漢譯John Milton 十四行詩 When I Consider How My Light Is Spent

好久不翻譯了。2015年新年了，報個到。來首深英淺漢的翻譯。


在思考我如何失去光明的時候

當我在這個黑暗而寬廣的世界裏，

思咐我前半生的光明是如何耗失，

並思咐那藏著還不如死掉的天資，

變得毫無價值地寄居在我的軀體，

盡管我用更扭曲的靈魂為主服侍，

稟告我真實的理由免遭他的嗬斥，

我卻天真地問出本該擋住的怨氣：

 “上帝苛求勞作一天，卻拒我光日？”

不過在耐心等待後很快有了回執，

“上帝不需要人類的勞作或者天資。

最經得住他溫和駕馭的才最稱職。

他姿態如此高貴：在他要求的速度裏，

有無數使者在海上陸上奔波不息，

那些受恩的也隻為主而等待佇立。

 

Sonnet 19 (Sonnet XIX)

When I consider how my light is spent

John Milton  1608–1674

 

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."