英語聽書《白鯨記》第743期

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Such is the subtle elasticity of the organ I treat of, that whether wielded in sport, or in earnest, or in anger, whatever be the mood it be in, its flexions are invariably marked by exceeding grace. Therein no fairy's arm can transcend it.

這就是我要談的那個有微妙的伸縮力的器官，不管它在揮舞時是開玩笑，或是一本正經(jīng)，還是發(fā)脾氣，總之不管它的情緒怎樣，它那柔韌靈活的動作總有一種非常優(yōu)雅的特色。在這方面說來，是連仙人的臂膀也望塵莫及的。

Five great motions are peculiar to it. First, when used as a fin for progression; Second, when used as a mace in battle; Third, in sweeping; Fourth, in lobtailing; Fifth, in peaking flukes.

尾巴特具五大作用。第一，前進時作鰭用；第二，戰(zhàn)斗時用作釘頭錘；第三，搖尾；第四，甩動尾巴；第五，豎起裂片。

First: Being horizontal in its position, the Leviathan's tail acts in a different manner from the tails of all other sea creatures. It never wriggles. In man or fish, wriggling is a sign of inferiority. To the whale his tail is the sole means of propulsion. Scroll-wise coiled forwards beneath the body, and then rapidly sprung backwards, it is this which gives that singular darting, leaping motion to the monster when furiously swimming. His side-fins only serve to steer by.

第一，大鯨的尾巴因為是平式的，它的動作不同于其它一切海獸的尾巴。它從來不扭動。就人類或者魚類說來，扭動尾巴就是卑劣的標志。可是，對于大鯨說來，它的尾巴是發(fā)揮推進力的主要手段。它象卷軸一般在它身體下面向前一卷，接著就迅速往后一撒，正是這種動作使這種巨獸在狂奔猛游時有種奇妙的一沖一躍的姿勢。它兩邊的鰭只是作為把舵之用的。

Second: It is a little significant, that while one sperm whale only fights another sperm whale with his head and jaw, nevertheless, in his conflicts with man, he chiefly and contemptuously uses his tail. In striking at a boat, he swiftly curves away his flukes from it, and the blow is only inflicted by the recoil.

第二，稍微有點特色的是，只有在一條抹香鯨跟另外一條抹香鯨爭斗的時候，它們才使用頭和嘴，可是，在跟人類作戰(zhàn)的時候，它主要是傲慢地用它的尾巴。在攻擊一只小艇的時候，它迅捷地把裂片打艇身一撒，可是等它一縮回來，那個打擊才叫厲害。