翼報 eBaoMonthly.com
藝文走廊.譯詩 ✐2017-11-01

頌詩譯選

無意義的存在

凌風 譯

 

在我們當中有一些人,
來到這世界只為了吃和睏;
不知道為何生而又何往,
只是在消耗米糧,
吞吃了禽鳥,魚類,和牛羊,
身後留下個空的盤盎。
烏鴉和鴞鳥也能如此行,
不幸的鳥類落得可恨的名聲。
鴞鳥和烏鴉能代替他們的位置,
也能吃下米糧和屍體,
如果他們崩逝也立碑銘,
絕不要學奉承或虛謊圖名,
終其一生真是乏善可陳,
只能說:“他們吃足了麵包,
喝夠了杯中物,已上床就寢。”

    華慈(Isaac Watts, 1674-1748),英國獨立教會牧師,聖詩作家,神學家。創作英文聖詩六百餘首,被稱為“現代英文聖詩之父”。

 

Insignificant Existence

There are a number of us creep
Into this world, to eat and sleep;
And know no reason why we're born,
But only to consume the corn,
Devour the cattle, fowl, and fish,
And leave behind an empty dish.
The crows and ravens do the same,
Unlucky birds of hateful name;
Ravens or crows might fill their place,
And swallow corn and carcasses,
Then if their tombstone, when they die,
Be n't taught to flatter and to lie,
There's nothing better will be said
Than that "they've eat up all their bread,
Drunk up their drink, and gone to bed."


Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
English theologian & hymn writer

https://ebaomonthly.com/ebao/readebao.php?a=20171101

 

©2004-2024 翼報 eBaoMonthly.com