It was a time when wise men

有些时候 智者

Were not silent, but stifled

不再沉默 但窒息于

By vast noise. They took refuge

轰鸣的噪音 他们

In books that were not read.

在陌生的书籍里避难

Two counsellors had the ear

两个智囊 都有

Of the public. One cried 'Buy'

大众的耳朵 一个日夜高喊

Day and Night, and the other,

“买啊” 另一个

More plausibly, 'Sell your repose'.

则真诚地说 “把安逸卖了吧”