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.