Chapter 28

Obstinate¹ are the trammels, but my heart aches when I try to break them.
 
Freedom is all I want, but to hope for it I feel ashamed.
 
I am certain that priceless wealth is in thee, and that thou art my best friend, but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel that fills my room
 
The shroud² that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate it, yet hug it in love.
 
My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy; yet when I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted.
 
罗网是坚韧的，但是要撕破它的时候我又心痛．
 
我只要自由，为希望自由我却觉得羞愧．
 
我确知那无价之宝是在你那里，而且你是我最好的朋友，但我却舍不得清除我满屋的俗物，
 
我身上披的是尘灰与死亡之衣；我恨它，却又热爱地把它抱紧．
 
我的债务很多，我的失败很大，我的耻辱秘密而又深重；但当我来求福的时候，我又战栗，唯恐我的祈求得了允诺．

1 obstinate   

adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的

参考例句：

• She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了，不会让任何人帮她的。
• The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。

2 shroud   

n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏

参考例句：

• His past was enveloped in a shroud of mystery.他的过去被裹上一层神秘色彩。
• How can I do under shroud of a dark sky?在黑暗的天空的笼罩下，我该怎么做呢？