As Queequeg's Ramadan, or Fasting and Humiliation, was to continue all day, I did not choose to disturb him till towards night-fall; for I cherish the greatest respect towards everybody's religious obligations, never mind how comical, and could not find it in my heart to undervalue even a congregation of ants worshipping a toad-stool; or those other creatures in certain parts of our earth, who with a degree of footmanism quite unprecedented in other planets, bow down before the torso of a deceased landed proprietor merely on account of the inordinate possessions yet owned and rented in his name.
因为魁魁格的"斋戒",或是"断食"。"禁欲"得做一整天,所以非到傍晚时分,我不想去打扰他;我非常尊重每一个人的宗教义务,不管它是多么可笑,即使有一群蚂蚁在膜拜一只毒菌;或者我们地球上某些地方的其他一些生物,只因一个地主虽然死了,在他的名下却还拥有大批出租的产业,便以一种可说是在其他星球中前所未见的卑躬屈膝的姿态,匍匐在他那死尸前面,我心里也找不到看轻这种举动的理由。
I say, we good Presbyterian Christians should be charitable in these things, and not fancy ourselves so vastly superior to other mortals, pagans and what not, because of their half-crazy conceits on these subjects. There was Queequeg, now, certainly entertaining the most absurd notions about Yojo and his Ramadan;- but what of that? Queequeg thought he knew what he was about, I suppose; he seemed to be content; and there let him rest. All our arguing with him would not avail; let him be, I say: and Heaven have mercy on us all-Presbyterians and Pagans alike- for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.
我说,我们这些善良的长老会派的基督徒,在这些事情上,应该抱着仁爱为怀的态度,不要因为其他人类,异教徒等等对于这些事情存有半痴半呆的妄想,而自以为我们大大高出他们之上。就以这个魁魁格来说吧,他现在一定对约约和他的斋戒寄以非常可笑的妄想,...但是,那又有什么关系呢?我推想,魁魁格准自以为他自己知道他所做的事情,所以他显得很是心安理得,那就让他心安理得去吧。随我怎样去跟他辩论都是徒劳无益的;我说,随他便吧,但愿老天可怜可怜我们大家...长老会派和异教派都一样...因为我们大家都不知怎地把脑袋碰得七碎八裂,非常可怕,极其需要修补修补了。
Towards evening, when I felt assured that all his performances and rituals must be over, I went up to his room and knocked at the door; but no answer. I tried to open it, but it was fastened inside. "Queequeg," said I softly through the key-hole:-all silent.
黄昏时分,我很有把握地认为他的一切神功和仪式一定都做完了,我上楼去敲他的房门;但是,没有应答。我想推开门,可是打里边反锁了。"魁魁格,"我朝钥匙孔轻轻叫道...完全没有动静。