The minute hand, being quick at figures, presently replied,

擅长计算的分钟随即回答：

"Eighty-six thousand four hundred times." "Exactly so," replied the pendulum.

“86400次。”“一点不错，”钟摆说，

Well, I appeal to you all, if the very thought of this was not enough to fatigue anyone;

那么，我希望大家注意，假若仅仅这点还不能使任何人疲惫至极，

and when I began to multiply the strokes of one day by those of months and years, really it was no wonder if I felt discouraged at the prospect.

如果再将每天每月每年的数字翻倍累计，我对前途感到沮丧失望，感到累得无处可逃，这，难道还有什么奇怪吗？

So, after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation, thinks I to myself, I'll stop.

考虑到这些理由，犹豫再三，经过反复琢磨，我决定罢工。

The dial could scarcely keep its countenance during this harangue;

钟摆诉苦时，表盘几乎无法保持它的沉稳表情，

but, resuming its gravity, thus replied,

稍微定神恢复常态后，表盘开口了，

Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such a useful, industrious person as yourself should have been seized by this sudden weariness.

亲爱的钟摆先生，像你这样勤勉能干的人，竟然被突如其来的疲惫压垮，让人匪夷所思。

It is true, you have done a great deal of work in your time; so have we all,and are likely to do;

在你任职期间，你的确做了大量工作，难道在座诸位不亦拼命干活？工作不亦将继续如此？

which, although it may fatigue us to think of, the question is, whether it will fatigue us to do.

尽管想到这点，我们或许都疲惫不堪，问题在于，继续做下去难道使我们疲惫不堪？

Would you now do me the favor to give about half a dozen strokes to illustrate my argument?

你能否帮我个忙，再摆动滴答六七下，以证明我所言不虚？”

The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual pace.

按照正常的节奏，钟摆顺从地滴答了六次。

"Now," resumed the dial, "may I be allowed to inquire if that exertion is at all fatiguing or disagreeable to you?"

“好了，”表盘接着说，“可否允许我向你提个问题？说到底，这样干活让你生烦讨厌？”

"Not in the least," replied the pendulum; "it is not of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty, but of millions."

“一点也不，”钟摆回答，“我抱怨的不是滴答六次，不是六十次，而是数以百万计的六次。”