頌詩譯選

罪的圓圈

凌風 譯

我憂傷，神啊，我抱歉，
我罪咎的路線是個圓圈。
我的思想像活躍的火焰，
到那飛龍孵出它的毒蛋：
當他們一完成他們的籌算，
我的話從我燒着的意念點燃。

我的話從我燒着的意念點燃，
就噴吐出像西西里的火山。
發出的東西帶着污染，
煽動那惡物延展。
言語還不夠更有不潔淫念，
雙手也參加完成新意願。

雙手也參加完成新意願：
因此我的罪升到三層間，
如同巴別塔加高在傾倒之先。
不過惡行從不休閒：
它繼續提供惡念：因此使我羞慚，
我憂傷，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