scourge

n. 惩罚(灾难,祸患)
vt 折磨(使...痛苦,严惩)

The old man is scourged by a guilty conscience.

这个老人受到负罪感的折磨。

After the scourge of war came the scourge of disease.

战乱之后瘟疫又接踵而来。