諾亞方舟的故事
博伊德·史密斯
警告
In the early days of the world lived the patriarch Noah, a good and venerable man whose years already numbered six hundred.
諾亞尊長(zhǎng)生活在創(chuàng)世紀(jì)之后的早期, 他是一位善良而可敬的人, 他已經(jīng)活了六百多歲了.
Now Noah was warned that a great flood was to come, which would pour down from the clouds and drown the whole earth. He straightway told his neighbors what was to happen, but they refused to believe, and scoffed at him, and said: "Let it rain."
如今, 上帝告訴諾亞, 一場(chǎng)大洪水就要來(lái)了, 大水將從云中傾瀉而出, 淹沒(méi)整個(gè)地球. 他立馬把這個(gè)消息告訴了鄰居們, 但是鄰居們卻把他的話(huà)當(dāng)做笑柄, 還說(shuō): "就讓它下吧."
建造方舟
Then Noah went his way, and set to work to build him a great ship, to be ready for the day of deluge.
之后, 諾亞便開(kāi)始按部就班, 著手為自己建造大舟了, 為即將到來(lái)的大洪水做準(zhǔn)備.
And he laid the keel in the pasture fields, among the daisies; while the idlers came to look on and laugh at such folly— a ship for a rainy day!
他把船的龍骨放在雛菊盛開(kāi)的牧場(chǎng)中間, 那些無(wú)所事事的人都來(lái)看熱鬧, 并嘲笑這種愚蠢的行為—— 竟然還有人為擔(dān)心下雨而備船!
勞工問(wèn)題
But Noah knew that he was right, and kept on.
但是諾亞知道自己是對(duì)的, 并堅(jiān)持了下去.
And the ship rose, but troubles arose too: for frequent and grievous strikes delayed him, and his workmen clamored for more pay and stoned those who would work.
船漸漸建造起來(lái)了, 但是麻煩也跟著來(lái)了: 因?yàn)轭l繁而激烈的罷工使得諾亞的工作進(jìn)度耽擱了很久, 工人們大聲嚷嚷著, 想要更多的報(bào)酬, 還用石頭砸那些愿意工作的人.
And Noah bargained with them, and started afresh; for he feared that the rain might come before he was ready.
諾亞與他們討價(jià)還價(jià), 并讓他們重新開(kāi)始了工作. 因?yàn)樗ε麓蠛樗赡軙?huì)提前到來(lái).
為方舟上色
At last, after many days, the ship was finished.
在很多個(gè)日日夜夜之后, 這艘船終于完工了.
Then Noah tarred the inside and the outside, to keep it tight. And he named it the Ark, and painted it with colors; for Noah was proud of his work.
然后, 諾亞將船的里里外外都涂上了柏油, 使其保持緊密(防止?jié)B水). 他把船命名為方舟, 并為它涂上了各種各樣的顏色, 因?yàn)橹Z亞對(duì)自己的工作感到自豪.
召集動(dòng)物
Then Noah went abroad and called together all the animals, by twos, and told them that they must come into the Ark to be saved from the deluge.
然后, 諾亞站在戶(hù)外, 兩個(gè)一對(duì)地, 召集了所有的動(dòng)物, 并告訴他們只有進(jìn)入方舟才有可能從大洪水中幸存下來(lái).
But they too doubted, and were slow to decide; for they feared to enter the dark ship.
但是動(dòng)物們卻對(duì)此懷有很大的疑慮, 他們決定緩慢, 因?yàn)榉街劾锩嫣诹?
And they grumbled, and said, "It may be but a shower."
他們還抱怨著說(shuō): "你所謂的大洪水有可能只是一陣小雨罷了."
召集動(dòng)物(續(xù))
And though Noah argued with them, and explained all the terrible possibilities of the case, still they hesitated, and in their different tongues and ways talked it over, and would not be hurried.
盡管諾亞與他們爭(zhēng)論, 并解釋了大洪水之后所有可怕的后果, 但是他們?nèi)匀华q豫不決, 并以不同的語(yǔ)言和方式討論著, 他們并不是很著急.
Then Noah called them Stumbling Blocks. But even this did not move them.
于是, 諾亞稱(chēng)他們?yōu)?絆腳石". 但是即使這樣也沒(méi)有勸動(dòng)他們.
上船
And Noah was vexed, and left them, and began to drive his domestic animals on board, hoping to set the others an example.
諾亞煩透了, 離開(kāi)了他們, 然后開(kāi)始驅(qū)趕自己家的牲畜上船, 希望給其他動(dòng)物們樹(shù)立一個(gè)好榜樣.
And his sons— Shem, Ham, and Japheth— helped him, while he kept count.
諾亞的兒子—— 閃(Shem), 含(Ham), 和雅弗(Japheth)—— 在一邊幫著忙, 而他在不停的計(jì)著數(shù).
困惑
Then new troubles began. For now the other beasts and birds, fearing to be left behind, all tried to get in at once, and could not be controlled.
之后, 新的麻煩又來(lái)了. 現(xiàn)在, 由于其他獸禽害怕被拋在后面, 所以他們一下子全都想上船了, 場(chǎng)面一度無(wú)法控制.
But they did not leave behind their dislikes and ancient feuds. For how could the cats and the mice live together in peace, or how could the fox and the geese agree? And the hounds and the hares?
但是, 諾亞并沒(méi)有考慮過(guò)動(dòng)物之間的厭惡和世仇. 那么, 貓和老鼠該如何和平共處? 狐貍和大鵝該如何達(dá)成共識(shí)? 更別提獵犬和野兔了?
And quarrels and dissensions came into the Ark. And confusion reigned.
爭(zhēng)吵和分歧在方舟上蔓延開(kāi)來(lái), 方舟被混亂占據(jù)了.
And Noah lost count, and lost patience as well.
最終, 諾亞失去了耐心, 也不再給動(dòng)物們計(jì)數(shù)了.
隊(duì)伍
But after much trouble order was established; and the mighty procession, once started, filed steadily in.
但是, 麻煩過(guò)后, 最終建立了秩序; 強(qiáng)勢(shì)的隊(duì)列一旦形成, 就可以穩(wěn)步前行了.
And they came from far and near: a great host of beasts and birds and creeping things:
隊(duì)伍當(dāng)中既有來(lái)自遠(yuǎn)方的也有來(lái)自近處的: 既有大量的獸類(lèi), 也有大量的鳥(niǎo)兒和爬行動(dòng)物:
隊(duì)伍(續(xù))
The big elephant and the polar bear, the giraffe and the striped tiger, and the woolly bison of the west.
隊(duì)伍當(dāng)中既有大象和北極熊, 又有長(zhǎng)頸鹿和斑紋老虎, 以及西部的長(zhǎng)毛野牛.
And from the mountain and the jungle, the hill and the plain, came great and small.
既有來(lái)自山地的, 又有來(lái)自到叢林和平原的, 既有大型動(dòng)物, 又有小型動(dòng)物.
And the earth trembled with their tread, while the sky was dark with flapping wings.
大地因動(dòng)物們的腳步而顫動(dòng), 天空因鳥(niǎo)兒的飛翔而一片漆黑.
恐龍的困境
And then came even the huge dinosaurs, for in those days were mighty beasts. But they were too big for the door, and could not squeeze in.
然后, 甚至是巨大的恐龍, 那個(gè)時(shí)代最強(qiáng)大的野獸, 也來(lái)了. 但是他們太大了, 怎么也擠不上船.
Now Noah sorely regretted this miscalculation, but could find no way to help it.
雖然諾亞對(duì)這種計(jì)算失誤而感到非常抱歉, 但是他仍然沒(méi)有任何辦法能夠幫助他們.
And the dinosaurs, alas! had to be left behind.
因此, 必須放棄恐龍們的生存機(jī)會(huì)了.
那些沒(méi)有進(jìn)來(lái)的人
But the mammoth and the mastodon, and the dinotherium, the palæotherium, and the anoptherium, and the pterodactyl, and the archæopteryx,— and a host of other strange beasts and birds with long Latin names— refused to go in at all, in spite of Noah's warnings.
但是, 猛犸象(mammoth)和翼手龍(pterodactyl), 以及其他許多具有拉丁名字的怪獸和鳥(niǎo), 都不顧諾亞的警告, 拒絕上船.
All these of course were doomed to be lost, and become fossils, to be put in museums with stones and labels.
因此, 所有這些動(dòng)物注定要被滅亡, 變成化石, 成為博物館里被貼上標(biāo)簽的一堆石頭.
準(zhǔn)備物資
Then Noah took on board in plenty foods of every kind for men and beasts. While the hungry animals inside complained that he should have done this first instead of last.
然后, 諾亞把為人類(lèi)和野獸準(zhǔn)備的各種食物也帶上了船. 船內(nèi)饑餓的動(dòng)物們抱怨說(shuō), 他應(yīng)該先放食物再讓我們上來(lái)的.
And then he took his wife and his sons' wives into the Ark, though Mrs. Noah was loath and rebelled: "For the domestic arrangements," she said, "are impossible."
然后, 他把妻兒們也領(lǐng)進(jìn)了方舟, 盡管諾亞太太不大愿意, 并有些叛逆的說(shuō): "這樣的家庭安排真的是令人匪夷所思啊."
等雨
And now, all being at last ready, the sun still shone, and the rain did not come. And they waited and waited.
現(xiàn)在, 所有的動(dòng)物都準(zhǔn)備好了, 但是太陽(yáng)仍然閃耀著大地, 絲毫沒(méi)有下雨的跡象. 他們等待著, 等待著.
And the scoffers laughed and jeered, and called to Noah that it was going to be a dry season.
嘲笑者在嘲笑著諾亞, 對(duì)他說(shuō)這將是干旱的一季.
And Noah was sore perplexed, and marveled, though never doubting.
盡管諾亞感到痛苦困惑, 但他從未質(zhì)疑自己的使命.
下雨了
But at last the rain did come, and beat down upon the scoffers, and they were wet.
終于下雨了, 雨水打在嘲笑者的身上, 把他們都弄濕了.
And Noah's sons and their wives triumphed. And even the animals were pleased.
諾亞的妻兒們感覺(jué)到了勝利. 甚至是動(dòng)物們也很開(kāi)心.
But Noah felt only sorrow for his stubborn neighbors, for he knew that much more rain would fall.
但是只有諾亞為自己固執(zhí)的鄰居們感到悲傷, 因?yàn)樗肋�會(huì)有更多的雨水降落.
大洪水
And then for forty days and forty nights it rained hard. And the clouds were rent asunder. And a mighty deluge flooded the whole earth. And the waters rose and covered the trees, and then the hills and mountains, till no dry land might anywhere be seen.
大雨連著下了四十天四十夜, 然后烏云才散開(kāi)了. 這一場(chǎng)大洪水淹沒(méi)了整個(gè)地球. 大水漲起來(lái)之后, 淹沒(méi)了樹(shù)木, 丘陵和山脈, 直到淹沒(méi)了所有干燥的土地.
But the Ark was lifted up and floated safely away on a stormy sea.
但是方舟卻在暴風(fēng)雨肆虐的海面上安然無(wú)恙的漂浮了起來(lái).
方舟之內(nèi)
Now inside the storm-tossed ship was much discomfort and grievous trouble. And many even regretted that they had been saved. "For lo!" they said, "nothing could be worse than this."
現(xiàn)在, 在風(fēng)暴肆虐的方舟之內(nèi), 大家都感覺(jué)到極度的不適和煩惱. 許多人甚至后悔自己被救了. 他們說(shuō): "沒(méi)有什么比這更糟了."
And Noah's heart was heavy.
諾亞的內(nèi)心感到很沉重.
海上的生活
But when the storm was passed and the good ship floated on an even keel, they felt better and settled down to their new life.
但是, 當(dāng)風(fēng)暴過(guò)后, 這艘生命之舟便可以在大水之上平穩(wěn)的前進(jìn)了, 這時(shí)人們感覺(jué)好多了, 然后安頓了下來(lái)準(zhǔn)備開(kāi)始新的生活.
And the animals took a keen interest in the passenger list, to find their own names, as passengers always do.
此時(shí)的動(dòng)物們都對(duì)乘客名單感覺(jué)非常的關(guān)切, 開(kāi)始在上面尋找自己(所關(guān)心人)的名字.
And lazy days slipped quietly by; and the stout Ark drifted slowly on her way.
懶散的日子悄悄溜走, 方舟在大水中穩(wěn)健的漂流.
想家
But alas, this could not last. For as the days dragged on and they found themselves still shut up and afloat, they brooded and grew low in their minds.
但是, 幸運(yùn)的感覺(jué)并沒(méi)有持續(xù)很久. 因?yàn)槿兆右惶焯爝^(guò)去, 他們發(fā)現(xiàn)方舟仍然在不停地漂流, 他們開(kāi)始變得焦慮和情緒低落.
And a great homesickness, and longing for a change of any kind, came over them. And a wail of despair went up from the Ark. And the roof leaked. And all was gloom.
他們感到非常的想念陸地, 并渴望改變這日復(fù)一日的無(wú)聊漂流. 絕望的怨言充斥著方舟. 就連屋頂也開(kāi)始漏水. 一切都變得沉悶了起來(lái).
And life became a burden to the Noah family.
方舟上的生活成了諾亞一家人的負(fù)擔(dān).
緊張的關(guān)系
And then patience and good temper deserted the Ark.
耐心和好脾氣在方舟之上消失了.
And the animals fretted and quarreled, and there was riot and disorder, and furious battle.
動(dòng)物們開(kāi)始緊張不安, 吵架, 還發(fā)生了騷亂和激烈的戰(zhàn)斗.
And Noah's task grew ever harder, and his load heavier to bear.
諾亞的任務(wù)變得越來(lái)越艱巨, 他的負(fù)擔(dān)也變得越來(lái)越沉重.
送出渡鴉
Now Noah became desperate, and something had to be done; so he sent off a raven to bring tidings from the outer world.
現(xiàn)在, 諾亞有點(diǎn)絕望了, 他必須要做點(diǎn)什么. 所以他把烏鴉派了出去, 去看看外面的情況.
But the raven, once free, had no thought of returning, and flew far away, saying to himself: "Never again will I be caught in that trap."
但是, 烏鴉一旦自由了, 就沒(méi)有回來(lái)的打算了, 他飛了很遠(yuǎn), 對(duì)自己說(shuō): "我再也不回那個(gè)鬼地方了."
And Noah waited for news, but none came.
諾亞一直在等烏鴉的消息, 但是烏鴉卻始終沒(méi)有回來(lái).
鴿子的回歸
Then, as matters grew worse. Noah sent forth a dove. "She is a gentle bird and will surely come again to her home," he thought. And the dove did return, for she found only water, and no rest for her foot.
因?yàn)槭虑樽兊迷絹?lái)越糟了. 所以諾亞又派出了一只鴿子. 他想: "她是一只善良的鳥(niǎo), 肯定會(huì)回來(lái)的." 鴿子確實(shí)回來(lái)了, 因?yàn)樗l(fā)現(xiàn)除了方舟之外都是水, 連個(gè)歇腳的地方都沒(méi)有.
Then Noah waited seven days and again sent her out. And she came back, bringing in her beak a twig from the olive tree.
然后, 諾亞等了七天, 又把她派出去了. 這次她回來(lái)時(shí), 嘴角叼著一根橄欖枝.
And all welcomed her with joy, for now they knew that the waters were falling.
所有人都高興地歡迎她, 因?yàn)楝F(xiàn)在他們知道大水正在消失了.
初見(jiàn)陸地
Then Noah waited still another seven days, and again sent out the dove. But this time she did not come back.
然后, 諾亞又等了七天, 再次派出了鴿子. 但是這次她不再回來(lái)了.
And Noah climbed to his skylight, and lifted it up, and looked out.
諾亞爬上天窗, 把它撐了起來(lái), 往外看去.
And behold the earth had risen from the waters, still damp, but yet solid earth.
他看到大地從水面上升起, 雖然還有點(diǎn)潮濕, 但卻很堅(jiān)固.
And Noah passed along the good word. And in the Ark was great excitement, and hope revived.
諾亞向大家說(shuō)了這個(gè)好消息. 方舟上的人們感到非常興奮, 希望重生了.
離開(kāi)方舟
And soon the good ship thumped and bumped, and struck bottom. And though she landed at an uncomfortable angle, on a mountain top, they knew that at last the great cruise was ended.
不久, 方舟底部碰到了陸地. 盡管她以不怎么合適的角度降落在了山頂上, 但方舟內(nèi)的生物們知道這次偉大的航行終于結(jié)束了.
And Noah opened the door, and let down the gang-plank.
諾亞打開(kāi)了門(mén), 放下了船的登陸板.
And beasts and birds surged out on the desolate rock; and though the mud was thick and heavy, some found it to their liking, and all preferred it to the ship.
野獸和鳥(niǎo)兒在荒涼的巖石上涌動(dòng). 盡管泥漿又厚又重, 但是人們還是非常地喜歡陸地, 這可比待在船上好多了.
彩虹
Now the sun again arose, and sucked up the dampness from the earth.
現(xiàn)在, 太陽(yáng)升了起來(lái), 吸走了大地上的濕氣.
And a bright rainbow was set in the sky, as a sign that nevermore would a flood cover the whole earth.
天空掛上了一抹明亮的彩虹, 標(biāo)志著洪水再也不會(huì)來(lái)淹沒(méi)整個(gè)地球了.
Then Spring burst forth, with all its glory and promise. And a new world began. And all was life and joy.
然后, 春天帶著所有的榮耀和希望爆發(fā)了. 一個(gè)新的世界開(kāi)始了. 所有的一切都煥發(fā)著生機(jī)和歡樂(lè).
彩虹(續(xù))
And Noah bade the beasts and birds go forth and seek new homes. And they scattered in every direction to begin life afresh; while Noah's wife murmured "good riddance," and vowed that she would never go to sea again.
諾亞打發(fā)了野獸和鳥(niǎo)兒去尋找新的家園. 他們四處分散后, 開(kāi)始了新的生活. 諾亞的妻子喃喃地說(shuō): "終于擺脫這艘破船了", 并發(fā)誓說(shuō)她再也不會(huì)出海了.
Then Noah gladly rested from his labors.
這下, 諾亞終于可以安心的休息了.
And this is the end of the story of Noah's Ark.
然后, 這就是諾亞方舟整個(gè)故事的結(jié)局了.
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