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The man was silent.
这个陌生人停下话来。
"What did Carasierra do?" I asked.
“卡拉西尔拉干了什么呢？”我问道。
"That ambition was driving him all the time," he said. "He knew that he was the greatest scientist in the world, and he was determined to show it. As long as the germ on which he was working seemed the most wonderful thing ever invented, he was more than content. But before he had completed it, another inspiration came to him and drove him away. I tried everything: threats, appeals to him to think of our ancient glory, even bribes. But nothing would turn him from his project. The splendor of his new inspiration gripped him, and he was like a man drugged.
“这个志向始终鼓舞着他，”他说道，“他知道他是这个世界上最伟大的科学家，他决定证明给世人看。只要他想到研究着的细菌是有史以来最伟大的发明，他就心满意足了。但在他完成研究之前，他又有了另一种灵感，他把心思放到了别的上面。我试了一切办法劝他改变主意：威胁他，恳请他想想我们旧时的荣耀，甚至是贿赂他。但是什么也不能使他放弃他的新想法。他的新想法牢牢吸引着他，以至于他像犯了毒瘾一样不能自拔。”
"And the splendor of our positions faded like dreams. We were so nearly one of the Great Powers but for a fancy that came to this man's mind."
“而我们国家地位的光荣梦想像肥皂泡一样被灭了。我们差点就成为一个强大的国家，如果卡拉西尔拉脑中没有出现那种幻想的话。”
"What was Carasierra's fancy?" I asked.
“是什么幻想呢？”我问道。
"I will tell you," he said. "Day after day I went to his laboratory and appealed to him, almost with tears, to return to his work for us. But no, he would not listen. I gave him every chance. But at last I had to threaten him with death.
“我告诉你吧，”他说道，“我每天都去他的实验室，声泪倶下地乞求他为我们继续工作。但他一点也不听。我给了他很多机会，但最终我只得以死亡威胁他。
