英語聽書《白鯨記》 第224期

Yes, here were a set of sea-dogs, many of whomwithout the slightest bashfulness had boardedgreat whales on the high seas-entire strangers tothem-and duelled them dead without winking; andyet, here they sat at a social breakfast table-all ofthe same calling, all of kindred tastes-looking roundas sheepishly at each other as though they had neverbeen out of sight of some sheepfold among theGreen Mountains.

不錯,這兒是一群老練的水手,其中有許多人都曾在波濤洶涌的海洋上,毫不靦腆地攻打過許多大鯨,一眼不霎地把它們斗死了;然而,他們這會兒坐在早餐桌邊...大家都是職業(yè)相同,旨趣相似...卻這么羞答答地彼此望來望去,仿佛是從未出過羊欄的青山的羊群。

A curious sight; these bashful bears, these timid warrior whalemen!

看看真夠希奇;這些個怕羞的狗熊,這些個害臊而驍勇的捕鯨者!

But as for Queequeg--why, Queequeg sat there among them-at the head of the table, too, it sochanced; as cool as an icicle.

可是,說到魁魁格...瞧呀,魁魁格碰巧也跟他們一起坐在...坐在桌子的上首,象冰柱般冷冰冰。

To be sure I cannot say much for his breeding. His greatest admirer could not have cordiallyjustified his bringing his harpoon into breakfast with him, and using it there withoutceremony; reaching over the table with it, to the imminent jeopardy of many heads, andgrappling the beefsteaks towards him. But that was certainly very coolly done by him, andevery one knows that in most people's estimation, to do anything coolly is to do it genteelly.

老實說,對于他的教養(yǎng),我實在無法恭維.他的最熱心的敬仰者實在無法熱誠地贊同他隨身帶著標(biāo)槍吃早飯,毫無禮貌地用標(biāo)槍吃東西;拿起標(biāo)槍撩過桌子,不惜冒著戳破許多腦袋的危險,把牛排給戳過來。不過這件事他卻是做得十分沉著,而且,人人都知道,按照大多數(shù)人的意見,處事沉著自若,便是溫文爾雅。

We will not speak of all Queequeg's peculiarities here; how he eschewed coffee and hot rolls,and applied his undivided attention to beefsteaks, done rare.

這里我不想細敘魁魁格的種種怪癖了;比如說他怎樣不愛喝咖啡,不愛吃熱面包卷,只是專心致意于那些燒得半生不熟的牛排。

Enough, that when breakfast was over he withdrew like the rest into the public room, lightedhis tomahawk-pipe, and was sitting there quietly digesting and smoking with his inseparablehat on, when I sallied out for a stroll.

總之,早餐一吃好,他也象別人一樣退到堂屋里去,點起他那煙斗斧。當(dāng)我溜出去散步的時候,他還戴著那頂難分難舍的帽子,靜悄悄地坐在那里,吸煙助消化呢。