又有人說,捕鯨業(yè)不大體面。
WHALING NOT RESPECTABLE? Whaling is imperial!By old English statutory law, the whale is declareda royal fish.
這大概要看一下捕鯨者所捕的鯨在人們心目中的地位了:在古代的英國,鯨魚是皇族崇尚的欽定魚。
Oh, that's only nominal! The whale himself hasnever figured in any grand imposing way.
哦,這只是名義上的!我記得史實中有這樣的記載:
THE WHALE NEVER FIGURED IN ANY GRAND IMPOSING WAY?
又有人說了,捕鯨嗎,總歸是不大威風吧!
In one of the mighty triumphs given to a Roman general upon his entering the world's capital,the bones of a whale, brought all the way from the Syrian coast,
在為一個羅馬將軍進行的歡迎儀式上,擺著一架特意從敘利亞運來的鯨骨,
were the most conspicuous object in the cymballed procession.
以示隆重。
See subsequent chapters for something more on this head.
鯨座是天上的一個星座,捕鯨者是何等的威風也便可想而知了。如果你對沙皇脫帽的話,那么我相信你也會對魁魁格脫帽的!
Grant it, since you cite it; but, say what you will, there is no real dignity in whaling.
噢,天知道,人們除了捕鯨還有什么可以稱為威風的事呢?
NO DIGNITY IN WHALING?
總歸是不大威風?