Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the loveliest tints of azure. Consider also the devilish brilliance and beauty of many of its most remorseless tribes, as the dainty embellished shape of many species of sharks. Consider once more, the universal cannibalism of the sea; all whose creatures prey upon each other, carrying on eternal war since the world began.
想一想这个阴险成性的海洋吧，它那些最可怕的生物怎样大多是眼不能见地在水底下流来滑去，诡诈地隐藏在最可爱的湛蓝苍穹下。也想一想海里那许多最残忍的族类那种非常光彩和漂亮的外表，就象各种鲨鱼装饰得颇为雅致的外表一样，再想一想海洋的普遍的同类相残的情况吧；它那些彼此互相掠夺的生物，自从开天辟地以来，就进行了无休无止的战争。
Consider all this; and then turn to this green, gentle, and most docile earth; consider them both, the sea and the land; and do you not find a strange analogy to something in yourself? For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half known life. God keep thee! Push not off from that isle, thou canst never return!
想了所有这一切后，再回头看看这个碧绿、柔和而又最为温顺的大地，把它们，海和陆都想一想吧，难道你自己没有发现一种相似得出奇的东西吗？因为正如这个令人可怕的海洋把葱翠的陆地给包围起来一般，在人类的心灵里，也有个塔希提的小岛，虽然充满着安谧与快活，却被一知半解的生活中的一切恐怖包围着。愿上帝保佑你们！别离开那个岛屿吧，你是永远回不来的！
End of chapters 55-58
第五十五至五十八章完