It was a time when wise men

在那个时代，智者

Were not silent, but stifled

不是变安静，而是被消音。

By vast noise. They took refuge

排山倒海的喧哗。于是他们从

In books that were not read.

不被阅读的书中找到庇所。

Two counsellors had the ear

两个思想官赢得了大众的耳朵。

Of the public. One cried 'Buy'

一个高喊“买—买—买”，

Day and Night, and the other,

昼夜不停，而另一个

More plausibly, 'Sell your repose'.

说得更动听：“出售你的安宁”。