四、水里的死亡

扶里巴斯，那腓尼基人，死了两星期，

他忘了海鸥的啼唤，深渊里的巨浪，

利润和损失。

海底的一股洋流

低语着啄他的骨头。就在一起一落时光

他经历了苍老和青春的阶段

而进入旋涡。

犹太或非犹太人呵，

你们转动轮盘和观望风向的，

想想他，也曾象你们一样漂亮而高大。

IV. DEATH BY WATER

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,

Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell

And the profit and loss.

A current under sea

Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell

He passed the stages of his age and youth

Entering the whirlpool.

Gentile or Jew

O you who turn the wheel and look to windward,

Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.