Ulysses - Chapter 17
尤利西斯 - 第十七章
Bloom and Stephen walked through the quiet streets toward Bloom's home at 7 Eccles Street. The city was asleep now, the earlier chaos replaced by peaceful silence. Their footsteps echoed on the pavement, the only sound in the darkness.
布卢姆和斯蒂芬穿过安静的街道,朝着埃克尔斯街7号布卢姆的家走去。城市现在睡着了,早先的混乱被和平的寂静所取代。他们的脚步在人行道上回响,是黑暗中唯一的声音。
They discussed various topics: science, astronomy, the nature of the universe. Bloom shared his knowledge of the stars, pointing out constellations and explaining their movements. Stephen listened with interest, appreciating Bloom's curiosity about the world.
他们讨论各种话题:科学、天文学、宇宙的本质。布卢姆分享他对星星的知识,指出星座并解释它们的运动。斯蒂芬饶有兴趣地听着,欣赏布卢姆对世界的好奇心。
"What is the meaning of it all?" Stephen asked, gesturing at the sky. "All those stars, all that space. What does it matter?"
"这一切的意义是什么?"斯蒂芬问,向天空做手势。"所有那些星星,所有那些空间。这有什么关系?"
Bloom considered the question seriously. "We're part of it," he said finally. "We're made of the same elements as the stars. When we die, we return to the universe. That's meaning enough, isn't it?"
布卢姆认真地考虑这个问题。"我们是它的一部分,"他最后说。"我们是由与星星相同的元素组成的。当我们死去时,我们回到宇宙。这就足够有意义了,不是吗?"
They arrived at Bloom's house, and he realized he had forgotten his key. He had to climb over the railings and enter through the basement, a slightly undignified procedure. Stephen waited patiently, amused by the situation.
他们到达布卢姆的房子,他意识到自己忘记了钥匙。他不得不爬过栏杆,从地下室进入,这是一个稍微有失体面的程序。斯蒂芬耐心地等待着,对这种情况感到好笑。
Inside, Bloom prepared cocoa for both of them, a simple domestic ritual that felt comforting after the day's adventures. They sat in the kitchen, drinking the warm beverage and talking quietly.
在里面,布卢姆为他们两人准备了可可,这是一个简单的家庭仪式,在一天的冒险之后感觉很舒适。他们坐在厨房里,喝着温暖的饮料,安静地交谈。
Bloom showed Stephen photographs of his family, explaining who everyone was. He spoke of Molly, of their daughter Milly, of his hopes and disappointments. Stephen listened, seeing Bloom's life laid bare before him.
布卢姆向斯蒂芬展示他家人的照片,解释每个人是谁。他谈到莫莉,谈到他们的女儿米莉,谈到他的希望和失望。斯蒂芬听着,看到布卢姆的生活在他面前展开。
The conversation turned to their similarities and differences. Both were outsiders in Dublin, both were searching for meaning and connection. Yet they came from different worlds, different generations.
谈话转向他们的相似之处和不同之处。两人都是都柏林的局外人,都在寻找意义和联系。然而他们来自不同的世界,不同的世代。
As the night deepened, Bloom offered Stephen a place to sleep. The young man could stay in the guest room, rest and recover before facing the world again.
随着夜晚的深入,布卢姆为斯蒂芬提供了一个睡觉的地方。这个年轻人可以住在客房,休息和恢复,然后再次面对世界。