It was a time when wise men

这样的时代，智者并不沉默，

Were not silent, but stifled

只是被无尽的嘈杂声

By vast noise. They took refuge

窒息了。于是退避于

In books that were not read.

那些无人阅读的书。

Two counsellors had the ear

两位策士的话

Of the public. One cried 'Buy'

得到公众倾听。一位日夜不停地

Day and Night, and the other,

喊：“买！”另一位更有见地，

More plausibly, 'Sell your repose'.

他说：“卖，卖掉你们的宁静。”