英语听书《白鲸记》第589期

 　　The manner in which the Bishop¹ describes it, as alternately rising and sinking, with some other particulars he narrates², in all this the two correspond. 按照这个主教对它所描摹的情况，比如是，一忽儿浮，一忽儿沉，以及他所说的其它一些情况看来，这两种东西在这些方面都是完全一致的，

　　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。

1 bishop   

n.主教，（国际象棋）象

参考例句：

• He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
• Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。

2 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

3 abatement   

n.减(免)税，打折扣，冲销

参考例句：

• A bag filter for dust abatement at the discharge point should be provided.在卸料地点应该装设袋滤器以消除粉尘。
• The abatement of the headache gave him a moment of rest.头痛减轻给他片刻的休息。

4 naturalists   

n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者

参考例句：

• Naturalists differ much in determining what characters are of generic value. 自然学者对于不同性状决定生物的属的含义上，各有各的见解。 来自辞典例句
• This fact has led naturalists to believe that the Isthmus was formerly open. 使许多自然学者相信这个地蛱在以前原是开通的。 来自辞典例句

5 vaguely   

adv.含糊地，暖昧地

参考例句：

• He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad.他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
• He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes.他迷迷糊糊的望着前面，对一切都视而不见。

6 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 hemp   

n.大麻；纤维

参考例句：

• The early Chinese built suspension bridges of hemp rope.古代的中国人建造过麻绳悬索桥。
• The blanket was woven from hemp and embroidered with wool.毯子是由亚麻编织，羊毛镶边的。

8 vapored   

v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

9 tar   

n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于

参考例句：

• The roof was covered with tar.屋顶涂抹了一层沥青。
• We use tar to make roads.我们用沥青铺路。

10 pliable   

adj.易受影响的；易弯的；柔顺的，易驾驭的

参考例句：

• Willow twigs are pliable.柳条很软。
• The finely twined baskets are made with young,pliable spruce roots.这些编织精美的篮子是用柔韧的云杉嫩树根编成的。

11 stiffen   

v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬

参考例句：

• The blood supply to the skin is reduced when muscles stiffen.当肌肉变得僵硬时，皮肤的供血量就减少了。
• I was breathing hard,and my legs were beginning to stiffen.这时我却气吁喘喘地开始感到脚有点僵硬。

12 seamen   

n.海员

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather. 有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• In the storm, many seamen wished they were on shore. 在暴风雨中，许多海员想，要是他们在陆地上就好了。

13 durability   

n.经久性，耐用性

参考例句：

• Nylons have the virtue of durability.尼龙丝袜有耐穿的优点。

14 gloss   

n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰

参考例句：

• John tried in vain to gloss over his faults.约翰极力想掩饰自己的缺点，但是没有用。
• She rubbed up the silver plates to a high gloss.她把银盘擦得很亮。