欣赏导读

　　George Washington (1732-1799)，美利坚合众国的奠基人、第一任总统（1789-1797）。大种植园主家庭出身，早年在英国殖民军中服务。1775年北美独立战争爆发，同年6月15日被任命为13州起义部队总司令，7月3日在马萨诸塞州剑桥就任，直到胜利。下面的这封情书是他在任职前写给其妻的。正是“屡别华容改，长愁意情微。义将恩爱隔，情与故人归。”

　　情书精髓

　　You may believe me, when I assure you in the most solemn manner that, so far from seeking this employment, I have used every effort in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness¹ to part with you and the family, but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity; and I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home that I have the most distant prospect² of finding abroad; if my stay were to be seven times seven years. But as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that has my undertaking³ it is designed to answer some good purpose...

　　I shall rely confidently on that Providence⁴ which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall. I shall feel no pain from the toil⁵ or danger of the campaign; my unhappiness will flow from the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone. I therefore beg that you will summon your whole fortitude⁶, and pass your times agreeably as possible. Nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to hear it from your own pen.

　　George Washington

　　1775

　　您应当相信我，当我以最庄严的方式向您保证时，我没有谋求这个职位， 我已就我所能竭力回避这个职位。 不仅仅是我不愿意与您和家人离别，而是由于我有自知之明，深感力不从心，难以胜任， 我宁愿与您在家享受一个月人间的天伦多乐，要是我在那呆七七四十九天，这乐趣在异乡得到最好的期望也无法比拟。 但既然命中注定委任我， 我只愿接受此任是为了实现崇高的目的……

　　我将完全依赖于上帝，上帝一直在保佑和厚待我。 今秋我一定安全无恙地回到您的身边。 我不会因军营的磨练和危险而感痛苦， 您独自一人在家，我知道您会感到不安，您的不安却会使我忧心忡忡。 正因如此，我求您鼓足勇气，尽可能愉快地欢度时光。 再也没有比这更令我欣慰，再也没有什么比您亲笔写信能给我欣慰。

　　乔治华盛顿

　　1775年

　　生 词 本文含义

　　assure v.向…保证告知确实如此，以解除怀疑

　　solemn adj.庄严的极认真，严肃和庄严的

　　agreeably adv.令人愉快的，惬意的符合某人的爱好的；令人愉快的

　　destiny n.注定一个事件预先决定的，超越了人的能力和控制的过程

　　undertaking n.任务；承担的任务；事业