GLADIATIOR
MAXIMUS: 1)Archers, three weeks from now I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line, stay with me, if you find yourself alone riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled for you are in the Elysium, and you're already dead. Brothers, what we do alive echoes in eternity!
CAESAR: Tell me again, Maximus, why are we here.
MAXIMUS: For the Glory of the empire, 2)Sire.
CAESAR: Ah yes, ah yes I remember. Do you see that map, Maximus? That is the world which I created. For 25 years, I have conquered, spilt blood, expanded the empire. Since I became Caesar, I've known 4 years without war. 4 years of peace in 20! And for what, I brought the sword, nothing more?
MAXIMUS: Caesar, your life...
CAESAR: Please, don't call me that. Come, please. Come sit. Let us talk together now, very simply asmen. Well, Maximus, talk.
MAXIMUS: 5,000 of my men are out there on the freezing mud. 3,000 of them are bloodied and 3)cleaved. 2,000 will never leave this place. I will not believe that they fought and died for nothing.
CAESAR: And what would you believe?
MAXIMUS: They fought for you, and for Rome.
CAESAR: And what is Rome, Maximus?
MAXIMUS: I've seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark. Rome is the light.
CAESAR: And yet you've never been there, you have not seen what it has become. I am dying, Maximus! When a man sees his end, he wants to know there was some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in years to come? Will I be known as the philosopher, the warrior, the tyrant? Or will I be the emperor who gave Rome back her true self? There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish. It was so fragile, and I fear that it will not survive the winter. Maximus, let us whisper now, together now you and I. You have a son, tell me about your home.
MAXIMUS: My house is in the hills above Tiupllo, a very simple place. Pink stones that warm in the sun. A kitchen garden, it smells of herbs in the day, jasmine in the evening. Through the gate is a giant 4)poplar. Figs, apples, pears, and soil mark as black, black as my wife's hair. Grapes on the south slopes, olives on the north. Wild 5)ponies playing in the house that teach my son, he always wants to be one of them.
CAESAR: Remember the last time you were home?
MAXIMUS: Two years 264 days of this morning.
CAESAR: Oh I envy you, Maximus. It's a good home, worth fighting for. There is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home.
MAXIMUS:what would you have me do ,Caesar?
CAESAR:I want you do become the Protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you to one end alone.to give power back to the people ofRome ,and end the corruption that has crippled it.
LUCILLA: Is it really so terrible seeing me again?
MAXIMUS: No, I'm tired from battle.
LUCILLA: It hurts you to see my father so fragile. Commodus expects of my father will announce his 7)succession within days. Will you serve mybrother as you served his father?
MAXIMUS: I will always serve Rome.
LUCILLA: Do you know, I still remember you in my prayers. Oh yes, I pray.
MAXIMUS: I was sad to hear of your husband's death, I mourned him.
LUCILLA: Thank you.
MAXIMUS: And I hear you have a son.
LUCILLA: Yes, Lucius. He'll be nearly eight years old.
MAXIMUS: My son is also nearly eight. I thank you for your prayers.
MAXIMUS: Ancestors, I ask for your kindness. Blessed mother, come to me with the God's desire for the future. Blessed father, watch over my wife and son with a ready sword. Whisper to them, I live only to hold them again. Ancestors, I honor you. I will try to live with the dignity you have taught me.
CAESAR: Are you ready to do your duty for Rome?
COMMODUS: Yes, father.
CAESAR: You will not be emperor.
COMMODUS: Which wise or older man is to take my place?
CAESAR: My powers will pass to Maximus to hold in trust until the senate is ready to rule once more. Rome is to be a republic again.
COMMODUS: Maximus?
CAESAR: Yes. My decision disappoints you?
COMMODUS: You wrote to me once listing the four virtues: wisdom, justice, 8)fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father: ambition that can be a virtue when it drives us to excel, 9)resourcefulness, courage -- perhaps not on the battlefield, but there are many forms of courage, devotion to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son.
CAESAR: Oh Commodus, you go too far.
COMMODUS: I search the faces of the Gods for ways to please you, to make you proud. One kind word, one full hug. When you breast me to your chest and hold me tight, it would have been like the sun on my heart for a thousand years. What is this in me you hate so much? All I've ever wanted was to have loved you, Caesar, father!
CAESAR: Commodus, your faults as a son is my failure as a father!
COMMODUS: Why?!
FALCO: Rome greets her new emperor, your loyal subjects bid you welcome highness!
COMMODUS: Thank you, Falco. And for the loyal subjects, I trust they weren't too expensive.
GRACCHUS: For your guidance, Caesar, the senate has prepared a series of 10)protocols to begin addressing the many problems in the city. Beginning with basic 11)sanitation for the Greek quarter, to combat the 12)plague which is already springing up there, so it seems that...
COMMODUS: Shush,...don't you see, Gracchus? It's the very problem, isn't it? My father spent all his time at study, at books, learning and philosophy. He spent his twilight hours reading 13)scrolls from the senate. And all the while, the people were forgotten...
GRACCHUS: But the senate is the people, Sire, chosen from among the people to speak for the people.
COMMODUS: I doubt many of the people eat as well as you do, Gracchus, or have such splendid mistresses, Gais. I think I understand my own people.
GRACCHUS: Then perhaps Caesar would be so good as to teach us, out of his own extensive experience.
COMMODUS: I call it love. I'm their father, the people are my children. And I shall hold them to my bosom and embrace them tightly.
GAIS: Have you ever embraced someone dying of plague, Sire?
COMMODUS: No, but if you interrupt me again, I assure you that you shall.
LUCILLA: Senator, my brother is very tired. Leave your list with me. Caesar shall do all that Rome requires.
GRACCHUS: My lady, as always your lightest touch commands obedience.
(Later, in the palace.)
COMMODUS: Who are they to lecture me?!
LUCILLA: Commodus, the senate has its uses.
COMMODUS: What uses? All they do is talk! Should be just you and me, and Rome.
LUCILLA: Don't even think it, there'salways been a senate.
COMMODUS: Rome has changed. It takes an emperor to rule an empire.
LUCILLA: Of course, but leave the people there.
COMMODUS: Illusion.
LUCILLA: Traditions.
COMMODUS: My father's world is for 14)barbarians. He said it himself, it achieved nothing, but the people loved him.
LUCILLA: The people always love victories.
COMMODUS: Why? Didn't they see the battles? What do they care about Romania?
LUCILLA: They care about the greatness of Rome.
COMMODUS: The greatness of Rome, and what is that?
LUCILLA: It's an idea, greatness, greatness is a vision.
COMMODUS: Exactly, a vision. Do you not see, Lucilla? I will give the people a vision of Rome, and they'll love me for it, and they'll soon forget the 15)tedious 16)sermonizing of a few dry old men. I will give the people the greatest vision of their lives.
MAN 1: Games. One hundred and fifty days of games!
MAN 2: He's cleverer than I thought.
MAN 1: Clever?! The whole of Rome will be laughing at him, if they weren't so afraid of his Pretoria.
MAN 2: Fear and wonder, a powerful combination.
MAN 1: Do you really think the people are going to be seduced by that?
MAN 2: I think he knows what Rome is -- Rome is the 17)mob.
MAN 1: To 18)conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. You take away their freedom and still they wow. The beating heart of Rome, is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand in the 19)coliseum. He'll bring them death, and they will love him for it.
MAN: On this day, we reach back to 20)hallowed 21)antiquity to bring you a recreation of the second halt of mighty 22)Carthage. On the barren plain of Zama, there stood the invincible armies of the barbarian Hannibal. 23)Ferocious 24)mercenaries and warriors from all brute nations, bent on merciless destruction, conquest. Your emperor is pleased to give you the barbarian 25)hoard!
角斗士
马克西姆斯：士兵们，三个星期后的现在，我会在收获庄稼。想想你们在哪吧，你们就会在那的。要守住阵线，和我并肩作战，如果你发现是一个人在绿野上骑马，有太阳照着你的脸，不要忧虑，因为你已经到了极乐世界，你已经死了。弟兄们，我们有生之年的所为定将不朽！
恺撒∶再跟我说说，马克西姆斯，我们为什么而战？
马克西姆斯：陛下，是为了罗马帝国的荣耀。
恺撒：啊，是的，啊，是的，我记起来了。你看到那张地图了吗，马克西姆斯？那就是我创建的世界。25年了，我去征服、抛血洒汗、拓张着帝国。自成为恺撒后，我只知道有4年是没有战争的。20年中只有4年和平！为什么我带来的只有刀光剑影，而没有别的？
马克西姆斯：恺撒，你的生命……
恺撒∶请别这么叫我。请你过来。来，坐下。我们现在只像男人一样地谈谈。好，马克西姆斯，说呀。
马克西姆斯：我有五千名士兵在外面寒冷的泥泞中。三千人受伤挂了彩。两千人将永留此地。我不信他们作战、牺牲是毫无理由的。
恺撒：那你认为是什么？
马克西姆斯：他们是为你而战，为罗马而战。
恺撒：什么是罗马，马克西姆斯？
马克西姆斯：世界其他地方我见得多了。残忍、悲惨而黑暗。罗马是光明。
恺撒∶但你没到过那儿，你没看到它什么样。我就要死了，马克西姆斯！当一个人看到生命走到尽头时，会希望他的生命是有所目的的。多年之后在史书上我将会是怎样的一个人？我将被看作是哲人、战士、还是暴君？或者是还给罗马本色的皇帝？曾经有过一个罗马的梦想。你只能轻轻地说出来。说重了，它就会消失。它是那么的脆弱，我担心它连这个冬天都挨不过去了。马克西姆斯，现在让你和我一道轻声地说吧。你有个儿子，跟我讲讲你的家吧。
马克西姆斯：我的家在西班牙特普罗的山上，是个淳朴的地方。阳光暖暖地照着粉红色的石头。白天里菜园飘着草药香，傍晚有茉莉花香。大门口有棵高大的白杨树。有无花果、苹果和梨子，泥土是黑的，黑得像我妻子的头发。南坡上种着葡萄，北坡上种着橄榄。小野马在屋子周围逗着我儿子玩耍，他总想和它们在一起。
恺撒：还记得你最后一次回家是什么时候吗？
马克西姆斯：到今早就是两年零264天了。
恺撒：哦，我真羡慕你，马克西姆斯。你的家很幸福，值得为它奋斗。在你回家之前我要请你再多担当一项职责。
马克本姆斯：你要我做什么？恺撒？
恺撒：我要你在我死后当罗马的执行官。我会把政权交给你，目的只有一个：把权力还给罗马人民，结束使它削弱的腐败。
鲁西拉：再见到我是不是真那么可怕啊？
马克西姆斯：不，是战争让我疲倦了。
鲁西拉：看到我父亲那么脆弱让你伤心了吧。卡曼杜斯希望父亲这几天宣布由他继任。你会效忠我哥哥，如同你效忠他的父亲一样吗？
马克西姆斯：我会永远为罗马效忠。
鲁西拉：你知道吗，我在祈祷中依然提起你。哦，是的，我有祈祷。
马克西姆斯：听到你丈夫的死讯我很难过，我哀悼他。
鲁西拉：谢谢你。
马克西姆斯：我还听说你有一个儿子。
鲁西拉：是的，他叫鲁修斯。快八岁了。
马克西姆斯：我儿子也快八岁了。谢谢你的祈祷。马克西姆斯：祖先，我请求你们的保佑。尊敬的母亲，请以神的力量赐福我的未来。尊敬的父亲，请用神剑照顾和保护我的妻子与儿子。悄悄地告诉他们，我活着是为了再拥抱他们。祖先，我以你们为尊荣。我会怀着你们教导我的尊严活下去。
恺撒：你准备好为罗马履行职责了吗？
卡曼杜斯：是的，父亲。
恺撒：你不会当皇帝。
卡曼杜斯：是哪位智者或长者替代了我？
恺撒：我将授权马克西姆斯督管，直到元老院准备好再统治。罗马要再行共和体制。
卡曼杜斯：马克西姆斯？
恺撒：是的。我的决定让你失望了？
卡曼杜斯：你曾经给我列出过四条美德：智慧、正义、刚毅与节制。我看的时候，知道自己一条也没有具备。可是父亲，我有别的美德：雄心也是驱使我们优秀过人的美德 ；足智多谋 ；勇气-也许不是表现在沙场上，但勇气有许多种形式；还有对家人、对你的热爱。但我的这些美德没有一条在你的列举中。你甚至还似乎不希望有我这个儿子。
恺撒：噢，卡曼杜斯，你说得太不着边际了。
卡曼杜斯：我向众神寻找可以取悦你、令你感到骄傲的办法。换来一句好话、一个全心全意的拥抱也好。你拥我入怀、紧紧抱着我的时候，我会感到心房像是给阳光照了千年般地温暖。我有什么令你如此痛恨？我所想的不过是爱你，恺撒，父亲！
恺撒：卡曼杜斯，儿子的过失也是父亲的过失啊！
卡曼杜斯：为什么？！
法科：罗马欢迎新皇帝，您忠诚的子民热诚地欢迎和祝福您！
卡曼杜斯：谢谢你，法科。至于忠诚的子民们，我相信他们不会要价太高。
格拉克斯：在您的指引下，恺撒，元老院准备好了一系列草案来陈述城内的众多问题。首先是希腊地区的卫生设施问题，那里已经在开始与瘟疫做斗争，因此似乎……
卡曼杜斯：嘘……你没看到吗，布拉克斯？这是个特别的问题，是不是？我父亲毕生钻研书本、学问与哲学。他日夜阅读元老院的奏章。而同时，人民却被忘记了……
格拉克斯：可陛下，元老院就是人民，是从人民中选出、为人民说话的。
卡曼杜斯：我不觉得有很多人可以吃得像你一样好，格拉克斯，或者有那么多美丽的情妇，盖斯。我认为我理解我的人民。
格拉克斯：那么也许恺撒会以他丰富的经验好好地教导我们了。
卡曼杜斯：我称之为爱。我是人民之父，人民是我的孩子。我会拥抱他们，紧紧地拥抱。
盖斯：你曾经拥抱过将死于瘟疫的人吗，陛下？
卡曼杜斯：没有，可你如果再打断我一次，我保证你会。
鲁西拉∶元老，我哥哥很累了。把你的奏章留给我吧。恺撒将做罗马需要的一切事情。
格拉克斯：夫人，您的一言我们都将全心服从。
（稍后，在皇宫里。）
卡曼杜斯：他们是什么人，竟然来训诫我？！
鲁西拉：卡曼杜斯，元老院有它的作用。
卡曼杜斯：什么作用？他们只知道空谈！应该只有你、我和罗马才好。
鲁西拉：想也别这么想，元老院一直都存在的。
卡曼杜斯：罗马改变了。每个皇帝统治帝国的手段是不一样的。
鲁西拉：当然了，但人民不是。
卡曼杜斯：那是幻想。
鲁西拉：是传统。
卡曼杜斯：我父亲的国度是野蛮人的国度。他自己这么说的，一无所成，而人民却爱戴他。
鲁西拉：人民总是喜欢胜利。
卡曼杜斯：为什么？他们没看到战争吗？他们对罗马尼亚关心些什么呢？
鲁西拉：他们关心罗马的强盛。
卡曼杜斯：罗马的强盛是什么？
鲁西拉：是一个观念，强大，强大是种景象。
卡曼杜斯：正是，景象。你明白吗，鲁西拉？我要给予人民一种罗马景象，他们将为此而爱我，很快他们就会忘了那几个干瘪老头的乏味说教。我要给予他们一生中最伟大的景象。
男1：赛事。150天的赛事！
男2：他比我想的要聪明。
男1：聪明？！如果不是惧怕他的禁卫军，全罗马人都会取笑他。
男2：惊怕兼具是一种强有力的结合。
男1：你真认为人们会被那所吸引吗？
男2：我想他知道罗马是怎么一回事-罗马是一群乌合之众。
男1：他给他们变戏法，分散他们的注意力。夺去了他们的自由，他们还会为此欢呼。罗马跳动的心脏不是元老院的大理石，而是竞技场的沙子。他给他们带来死亡，而他们将为此而爱戴他。
男：今天，我们重返神圣的原始时代，为你们重现神圣的迦太基第二次灭亡。在荒凉的扎玛平原上有一支攻无不克的军团，指挥者是野蛮人汉尼巴尔。来自各个野蛮国度的凶残贪婪的人和勇士们决心要无情地毁灭和征服。你们的皇帝非常高兴把这份蛮礼献给大家！
1) archer n. 射手
2) Sire n. 阁下，陛下
3) cleaved a. 裂的注释
4) poplar n. 白杨
5) pony n. 小马
6) cripple v. 削弱
7) succession n. 继任，接任
8) fortitude n. 坚韧
9) resourcefulness n. 足智多谋
10) protocol n. 草案，协议
11) sanitation n. 卫生设施
14) barbarian n. 野蛮人
15) tedious a. 乏味的，沉闷的
16) sermonize v. 说教
12) plague n. 瘟疫
13) scroll n. 卷轴，卷形物
17) mob n. 乌合之众，暴徒
18) conjure v. 变戏法，施魔法
19) coliseum n. 大剧院，竞技场注释：
20) hallowed a. 神圣的
21) antiquity n. 古代，古老遗物
22) Carthage n. 迦太基，腓尼基人所建，公元164年被罗马帝国所灭。
23) ferocious a. 凶狠的
24) mercenary n. 爱财的人
25) hoard n. 储藏，宝藏