颂诗译选

罪的圆圈

凌风 译

我忧伤，神啊，我抱歉，
我罪咎的路线是个圆圈。
我的思想像活跃的火焰，
到那飞龙孵出它的毒蛋：
当他们一完成他们的筹算，
我的话从我烧着的意念点燃。

我的话从我烧着的意念点燃，
就喷吐出像西西里的火山。
发出的东西带着污染，
煽动那恶物延展。
言语还不夠更有不洁淫念，
双手也参加完成新意愿。

双手也参加完成新意愿：
因此我的罪升到三层间，
如同巴別塔加高在倾倒之先。
不过恶行从不休閒：
它继续提供恶念：因此使我羞惭，
我忧伤，神啊，我抱歉。

Sin's Round

Sorry I am, my God, sorry I am,
That my offences course it in a ring.
My thoughts are working like a busy flame,
Until their cockatrice they hatch and bring:
And when they once have perfected their draughts,
My words take fire from my inflamed thoughts.

My words take fire from my inflamed thoughts,
Which spit it forth like the Sicilian Hill.
They vent the wares, and passed them with their faults,
And by their breathing ventilate the ill.
But words suffice not, where are lewd intentions:
My hands do join to finish the inventions:

My hands do join to finish the inventions:
And so my sins ascend three stories high,
As Babel grew, before there were dissensions.
Yet ill deeds loiter not: for they supply
New thoughts of sinning: wherefore, to my shame,
Sorry I am, my God, sorry I am.

George Herbert（1593-1633）
English poet