海底兩萬里 第137期 第10章 水中人(8)

After a fairly long silence, the commander went on with our conversation.

經(jīng)過長久的沉默以后，船長又開口了，他說：

So I had difficulty deciding, he said.

因此，我遲疑不決，

But I concluded that my personal interests could be reconciled with that naturalcompassion to which every human being has a right.

但是我認(rèn)為，我的利益是能夠與人類天生的那種同情心相一致的。

Since fate has brought you here, you'll stay aboard my vessel.

既然命運(yùn)把你們送到這里來，你們就留在我的船上吧。

You'll be free here, and in exchange for that freedom, moreover totally related to it, I'll lay on you just one condition.

你們在船上是自由的，但為了換得這種自由—畢竟是相對的自由，我要你們答應(yīng)我一個條件，

Your word that you'll submit to it will be sufficient.

你們只要口頭上答應(yīng)就可以了。

Go on, sir, I replied. I assume this condition is one an honest man can accept?

先生，您說吧，我答，我想這條件一定是一個正直的人可以接受的條件。

Yes, sir. Just this. It's possible that certain unforeseen events may force me to confine you to your cabins for some hours, or even for some days as the case may be.

是的，先生，條件是這樣。可能因為某種意外的事件，我不得不把你們關(guān)在你們住的艙房里，關(guān)上幾小時，或是關(guān)上幾天。

Since I prefer never to use violence, I expect from you in such a case, even more than in any other, your unquestioning obedience.

我決不愿使用暴力，我希望你們在這種情況下，在任何其它情況下也一樣，要絕對服從。

By acting in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren't meant to see.

這樣做，一切都由我負(fù)責(zé)，與你們絲毫無關(guān)，因為我不要你們看見你們所不應(yīng)度看的。

Do you accept this condition?

你們能接受這條件嗎?