英语听书《海底两万里》第137期 第10章 水中人(8)

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

　　经过长久的沉默以后，船长又开口了，他说：

　　So I had difficulty deciding, he said.

　　因此，我迟疑不决，

　　But I concluded that my personal interests could be reconciled with that natural compassion¹ to which every human being has a right.

　　但是我认为，我的利益是能够与人类天生的那种同情心相一致的。

　　Since fate has brought you here, you'll stay aboard my vessel².

　　既然命运把你们送到这里来，你们就留在我的船上吧。

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

　　你们在船上是自由的，但为了换得这种自由—毕竟是相对的自由，我要你们答应我一个条件，

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

　　你们只要口头上答应就可以了。

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

　　先生，您说吧，我答，我想这条件一定是一个正直的人可以接受的条件。

　　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，条件是这样。可能因为某种意外的事件，我不得不把你们关在你们住的舱房里，关上几小时，或是关上几天。

　　Since I prefer never to use violence, I expect from you in such a case, even more than in any other, your unquestioning obedience³.

　　我决不愿使用暴力，我希望你们在这种情况下，在任何其它情况下也一样，要绝对服从。

　　By acting⁴ in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve⁵ you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren't meant to see.

　　这样做，一切都由我负责，与你们丝毫无关，因为我不要你们看见你们所不应度看的。

　　Do you accept this condition?

　　你们能接受这条件吗？

1 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

2 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

3 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。

4 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

5 absolve   

v.赦免，解除（责任等）

参考例句：

• I absolve you,on the ground of invincible ignorance.鉴于你不可救药的无知，我原谅你。
• They agree to absolve you from your obligation.他们同意免除你的责任。