英语听书《白鲸记》第589期

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　　But much abatement³ is necessary with respect to the incredible bulk he assigns it. 不过，对于他所提出的，它有一个大得叫人不敢相信的体躯这一点（据逢托波丹主教说克拉更的身围有一英里半。），却必须大打折扣。

　　By some naturalists⁴ who have vaguely⁵ heard rumors⁶ of the mysterious creature, here spoken of, it is included among the class of cuttle-fish, 这儿所提到的这种神秘的生物，据一些道听途说的博物学家的意见，应该把它归于墨鱼类，

　　to which, indeed, in certain external respects it would seem to belong, but only as the Anak of the tribe. 这就它某些外表看来，倒确实是应该属于此类，不过，就其种族说来，却还得算作亚衲族（亚衲族——《圣经》上住居于巴勒斯坦的一个被犹太人和约书亚所征服的民族，见《旧约·约书亚记》第十一章二十一节；又《旧约·民数记》第十三章三十三节上说亚衲族人就是指伟人，是伟人的后裔，这里作者用来讽喻这种克拉更应属于比墨鱼类更大的东西。）。

　　Chapter 60 The Line 第六十章 捕鲸索

　　With reference to the whaling scene shortly to be described, as well as for the better understanding of all similar scenes elsewhere presented, 因为不久就要描写捕鲸场面，同时，为了更好地了解在另些地方提到的一切类似的场面，

　　I have here to speak of the magical, sometimes horrible whale-line. 我必须在这里谈一谈那根不可思议的、有时可说是使人恐怖的捕鲸索。

　　The line originally used in the fishery was of the best hemp⁷, slightly vapored⁸ with tar⁹, not impregnated with it, as in the case of ordinary ropes; 捕鲸业原来所用的捕鲸索，都是用最好的大麻做成后，薄薄喷上一层柏油，而且象一般绳索那样，不是喷得很透；

　　for while tar, as ordinarily used, makes the hemp more pliable¹⁰ to the rope-maker, and also renders the rope itself more convenient to the sailor for common ship use;  因为通常用了柏油，就会使得大麻柔软，便利制索人编制，同时，制出来的索子也更便于一般船只的水手使用；

　　yet, not only would the ordinary quantity too much stiffen¹¹ the whale-line for the close coiling to which it must be subjected; but as most seamen¹² are beginning to learn, 不过，通常的用油量，不但会使捕鲸索太硬，不能把它按照需要卷得很紧；而且大部分水手也都开始知道，

　　tar in general by no means adds to the rope's durability¹³ or strength, however much it may give it compactness and gloss¹⁴. 尽管柏油会使绳索结实、有光泽，可是，一般说来，柏油却绝对不会增加绳索的牢度和强度。

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