Then came the climax of the trial. Because of the wording of the anti-evolution law, the prosecution was forced to take the position that the Bible must be interpreted literally. Now Darrow sprang his trump card by calling Bryan as a witness for the defence. The judge looked startled. We are calling him as an expert on the Bible, Darrow said. His reputation as an authority on Scripture is recognized throughout the world.
接着审判的高潮到来了。由于反进化论法律条文的限制，控方只得坚持《圣经》必须严格按字面意义解释的立场。这时，达罗突然打出他的王牌，点名要布莱恩充当辩方证人。法官也满脸惊讶。我们要他当证人是因为他是《圣经》研究专家，达罗说道。作为经学权威，他的声誉是举世公认的。
Bryan was suspicious of the wily Darrow, yet he could not refuse the challenge. For year s he had lectured and written on the Bible. He had campaigned against Darwinism in Tennessee even before passage of the anti-evolution law. Resolutely he strode to the stand, carrying a palm fan like a sword to repel his enemies.
布莱恩满心狐疑，不知那诡计多端的达罗葫芦里在卖什么药，但他又不能不接受这一挑战。多年来他一直在讲解《圣经》，并且还曾围绕《圣经》著书立说。甚至在反进化论法令通过之前，他就在田纳西州发动过反达尔文主义的运动。这时，只见他刚毅果敢地握着一把芭蕉扇，像是拿它当成一把退敌的利剑似的，大步流星地向证人席走去。
Under Darrow's quiet questioning he acknowledged believing the Bible literally, and the crowd punctuated his defiant replies with fervent Amens.
在达罗的平静语调套问下，他承认自己对《圣经》的字字句句深信不疑，旁观的人群对他的激昂的回答不时和以热烈的阿门的喊声。
Darrow read from Genesis: And the evening and the morning were the first day. Then he asked Bryan if he believed that the sun was created on the fourth day. Bryan said that he did.
达罗翻开《创世纪》念道：夜尽晨来乃第一天也。接下来他问布莱恩是否相信太阳是第四天创造出来的，布莱恩回答说他相信。
How could there have been a morning and evening with-out any sun? Darrow enquired.
没有太阳之前又怎么会有早晨和晚上呢?达罗问道。
Bryan mopped his bald dome in silence. There were sniggers from the crowd, even among the faithful. Darrow twirled his spectacles as he pursued the questioning. He asked if Bryan believed literally in the story of Eve. Bryan answered in the affirmative.
布莱恩闷声不响地擦拭着自己的秃顶。人群中传出阵阵暗笑声，连一些虔诚的基督徒也在发笑。达罗一面捻弄着他的眼镜，一面继续发问。他问布莱恩是否相信有关夏娃的故事字字句句都是真实的，布莱恩作了肯定的回答。