颂诗译选

仁慈

凌风 译

仁慈的品性不受限阻—
它像柔和的甘雨
从天降在地上：是两方面的赐福。
给予者蒙福，受者也蒙福：
它是最权威中的最高威权
如坐宝座的君王胜於他的王冠；
他的权杖是暂时势和力的展现，
象征尊贵和威严，
王的可畏可惧在那里彰显：
但仁慈超越这权杖的威势。
它统治在王者的心里；
它是神自己的品质；
地上的权柄表明与神的相似，
当仁慈缓和公义。

Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strained, —
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives, and that him takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And eathly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.

William Shakespeare, 1564-1616
English poet and playwright
from Merchant of Venice