生如夏花之絢爛

第一章

　　第一節 家庭 The Home

　　I paced alone on the road across the field while the sunset was hiding itslast gold like a miser。

　　The daylight sank deeper and deeper into the darkness，and the widowedland，whose harvest had been reaped，lay silent。

　　Suddenly a boy’s shrill voice rose into the sky。He traversed the darkunseen，leaving the track of his song across the hush of the evening。

　　His village home lay there at the end of the waste land，beyond the sugar-cane field，hidden among the shadows of the banana and the slender arecapalm，the cocoa-nut and the dark green jack-fruit trees。

　　I stopped for a moment in my lonely way under the starlight，and sawspread before me the darkened earth surrounding with her arms countlesshomes furnished with cradles and beds，mothers’hearts and eveninglamps，and young lives glad with a gladness that knows nothing of its valuefor the world。

　　我獨自在橫跨過田地的路上走著，夕陽像一個守財奴似的，正藏起它最後的金子。

　　白晝更加深沉地沒入黑暗之中，那已經收割了的孤寂的田地，默默地躺在那裏。

　　天空裏突然升起了一個男孩子的尖銳的歌聲，他穿過看不見的黑暗，留下他的歌聲的轍痕跨過黃昏的靜謐。

　　他的鄉村的家坐落在荒涼的土地的邊上，在甘蔗田的後麵，躲藏在香蕉樹，瘦長的檳榔樹，椰子樹和深綠色的賈克果樹的陰影裏。

　　我在星光下獨自走著的路上停留了一會，我看見黑沉沉的大地展開在我的麵前，用她的手臂擁抱著無量數的家庭，在那些家庭裏，有著搖籃和床鋪，母親們的心和夜晚的燈，還有年輕輕的生命，他們滿心歡樂，卻渾然不知這樣的歡樂對於世界的價值。

　　海 邊On the Seashore

　　On the seashore of endless worlds children meet。

　　The infinite sky is motionless overhead and the restless water is boisterous。On the seashore of endless world the children meet with shouts and dances。

　　They build their houses with sand，and they play with empty shells。Withwithered leaves they weave their boats and smilingly float them on the vast deep。Children have their play on the seashore of world。

　　孩子們會集在無邊無際的世界的海邊。

　　無限的天穹靜止地臨於頭上，不息的海水在足下洶湧。孩子們會集在無邊無際的世界的海邊，叫著，跳著。

　　他們拿沙來建造房屋，拿空貝殼來做遊戲。他們把落葉編成了船，笑嘻嘻地把它們放到大海上。孩子們在世界的海邊，做他們的遊戲。

　　They know not how to swim，they know not how to cast nets。

　　Pearl-fishers dive for pearls，merchants sail in their ships，while childrengather pebbles and scatter them again。They seek not for hidden treasures，theyknow not how to cast nets。

　　The sea surges up with laughter，and pale gleams the smile of the sea-beach。Death-dealing waves sing meaningless ballads to the children，even likea mother while rocking her baby’s cradle。

　　The sea plays with children，and pale gleams the smile of the sea-beach。

　　On the seashore of endless world children meet。Tempest roams in the pathless sky，ships are wrecked in the trackless water，death is abroad and children play。

　　On the seashore of endless world is the great meeting of children。

　　他們不知道怎樣泅水，他們不知道怎樣撒網。采珠的人為了珠潛水，商人在他們的船上航行，孩子們卻隻把小圓石聚了又散。他們不搜求寶藏；他們不知道怎樣撒網。

　　大海嘩笑著湧起波浪，而海灘的微笑蕩漾著淡淡的光芒。致人死命的波濤，對著孩子們唱無意義的歌曲，就像一個媽媽在搖動她孩子的搖籃時一樣。大海和孩子們一同遊戲，而海灘的微笑蕩漾著淡淡的光芒。孩子們會集在無邊無際的世界的海邊。狂風暴雨飄遊在無轍跡的天空上，航船沉碎在無轍跡的海水裏，死正在外麵活動，孩子們卻在遊戲，在無邊無際的世界的海邊，孩子們大會集著。

　　第二節 來源 The source

　　The sleep that flits on baby’s eyes-does anybody know from where itcomes？Yes，there is a rumour that it has its dwelling where，in the fairy villageamong shadows of the forest dimly lit with glow-worms，there hang two shybuds of enchantment。From there it comes to kiss baby’s eyes。

　　The smile that flickers on baby’s lips when he sleeps-does anybody knowwhere it was born？Yes，there is a rumour that a young pale beam of a crescentmoon touched the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud，and there the smile wasfirst born in the dream of a dew-washed morning-the smile that flickers onbaby’s lips when he sleeps。

　　第三節

　　流泛在孩子兩眼的睡眠-有誰知道它是從什麽地方來的？是的，有個謠傳，說它是住在螢火蟲朦朧地照耀著林蔭的仙村裏，在那個地方，掛著兩個迷人的腆當怯孩的子蓓睡蕾時。它在便他是唇從上那浮個動地著方的來微吻笑孩子的有兩誰眼知的。它是從什麽地方生出來的？是的，有生個在謠一傳個，浴說在新清月露的裏一的線早年晨輕的的夢清中光了，觸著當將孩消子未睡消時的，秋微雲笑邊便上在，他的唇上浮動著。

　　The sweet，soft freshness that blooms on baby’s limbs-does anybodyknow where it was hidden so long？Yes，when the mother was a young girlit lay pervading her heart in tender and silent mystery of love-the sweet，softfreshness that has bloomed on baby’s limbs。

　　甜蜜柔嫩的新鮮生氣，花一般地在孩子的四肢上開放著-有誰知道它在什麽地方藏得這樣久？是的，當媽媽還是一個少女的時候，它已在愛的溫柔與子的四肢上開放著。

　　第四節 孩童之道Baby’s Way

　　If baby only wanted to，he could fly up to heaven this moment。

　　It is not for nothing that he does not leave us。

　　He loves to rest his head on mother’s bosom，and cannot ever bear to losesight of her。

　　Baby knows all manner of wise words，though few on earth can understandtheir meaning。

　　It is not for nothing that he never wants to speak。

　　The one thing he wants is to learn mother’s words from mother’s lips。That is why he looks so innocent。

　　隻要孩子願意，他此刻便可飛上天去。

　　他所以不離開我們，並不是沒有緣故。

　　他愛把他的頭倚在媽媽的胸間，他即使是一刻不見她，也是不行的。

　　孩子知道各式各樣的聰明話，雖然世間的人很少懂得這些話的意義。

　　他所以永不想說，並不是沒有緣故。

　　他所要做的一件事，就是要學習從媽媽的嘴唇裏說出來的話。那就是他所以看來這樣天真的緣故。

　　Baby had a heap of gold and pearls，yet he came like a beggar on to this earth。

　　It is not for nothing he came in such a disguise。

　　This dear little naked mendicant pretends to be utterly helpless，so that he may beg for mother’s wealth of love。

　　Baby was so free from every tie in the land of the tiny crescent moon。

　　It was not for nothing he gave up his freedom。

　　孩子有成堆的黃金與珠子，但他到這個世界上來，卻像一個乞丐。

　　他所以這樣假裝了來，並不是沒有緣故。

　　這個可愛的小小的裸著身體的乞丐，所以假裝著完全無助的樣子，便是想要乞求媽媽的愛的財富。

　　孩子在纖小的新月的世界裏，是一切束縛都沒有的。

　　他所以放棄了他的自由，並不是沒有緣故。

　　He knows that there is room for endless joy in mother’s little cornerof a heart，and it is sweeter far than liberty to be caught and pressed in herdear arms。

　　Baby never knew how to cry。He dwelt in the land of perfect bliss。

　　It is not for nothing he has chosen to shed tears。

　　Though with the smile of his dear face he draws mother’s yearning heart tohim，yet his little cries over tiny troubles weave the double bond of pity and love。

　　他知道有無窮的快樂藏在媽媽的心的小小一隅裏，被媽媽親愛的手臂所擁抱，其甜美遠勝過自由。

　　孩子永不知道如何哭泣。他所住的是完全的樂土。

　　他所以要流淚，並不是沒有緣故。

　　雖然他用了可愛的臉兒上的微笑，引逗得他媽媽的熱切的心向著他，然而他的因為細故而發的小小報哭聲，卻編成了憐與愛的雙重約束的帶子。

　　第五節 不被注視的花飾The Unheeded Pageant

　　Ah，who was it coloured that little frock，my child，and covered your sweet limbs with that little red tunic？

　　You have come out in the morning to play in the courtyard，tottering and tumbling as you run。

　　But who was it coloured that little frock， my child？

　　What is it makes you laugh，my little life-bud？

　　Mother smiles at you standing on the threshold。

　　啊，誰給那件小外衫染上顏色的，我的孩子，誰使你的溫軟的肢體穿上那件紅的小外衫的？

　　你在早晨就跑出來到天井裏玩兒，你，跑著就像搖搖欲跌似的。

　　但是誰給那件小外衫染上顏色的，我的孩子？

　　什麽事叫你大笑起來的，我的小小的命芽兒？

　　媽媽站在門邊，微笑地望著你。

　　She claps her hands and her bracelets jingle，and you dance with yourbamboo stick in your hand like a tiny little shepherd。

　　But what is it makes you laugh，my little life-bud？

　　O beggar，what do you beg for，clinging to your mother’s neck with bothyour hands？

　　O greedy heart，shall I pluck the world like a fruit from the sky to place it onyour little rosy palm？

　　O beggar，what are you begging for？

　　The wind carries away in glee the tinkling of your anklet bells。

　　The sun smiles and watches your toilet。The sky watches over you whenyou sleep in your mother’s arms，and the morning comestiptoe to your bed andkisses your eyes。

　　The wind carries away in glee the tinkling of your anklet bells。

　　The fairy mistress of dreams is coming towards you，flying through thetwilight sky。

　　The world-mother keeps her seat by you in your mother’s heart。

　　He who plays his music to the stars is standing at your window with his flute。

　　And the fairy mistress of dreams is coming towards you，flying through the twilight sky。

　　她拍著她的雙手，她的手鐲叮當地響著，你手裏拿著你的竹竿兒在跳舞，活像一個小小的牧童兒。

　　但是什麽事叫你大笑起來的，我的小小的命芽兒？

　　喔，乞丐，你雙手攀摟住媽媽的頭頸，要乞討些什麽？

　　喔，貪得無厭的心，要我把整個世界從天上摘下來，像摘一個果子似的，把它放在你的一雙小小的玫瑰色的手掌上麽？

　　喔，乞丐，你要乞討些什麽？

　　風高興地帶走了你踝鈴的叮當。

　　太陽微笑著，望著你的打扮。

　　當你睡在你媽媽的臂彎裏時，天空在上麵望著你，而早晨躡手躡腳地走到你的床跟前，吻著你的雙眼。

　　風高興地帶走了你踝鈴的叮當。

　　仙鄉裏的夢婆飛過朦朧的天空，向你飛來。

　　在你媽媽的心頭上，那世界母親，正和你坐在一塊兒。

　　他，向星星奏樂的人，正拿著他的橫笛，站在你的窗邊。

　　仙鄉裏的夢婆飛過朦朧的天空，向你飛來。

　　第六節 偷睡眠者Sleep-Stealer

　　Who stole sleep from baby’s eyes？I must know。

　　Clasping her pitcher to her waist mother went to fetch water from the villagenear by。

　　It was noon。The children’s playtime was over；the ducks in the pondwere silent。

　　The shepherd boy lay asleep under the shadow of the banyan tree。

　　The crane stood grave and still in the swamp near the mango grove。

　　In the meanwhile the Sleep-stealer came and， snatching sleep from baby’s eyes，flew away。

　　When mother came back she found baby travelling the room over on all fours。

　　Who stole sleep from our baby’s eyes？I must know。I must find her and chain her up。

　　I must look into that dark cave， where，through boulders and scowling stones，trickles a tiny stream。

　　I must search in the drowsy 98 shade of the bakula grove，where pigeons coo in their corner，and fairies’anklets tinkle in the stillness of starry nights。

　　誰從孩子的眼裏把睡眠偷了去呢？我一定要知道。

　　媽媽把她的水罐挾在腰間，走到近村汲水去了。

　　這是正午的時候，孩子們遊戲的時間已經過去了；池中的鴨子沉默無聲。

　　牧童躺在榕樹的蔭下睡著了。

　　白鶴莊重而安靜地立在檬果樹邊的泥澤裏。

　　就在這個時候，偷睡眠者跑來從孩子的兩眼裏捉住睡眠，便飛去了。

　　當媽媽回來時，她看見孩子四肢著地地在屋裏爬著。

　　誰從孩子的眼裏把睡眠偷了去呢？我一定要知道。我一定要找到她，把她鎖起來。

　　我一定要向那個黑洞裏張望，在這個洞裏，有一道小泉從圓的和有皺紋的石上滴下來。

　　我一定要到醉花林中的沉寂的樹影裏搜尋，在這林裏，鴿子在它們住的地方咕咕地叫著，仙女的腳環在繁星滿天的靜夜裏叮當地響著。

　　In the evening I will peep into the whispering silence of the bamboo forest，where fireflies squander their light，and will ask every creature I meet，“Cananybody tell me where the Sleep-stealer lives？”

　　Who stole sleep from baby’s eyes？I must know。

　　Shouldn’t I give her a good lesson if I could only catch her！

　　I would raid her nest and see where she hoards all her stolen sleep。

　　I would plunder it all，and carry it home。

　　I would bind her two wings securely，set her on the bank of the river，andthen let her play at fishing with a reed among the rushes and water-lilies。

　　When the marketing is over in the evening，and the village children sit intheir mothers’laps，then the night birds will mockingly din her ears with：

　　“Whose sleep will you steal now？”

　　我要在黃昏時，向靜靜的蕭蕭的竹林裏窺望，在這林中，螢火蟲閃閃地耗費它們的光明，隻要遇見一個人，我便要問他：“誰能告訴我偷睡眠者住在什麽地方？”

　　誰從孩子的眼裏把睡眠偷了去呢？我一定要知道。

　　隻要我能捉住她，怕不會給她一頓好教訓！

　　我要闖入她的巢穴，看她把所有偷來的睡眠藏在什麽地方。

　　我要把它都奪來，帶回家去。

　　我要把她的雙翼縛得緊緊的，把她放在河邊，然後叫她拿一根蘆草，在燈心草和睡蓮間釣魚為戲。

　　黃昏，街上已經收了市，村裏的孩子們都坐在媽媽的膝上時，夜鳥便會譏笑地在她耳邊說：

　　“你現在還想偷誰的睡眠呢？”

　　第七節 開始The Beginning

　　“Where have I come from，where did you pick me up？”the baby asked its mother。

　　She answered half crying，half laughing，and clasping the baby to her breast，-“You were hidden in my heart as its desire，my darling。

　　You were in the dolls of my childhood’s games；and when with clay I made the image of my god every morning，I made and unmade you then。

　　You were enshrined with our household deity，in his worship I worshipped you。

　　In all my hopes and my loves，in my life，in the life of my mother you have lived。

　　In the lap of the deathless Spirit who rules our home you have been nursedfor ages。

　　“她我把是孩從子哪緊兒緊來的的摟，在你胸，前在，哪半兒哭把半我笑撿地起答來道的？”孩子問他的媽媽說。“你曾被我當做心願藏在我的心裏，我的寶貝。

　　你曾存在於我孩童時代玩的泥娃娃身上；每天早晨我用泥土塑造我的神像，那時我反複地塑了又捏碎了的就是你。

　　你曾和我們的家庭守護神一同受到祀奉，我崇拜家神時也就崇拜了你。

　　你曾活在我所有的希望和愛情裏，活在我的生命裏，我母親的生命裏。

　　在主宰著我們家庭的不死的精靈的膝上，你已經被撫育了好多代了。

　　When in girlhood my heart was opening its petals，you hovered as afragrance about it。

　　Your tender softness bloomed in my youthful limbs，like a glow in the skybefore the sunrise。

　　Heaven’s first darling，twin-born with the morning light，you have floateddown the stream of the world’s life，and at last you have stranded on my heart。

　　As I gaze on your face，mystery overwhelms me；you who belong to all havebecome mine。

　　For fear of losing you I hold you tight to my breast。What magic has snaredthe world’s treasure in these slender arms of mine？”

　　當我做女孩子的時候，我的心的花瓣兒張開，你就像一股花香似的散發出來。

　　你的軟軟的溫柔，在我青春的肢體上開花了，像太陽出來之前的天空上的一片曙光。

　　上天的第一寵兒，晨曦的孿生兄弟，你從世界的生命的溪流浮泛而下，終於停泊在我的。

　　當我凝視你的臉蛋兒的時候，神秘之感淹沒了我；你這屬於一切人的，竟成了我的。

　　為了怕失掉你，我把你緊緊地摟在胸前。是什麽魔術把這世界的寶貝引到我這雙纖小的手臂裏來呢？”

　　第八節 孩子的世界Baby’s World

　　I wish I could take a quiet corner in the heart of my baby’s very own world。

　　I know it has stars that talk to him，and a sky that stoops down to his face to amuse him with its silly clouds and rainbows。

　　Those who make believe to be dumb，and look as if they never could move，come creeping to his window with their stories and with trays crowded with bright toys。

　　I wish I could travel by the road that crosses baby’s mind，and out beyond all bounds；

　　Where messengers run errands for no cause between the kingdoms of kings of no history；

　　Where Reason makes kites of her laws and flies them，and Truth sets Factfree from its fetters。

　　我願我能在我孩子自己的世界的中心，占一角清淨地。

　　我知道有星星同他說話，天空也在他麵前垂下，用它傻傻的雲朵和彩虹來娛悅他。

　　那些大家以為他是啞的人，那些看去像是永不會走動的人，都帶了他們 的故事，捧了滿裝著五顏六色的玩具的盤子，匍匐地來到他的窗前。

　　我願我能在橫過孩子心中的道路上遊行，解脫了一切的束縛；

　　在那兒，使者奉了無所謂的使命奔走於無史的諸王的王國間；

　　在那兒，理智以她的法律造為紙鳶而飛放，真理也使事實從桎梏中自由了。

　　第九節 時候與原因When and why

　　When I bring you coloured toys，my child，I understand why there is such aplay of colours on clouds，on water，and why flowers are painted in tints-when Igive coloured toys to you，my child。

　　When I sing to make you dance，I truly know why there is music in leaves，and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart of the listening earth-when I sing to make you dance。

　　這樣的色彩繽紛，為什麽花朵上染上絢爛的顏色的原因了-當我給你五顏六當我給你五顏六色的玩具的時候，我的孩子，我明白了為什麽雲上水上是色的玩具的時候，我的孩子。

　　波浪把它們的合唱的聲音送進靜聽著的大地的心頭的原因了-當我唱著使你當我唱著使你跳舞的時候，我真的知道了為什麽樹葉兒響著音樂，為什麽跳舞的時候。

　　When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands，I know why there is honeyin the cup of the flower，and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice-when Ibring sweet things to your greedy hands。

　　When I kiss your face to make you smile，my darling，I surely understandwhat pleasure streams from the sky in morning light，and what delight thesummer breeze brings to my body-when I kiss you to make you smile。

　　有蜜，為什麽水果裏會秘密地充溢了甜汁的原因了-當我把糖果送到你貪得當我把糖果送到你貪得無厭的雙手上的時候，我知道了為什麽在花萼裏會無厭的雙手上的時候。

　　當我吻著你的臉蛋兒叫你微笑的時候，我的寶貝，我的確明白了在晨光裏從天上流下來的是什麽樣的快樂，而夏天的微風吹拂在我身體上的又是什麽樣。

　　第十節 責備Defamation

　　Why are those tears in your eyes，my child？

　　How horrid of them to be always scolding you for nothing？

　　You have stained your fingers and face with ink while writing-is that whythey call you dirty？

　　O，fie！Would they dare to call the full moon dirty because it has smudged its face with ink？

　　For every little trifle they blame you，my child。

　　They are ready to find fault for nothing。

　　You tore your clothes while playing-is that why they call you untidy？

　　O，fie！What would they call an autumn morning that smiles through its ragged clouds？

　　Take no heed of what they say to you， my child。

　　Take no heed of what they say to you， my child。

　　They make a long list of your misdeeds。Everybody knows how you lovesweet things-is that why they call you greedy？

　　O，fie！What then would they call us who love you？

　　為什麽你眼裏有了眼淚，我的孩子？

　　他們真字是時可墨怕水，玷常汙常無謂地責備和你臉！-這就是他們所以罵你齷齪的緣故嗎？

　　嗬，呸！他們也敢因為圓圓的月兒用墨水塗了臉，便罵它齷齪嗎？

　　他們總要為了每一件小事去責備你，我他的們孩所子以。說他你們不總整是潔無的謂緣地故尋嗎人？錯處。

　　嗬，呸！秋之晨從它的破碎的雲衣中露出微笑，那麽，他們要叫它什麽呢？

　　他們對你說什麽話，盡管可以不去理睬他，我的孩子。

　　他們把你做錯的事長長地記了一筆賬。

　　誰都知道你是十分喜歡糖果的-這就是他們所以稱你做貪婪的緣故嗎？

　　嗬，呸！我們是喜歡你的，那麽，他們要叫我們什麽呢？

　　第十一節 審判官The Judge

　　Say of him what you please，but I know my child’s failings。

　　I do not love him because he is good，but because he is my little child。

　　How should you know how dear he can be when you try to weigh his meritsagainst his faults。

　　When I must punish him he becomes all the more a part ofmy being。

　　When I cause his tears to come my heart weeps with him。

　　I alone have a right to blame and punish，for he only may chastise who loves。

　　你想說他什麽盡管說吧，但是我知道我孩子的短處。

　　我愛他並不因為他好，隻是因為他是我的小小的孩子。

　　你如果把他的好處與壞處兩兩相權一下，恐怕你就會知道他是如何的可愛吧？

　　當我必須責罰他的時候，他更成為我的生命的一部分了。

　　當我使他眼淚流出時，我的心也和他同哭了。

　　隻有我才有權去罵他，去責罰他，因為隻有熱愛人的才可以懲戒人。

　　第十二節 玩具Playthings

　　Child，how happy you are sitting in the dust，playing with a broken twig allthe morning。

　　I smile at your play with that little bit of a broken twig。

　　I am busy with my accounts，adding up figures by the hour。

　　Perhaps you glance at me and think，What a stupid game to spoil your morning with！”

　　Child，I have forgotten the art of being absorbed in sticks and mud-pies。

　　I seek out costly playthings，and gather lumps of gold and silver。

　　With whatever you find you create your glad games，I spend both my time and my strength over things I never can obtain。

　　In my frail canoe I struggle to cross 108 the sea of desire，and forget that I too am playing a game。

　　孩子，你真是快活呀，一早晨坐在泥土裏，耍著折下來的小樹枝兒。

　　我微笑地看你在那裏耍著那根折下來的小樹枝兒。

　　我正忙著算賬，一小時一小時在那裏加疊數字。

　　也許你在看我，想道：“這種好沒趣的遊戲，竟把你的一早晨的寶貴時間浪費掉了！”

　　孩子，我忘了聚精會神玩耍樹枝與泥餅的方法了。

　　我尋求貴重的玩具，收集金塊與銀塊。

　　你呢，無論找到什麽都會去做你的快樂的遊戲，我呢，卻把我的時間與力氣都浪費在那些我永不能得到的東西上。

　　我在我的脆薄的獨木船裏掙紮著要航過欲望之海，竟忘了我也是在那裏做遊戲了。

　　第十三節 天文家The Astronomer

　　I only said，“When in the evening the round full moon gets entangledamong the branches of that Kadam tree，couldn’t somebody catch it？”

　　第十四節

　　But dada[elder brother]laughed at me and said，“Baby，you are the silliestchild I have ever known。The moon is ever so far from us，how could anybodycatch it？”

　　I said，“Dada how foolish you are！When mother looks out of her windowand smiles down at us playing，would you call her far away？”

　　Still said，“You are a stupid child！But，baby，where could you find a net bigenough to catch the moon with？”

　　I said，“Surely you could catch it with your hands。”

　　But dada laughed and said，“You are the silliest child I have known。If itcame nearer，you would see how big the moon is。”

　　I said，“Dada，what nonsense they teach at your school！When motherbends her face down to kiss us does her face look very big？”

　　But still dada says，“You are a stupid child。”

　　我不過說，“當傍晚圓圓的滿月掛在迦曇波1的枝頭時，有人能去捉住它嗎？”

　　哥哥卻對我笑道：“孩子呀，你真是我所見到的頂頂傻的孩子。月亮離我們這樣遠，誰能去捉住它呢？”

　　我說，“哥哥，你真傻！當媽媽向窗外探望，微笑著往下看我們遊戲時，你也能說她遠嗎？”

　　哥哥還是說：“你這個傻孩子！但是，孩子，你到哪裏去找一個大得能逮住月亮的網呢？”

　　(1) 迦曇波，原名Kadamba，亦作Kadamba，學名Namlea，意譯“白花”，即曇花。

　　我說：“你自然可以用雙手去捉住它呀。”

　　但是哥哥還是笑著說：“你真是我所見到的頂頂傻的孩子！如果月亮走近了，你便知道它是多麽大了。”

　　我說，“哥哥，你們學校裏所教的，真是沒有用呀！當媽媽低下臉兒跟我們親嘴時，她的臉看來也是很大的嗎？”

　　但是哥哥還是說，“你真是一個傻孩子。”

　　第十五節 雲與波Clouds and Waves

　　Mother，the folk who live up in the clouds call out to me-“Weplay from the time we wake till the day ends。

　　We play with the golden dawn，we play with the silver moon。”

　　I ask，“But，how am I to get up to you？”They answer，“Cometo the edge of the earth，lift up your hands to the sky，and you will be taken up into the clouds。”

　　“My mother is waiting for me at home，”I say。“How can I leave her and come？”

　　Then they smile and float away。

　　But I know a nicer game than that， mother。

　　I shall be the cloud and you the moon。

　　媽媽，住在雲端的人對我喚道-

　　“我們從醒的時候遊戲到白日終止。

　　我們與黃金色的曙光遊戲，我們與銀白色的月亮遊戲。”

　　我問道：“但是，我怎麽能夠上你那裏去呢？”

　　他們答道：“你到地球的邊上來，舉手向天，就可以被接到雲端裏來了。”“我媽媽在家裏等我呢，”我說，“我怎麽能離開她而來呢？”

　　於是他們微笑著浮遊而去。

　　但是我知道一件比這個更好的遊戲，媽媽。

　　我做雲，你做月亮。

　　I shall cover you with both my hands，and our house-top will be theblue sky。

　　The folk who live in the waves call out to me-

　　“We sing from morning till night；on and on we travel and know not wherewe pass。”

　　I ask，“But，how am I to join you？”They tell me，“Come to the edge of the shore and stand with your eyes tight shut，and you will be carried out upon the waves。”

　　I say，“My mother always wants me at home in the evening-how can I leave her and go？”

　　Then they smile，dance and pass by。

　　But I know a better

　　第十六節

　　game than that。

　　I will be the waves and you will be a strange shore。

　　I shall roll on and on and on，and break upon your lap with laughter。

　　And no one in the world will know where we both are。

　　我用兩隻手遮蓋你，我們的屋頂就是青碧的天空。

　　“我們從早晨唱歌到晚上；我們前進又前進地旅行，也不知我們所經過的是什麽地方。”

　　我問道：“但是，我怎麽才能加入你們隊伍裏去呢？”

　　他們告訴我說：“來到岸旁，站在那裏，緊閉你的兩眼，你就被帶到波浪上來了我。”：“傍晚的時候，我媽媽常要我在家裏-我怎麽能離開她而去呢！”

　　於是他們微笑著，舞動著奔流過去。

　　但是我知道一件比這個更好的遊戲。

　　我是波浪，你是陌生的岸。

　　我奔流而進，進，進，笑哈哈地撞碎在你的膝上。

　　世界上就沒有一個人會知道我們倆在什麽地方。

　　第十七節 金色花The Champa Flower

　　Supposing I became a champa flower，just for fun，and grew on a branch high up that tree，and shook in the wind with laughter and dancedupon the newly budded leaves，would you know me，mother？

　　You would call，“Baby，where are you？”and I should laugh to myself andkeep quite quiet。

　　I should slyly open my petals and watch you at your work。

　　When after your bath，with wet hair spread on your shoulders，you walkedthrough the shadow of the champa tree to the little court where you say your prayers，you would notice the scent of the flower，but not know that it came from me。

　　假如我變了一朵金色花1，隻是為了好玩，長在那棵樹的高枝上，笑哈哈地在風中搖擺，又在新生的樹葉上跳舞，媽媽，你會認識我麽？

　　你要是叫道，“孩子，你在哪裏呀？”我暗暗地在那裏匿笑，卻一聲兒不響。

　　我要悄悄地開放花瓣兒，看著你工作。

　　當你沐浴後，濕發披在兩肩，穿過金色花的林蔭，走到你做禱告的小庭院時，你會嗅到這花的香氣，卻不知道這香氣是從我身上來的。

　　When after the midday meal you sat at the window reading Ramayana，and the tree’s shadow fell over your hair and your lap，I should fling my weelittle shadow on to the page of your book，just where you were reading。

　　(1) 原名champa，亦作Champak，學名Michelia Champaca，印度聖樹，木蘭花屬植物，開金黃色碎花。澤名亦作“瞻波迦”或“占博迦”。

　　But would you guess that it was the tiny shadow of your little child？

　　When in the evening you went to the cow-shed with the lighted lamp in yourhand，I should suddenly drop on to the earth again and be your own baby oncemore，and beg you to tell me a story。

　　“Where have you been，you naughty child？”

　　“I won’t tell you，mother。”That’s what you and I would say then。

　　當你吃過中飯，坐在窗前讀《羅摩衍那》，那棵樹的陰影落在你的頭發與1 膝上時，我便要投我的小小的影子在你的書頁上，正投在你所讀的地方。

　　但是你會猜得出這就是你的小孩子的小影子嗎？

　　當你黃昏時拿了燈到牛棚裏去，我便要突然地再落到地上來，又成了你的孩子，求你講個故事給我聽。

　　“你到哪裏去了，你這壞孩子？”

　　“我不告訴你，媽媽。”這就是你同我那時所要說的話了。

　　第十八節 仙人世界Fairyland

　　If people came to know where my king’s palace is，it would vanish into the air。

　　(1)《羅摩衍那》《Ramayana》為印度敘事詩，相傳係蟻垤（Valmiki）所作。今傳本形式約為公元二世紀間所形成。全書合為七卷，共二萬四千頌，皆係敘述羅摩生平之作。羅摩即羅摩犍陀羅。十年王之子悉多之夫。他於第二世（Treta yaga）入世，為毗濕奴神第七化身。印度人看他為英雄，有崇拜他如神的。

　　The walls are of white silver and the roof of shining gold。

　　The queen lives in a palace with seven courtyards，and she wears a jewelthat cost all the wealth of seven kingdoms。

　　But let me tell you，mother，in a whisper，where my king’s palace is。

　　It is at the corner of our terrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands。

　　The princess lies sleeping on the far-away shore of the sevenimpassable seas。

　　There is none in the world who can find her but myself。

　　如果人們知道了我的國王的宮殿在哪裏，它就會消失在空氣中的。

　　牆壁是白色的銀，屋頂是耀眼的黃金。

　　皇後住在有七個庭院的宮苑裏；她戴的一串珠寶，值得整整七個王國的全部財富。

　　不過，讓我悄悄地告訴你，媽媽，我的國王的宮殿究竟在哪裏。

　　它就在我們陽台的角上，在那栽著杜爾茜花的花盆放著的地方。

　　公主躺在遠遠的隔著七個不可踰越的重洋的那一岸沉睡著。

　　除了我自己，世界上便沒有人能夠找到她。

　　She has bracelets on her arms and pearl drops in her ears；her hair sweepsdown upon the floor。

　　She will wake when I touch her with my magic wand，and jewels will fallfrom her lips when she smiles。

　　But let me whisper in your ear，mother；she is there in the corner of ourterrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands。

　　When it is time for you to go to the river for your bath，step up to that terraceon the roof。

　　I sit in the corner where the shadows of the walls meet together。

　　Only puss is allowed to come with me，for she knows where the barber inthe story lives。

　　But let me whisper，mother，in your ear where the barber in the story lives。

　　It is at the corner of the terrace where the pot of the tulsi plant stands。

　　她臂上有鐲子，她耳上掛著珍珠；她的頭發拖到地板上。

　　當我用我的魔杖點觸她的時候，她就會醒過來，而當她微笑時，珠玉將會從她唇邊落下來。

　　不過，讓我在你的耳朵邊悄悄地告訴你，媽媽，她就住在我們陽台的角上，在那栽著杜爾茜花的花盆放著的地方。

　　當你要到河裏洗澡的時候，你走上屋頂的那座陽台來吧。

　　我就坐在牆的陰影所聚會的一個角落裏。

　　我隻讓小貓兒跟我在一起，因為它知道那故事裏的理發匠住的地方。

　　不過，讓我在你的耳朵邊悄悄地告訴你，那故事裏的理發匠到底住在哪裏。

　　他住的地方，就在陽台的角上，在那栽著杜爾茜花的花盆放著的地方。

　　第十九節 流放的地方The Land of the Exile

　　Mother，the light has grown grey in the sky；I do not know what the time is。

　　There is no fun in my play，so I have come to you。It is Saturday，our holiday。

　　Leave off your work，mother；sit here by the window and tell me where thedesert of Tepantar in the fairy tale is？

　　The shadow of the rains has covered the day from end to end。

　　The fierce lightning is scratching the sky with its nails。

　　When the clouds rumble and it thunders，I love to be afraid in my heart andcling to you。

　　媽媽，天空上的光成了灰色了；我不知道是什麽時候了。

　　我玩得怪沒勁兒的，所以到你這裏來了。這是星期六，是我們的休息日。

　　放下你的活計，媽媽，坐在靠窗的一邊，告訴我童話裏的特潘塔沙漠在什麽地方？

　　雨的影子遮掩了整個白天。

　　凶猛的電光用它的爪子抓著天空。

　　當烏雲在轟轟地響著，天打著雷的時候，我總愛心裏帶著恐懼爬伏到你的身上。

　　When the heavy rain patters for hours on the bamboo leaves，and our windows shake and rattle at the gusts of wind，I like to sit alone in the room，mother，with you，and hear you talk about the desert of Tepantar in the fairy tale。

　　Where is it，mother，on the shore of what sea，at the foot of what hills，in the kingdom of what king？

　　There are no hedges there to mark the fields，no footpath across it by which the villagers reach their village in the evening，or the woman who gathers dry sticks in the forest can bring her load to the market。With patches of yellow grass in the sand and only one tree where the pair of wise old birds have their nest，lies the desert of Tepantar。

　　當大雨傾瀉在竹葉子上好幾個鍾頭，而我們的窗戶被狂風震得格格發響的時候，我就愛獨自和你坐在屋裏，媽媽，聽你講童話裏的特潘塔沙漠的故事。

　　它在哪裏，媽媽，在哪一個海洋的岸上，在哪些個山峰的腳下，在哪一個國王的國土裏？

　　田地上沒有此疆彼壤的界石，也沒有村人在黃昏時走回家的，或婦人在樹林裏檢拾枯枝而捆載到市場上去的道路。沙地上隻有一小塊一小塊的黃色草地，隻有一株樹，就是那一對聰明的老鳥兒在那裏做窩的，那個地方就是特潘塔沙漠。

　　I can imagine how，on just such a cloudy day，the young son of the king isriding alone on a grey horse through the desert，in search of the princess who liesimprisoned in the giant’s palace across that unknown water。

　　When the haze of the rain comes down in the distant sky，and lightningstarts up like a sudden fit of pain，does he remember his unhappy mother，abandoned by the king，sweeping the cow-stall and wiping her eyes，while herides through the desert of Tepantar in the fairy tale？

　　See，mother，it is almost dark before the day is over，and there are no 119 travellers yonder on the village road。

　　我能夠想像得到，就在這樣一個烏雲密布的日子，國王的年輕的兒子，怎樣地獨自騎著一匹灰色馬，走過這個沙漠，去尋找那被囚禁在不可知的重洋之外的巨人宮裏的公主。

　　當雨霧在遙遠的天空下降，電光像一陣突然發作的痛楚的痙攣似的閃射的時候，他可記得他的不幸的母親，為國王所棄，正在掃除牛棚，眼裏流著眼淚，當他騎馬走過童話裏的特潘塔沙漠的時候？

　　看，媽媽，一天還沒有完，天色就差不多黑了，那邊村莊的路上沒有什麽旅客了。

　　The shepherd boy has gone home early from the pasture，and menhave left their fields to sit on mats under the eaves of their huts，watching thescowling clouds。

　　Mother，I have left all my books on the shelf-do not ask me to do mylessons now。

　　When I grow up and am big like my father，I shall learn all that mustbe learnt。

　　But just for to-day，tell me，mother，where the desert of Tepantar in the fairytale is？

　　牧童早就從牧場上回家了，人們都已從田地裏回來，坐在他們草屋的簷下的草席上，眼望著陰沉的雲塊。

　　媽媽，我把我所有的書本都放在書架上了-不要叫我現在做功課。

　　當我長大了，大得像爸爸一樣的時候，我將會學到必須學到的東西的。

　　但是，今天你可得告訴我，媽媽，童話裏的特潘塔沙漠在什麽地方？

　　第二十節 雨天The Rainy Day

　　Sullen clouds are gathering fast over the black fringe of the forest。

　　O child，do not go out！

　　The palm trees in a row by the lake are smiting their heads against thedismal sky；the crows with their draggled wings are silent on thetamarind branches，and the eastern bank of the river is haunted by a deepening gloom。

　　Our cow is lowing loud，tied at the fence。

　　O child，wait here till I bring her into the stall。

　　烏雲很快地集攏在森林的黝黑的邊緣上。

　　孩上，不要出去呀！

　　湖邊的一行棕樹，向暝暗的天空撞著頭；

　　羽毛零亂的烏鴉，靜悄悄地棲在羅望子的枝上，河的東岸正被烏沉沉的暝色所侵襲。

　　我們的牛係在籬上，高聲鳴叫。

　　孩子，在這裏等著，等我先把牛牽進牛棚裏去。

　　Men have crowded into the flooded field to catch the fishes as they escapefrom the overflowing ponds；the rain water is running in rills through the narrowlanes like a laughing boy who has run away from his mother to tease her。

　　Listen，someone is shouting for the boatman at the ford。

　　O child，the daylight is dim，and the crossing at the ferry is closed。

　　許多人都擠在池水泛溢的田間，捉那從泛溢的池中逃出來的魚兒，雨水成了小河，流過狹街，好像一個嬉笑的孩子從他媽媽那裏跑開，故意要惱她一樣。

　　聽呀，有人在淺灘上喊船夫呢。

　　孩子，天色暝暗了，渡頭的擺渡船已經停了。

　　The sky seems to ride fast upon the madly-rushing rain；the water in theriver is loud and impatient；women have hastened home early from the Gangeswith their filled pitchers。

　　The evening lamps must be made ready。

　　O child，do not go out！

　　The road to the market is desolate，the lane to the river is slippery。The windis roaring and struggling among the bamboo branches like a wild beast tangledin a net。

　　天空好像是在滂沱的雨上快跑著；河裏的水喧叫而且暴躁；婦人們早已拿 著汲滿了水的水罐，從恒河畔匆匆地回家了。

　　夜裏用的燈，一定要預備好。

　　孩子，不要出去呀！

　　到市場去的大道已沒有人走，到河邊去的小路又很滑。風在竹林裏咆哮著，掙紮著，好像一隻落在網中的野獸。

　　第二十一節 紙船Paper Boats

　　Day by day I float my paper boats one by one down the running stream。

　　In big black letters I write my name on them and the name of the villagewhere I live。

　　I hope that someone in some strange land will find them and knowwho I am。

　　I load my little boats with shiuli flowers from our garden，and hope thatthese blooms of the dawn will be carried safely to land in the night。

　　I launch my paper boats and look up into the sky and see the little cloudssetting their white bulging sails。

　　我每天把紙船一個個放在急流的溪中。

　　我用大黑字寫我的名字和我住的村名在紙船上。

　　我希望住在異地的人會得到這紙船，知道我是誰。

　　我把園中長的秀利花載在我的小船上，希望這些黎明開的花能在夜裏平平安安的帶到岸上。

　　我投我的紙船到水裏，仰望天空，看見小朵的雲正張著滿鼓著風的白帆。

　　I know not what playmate of mine in the sky sends them down the air to race with my boats！

　　When night comes I bury my face in my arms and dream that my paper boats float on and on under the midnight stars。

　　The fairies of sleep are sailing in them，and the lading is their baskets full of dreams。

　　我不知道天上有我的什麽遊伴把這些船放下來同我的船比賽！

　　夜來了，我的臉埋在手臂裏，夢見我的紙船在子夜的星光下緩緩地浮泛前去。

　　睡仙坐在船裏，帶著滿載著夢的籃子。

　　第二十二節 水手The Sailor

　　The boat of the boatman Madhu is moored at the wharf of Rajgunj。

　　It is uselessly laden with jute，and has been lying there idle for ever so long。

　　If he would only lend me his boat，I should man her with a hundred oars， and hoist sails，five or six or seven。

　　I should never steer her to stupid markets。I should sail the seven seas andthe thirteen rivers of fairyland。

　　But，mother，you won’t weep for me in a corner。

　　I am not going into the forest like Ramachandra to come back only afterfourteen years。

　　I shall become the prince of the story，and fill my boat with whatever I like。

　　船夫曼特胡的船隻停泊在拉琪根琪碼頭。

　　這隻船無用地裝載著黃麻，無所事事地停泊在那裏已經好久了。

　　隻要他肯把他的船借給我，我就給它安裝一百隻槳，揚起五個或六個或七個布帆來。

　　我決不把它駕駛到愚蠢的市場上去。

　　我將航遍仙人世界裏的七個大海和十三條河道。

　　但是，媽媽，你不要躲在角落裏為我哭泣。

　　我不會像羅摩犍陀羅1似的，到森林中去，一去十四年才回來。

　　我將成為故事中的王子，把我的船裝滿了我所喜歡的東西。

　　I shall take my friend Ashu with me。We shall sail merrily across the seven seas and the thirteen rivers of fairyland。

　　We shall set sail in the early morning light。

　　When at noontide you are bathing at the (1) 羅摩犍陀羅即羅摩。他是印度敘事詩《羅摩衍那》中的主角。為了尊重父親的諾言和維持弟兄間的友愛，他拋棄了繼承王位的權利，和妻子悉多在森林中被放逐了十四年。

　　pond，we shall be in the land of a strange king。

　　We shall pass the ford of Tirpurni，and leave behind us the desert ofTepantar。

　　When we come back it will be getting dark，and I shall tell you of all that wehave seen。

　　I shall cross the seven seas and the thirteen rivers of fairyland。

　　我將帶我的朋友阿細和我做伴，我們要快快樂樂地航行於仙人世界裏的七個大海和十三條河道。

　　我將在絕早的晨光裏張帆航行。

　　中午，你正在池塘裏洗澡的時候，我們將在一個陌生的國王的國土上了。

　　我們將經過特浦尼淺灘，把特潘塔沙漠拋落在我們的後邊。

　　當我們回來的時候，天色快黑了，我將告訴你我們所見到的一切。

　　我將越過仙人世界裏的七個大海和十三條河道。

　　第二十三節 對岸The Further Bank

　　I long to go over there to the further bank of the river， Where those boats are tied to the bamboo poles in a line；

　　Where men cross over in their boats in the morning with ploughs on theirshoulders to till their far-away fields；

　　Where the cowherds make their lowing cattle swim across to the riverside pasture；

　　Whence they all come back home in the evening，leaving the jackals to howl in the island overgrown with weeds，Mother，if you don’t mind，I should like to become the boatman of the ferry when I am grown up。

　　我渴想到河的對岸去。

　　在那邊，好些船隻一行兒係在竹杆上；

　　人們在早晨乘船渡過那邊去，肩上扛著犁頭，去耕耘他們的遠處的田；

　　在那邊，牧人使他們哞叫著的牛遊泳到河旁的牧場去；

　　黃昏的時候，他們都回家了，隻留下豺狼在這滿長著野草的島上哀叫。

　　媽媽，如果你不在意，我長大的時候，要做這渡船的船夫。

　　They say there are strange pools hidden behind that high bank， Where flocks of wild ducks come when the rains are over，and thick reedsgrow round the margins where waterbirds lay their eggs；

　　Where snipes with their dancing tails stamp their tiny footprints upon theclean soft mud；

　　Where in the evening the tall grasses crested with white flowers invite themoo-nbeam to float upon their waves。

　　Mother，if you don’t mind，I should like to become the boatman of theferry-boat when I am grown up。

　　據說有好些古怪的池塘藏在這個高岸之後。

　　雨過去了，一群一群的野鶩飛到那裏去，茂盛的蘆葦在岸邊四圍生長，水鳥在那裏生蛋；

　　竹雞帶著跳舞的尾巴，將它們細小的足印印在潔淨的軟泥上；

　　黃昏的時候，長草頂著白花，邀月光在長草的波浪上浮遊。

　　媽媽，如果你不在意，我長大的時候，要做這渡船的船夫。

　　I shall cross and cross back from bank to bank，and all the boys and girls ofthe village will wonder at me while they are bathing。

　　When the sun climbs the mid sky and morning wears on to noon，I shallcome running to you，saying，“Mother，I am hungry！”

　　When the day is done and the shadows cower under the trees，I shall comeback in the dusk。

　　I shall never go away from you into the town to work like father。

　　Mother，if you don’t mind，I should like to become the boatman of the ferryboat when I am grown up。

　　我要自此岸至彼岸，渡過來，渡過去，所有村中正在那兒沐浴的男孩女孩，都要詫異地望著我。

　　太陽升到中天，早晨變為正午了，我將跑到你那裏去，說道：“媽媽，我餓了！”

　　一天完了，影子俯伏在樹底下，我便要在黃昏中回家來。

　　我將永不同爸爸那樣，離開你到城裏去做事。

　　媽媽，如果你不在意，我長大的時候，要做這渡船的船夫。