I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
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試著翻譯這首羅伯特•佛羅斯特的詩,我覺得我對意境演繹和改編, 夾雜自己私貨很多。如果需要定量,翻譯後的語言大概80%忠實原文。
違背原詩意境注一:詩人寫的守望者的watchman on his beat,是指巡邏的人按正常的工作節奏出巡,碰上了這個孤獨走路的人。我翻譯的這位工作人員更為主動對行者相望,在意境上不太忠實於原文,是為被動的主動。原詩該是自然的四目相對,而行者自己回避不願有任何與別人的交流,詩人表達的是一個很主動的被動。