Blood, toil, tears and sweat
On Friday evening last I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration. It as the evident wish and will of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties, both those who supported the late Government and also the parties of the Opposition. I have completed the most important part of this task. A War Cabinet has been formed of five Members, representing, with the Opposition Liberals, the unity of the nation. The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or in high executive office. The three Fighting Services have been filled. It was necessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extreme urgency and rigour of events. A number of other positions, key positions, were filled yesterday, and I am submitting a further list to His Majesty to-night. I hope to complete the appointment of the principal Ministers during to-morrow. The appointment of the other Ministers usually takes a little longer, but I trust that, when Parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed, and that the administration will be complete in all respects.
I considered it in the public interest to suggest that the House should be summoned to meet today. Mr. Speaker agreed, and took the necessary steps, in accordance with the powers conferred upon him by the Resolution of the House. At the end of the proceedings today, the Adjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, 21st May, with, of course, provision for earlier meeting, if need be. The business to be considered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliest opportunity. I now invite the House, by the Motion which stands in my name, to record its approval of the steps taken and to declare its confidence in the new Government.
To form an Administration of this scale and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself, but it must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history, that we are in action at many other points in Norway and in Holland, that we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean, that the air battle is continuous and that many preparations, such as have been indicated by my hon. Friend below the Gangway, have to be made here at home. In this crisis I hope I may be pardoned if I do not address the House at any length today. I hope that any of my friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the political reconstruction, will make all allowance for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act. I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat".
We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength".
Notes:
I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration: 我奉君王之命，组成新政府
the late Government and also the parties of the Opposition: 上届政府以及各反对党
War Cabinet: 战时内阁
the Opposition Liberals: 居于反对党地位的自由党
high executive office: 高级执行机构
The three Fighting Services have been filled: 陆海空三军已严阵以待
the principal Ministers: 主要内阁大臣
the House: 下院
Mr. Speaker: 下议院议长
the Resolution of the House: 下院决议
At the end of the proceedings today, the Adjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, 21st May, with, of course, provision for earlier meeting, if need be: 今天的议程结束之际，建议下院一直休会到5月21日星期二为止，当然要做好必要时提前开会的准备
at the earliest opportunity: 尽可能早地
we are in action at many other points in Norway and in Holland: 我们目前在挪威和荷兰的许多地方进行战斗
if I do not address the House at any length today: 如果我今天不对下院作长篇发言的话
the political reconstruction: 政治改组
make all allowance for: 原谅
It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime: 以上帝赋予我们的力量，竭尽全力进行海战、陆战、空战，狠狠打击罪恶滔天的暴政，这个暴政在人类黑暗、可悲的犯罪史上是亘古未有的
no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal: 时代的要求和冲动就无存在的余地
with buoyancy: 轻松地
suffered: 容许
I feel entitled to claim the aid of all: 我有权呼吁各方的援助
关于作者：
