颂诗译选
盲童
噢,说什么东西叫作光,
我一向不能夠分享?
眼光又是怎样的幸福美好,
噢,说给你可怜的瞎孩子知道。
你说起美妙的东西你能看得清,
你说太阳的照耀光明;
虽然我感觉得到他的溫暖,
但他怎能造成黑夜和白天?
安排昼和夜的是我自己,
在於我睡觉或是遊戏;
如果我保持常醒不眠,
对於我那就永远是白天。
我常听到你们的长叹声,
惋惜我的忧患不幸;
不过我确能夠忍耐坚持,
我从不曾知道的损失。
无法得到的请不要告诉我
免得破坏我心灵的欢乐:
因此,每当我能夠歌唱,
我是个瞎孩子,我是君王。
奚波(Colley Cibber, 1671-1757)英国演员兼剧作家。1730年,被举为“桂冠诗人”,但为当世文人Alexander Pope, Samuel Johnson等所鄙。为Pope之长诗Dunciad主角。
The Blind Boy
O, say what is that thing called Light,
Which I must ne'er enjoy?
What are the blessings of the sight,
O, tell your poor blind boy!
You talk of wondrous things you see,
You say the sun shines bright;
I feel him warm, but how can he
Or make it day or night?
My day or night myself I make
Whene'er I sleep or play;
And could I ever keep awake
With me 't were always day.
With heavy sighs I often hear
You mourn my hapless woe;
But sure with patience I can bear
A loss I ne'er can know.
Then let not what I cannot have
My cheer of mind destroy:
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy.
Colley Cibber, 1671-1757
English actor, playwright & poet laureat