因為魁魁格的"齋戒",或是"斷食"。"禁欲"得做一整天,所以非到傍晚時分,我不想去打擾他;我非常尊重每一個人的宗教義務,不管它是多么可笑,即使有一群螞蟻在膜拜一只毒菌;或者我們地球上某些地方的其他一些生物,只因一個地主雖然死了,在他的名下卻還擁有大批出租的產(chǎn)業(yè),便以一種可說是在其他星球中前所未見的卑躬屈膝的姿態(tài),匍匐在他那死尸前面,我心里也找不到看輕這種舉動的理由。
I say, we good Presbyterian Christians should be charitable in these things, and not fancyourselves so vastly superior to other mortals, pagans and what not, because of their half-crazyconceits on these subjects. There was Queequeg, now, certainly entertaining the most absurdnotions about Yojo and his Ramadan;- but what of that? Queequeg thought he knew what hewas about, I suppose; he seemed to be content; and there let him rest. All our arguing withhim would not avail; let him be, I say: and Heaven have mercy on us all-Presbyterians andPagans alike- for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly needmending.
我說,我們這些善良的長老會派的基督徒,在這些事情上,應該抱著仁愛為懷的態(tài)度,不要因為其他人類,異教徒等等對于這些事情存有半癡半呆的妄想,而自以為我們大大高出他們之上。就以這個魁魁格來說吧,他現(xiàn)在一定對約約和他的齋戒寄以非??尚Φ耐?...但是,那又有什么關(guān)系呢?我推想,魁魁格準自以為他自己知道他所做的事情,所以他顯得很是心安理得,那就讓他心安理得去吧。隨我怎樣去跟他辯論都是徒勞無益的;我說,隨他便吧,但愿老天可憐可憐我們大家...長老會派和異教派都一樣...因為我們大家都不知怎地把腦袋碰得七碎八裂,非??膳?極其需要修補修補了。
Towards evening, when I felt assured that all his performances and rituals must be over, Iwent up to his room and knocked at the door; but no answer. I tried to open it, but it wasfastened inside. "Queequeg," said I softly through the key-hole:-all silent.
黃昏時分,我很有把握地認為他的一切神功和儀式一定都做完了,我上樓去敲他的房門;但是,沒有應答。我想推開門,可是打里邊反鎖了。"魁魁格,"我朝鑰匙孔輕輕叫道...完全沒有動靜。