翻譯John Milton Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent

翻譯John  Milton Sonnet 19:  When I consider how my light is spent

譯者：沅湘

 

  When I consider how my light is spent,

   Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

   And that one Talent which is death to hide

   Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent

  To serve therewith my Maker, and present

   My true account, lest he returning chide;

   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”

   I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent

  That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need

   Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

  Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed

   And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:

   They also serve who only stand and wait.”

 

當我考慮到我的光是如何的用盡，

在前半生，在這寬闊的黑暗世界，

死將收去的天才跟我在一起積屯

著沒用，雖靈魂更堅定主張用來

為造我者服務，我怕他聽後責罵;   

於是將我的真心表述，天真地問：

 “不給光，上帝是否在苦力敲榨？”

不過，為了把這悄悄話打住耐心

馬上回答：“人的勞作或者天賦

上帝並不需要；誰最能忍受他的

溫和束縛，誰就最好的為他服務。

他的領域是王國，成千上萬人得

令翻山過海奔跑而去不息也不停，

也有服務的人，他們隻是站著等。”