Far out in the sea there was an island，on the rocky edge of which lived three Sirens，the three sisters of magic song.Half human and half bird，the Siren sisters sat in a field of flowers，singing in voices that excited the hearts of men.The attractive songs were so sweet that ships were attracted to the island and struck to pieces on the rocks.No sailor nor ship had ever been known to pass the Island of the Sirens without being attracted to disaster .
Acting on the advice of Circe，Odysseus took careful preparation against the Sirens.Before their ships came to where they could hear the song，Odysseus had himself tied to the mast ，stopped the ears of his men with wax and ordered them to ignore his orders and gestures when they were passing the fatal island .
Soon they came in sight of the rocky island，and the attractive song reached the ears of Odysseus.It moved him so much that he struggled in despair to free himself and shouted for his men to turn towards the rich and flowery grass land of the singing sisters.But no one paid any attention to him.The sailors kept straight on until they were completely out of hearing.Then his friends freed him and took the wax out of their ears.For once the Sirens had sung with no effects.The eldest of the sisters，Partherope，loved Odysseus so much that she threw herself into the sea after his ships had passed.
遙遠的海面上有一島嶼，石崖邊居住著唱魔歌的海妖塞壬三姐妹。半人半島的塞壬姐妹們坐在一片花叢里，唱著盎惑人心的歌，甜美的歌聲把過往的船只引向該島，然后撞上礁石船毀人亡。過往的海員和船只都受到迷惑走向毀滅，無一幸免。
奧德修斯遵循女神喀耳斯的忠告。為了對付塞壬姐妹，他采取了謹慎的防備措施。船只還沒駛到能聽到歌聲的地方，奧德修斯就令人把他拴在桅桿上，并吩咐手下用蠟把他們的耳朵塞住。他還告誡他們通過死亡島時不要理會他的命令和手勢。
不久石島就進入了他們的視線。奧德修斯聽到了迷人的歌聲。歌聲如此令人神往，他絕望地掙扎著要解除束縛，并向隨從叫喊著要他們駛向正在繁花茂盛的草地上唱歌的海妖姐妹，但沒人理他。海員們駕駛船只一直向前，直到最后再也聽不到歌聲。這時他們才給奧德修斯松綁，取出他們耳朵中的蠟。這次塞壬海妖們算是白唱了歌。三姐妹中的老大帕耳塞洛珀深深地愛慕著奧德修斯。當他的船只走過后，她就投海自盡了。 |
大學英語---