Ulysses - Chapter 20
尤利西斯 - 第二十章
Molly lay awake in the darkness, her mind wandering through memories and desires. She thought about Blazes Boylan, about their passionate afternoon together. He was exciting, virile, everything Leopold was not.
莫莉在黑暗中醒着躺着,她的思绪在记忆和欲望中徘徊。她想着布雷泽斯·博伊兰,想着他们激情的下午。他令人兴奋,充满活力,是利奥波德不是的一切。
But she also thought about Leopold, about their early courtship and the love they had shared. He had been so romantic then, writing her letters, bringing her flowers, making her feel special. When had that changed? When had they become strangers sharing a bed?
但她也想着利奥波德,想着他们早期的求爱和他们曾经分享的爱。那时他是如此浪漫,给她写信,给她带花,让她感到特别。这是什么时候改变的?他们什么时候变成了共享一张床的陌生人?
She remembered other lovers, other men who had desired her. There had been many over the years, some before marriage, some after. Each one had offered something different, filled some need or void.
她记得其他情人,其他渴望她的男人。这些年来有很多,有些在婚前,有些在婚后。每一个都提供了不同的东西,填补了某种需要或空虚。
Her thoughts turned to her daughter Milly, now working in Mullingar. The girl was growing up, becoming a woman. Soon she would have her own lovers, her own complicated relationships. Life continued, generation after generation.
她的思绪转向她的女儿米莉,现在在穆林加工作。这个女孩正在长大,成为一个女人。很快她就会有自己的情人,自己复杂的关系。生活继续,一代又一代。
Molly thought about her singing career, about the opportunities she had missed. She could have been famous, could have traveled the world performing. Instead, she had married Leopold and settled into domestic life.
莫莉想着她的歌唱事业,想着她错过的机会。她本可以出名,本可以周游世界演出。相反,她嫁给了利奥波德,安定下来过家庭生活。
Did she regret it? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Life was full of choices, and every choice meant giving up other possibilities. She had chosen Leopold, had chosen this life. Now she had to live with the consequences.
她后悔吗?有时是的,有时不是。生活充满了选择,每一个选择都意味着放弃其他可能性。她选择了利奥波德,选择了这种生活。现在她必须承受后果。
She felt Leopold stir beside her, felt his kiss on her bottom. The gesture touched her, reminded her of his devotion despite everything. He knew about Boylan, she was certain. Yet he stayed, he endured.
她感到利奥波德在她旁边动了动,感到他在她臀部上的吻。这个姿态触动了她,提醒她尽管一切,他仍然忠诚。他知道博伊兰的事,她确信。然而他留下了,他忍受着。
Molly's thoughts drifted to Gibraltar, to her youth, to the day Leopold had proposed. She remembered saying yes, remembered the hope and excitement of that moment. And she thought: yes, I said yes I will Yes.
莫莉的思绪飘向直布罗陀,飘向她的青春,飘向利奥波德求婚的那一天。她记得说是的,记得那一刻的希望和兴奋。她想:是的,我说是的,我愿意,是的。