Patrick Henry，1730 — 1799，was born in Hanover County，Virginia.He received instruction in Latin and mathematics from his father，but seemed to develop a greater fondness for hunting，fishing，and playing the fiddle than for study.Twice he was set up in business，and twice failed before he was twenty-four.He was then admitted to the bar after six weeks' study of the law.He got no business at first in his profession，but lived with his father-in-law.His wonderful powers of oratory first showed themselves in a celebrated case which he argued in Hanover Courthouse，his own father being the presiding magistrate.He began very awkwardly，but soon rose to a surprising height of eloquence，won his case against great odds，and was carried off in triumph by the delighted spectators.His fame was now established；business flowed in，and he was soon elected to the Virginia Legislature.He was a delegate to the Congress of 1774，and in 1775 made the prophetic speech of which the following selection is a portion.It was his own motion that the “colony be immediately put in a state of defense.”During the Revolution he was，for several years，Governor of Virginia.In 1788 he earnestly opposed the adoption of the Federal Constitution.When he died，he left a large family and an ample fortune.In person，Mr.Henry was tall and rather awkward，with a face stern and grave.When he spoke on great occasions，his awkwardness forsook him，his face lighted up，and his eyes flashed with a wonderful fire.In his life，he was good-humored，honest，and temperate.His patriotism was of the noblest type；and few men in those stormy times did better service for their country than him.
It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope.We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth，and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.Is this the part of wise men，engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty？Are we disposed to be of the number of those，who，having eyes，see not，and having ears，hear not the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation？For my part，whatever anguish of spirit it may cost，I am willing to know the whole truth；to know the worst，and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided；and that is the lamp of experience.I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past；and，judging by the past，I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house？Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received？Trust it not: it will prove a snare to your feet.Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.Ask yourselves，how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation？Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love？Let us not deceive ourselves.These are the implements of war and subjugation，——the last arguments to which kings resort.
I ask，gentlemen，what means this martial array，if its purpose be not to force us into submission？Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it？Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world，to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies？No，she has none.They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.And what have we to oppose to them？Shall we try argument？We have been trying that for the last ten years.Have we anything new to offer upon the subject？Nothing.We have held the subject up in every light in which it was capable；but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication？What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted？Let us not，I beseech you，deceive ourselves longer.We have done everything that could be done，to avert the storm which is now coming on.We have petitioned；we have remonstrated；we have supplicated；we have prostrated ourselves at the foot of the throne，and implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical bands of the ministry and parliament.Our petitions have been slighted；our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult；our supplications disregarded；and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne.
In vain，after these things，may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.There is no longer any room for hope.If we wish to be free；if we mean to preserve those inviolate and inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending；if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged，and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained——we must fight！I repeat it，we must fight！An appeal to arms and the God of Hosts，is all that is left us.
They tell us that we are weak；unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.But when shall we be stronger？Will it be the next week，or the next year？Will it be when we are totally disarmed，and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house？Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction？Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs，and hugging the delusive phantom of hope，until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot？We are not weak，if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
Three millions of people，armed in the holy cause of liberty，and in such a country as that which we possess，are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.Besides，we shall not fight our battles alone.There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations；and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.The battle is not to the strong alone；it is to the vigilant，the active，the brave.Besides，we have no election.If we were base enough to desire it，it is now too late to retire from the contest.There is no retreat but in submission and slavery！Our chains are forged.Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston！The war is inevitable；and；let it come！I repeat it，let it come！
It is in vain to extenuate the matter.Gentlemen may cry peace，peace；but there is no peace.The war is actually begun.The next gale that sweeps from the north，will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms！Our brethren are already in the field！Why stand we here idle？What is it that gentlemen wish？What would they have？Is life so dear，or peace so sweet，as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery？Forbid it，Almighty God！I know not what course others may take；but as for me，give me liberty，or give me death.
译文 TRANSLATION
帕特里克·亨利（1736—1799）出生于弗吉尼亚州汉诺威县。他曾从其父学习拉丁文和数学，但似乎更多培养了对打猎、钓鱼、拉小提琴的兴趣。二十四岁前，他曾两次创业，两次失败。然后，在学习六星期法律后，他考取律师资格。最初，他生意清淡，和岳父生活在一起。但在他父亲审理的一个著名案件中，他将他精彩的演说才能发挥得淋漓尽致。开始他还有些拙涩，但很快就雄辩滔滔。结果，他不仅打赢了官司，更因此一举成名，业务蒸蒸日上。不久，他被选入弗吉尼亚立法院，并成为1774—1775年大陆会议代表。在1775年的会议上，他做了一个划时代的演说。他的座右铭是“殖民地必须立刻进入防卫状态”。在独立战争期间，他曾任过几年弗吉尼亚州州长。1788年，他积极反对联邦宪法。亨利去世后，留下了众多子嗣和大笔财产。外表上，亨利高大、笨拙，神情冷峻、严肃。在重大场合演讲时，他就一改平日的笨拙，表情生动，双目熠熠，如火如焰。在生活中，亨利正直、温和，性情好。他拥有最为高贵的爱国情操，在他所处的那个疾风骤雨的年代，就报效国家而言，几乎没有人比他做得更好。
沉溺于希望的幻觉是人的天性。我们习惯于对痛苦的事实闭上眼睛，倾听塞壬的歌声直到她把我们变成牲畜。难道为了自由而投身于伟大卓绝的斗争的智者亦复如此？难道我们愿意与那些有眼睛、有耳朵，却对关乎他们自我拯救的事闭目塞听的人为伍！对于我，无论付出怎样的精神痛苦，我都愿意知道全部真相，知道最坏的一切，并为之做好准备。
我只有一盏灯引导我的双脚，那就是经验之灯。我知道只有凭借过去才能判断未来，此外别无他法。而根据过去的经验来判断，我倒想知道，英国政府过去十年的所作所为中有什么足以作为那些希望的理由，而各位先生却一直欣然地以之来抚慰自己和议会？难道就是近来在受理我们请愿时的那种阴险的微笑吗？不要相信它，事实将证明它是你们脚下的陷阱。不要被亲吻出卖！诸位不妨自问，接受我们请愿时的谦和、仁爱怎么能和封锁我们的海域、让我们的土地愁云惨淡的大肆备战相称？难道为了促成爱与和解必须动用战舰和军队吗？难道我们表示过绝不和解，以致要诉诸武力来赢回我们的爱吗？我们不要再欺骗自己了。这些都是战争和征服的工具，是国王采取的最后论辩手段。
先生们，我要请问如果不是为了迫使我们就范，这些战争部署又意味着什么？先生们能为其设定其他动机吗？难道在世界的这一角，大不列颠还有别的敌人值得它如此兴师动众，集结起所有的海陆武装？不，她没有。这些军队都是针对我们的，而不是针对别人的。他们是奉命来给我们套上捆紧那条由英国政府长期以来铸造的锁链的。我们有什么来进行抵抗？还靠辩论吗？十年来，我们一直在辩个不停。这个话题还有什么新鲜内容吗？没有了。我们已经仔仔细细地讨论过这个议题，但总是徒劳无功。
我们还要用恳请与卑辞哀告的方式？我们还能找到什么没有使用过的措辞？我请求大家，千万不要再欺骗自己了。为了避免这场即将来临的风暴，我们已经做了该做的一切。我们曾请愿，我们曾抗议，我们曾哀求；我们曾匍匐于英王御座前，恳请他介入以制止国会和内阁的残暴行径。但，我们的请愿被轻忽，我们的抗议引来更多的暴力和侮辱，我们的哀求被漠然置之，我们被英王轻蔑地唾弃。
全都是徒劳，经历了这么多，难道我们还沉迷于和平、和解的迷梦？现在已无希望可言。假如我们想自由，并维护我们长期以来为之拼搏的不容侵犯的珍贵的权利，假如我们不愿卑鄙地放弃这高贵的斗争，我们多年致力于此，并誓言不达成那辉煌的目标绝不放弃，那么，我们就必须战斗！我再说一遍，我们必须战斗！我们只有诉诸武力，只有吁请万军之主耶和华。这是我们所能做的一切。
据说我们太弱小了，无法抵御这样的强敌。但是我们何时才能变得更强大？是下周，还是明年？难道要等到我们被彻底解除武装，每家每户都驻扎了英国士兵的时候？难道我们要凭借犹豫迟疑、无所作为来积聚力量？难道我们要抱着希望缥缈的幻影，四仰八叉地躺着，直至敌人捆住了我们的手脚，才能找到有效的御敌之策？我们并不弱小，只要我们能善用自然之神赐予我们的力量。
为了神圣的自由事业，在我们拥有的广袤土地上，武装起来的三百万民众是不可战胜的，无论我们的敌人派遣任何军队都无法战胜我们。而且我们并非孤军作战，公正的上帝主宰着万国的命运，他将号召朋友们与我们并肩作战。战斗的胜利并不只属于强者。它属于那些机警、主动、勇敢的人们。此外，我们已别无选择。即使我们卑劣到想退出战斗，亦已为时太晚。退却就意味着遭受屈辱和奴役。囚禁我们的锁链已经铸就。它的铿锵已经响彻在波士顿平原。战争已不可避免——那就让它来吧！我要再说一遍，让它来吧！
息事宁人是徒劳的。各位先生可以高呼：和平！和平！但根本就不存在和平。战争实际上已经打响。下一次从北方席卷而来的风暴将把炮火的轰鸣带到我们耳畔。我们的手足已经浴血沙场！为什么我们还在这里无所事事？诸位先生期望什么？又将得到什么？难道生命如此珍贵，和平这般甜美，竟至愿以镣铐和奴役为代价？全能的主啊，请您制止这样的行径！我不知道别人会怎样应对；至于我，不自由，毋宁死！
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