Ulysses - Chapter 18
尤利西斯 - 第十八章
Stephen declined Bloom's offer to stay the night. He thanked the older man for his kindness but said he needed to go. There was something he had to do, somewhere he had to be. Bloom didn't press him, understanding that Stephen needed his independence.
斯蒂芬拒绝了布卢姆留宿的提议。他感谢这位老人的善意,但说他需要走了。有些事情他必须做,有些地方他必须去。布卢姆没有强迫他,理解斯蒂芬需要他的独立。
They stood in the garden, looking up at the stars one last time. The universe stretched above them, infinite and indifferent. Two men, strangers until today, connected briefly before parting ways.
他们站在花园里,最后一次仰望星空。宇宙在他们上方延伸,无限而冷漠。两个男人,直到今天还是陌生人,在分道扬镳之前短暂地联系在一起。
"Will I see you again?" Bloom asked.
"我还会再见到你吗?"布卢姆问。
Stephen shrugged. "Perhaps. Dublin is a small city."
斯蒂芬耸耸肩。"也许吧。都柏林是个小城市。"
They shook hands, and Stephen walked away into the darkness. Bloom watched him go, feeling a mixture of satisfaction and sadness. He had helped someone today, had made a genuine connection. But he also felt the loss of what might have been, the friendship that would probably never develop.
他们握手,斯蒂芬走进黑暗中。布卢姆看着他离开,感到满足和悲伤的混合。他今天帮助了某人,建立了真正的联系。但他也感到失去了可能发生的事情,可能永远不会发展的友谊。
Bloom returned to his house, locking the door behind him. The day was finally ending, his odyssey through Dublin complete. He had witnessed birth and death, had confronted his fears and desires, had reached out to another human being in need.
布卢姆回到他的房子,锁上身后的门。这一天终于结束了,他在都柏林的奥德赛完成了。他目睹了出生和死亡,面对了他的恐惧和欲望,向需要帮助的另一个人伸出了援手。
He thought about the day's events as he prepared for bed. So much had happened, so many encounters and revelations. Yet tomorrow would bring another day, another round of ordinary tasks and small dramas.
当他准备睡觉时,他想着一天的事件。发生了这么多事情,这么多遭遇和启示。然而明天会带来另一天,另一轮普通任务和小戏剧。
Bloom climbed the stairs quietly, not wanting to wake Molly. He knew she had been with Boylan, knew his bed had been defiled. But he also knew he would accept it, would continue their life together despite everything.
布卢姆安静地爬上楼梯,不想吵醒莫莉。他知道她和博伊兰在一起,知道他的床被玷污了。但他也知道他会接受它,尽管一切,他们会继续他们的生活。
What choice did he have? Love was complicated, marriage was imperfect, and life went on regardless. He would endure, as he always had, finding small pleasures and moments of connection amid the disappointments.
他有什么选择?爱是复杂的,婚姻是不完美的,生活无论如何都会继续。他会忍受,就像他一直做的那样,在失望中找到小小的快乐和联系的时刻。