后的情况如何。
But he never fulfill'd his promise.
但是他从来没有履行他的诺言。
