英语听书《白鲸记》第670期

 Moreover, while in most other animals that I can now think of, 而且，就我这时所能想到的其它多数动物说来，

the eyes are so planted as imperceptibly to blend their visual power, so as to produce one picture and not two to the brain; 两只眼睛这么长法会不知不觉地把两只眼睛的视力给混在一起，使得脑海里产生出一个而不是两个画面；

the peculiar¹ position of the whale's eyes, effectually divided as they are by many cubic feet of solid head, 可是，鲸眼的这种特殊的位置，实际上两只眼睛好象让这只好几平方英尺的大头给隔开来，

which towers between them like a great mountain separating two lakes in valleys;  而那只头，高踞在它们中间，犹如一座大山把溪谷分成两个大湖；

this, of course, must wholly separate the impressions which each independent organ imparts. 这自然一定会把每只眼睛所获得的印象都给完全分开了。

The whale, therefore, must see one distinct picture on this side, and another distinct picture on that side; 因此，大鲸一定是在这一边看到了一幅明晰的画面，又在另一边看到了另一幅明晰的画面；

while all between must be profound darkness and nothingness to him. 至于所有处在中间的东西，在它看来一定是漆黑一团、空无所有了。

Man may, in effect, be said to look out on the world from a sentry-box with two joined sashes for his window. 实际上，人类观察世界万物，可说是从一个有两只连在一起的玻璃窗框的哨亭里望出去的。

But with the whale, these two sashes are separately inserted, making two distinct windows, but sadly impairing² the view. 可是，就大鲸说来，这两只窗框却是各自分开装置，结果虽是两扇明亮的玻璃窗，可惜却损伤了视力。

This peculiarity³ of the whale's eyes is a thing always to be borne in mind in the fishery; 鲸眼的这种特点就是捕鱼业中必须时刻谨记在心的，

and to be remembered by the reader in some subsequent scenes. 也是读者在以后的若干场景中势必会回想到的一件事情。

A curious and most puzzling question might be started concerning this visual matter as touching⁴ the Leviathan. 关于说到大海兽这种视觉方面的事情，也许会产生一个奇特而最使人迷惑的问题。

But I must be content with a hint. 不过，我必须一说为快。

So long as a man's eyes are open in the light, the act of seeing is involuntary; 只要人的眼睛是在光线里张开来的，这种观看的动作就是不知不觉的了；

that is, he cannot then help mechanically seeing whatever objects are before him.  就是说，他势必是无意识地看到一切显现在他眼前的东西。

1 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

2 impairing   

v.损害，削弱( impair的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Carbon monoxide is definitely capable of impairing cardiovascular function. 一氧化碳确实能损害心血管机能。 来自辞典例句
• Could it be effected without impairing his reputation as well as his fortune? 他能否不损害他的声誉和财富而办到这一点呢？ 来自辞典例句

3 peculiarity   

n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖

参考例句：

• Each country has its own peculiarity.每个国家都有自己的独特之处。
• The peculiarity of this shop is its day and nigth service.这家商店的特点是昼夜服务。

4 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。