英語聽書《白鯨記》 第178期

Though I cannot tell why it was exactly that thosestage managers,

雖然我真說不出,究竟為什么那些舞臺經(jīng)理，

the Fates, put me down for this shabby part of awhaling voyage,

也就是命運諸神要派定我擔(dān)任這個捕鯨的寒傖角色,

when others were set down for magnificent parts inhigh tragedies,

卻派別些人去演崇高悲劇里的華貴角色,

and short and easy parts in genteel comedies, andjolly parts in farces-though I cannot tell why this wasexactly;

演時髦喜劇里的輕松小角色,演諷刺劇里的丑角...雖然我真說不出究竟為什么來;

yet, now that I recall all the circumstances, I think I can see a little into the springs andmotives which being cunningly presented to me under various disguises,

然而,現(xiàn)在我回想當(dāng)時種種情景,那些以各種偽裝狡獪地放在我面前的目的和動機...誘使我動手扮演起我所扮演的角色,

induced me to set about performing the part I did, besides cajoling me into the delusion

并且還哄得我幻想這是我自己的獨立意志,

that it was a choice resulting from my own unbiased freewill and discriminating judgment.

和縝密考慮的結(jié)果...我想我也能捉摸到一些兒了。

Chief among these motives was the overwhelming idea of the great whale himself.

在這些動機中,首先是那條大鯨，叫人一想起就沒法按捺得下自己。

Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity.

這樣一個可怕而神秘的怪物激起了我所有的獵奇心。