思维的中止
A Pause of Thought
by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
英国 克利丝汀娜·罗赛蒂原著
徐家祯翻译
I looked for that which is not, nor can be,
And hope deferred made my heart sick in truth:
But years must pass before a hope of youth
Is resigned utterly.
I watched and waited with a steadfast will:
And though the object seemed to flee away
That I so longed for, ever day by day
I watched and waited still.
Sometimes I said: This thing shall be no more;
My expectation wearies and shall cease;
I will resign it now and be at peace:
Yet never gave it o'er.
Sometimes I said: It is an empty name
I long for; to a name why should I give
The peace of all the days I have to live?—
Yet gave it all the same.
Alas, thou foolish on
For healthy joy and salutary pain:
Thou knowest the chase useless, and again
Turnest to follow it.
我寻找的是不可能有的虚无,
未实现的希望令我心力衰疲,
但一定得经过很多年,
青春的希望才会完全放弃。
我怀着坚定的信念期望、等待,
虽然我的目标似已溜之大吉;
我是多么期待这个目的的实现,
一天又一天地静静等候、待期。
有时我说,我等待的不会再来,
我对期望已经厌倦,应当停息,
现在就要放弃,从此平心静气:
可是,我从未能够摆脱希冀。
有时我说,那仅是个空名,
原本我的生活可以风平波息,
为何因追求一个名字而自怨自艾?
可是,我仍一如既往,毫无变易。
啊,你这笨蛋呀!不管健康的欢乐,
还是有益的苦痛,全都不适合你。
你明知追求的无用,
却一而再地寻求不已!
2016年12月7日
译于澳大利亚刻来佛寺爱闲堂
* 十九世纪英国女诗人罗赛蒂的这首诗,主题还是对“爱”的执着的追求,虽然明知这是“不可能有的虚无”、是“个空名”、是“不会再来”的东西;虽然诗人也一再提醒、警告自己,要放弃这种执着而无用的追求,但是,最后的结果还是“一而再地寻求不已”!这是诗人一生悲剧的总结。原诗共五节,每段四句,按abba模式押韵。拙译双句押韵,全诗押[i]韵。
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