Yes, yes, the queen said impatiently, "but first we must stop this filth from spreading further. The council must issue an edict. Any man heard speaking of incest or calling Joff a bastard should lose his tongue for it."
“好好好,”太后不耐烦地说,“但我们先得阻止这龌龊东西继续散播,发布谕令,谁敢说起乱伦,或指称小乔为私生子,就把谁的舌头拔掉。”
A prudent measure, said Grand Maester Pycelle, his chain of office clinking as he nodded. "A folly," sighed Tyrion. "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."
“明智之举。”派席尔国师点头,学士颈链随之晃动。“根本是乱来,”提利昂叹口气,“拔下一个人的舌头,非但不能证明他是骗子,反而让全世界知道你有多害怕他想说的话。”
So what would you have us do? his sister demanded.
“那你倒是说说看,我们该怎么做?”姐姐质问。
Very little. Let them whisper, they'll grow bored with the tale soon enough. Any man with a thimble of sense will see it for a clumsy attempt to justify usurping the crown. Does Stannis offer proof? How could he, when it never happened? Tyrion gave his sister his sweetest smile.
“什么也别做,由他们去说,过不多久自然烟消云散。只要稍有常识的人,都会把这事当成他们为夺权篡位所编造出的拙劣藉口。史坦尼斯可有证据?明明就是空穴来风,他上那儿找证据?”提利昂朝姐姐露出他最甜美的笑容。
That's so, she had to say. "Still..."
“话是没错,”她不得不说,“可……”
Your Grace, your brother has the right of this. Petyr Baelish steepled his fingers. "If we attempt to silence this talk, we only lend it credence. Better to treat it with contempt, like the pathetic lie it is. And meantime, fight fire with fire."
“陛下,您弟弟说得没错,”培提尔·贝里席十指交搭,“假如我们试图制止谣言,只会显得真有其事,还不如嗤之以鼻,反正不过是个可笑的谎言。同时呢,我们可以以其人之道还治其人之身。”
Cersei gave him a measuring look. "What sort of fire?"
瑟曦打量了他一眼,“怎么个还治其人之身?”