All these are but subtile deceits, not actually inherent in substances,
所有這些都不過是巧妙的欺詐,都不是實際的固有的本質,
but only laid on from without; so that all deified Nature absolutely paints like the harlot, whose allurements cover nothing but the charnel-house within;
而不過是從外部敷上去的東西,所以,神化了的大自然完全象是妓女的涂脂抹粉一樣,她們的魅力只是掩蓋那藏骸所在的內部;
and when we proceed further, and consider that the mystical cosmetic which produces every one of her hues, the great principle of light, for ever remains white or colorless in itself,
如果我們再繼續(xù)探討下去,細想一下神秘的宇宙,它雖產(chǎn)生了每一種色澤,產(chǎn)生了偉大的光學原理,可它本身卻始終是白色的或者是無色的,
and if operating without medium upon matter, would touch all objects, even tulips and roses, with its own blank tinge-pondering all this, the palsied universe lies before us a leper;
如果它對物質起作用而缺乏媒質的話,它就會用它自己的空白的色澤來渲染一切物體,甚至包括郁金香和玫瑰花在內。
and like wilful travellers in Lapland, who refuse to wear colored and coloring glasses upon their eyes,
把這一切都仔細地想了以后,那么,橫在我們面前的這個癱瘓了似的宇宙就是一個麻風病人了,
so the wretched infidel gazes himself blind at the monumental white shroud that wraps all the prospect around him.
于是象在拉普蘭的那些固執(zhí)的旅行者一樣,他們由于不肯戴上有色的和著色的眼鏡,才弄得他們自己那雙可憐而沒有信心的眼睛,一望到周圍那種墓碣幢幢的白色景物就失明了。
And of all these things the Albino whale was the symbol. Wonder ye then at the fiery hunt? ..
白鯨就是這一切事物的代表。那么,你們對這種激烈的獵捕可覺得驚訝么?