翻譯接力：因為我無法為死亡止步

因為我無法為死亡止步

Because I could not stop for Death

 

狄艾

Emily Dickinson

 

因為我無法為死亡止步——

Because I could not stop for Death –

他體貼地為我停在那裏——

He kindly stopped for me –

馬車裏坐著的隻有我倆——

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

還有不朽的生機。

And Immortality.

 

我們緩慢前進——他不著急

We slowly drove – He knew no haste

而我也已放下了

And I had put away

自己的作息，

My labor and my leisure too,

為了不對他失禮——

For His Civility –

 

我們路過學堂，學童在努力

We passed the School, where Children strove

課間休息——在圓形表演場裏——

At Recess – in the Ring –

我們路過田野，那裏長滿注視著我們的穀粒——

We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –

我們看到太陽從地平線消失——

We passed the Setting Sun –

 

或者——他從我們旁邊走過——

Or rather – He passed Us –

凝露激起寒顫——

The Dews drew quivering and Chill –

因為他衣裝單薄，隻穿著我的絲袍——

For only Gossamer, my Gown –

披著我的薄紗披肩——

My Tippet – only Tulle –

 

我們在一棟房前暫停，那房子看來像

We paused before a House that seemed

一堆發脹的泥土——

A Swelling of the Ground –

屋頂幾不可見——

The Roof was scarcely visible –

簷飾已然入土——

The Cornice – in the Ground –

 

從那時——數百年以前——但

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet

隻覺不過一朝一夕

Feels shorter than the Day

我始信，群馬的頭部

I first surmised the Horses' Heads

都朝向無極——

Were toward Eternity –

 

Kirn, let's work together and do justice to ED's masterpiece and the limitless potentials of both languages.