－－－女诗人Elizabeth Barrett Browning小传
Elizabeth Browning是十九世纪英国著名女诗人，生于１８０６
年３月６日。十五岁时，不幸骑马跌损了脊椎。从此，下肢瘫痪达２
４年。在她３９岁那年，结识了小她６岁的诗人Robert Browning.她
那充满着哀怨的生命从此打开了新的一章。她本来是一个残废的病人，
生命，只剩下一长串没有欢乐的日子；青春，在生与死的边缘上黯然
消逝。如今，在迟暮的岁月里赶上了早年的爱情。然而，她只能流着
泪，用无情的沉默来回答一声声爱情的呼唤。但是，爱情战胜了死亡，
从死亡的阴影里救出了一个已经放弃了生命的人。就象神话中的英雄在
悬崖边救出了被供奉给海怪的公主，替公主打开了裹在她周身的铁链；
她那不知疲倦的情人也帮着她摆脱了她的惊慌、她的疑虑、她的哀怨，
扶着她一步步来到了阳光底下。她动荡不安的感情逐渐变得稳定了；她
对于人生开始有了信心，产生了眷恋。未来的幸福，不再是一团强烈的
幻光，叫她不敢逼视，不敢伸出手去碰一下了。她敢于拿爱情来报答爱
情了。
这份爱情使她奇迹班地重新站了起来。在病室中被禁锢了２４年之
后，她终于可以凭自己的双脚重新走到阳光下了。
白朗宁夫妇一起度过了１５年幸福的生活，在这１５年中，从不知
道有一天的分离。１８６１年６月２９日，白朗宁夫人永别了她的Robert。
临终之前，她并没多大病疼，也没有预感，只是觉得倦；那是一个晚上，
她正和白朗宁商量消夏的计划。她和他谈心说笑，用最温存的话表示她的
爱情；后来她感到倦，就偎依在白朗宁的胸前睡去了。她这样地睡了几分
钟，头突然垂了下来；他以为她是一时昏晕，但是她去了，再不回来了。
她在他的怀抱中瞑了目。她的容貌，象少女一般，微笑，快乐。
这部感人的诗集就是他们爱情生活的真实写照。它是英国文学史上的
珍品之一。其美丽动人，甚至超过莎士比亚的十四行诗集。有多人译过这
本诗集，如闻一多，查良铮（金庸）等。但我认为方平译得最好，令人爱
不释手。这里Post的就是方平译本。白朗宁夫人最初开始写这十四行组诗
大概是在她答应了白朗宁的求婚以后那一段时期。直到他们婚后住到了比
萨，白朗宁才读到这本诗集。他不敢把这文学上的无价之宝留给他一个人
享受。１８５０年白朗宁夫人出版了一卷诗集，把这组十四行诗也收进在
内，共四十四首，还取了一个总名，叫做《葡萄牙人十四行诗集》，用以
掩饰作者身分，因白朗宁夫人不愿意把个人情诗发表今将这本诗集奉献给
大家，希望大家会喜欢。
晓拂
Footnote:
In the 1850 _Poems_ there are *43* ( fourty three ) sonnets.
The sonnet previously called ``Future and Past'', which appeared
divorced from _Sonnets from the Portuguese_ in the 1850 collection,
was added to them as No. XLII ( 42 ) in 1856, bringing the number
up to *44* ( fourty four ).
Source: EBB Selected Poems, The John Hopkins University Press, 1988.
*01.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第一首
我想起，当年希腊的诗人曾经歌咏：
I thought once how Theocritus had sung
年复一年，那良辰在殷切的盼望中
Of the sweet years, the dear and wished-for years,
翩然降临，各自带一份礼物
Who each one in a gracious hand appears
分送给世人－－年老或是年少。
To bear a gift for mortals, old or young:
当我这么想，感叹着诗人的古调，
And, as I mused it in his antique tongue,
穿过我泪眼所逐渐展开的幻觉，
I saw, in gradual vision through my tears,
我看见，那欢乐的岁月、哀伤的岁月－－
The sweet, sad years, the melancholy years,
我自己的年华，把一片片黑影接连着
Those of my own life, who by turns had flung
掠过我的身。紧接着，我就觉察
A shadow across me. Straightway I was 'ware,
（我哭了）我背后正有个神秘的黑影
So weeping, how a mystic Shape did move
在移动，而且一把揪住了我的发，
Behind me, and drew me backward by the hair;
往后拉，还有一声吆喝（我只是在挣扎）：
And a voice said in mastery, while I strove, --
“这回是谁逮住了你？猜！”“死，”我答话。
`Guess now who holds thee?' -- `Death.' I said. But, there
听哪，那银铃似的回音：“不是死，是爱！”
The silver answer rang, -- `Not Death, but love.'
*02.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二首
可是在上帝的全宇宙里，总共才只
But only three in all God's universe
三个人听见了你那句话：除了
Have heard this word thou hast said, -- Himself, beside
讲话的你、听话的我，就是他－－
Thee speaking, and me listening! and replied
上帝自己！我们中间还有一个
One of us ... _that_ was God, ... and laid the curse
出来答话；那昏黑的诅咒落上
So darkly on my eyelids, as to amerce
我的眼皮，挡了你，不让我看见，
My sight from seeing thee, -- that if I had died,
就算我瞑了目，放上沉沉的“压眼钱”，
The death-weights, placed there, would have signified
也不至于那么彻底隔绝。唉，
Less absolute exclusion. `Nay' is worse
比谁都厉害，上帝的那一声“不行！”
From God than from all others, O my friend!
要不然，世俗的诽谤离间不了我们，
Men could not part us with their worldly jars,
任风波飞扬，也不能动摇那坚贞；
Nor the seas change us, nor the tempests bend;
我们的手要伸过山岭，互相接触；
Our hands would touch for all the mountain-bars
有那么一天，天空滚到我俩中间，
And, heaven being rolled between us at the end,
我俩向星辰起誓，还要更加握紧。
We should but vow the faster for the stars.
*03.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三首
我们原不一样，尊贵的人儿呀，
Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!
原不一样是我们的职司和前程。
Unlike our uses and our destinies.
你我头上的天使，迎面飞来，
Our ministering two angels look surprise
翅膀碰上了翅膀，彼此瞪着
On one another, as they strike athwart
惊愕的眼睛。你想，你是华宫里
Their wings in passing. Thou, bethink thee, art
后妃的上宾，千百双殷勤的明眸
A guest for queens to social pageantries,
（哪怕挂满了泪珠，也不能教我的眼
With gages from a hundred brighter eyes
有这份光彩）请求你担任领唱。
Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part
那你干什么从那灯光辉映的纱窗里
Of chief musician. What hast _thou_ to do
望向我？－－我，一个凄凉、流浪的
With looking from the lattice-lights at me,
歌手，疲乏地靠着柏树，吟叹在
A poor, tired, wandering singer, ... singing through
茫茫的黑暗里。圣油搽在你头上－－
The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree?
可怜我，头上承受着凉透的夜露。
The chrism is on thine head, -- on mine, the dew, --
只有死，才能把这样的一对扯个平。
And Death must dig the level where these agree.
*04.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四首
Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor,
你曾经受到邀请，进入了宫廷，
Most gracious singer of the high poems! where
温雅的歌手！你唱着崇高的诗篇；
The dancers will break footing, from the care
贵客们停下舞步，为了好瞻仰你，
Of watching up thy pregnant lips for more.
期待那丰满的朱唇再吐出清音；
And dost thou lift this house's latch too poor
而你却抽起我的门闩，你果真
For hand of thine? and canst thou think and bear
不嫌它亵渎了你的手？没谁看见，
To let thy music drop here unaware
你甘让你那音乐飘落在我门前，
In folds of golden fulness at my door?
叠作层层金声的富丽？你忍不忍？
Look up and see the casement broken in,
你往上瞧，看这窗户都被闯破－－
The bats and owlets builders in the roof!
是蝙蝠和夜莺的窠巢盘踞在顶梁，
My cricket chirps against thy mandolin.
是啾啾的蟋蟀在跟你的琵琶应和！
Hush, call no echo up in further proof
住声，别再激起回声来加深荒凉！
Of desolation! there's a voice within
那里边有一个哀音，它必须深躲，
That weeps ... as thou must sing ... alone, aloof.
在暗里哭泣－－正象你应该当众歌唱。
*05.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第五首
我肃穆地端起了我沉重的心，
I lift my heavy heart up solemnly,
象当年希腊女儿捧着那坛尸灰；
As once Electra her sepulchral urn,
眼望着你，我把灰撒在你脚下。
And, looking in thine eyes, I overturn
请看呀，有多大一堆悲哀埋藏在
The ashes at thy feet. Behold and see
我这心坎里；而在那灰暗的深处，
What a great heap of grief lay hid [1] in me,
那惨红的灰烬又怎样在隐约燃烧。
And how the red wild sparkles dimly burn
要是那点点火星给你鄙夷地
Through the ashen greyness. If thy foot in scorn
一脚踏灭、还它们一片黑暗，
Could tread them out to darkness utterly,
这样也好。可是，你偏不，
It might be well perhaps. But if instead
你要守在我身旁，等风来把尘土
Thou wait beside me for the wind to blow
扬起，把死灰吹活；爱呀，那戴在
The grey dust up, ... those laurels on thine head,
你头上的桂冠可不能给你做屏障，
O my Beloved, will not shield thee so,
保护你不让这一片火焰烧坏了
That none of all the fires shall scorch and shred
那底下的发丝。快站远些呀，快走！
The hair beneath. Stand further off then! go.
[1] hid = hidden
*06.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第六首
Go from me. Yet I feel that I shall stand
舍下我，走吧。可是我觉得，从此
Henceforward in thy shadow. Nevermore
我就一直徘徊在你的身影里。
Alone upon the threshold of my door
在那孤独的生命的边缘，从今再不能
Of individual life, I shall command
掌握自己的心灵，或是坦然地
The uses of my soul, nor lift my hand
把这手伸向日光，象从前那样，
Serenely in the sunshine as before,
而能约束自己不感到你的指尖
Without the sense of that which I forbore --
碰上我的掌心。劫运教天悬地殊
Thy touch upon the palm. The widest land
隔离了我们，却留下了你那颗心，
Doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart in mine
在我的心房里搏动着双重声响。
With pulses that beat double. What I do
正象是酒，总尝得出原来的葡萄，
And what I dream include thee, as the wine
我的起居和梦寐里，都有你的份。
Must taste of its own grapes. And when I sue
当我向上帝祈祷，为着我自个儿
God for myself, He hears the name of thine,
他却听到了一个名字、那是你的；
And sees within my eyes the tears of two.
又在我眼里，看见有两个人的眼泪。
*07.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第七首
The face of all the world is changed, I think,
全世界的面目，我想，忽然改变了，
Since first I heard of the footsteps of thy soul
自从我第一次在心灵上听到你的步子
Move still, oh, still, beside me, as they stole
轻轻、轻轻，来到我身旁－－穿过我和
betwixt me and the dreadful outer brink
死亡的边缘：那幽微的间隙。站在
Of obvious death, where I, who thought to sink,
那里的我，只道这一回该倒下了，
Was caught up into love, and taught the whole
却不料被爱救起，还教给一曲
Of life in a new rhythm. The cup of dole
生命的新歌。上帝赐我洗礼的
God gave for baptism, I am fain to drink,
那一杯苦酒，我甘愿饮下，赞美它
And praise its sweetness, Sweet, with thee anear.
甜蜜－－甜蜜的，如果有你在我身旁。
The names of a country, heaven, are changed away
天国和人间，将因为你的存在
For where thou art or shalt be, there or here;
而更改模样；而这曲歌，这支笛，
And this ... this lute and song ... loved yesterday
昨日里给爱着，还让人感到亲切，
( The singing angels know ) are only dear
那歌唱的天使知道，就因为
Because thy name moves right in what they say.
一声声都有你的名字在荡漾。
*08.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第八首
你那样慷慨豪爽的施主呀，你把
What can I give thee back, O liberal
你心坎里金碧辉煌的宝藏、
And Princely giver, who hast brought the gold
原封地掏出来，只往我墙外推，
And purple of thine heart, unstained, untold,
任凭象我这样的人去拣起，还是
And laid them on the outside of the wall
把这罕见的舍施丢下；教我拿什么
For such as I to take or leave withal, [1]
来作为你应得的报答？请不要
In unexpected largesse? am I cold,
说我太冷漠、太寡恩，你那许多
Ungrateful, that for these most manifold
重重叠叠的深情厚意，我却
High gifts, I render nothing back at all?
没有一些儿回敬；不，并不是
Not so; not cold, -- but very poor instead.
冷漠无情，实在我太寒伧。你问
Ask God who knows. For frequent tears have run
上帝就明白。那连绵的泪雨冲尽了
The colours from my life, and left so dead
我生命的光彩，只剩一片死沉沉的
And pale a stuff, it were not fitly done
苍白，不配给你当偎依的枕头。
To give the same as pillow to thy head.
走吧！尽把它踏在脚下，作垫石。
Go further! let it serve to trample on.
[1] withal, Original meaning is 'likewise', or 'at the same time'.
Here it means 'equally', 'with free choice'.
*09.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第九首
我能不能有什么、就拿什么给你？
Can it be right to give what I can give?
该不该让你紧挨著我，承受
To let thee sit beneath the fall of tears
我簌簌的苦泪；听著那伤逝的青春，
As salt as mine, and hear the sighing years
在我的唇边重复著叹息，偶而
Re-sighing on my lips renunciative
浮起一丝微笑，哪怕你连劝带哄，
Through those infrequent smiles which fail to live
也随即在叹息里寂灭？啊，我但怕
For all thy adjurations? O my fears,
这并不应该！我俩是不相称的
That this can scarce be right! We are not peers
一对，哪能匹配作情侣？我承认，
So to be lovers; and I own, and grieve,
我也伤心，象我这样的施主
That givers of such gifts as mine are, must
只算得鄙吝。唉，可是我怎能够让
Be counted with the ungenerous. Out, alas!
我满身的尘土玷污了你的紫袍，
I will not soil thy purple with my dust,
叫我的毒气喷向你那威尼斯晶杯！
Nor breathe my poison on thy Venice-glass,
我什么爱也不给，因为什么都不该给。
Nor give thee any love -- which were unjust.
爱呀，让我只爱著你，就算数了吧！
Beloved, I only love thee! let it pass.
*10.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十首
EBB _Sonnets from the Portuguese_ No. X
不过只要是爱，是爱，可就是美，
Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed
就值得你接受。你知道，爱就是火，
And worthy of acceptation. Fire is bright,
火总是光明的，不问着火的是庙堂
Let temple burn, or flax. And equal light
或者柴堆－－那栋梁还是荆榛在烧，
Leaps in the flame from cedar-plank or weed.
火焰里总跳得出同样的光辉。当我
And love is fire. And when I say at need
不由得倾吐出：“我爱你！”在你的眼里，
_I love thee ... mark! ... _I love thee_ -- in thy sight
那荣耀的瞬息，我忽然成了一尊金身，
I stand transfigured, glorified aright,
感觉到有一道新吐的皓光从我天庭
With conscience of the new rays that proceed
投向你脸上。是爱，就无所谓卑下，
Out of my face toward thine. There's nothing low
即使是最微贱的在爱：那微贱的生命
In love, when love the lowest: meanest creatures
献爱给上帝，宽宏的上帝受了它、
Who love God, God accepts while loving so.
又回赐给它爱。我那迸发的热情
And what I _feel_, across the inferior features
就象道光，通过我这陋质，昭示了
Of what I _am_, doth flash itself, and show
爱的大手笔怎样给造物润色。
How that great work of Love enhances Nature's.
*11.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十一首
Selected from EBB _The sonnets from the Portuguese_, No. XI
这么说，把爱情作为我的名份，
And therefore if to love can be desert,
我还不是完全不配承受。虽然，
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
你看，两颊那么苍白，那摇晃的
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
双膝仿佛负担不了沉重的心房；
To bear the burden of a heavy heart. --
这疲乏的行吟生涯也曾想望过
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
把奥纳斯山峰攀登，却只落得一片
To climb Aornus, and can scare avail
辛酸的哀吟，怎好去跟谷莺竞奏？－－
to pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
干吗提这些来着？啊，亲爱的，
A melancholy music, why advert
不用讲，我高攀不上，不配在你身边
To these things? O belov`ed, it is plain
占一个位置。可是，就因为我爱你，
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place!
这片爱情提拔我，让我抬起了头、
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
承受着光明，许我继续活下去，
From that same love this vindicating grace,
哪怕是怎样枉然，也要爱你到底；
To live on still in love, and yet in vain, ...
也要祝福你－－即使拒绝你在当面。
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.
*12.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十二首
说真的，就是这为我所夸耀的爱吧，
Indeed this very love which is my boast,
当它从胸房涌上眉梢，给我加上
And which, when rising up from breast to brow,
一顶皇冠－－那一颗巨大的红宝石，
Doth crown me with a ruby large enow
光彩夺目，让人知道它价值连城。。。。。。
To draw men's eyes and prove the inner cost, ...
就算我这全部的、最高成就的爱吧，
This love even, all my worth, to the uttermost,
我也不懂得怎样去爱，要不是你
I should not love withal, unless that thou
先立下示范，教给我该怎么办－－
Hadst set me an example, shown me how,
当你恳切的目光第一次对上了
When first time thine earnest eyes with mine were crossed
我的目光，而爱呼应了爱。很明白，
And love called love. And thus, I cannot speak
即使爱，我也不能夸说是我的美德。
Of love even, as a good thing of my own.
是你，把我从一片昏迷的软乏中
Thy soul hath snatched up mine all faint and weak
抱起，高置上黄金的宝座，靠近在
And placed by thee on a golden throne, --
你的身旁。而我懂得了爱，只因为
And that I love (O soul, we must meek!)
紧挨着你－－我唯一爱慕的人
Is by thee only, whom I love alone.
*13.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十三首
EBB _Sonnets from the Portuguese_, No. XIII
你可是要我把对你涌起的恩情，
And wilt thou have me fashion into speech
形之于言词，而且还觉得十分充裕；
The love I bear thee, finding words enough,
不管有多猛的风，高举起火炬，
And hold the torch out, while the winds are rough
让光辉，从两张脸儿间，把我俩照明？
Between our faces, to cast light on each? --
我却把它掉在你脚边，没法命令
I drop it thy feet. I cannot teach
我的手托着我的心灵，那么远距
My hands to hold my spirit so far off
自己；难道我就能借文字作契据，
From myself ... me ... that I should bring thee proof
掏给你看、那无从抵达的爱情
In words, of love hid in me out of reach.
在我的心坎？不，我宁愿表达
Nay, let the silence of my womanhood
女性的爱凭她的贞静，而换来
command my woman-love to thy belief, --
你的谅解－－看见我终不曾软化，
Seeing that I stand unwon, however wooed,
任你怎样地央求，我只是咬紧着嘴，
And rend the garment of my life, in brief,
狠心撕裂着生命的衣裙；生怕
By a most dauntless, voiceless fortitude,
这颗心一经接触，就泄露了悲哀。
Lest one touch of this heart convey its grief.
*14.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十四首
Elizabeth Barrett Browning _Sonnets from the Portuguese_, No. XIV
如果你一心要爱我，那就别为了么，
If thou must love me, let it be for nought
只是为了爱才爱我。别这么讲：
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
“我爱她，为了她的一笑，她的模样，
`I love her for her smile ... her look ... her way
她柔语的声气；为了她这感触
Of speaking gently, ... for a trick of thought
正好合我的心意，那天里，的确
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought [certes: certainly]
给我带来满怀的喜悦和舒畅。”
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day' --
亲爱的，这些好处都不能持常，
For these things in themselves, Belov`ed, may
会因你而变，而这样唱出的爱曲
Be changed, or change for thee, -- and love, so wrought [wrought: worked]
也将这样哑寂。也别爱我因为你
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
又怜又惜地给我揩干了泪腮，
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, --
一个人会忘了哭泣，当她久受你
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
温柔的慰安－－却因此失了你的爱。
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
爱我，请只是为了那爱的意念，
But love for love's sake, that evermore
那你就能继续地爱，爱我如深海。
Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity.
Footnote:
This sonnet is little more than a copy of the following poem
which some two and a half centuries earlier.
Love not me for comely grace,
For my pleasing eye or face,
Nor for any outward part,
No, nor for my constant heart, --
For those may fail, or turn to ill,
So thou and I shall sever:
Keep therefore a true woman's eye,
And love me still, but know not why --
So hast thou the same reason still
To doat upon me ever!
ANON.
Source: The Golden Treasury of The Best Songs and Lyrical Poems
In The English Language, Oxford University Press, 1929.
*15.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十五首
EBB "The sonnets from the Portuguese", No. XV
请不要这样指责我：我在你面前
Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear
露出一副太冷静、忧郁的面容；
Too calm and sad a face in front of thine;
你我原是面朝着两个不同的方向，
For we too look two ways, and can not shine
那普照的阳光照不到两人的前额。
With the same sunlight on our brow and hair.
你看着我，心中没半点儿不踏实，
On me thou lookest with no doubting care,
象看着一只笼罩在水晶里的蜜蜂；
As on a bee shut in a crystalline, --
哀怨把我密封在圣洁的爱情中，
Since sorrow hath shut me safe in love's divine,
想张开双翼，扑向外面的空间、
And to spread wing and fly in the outer air
是绝不可能的失败－－哪怕我狠着心
Were most impossible failure, if I strove
追求这颠扑和失败。可是我向你看，
To fail so. But I look on thee -- on thee --
我看见了爱，还看到了爱的结局，
Beholding, besides love, the end of love,
听到了记忆外层的哪一片寂寥！
Hearing oblivion beyond memory!
就象从千层万丈之上，你向下眺望，
As one who sits and gazes from above,
只见滚滚的浪涛尽向大海里流。
Over the rivers of the bitter sea.
*16.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十六首
EBB "Sonnets from the Portuguese", No. XVI
然而，因为你完全征服了我，
And yet, because thou overcomest so,
因为你那样高贵、象尊严的帝皇，
Because thou art more noble and like a king,
你能消除我的惶恐，把你的
Thou canst prevail against my fears and fling
紫袍裹绕住我，直到我的心
thy purple round me, till my heart shall grow
跟你的贴得那么紧，再想不起
Too close against thine heart henceforth to know
当初怎样独自在悸动。那宣抚，
How it shook when alone. Why, conquering
就象把人践踏在脚下，一样是
May prove as lordly and complete a thing
威严和彻底完满的征服！就象
In lifting upward, as in crushing low!
投降的兵士捧着战刀呈交给
And as a vanquished soldier yields his sword
把他从血滩里搀扶起来的主人；
To one who lifts him from the bloody earth, --
亲爱的，我终于认了输，承认：
Even so, Beloved, I at last record,
我的抗拒到此为止。假如你召唤我，
Here ends my strife. If _thou_ invite me forth,
听着这话，我要从羞愧中站起。
I rise above abasement at the word.
扩大些你的爱，好提高些我的价值。
Make thy love larger to enlarge my worth.
*17.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十七首
EBB "Sonnets from the Portuguese", No. XVII
我的诗人，在上帝的宇宙里，从洪荒
My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
到终极，那参差的音律，无一不能
God set between His After and Before,
从你的指尖弹出。你一挥手
And strike up and strike off the general roar
就打断了人世间熙熙攘攘的声浪，
Of the rushing worlds a melody that floats
奏出清音，在空气里悠然荡漾；
In a serene air purely. Antidotes
那柔和的旋律，象一剂凉药，把安慰
Of medicated music, answering for
带给痛苦的心灵。上帝派给你
Mankind's forlornest uses, thou canst pour
这一个职司，而吩咐我伺候你。
>From thence into their ears. God's will devotes
亲爱的，你打算把我怎样安排？－－
Thine to such ends, and mine to wait on thine.
作为一个希望、给欢乐地歌唱？还是
How, Dearest, wilt thou have me for most use?
缠绵的回忆、溶化入抑扬的音调？
A hope, to sing by gladly? ... or a fine
还是棕榈，还是松树－－那一树绿荫
Sad memory, with thy songs to interfuse?
让你在底下歌唱；还是一个青冢，
A shade, in which to sing ... of palm or pine?
唱倦了，你来这里躺下？请挑吧。
A grave, on which to rest from singing? .. Choose.
*18.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十八首
我从不曾拿我的卷发送给谁，
I never gave a lock of hair away
除非是这一束，我最亲爱的，给你；
To a man, Dearest, except this to thee,
满怀心事，我把它抽开在指尖，
Which now upon my fingers thoughtfully
拉成棕黄色的一长段；我说：“爱，
I ring out to the full brown length and say
收下吧。”我的青春已一去不回，
`Take it.' My day of youth went yesterday;
这一头散发再也不跟着我脚步一起
My hair no longer bounds to my foot's glee,
雀跃，也不再象姑娘们，在鬓发间
Nor plant I it from rose- or Myrtle-tree,
插满玫瑰和桃金娘，却让它披垂，
As girls do, any more. It only may
从一个老是歪着的头儿－－由于
Now shade on two pale cheeks the mark of tears
忧郁的癖性－－披下来遮掩着泪痕。
Taught drooping from the head that hangs aside
原以为理尸的剪刀会先把它收去，
Through sorrow's trick. I thought the funeral-shears
可不想爱情的名份得到了确认。
Would take this first, but Love is justified, --
收下吧，那上面有慈母在弥留时给儿女
Take it thou, ... finding pure, from all those years,
印下的一吻－－这些年始终保持着洁净。
The kiss my mother left here when she died.
*19.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第十九首
心灵跟心灵也有市场和贸易，
The soul's Rialto hath its merchandize;
在那儿我拿卷发去跟卷发交换；
I barter curl for curl upon that mart,
从我那诗人的前额，我收下了
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
这一束，几根发丝，在我心里
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies, --
却重过了飘洋大船。它那带紫的乌亮，
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
在我眼里，就象当初平达所看见的
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
斜披在缪斯玉额前暗紫色的秀发。
The nine white Muse-brows. From this counterpart, ...
为了媲美，我猜想那月桂冠的阴影
The bay-crown's shade, Beloved, I surmise,
依然逗留在发尖－－爱，你看它
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black!
有多么黑！我借轻轻的一吻，吐出
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath,
温柔的气息，绾住了那阴影，不让它
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back,
溜走；又把礼品放在最妥贴的地方－－
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth,
我的心头，叫它就象生长在你额上，
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
感受着体热，直到那心儿有一天冷却。
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death.
*20.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十首
亲爱的，我亲爱的，我想到从前－－
Beloved, my Beloved, when I think
一年之前，当时你正在人海中间，
That thou wast in the world a year ago,
我却在这一片雪地中独坐，
What time I sat alone here in the snow
望不见你迈步留下的踪迹，
And saw no footprint, heard the silence sink
也听不见你的謦咳冲破了这死寂；
No moment at thy voice, ... but, link by link,
我只是一环又一环计数着我周身
Went counting all my chains as if that so
沉沉的铁链，怎么也想不到还有你－－
They never could fall off at any blow
仿佛谁也别想把那锁链打开。
Struck by thy possible hand .. why, thus I drink
啊，我喝了一大杯美酒：人生的奇妙！
Of life's great cup of wonder! Wonderful,
奇怪啊，我从没感觉到白天和黑夜
Never to feel thee thrill the day or night
都有你的行动、声音在空中震荡，
With personal act or speech, -- nor even cull
也不曾从你看着成长的白花里，
Some prescience of thee with the blossoms white
探知了你的消息－－就象无神论者
Thou sawest growing! Atheists are dull,
那样鄙陋，猜不透神在神的化外！
Who cannot guess God's presence out of sight.
*21.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十一首
EBB ``Sonnets From the Portuguese'' No. XXI
请说了一遍，再向我说一遍，
Say over again, and yet once over again,
说“我爱你！”即使那样一遍遍重复，
That thou dost love me. Though the word repeated
你会把它看成一支“布谷鸟的歌曲”；
Should seem `a cuckoo-song,' as thou dost treat it.
可是记着，在那青山和绿林间，
Remember, never to the hill or plain,
那山谷和田野中，纵使清新的春天
Valley and wood, without her cuckoo-strain
披着全身绿装降临、也不算完美无缺，
Comes the fresh Spring in all her green completed.
要是她缺少了那串布谷鸟的音节。
Beloved, I, amid the darkness greeted
爱，四周那么黑暗，耳边只听见
By a doubtful spirit-voice, in that doubt's pain
惊悸的心声，处于那痛苦的不安中，
Cry, ... `Speak once more ... thou lovest!' Who can fear
我嚷道：“再说一遍：我爱你！”谁嫌
Too many stars, though each in heaven shall roll, --
太多的星，即使每颗都在太空转动；
Too many flowers, though each shall crown the year?
太多的花，即使每朵洋溢着春意？
Say thou dost love me, love me, love me -- toll
说你爱我，你爱我，一声声敲着银钟！
The silver iterance! -- only minding, Dear,
只是记住，还得用灵魂爱我，在默默里。
To love me also in silence with thy soul.
*22.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十二首
EBB "Sonnets from the Portuguese", No. XXII
当我俩的灵魂壮丽地挺立起来，
When our two souls stan up erect and strong,
默默地，面对着面，越来越靠拢，
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
那伸张的翅膀在各自弯圆的顶端，
Util the lengthening wings break into fire
迸出了火星。世上还有什么苦恼，
At each curved point, -- what bitter wrong
落到我们头上，而叫我们不甘心
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
在这里长留？你说哪。再往上，就有
Be here contented? Think. In mounting higher,
天使抵在头上，为我们那一片
The angels would press on us and aspire
深沉、亲密的静默落下成串
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
金黄和谐的歌曲。亲爱的，让我俩
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
就相守在地上吧－－人世的争吵、熙攮
Rather on earth, Beloved, -- where the unfit
都向后退隐，留给纯洁的灵魂
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
一方隔绝，容许在这里面立足，
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
在这里爱，爱上一天，尽管昏黑的
A place to stand and love in for a day,
死亡，不停地在它的四围打转。
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.
*23.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十三首
真是这样吗？如果我死了，你可会
Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead,
失落一些生趣、由于失去了我？
Wouldst thou miss any life in losing mine?
阳光照着你，你会觉得它带一丝寒意，
And would the sun for thee more coldly shine
为着潮湿的黄土已盖没了我的脸？
Because of grave-damps falling round my head?
真没想到啊！我体味到你这份情意
I marvelled, my Beloved, when I read
在信中。爱，我是你的，可就这样
Thy thought so in the letter. I am thine --
给珍重？我能用我那双发抖的手
But ... _so_ much to thee? Can I pour thy wine
为你斟酒？好吧，那我就抛开了
While my hands tremble? Then my soul, instead
死的梦幻，重新捧起来那生命。
Of dreams of death, resumes life's lower range.
爱我吧，看着我，用暖气呵我吧！
Then, love me, Love! look on me ... breathe on me!
多少闺秀，为着爱不惜牺牲了
As brighter ladies do not count it strange,
财富和身份；我也要放弃那坟墓－－
For love, to give up acres and degree,
为了你；把我那迫近而可爱的天国的
I yield the grave for thy sake, and exchange
景象、来跟载着你的土地交换！
My near sweet view of heaven, for earth with thee!
*24.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十四首
让世界象一把摺刀，把它的锋芒
Let the world's sharpness like a clasping knife
在自身内敛藏，埋进在爱情的
Shut in upon itself and do no harm
掌握内、温柔的中心，而不再为害。
In this close hand of Love, now soft and warm,
让嗒的一声，刀子合上之后，
And let us hear no sound of human strife
我们就此再听不见人世的争吵。
After the click of the shutting. Life to life --
亲爱的，我紧挨着你，生命贴恋着
I lean upon thee, Dear, without alarm,
生命，什么也不怕，我只觉得安全，
And feel as safe as guarded by a charm
象有了神符的保护，世人的刀枪
Against the stab of worldlings, who if rife
怎么稠密也不能伤害毫发。我们
Are weak to injure. Very whitely still
生命中的素莲，依然能开出纯洁
The lilies of our lives may reassure
雪白的花朵；那底下的根，只仰赖
Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
天降的甘露，从山头往上挺伸，
Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer:
高出世间的攀折。只有上帝，
Growing straight, out of man's reach, on the hill.
他赐我们富有，才能叫我们穷。
God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.
*25.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十五首
亲爱的，年复一年，我怀着一颗
A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borne
沉重的心，直到我瞧见了你的面影。
From year to year util I saw thy face,
一个个忧伤已相继剥夺了我所有的
And sorrow after sorrow took the place
欢欣－－象一串轻贴在胸前的珍珠，
Of all those natural joys as lightly worn
在跳舞的当儿，给一颗跳动的心儿
As the stringed pearls, ... each lifted in its turn
逐一地拨弄。希望随即转成了
By a beating heart at dance time. Hopes apace
漫长的失望，纵使上帝的厚恩，
Were changed to long despairs, til God's own grace
也没法从那凄凉的人世举起来
Could scarcely lift above the world forlorn
我这颗沉甸甸的心。可是你，
My heavy heart. Then thou didst bid me bring
你当真命令我捧着它，投到
And let it drop adown thy calmly great
你伟大深沉的跟前！它立即往下沉，
Deep being! Fast it sinketh, as a thing
就象堕落是它的本性；而你的心，
Which its own nature does precipitate,
立即紧跟着，贴在它上面，挡在
While thine doth close above it, mediating
那照临的星辰和未完功的命运间。
Betwixt the stars and the unaccomplished fate.
*26.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十六首
是幻想--并不是男友还是女伴，
I lived with visons for my company
多少年来，跟我生活在一起，做我的
Instead of men and women, years ago,
亲密的知友。它们为我而奏的音乐，
And found them gentle mates, nor thought to know
我不想听到还有比这更美的。
A sweeter music than they played to me.
可是幻想的轻飘的紫袍，免不了
But soon their trailing purple was not free
沾上人世的尘土，那琴声终于逐渐
Of this world's dust, -- their lutes did silent grow,
消歇，而我也在那些逐渐隐灭的
And myself grew faint and blind blow
眸子下头晕眼花。于是，亲爱的，
Their vanishing eyes. Then THOU didst com ... to be,
你来了--仿佛来接替它们。就象
Boloved, wha they seemed. their shining fronts,
河水盛入了洗礼盆、水就更圣洁，
Their songs, their splendours, ( better, yet the same,
它们的辉煌的前额、甜蜜的歌声，
As river-water hallowed into fonts )
都聚集在你一身，通过你而征服了我，
Met in thee, and from out thee overcame
给予我最大的满足。上帝的礼物
My soul with satisfaction of all wants --
叫人间最绚烂的梦幻失落了颜色。
Because God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.
*27.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十七首
爱人，我亲爱的人，是你把我，
My own Beloved, who hast lifted me
一个跌倒在尘埃的人，扶起来，
From this drear flat of earth where I was thrown,
又在我披垂的鬓发间吹入了一股
And, in betwixt the languid ringlets, blown
生气，好让我的前额又亮光光地
A life-breath, till the forehead hopefully
闪耀着希望--有所有的天使当着
Shines out again, as all the angels see,
你救难的吻为证！亲爱的人呀，
Before thy saving kiss! My own, my own,
当你来到我跟前，人世已舍我远去，
Who camest to me when the world was gone,
而一心仰望上帝的我、却获得了你！
And I who looked for only God, found thee!
我发现了你，我安全了，强壮了，快乐了。
I find thee; I am safe, and strong, and glad.
象一个人站立在干洁的香草地上
As one who stands in dewless aspodel,
回顾他曾捱过来的苦恼的年月；
Looks backward on the tedious time he had
我抬起了胸脯，拿自己作证：
In the upper life, -- so I, with bosom-swell,
这里，在一善和那一恶之间，爱，
Make witness, here, between the good and bad,
象死一样强烈，带来了同样的解脱。
That Love, as strong as death, retrieves as well.
*28.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十八首
我的信！一堆堆死沉沉的纸，苍白又无声，
My letters! all dead paper, ... mute and white!
可是它们又象具有生命、颤动在
And yet they seem alive and quivering
我拿不稳的手内--是那发抖的手
Against my tremulous hands while loose the string
解开丝带，让它们今晚散满在
And let them drop down on my knee to-night.
我膝上。这封说：他多盼望有个机会，
This said, ... he wished to have me in his sight
能作为朋友，见一见我。这一封又订了
Once, as a friend: this fixed a day in spring
春天里一个日子，来见我，跟我
To come and touch my hand ... a simple thing,
握握手--平常的事，我可哭了！
Yet I wept for it! -- this, ... the paper's light ...
这封说（不多几个字）：“亲，我爱你！”
Said, _Dear I love thee_; and I sank and quailed
而我却惶恐得象上帝的未来在轰击
As if God's future thundered on my past.
我的过去。这封说：“我属于你！”那墨迹，
This said, _I am thine_ -- and so its ink has paled
紧贴在我悸跳的心头，久了，褪了色。
With lying at my heart that beat too fast.
而这封。。。爱啊，你的言词有什么神妙，
And this ... O Love, thy words have ill availed
假如这里吐露的，我敢把它再说！
If, what this said, I dared repeat at last!
*29.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第二十九首
我想你！我的相思围抱住了你，
I think of thee! -- my thoughts do twine and bud
绕着你而抽芽，象蔓藤卷缠着树木、
About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,
遍发出肥大的叶瓣，除了那蔓延的
Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see
青翠把树身掩藏，就什么都看不见。
Except the straggling green which hides the wood.
可是我的棕榈树呀，你该明白，
Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood
我怎愿怀着我的思念而失去了
I will not have my thoughts instead of thee
更亲更宝贵的你！我宁可你显现
Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly
你自己的存在；象一株坚强的树
Renew thy presence. As a strong tree should,
沙沙地摇撼枝杈，挣出了赤裸的
Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,
躯干来，叫这些重重叠叠的绿叶
And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee,
都给摔下来狼藉满地。因为在
Drop heavily down, ... burst, shattered, everywhere!
看着你、听着你、在你荫影里呼吸着
Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee
清新的空气，洋溢着深深的喜悦时，
And breathe within thy shadow a new air,
我再不想你--我是那么地贴紧你。
I do not think of thee -- I am too near thee.
*30.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十首
今晚，我泪眼晶莹，恍惚瞧见了
I see thine image through my tears to-night,
你的形象；然而不是今朝，我还看到
And yet to-day I saw thee smiling. How
你在笑？爱人，这是为什么？是你，
Refer the cause? -- Beloved, is it thou
还是我--是谁叫我黯然愁苦？
Or I, who makes me sad? The acolyte
一个浸沉在欢颂和崇拜中的僧侣
amid the chanted joy and thankful rite
把苍白无知觉的额头投在祭坛下，
May so fall flat, with pale insensate brow
或许就这样俯伏。正象他耳内轰响着
On the alter-stair. I hear thy voice and vow,
“阿门”的歌声；我听得你亲口的盟誓，
Perplexed, uncertain, since thou art out of sight,
心里却一片怔忡不安，因为不见你
As he, in his swooning ears, the choir's amen.
在我的眼前。亲爱的，你当真爱我？
Beloved, dost thou love? or did I see all
我当真看见了那恍如梦境的荣光，
The glory as I dreamed, and fainted when
并且经不起那强烈的逼射而感到了
Too vehement light dilated my ideal,
眩晕？这光可会照临，就象那
For my soul's eyes? Will that light come again,
盈盈的泪，一颗颗滚下来，又热又真？
As now these tears come ... falling hot and real?
*31.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十一首
EBB "Sonnets from the Portuguese", No. XXXI
你来了！还没开口，心意都表明了。
Thou comest! all is said without a word.
我坐在你的容光下，象沐浴在阳光中的
I sit beneath thy looks, as children do
婴孩，那闪烁的眸子无声地泄露了
In the noon-sun, with souls that tremble through
颤动在那颗小心里的无比的喜悦。
Their happy eyelids from an unaverred
看哪，我这最后的疑虑是错了！
Yet prodigal inward joy. Behold, I erred
可是我不能只埋怨自己，你想，
In that last doubt! and yet I cannot rue
这是怎样的情景，怎样的时辰？
The sin most, but the occasion ... that we two
这一刻，我俩竞轻易地并站在一起。
Should for a moment stand unministered
啊，靠近我，让我挨着你吧；当我
By a mutal presence. Ah, keep near and close,
涌起了疑虑，你宽坦的心胸给我
Thou dove-like help! and, when my fears would rise,
清澈而温柔的慰抚；用你崇高的
With thy broad heart serenely interpose.
光辉来孵育我那些思念吧；失了
Brood down with thy divine sufficiencies
你的庇护，它们就要战栗－－就象
These thoughtswhich tremble when berest of those,
那羽翼未丰的小鸟给撇下在天空里。
Like callow birds left desert to the skies.
*32.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十二首
EBB "Sonnets from the Portuguese", no. XXXII
当金黄的太阳升起来，第一次照上
The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
你爱的盟约，我就预期着明月
To love me, I looked forward to the moon
来解除那情结、系的太早太急。
To slacken all those bonds which seemed too soon
我只怕爱的容易、就容易失望，
And quickly tied to make a lasting troath.
引起悔心。再回顾我自己，我哪象
Quick-loving hearts, I thought, may quickly loathe;
让你爱慕的人！－－却象一具哑涩
And, looking on myself, I seemed not one
破损的弦琴、配不上你那么清澈
For such man's love! -- more like an out-of-tune
美妙的歌声！而这琴，匆忙里给用上，
Worn voil, a good singer would be wroth
一发出沙沙的音，就给恼恨地
To spoil his song with, and which, snatched in haste,
扔下。我这么说，并不曾亏待
Is laid down at the first ill-sounding note.
自己，可是我冤了你。在乐圣的
I did not wrong myself so, but I placed
手里，一张破琴也可以流出完美
A wrong on _thee_. For perfect strains may float
和谐的韵律；而凭一张弓，真诚的
'Neath master-hands, from instruments defaced, --
灵魂，可以在勒索、也同时在溺爱。
And great souls, at one stroke, may do and dote.
*33.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十三首
对啦，叫我的小名儿呀！让我再听见
Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear
我一向飞奔著去答应的名字－－那时，
The name I used to run at, when a child
还是个小女孩，无忧无虑，沉浸于
From innocent play, and leave the cowslips piled,
嬉戏，偶尔从一大堆野草野花间
To glance up in some face that proved me dear
抬起头来，仰望那用和蔼的眼
With the look of its eyes. I miss the clear
抚爱我的慈颜。我失去了那仁慈
Fond voices which, being drawn and reconciled
亲切的呼唤，那灵衬给我的是
Into the music of Heaven's undefiled,
一片寂静，任凭我高呼著上天，
Call me no longer. Silence on the bier,
那慈声归入了音乐华严的天国。
While I call God ... call God! -- So let thy mouth
让你的嘴来承继那寂灭的清音。
Be heir to those who are now exanimate.
采得北方的花，好完成南方的花束，
Gather the north flowers to complete the south,
在迟暮的岁月里赶上早年的爱情。
And catch the early love up in the late.
对啦，叫我的小名儿吧，我，就随即
Yes, call me by that name, -- and I, in truth,
答应你，怀著当初一模样的心情。
With the same heart, will answer and not wait.
*34.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十四首
怀著当初一模样的心情，我说，
With the same heart, I said, I'll answer thee
我要答应你，当你叫我的小名。
As those, when thou shalt call me by my name --
唉，这分明是空的愿心！我的心
Lo, the vain promise! Is the same, the same,
还能是一模样－－饱受了人生的磨折？
Perplexed and ruffled by life's strategy?
从前，我听得一声喊，就扔下花束，
When called before, I told how hastily
要不，从游戏里跳起，奔过去答应，
I dropped my flower or brake off from a game,
一路上都是我的笑容笑声在致敬，
To run and answer with the smile that came
眼星里还闪烁著方才那一片欢乐。
At play last moment, and went on with me
现在我应你，我舍下一片沉重的
Through my obedience. When I answer now,
忧思，从孤寂里惊起。可是，我的心
I drop a grave thought, break from solitude;
还是要向你飞奔，你不是我一种的
Yet still my heart goes to thee ... ponder how ...
善，而是百善所钟！我最可爱的人，
Not as to a single good, but all my good!
你把手按著我的心口，同意吗：孩童的
Lay thy hand on it, best one, and allow
小脚从没跑得这么快－－象这血轮。
That no child's foot could run fast as this blood.
*35.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十五首
要是我把一切都交给你，你可愿意
If I leave all for thee, wilt thou exchange
作为交换，把什么都归给我？
And be all to me? Shall I never miss
我可是永不会缺少家常的谈笑、
Home-talk and blessing and the common kiss
互酬接吻、彼此的祝福？也不会
That comes to each in turn, nor count it strange,
感到生疏、当我抬起头来打量
When I look up, to drop on a new range
新的墙壁和地板－－家以外另一个家？
Of walls and floors, ... another home than this?
不，我还要问，你可愿顶替那一双
Nay, wilt thou fill that place by me which is
瞑合了的柔眼在我身旁留下的位置
Filled by dead eyes too tender to know change?
而一样地不懂得变心？这可是难！
That's hardest. If to conquer love, has tried,
征服爱如果费事，征服怨，那就更难。
To conquer grief, tries more ... as all things prove,
怨是，爱不算，再得加上个怨。我的怨，
For grief indeed s love and grief beside.
唉，那么深，就那么不轻易爱。可是，
Alas, I have grieved so I am hard to love.
你依然爱我－－你愿？敞开些你的心，
Yet love me -- wilt thou? Open thine heart wide,
好让你那羽翼湿透的鸽子扑进来！
And fold within, the wet wings of thy dove.
*36.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十六首
当初我俩相见、一见而倾心的时光，
When we met first and loved, I did not build
我怎敢在这上面，建起大理石宫殿，
Upon the event with marble. Could it mean
难道这也会久长－－那来回摇摆在
To last, a love set pendulous between
忧伤与忧伤间的爱？不，我害怕，
Sorrow and sorrow? Nay, I rather thrilled,
我信不过那似乎浮泛在眼前的
Distrusting every light that seemed to gild
一片金光，不敢伸出手指去碰一下。
The onward path, and feared to overlean
到后来才坦然、坚定了；可我又觉得，
A finger even. And, though I have grown serene
上帝总该另有恐惧安排在后面。。。。。。
And strong since then, I think God has willed
爱啊，要不然，这双紧握著的手
A still renewable fear ... O love, O troth ...
就不会接触；这热热的亲吻，一旦
Lest these enclasped hands should never hold,
从嘴唇上冷却了，何以不变成虚文？
This mutual kiss drop down between us both
爱情啊，你快变了心吧！要是命运
As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold.
这样注定：他，为了信守一个盟誓
And Love, be false! if _he_, too keep one oath,
就非得拿牺牲一个喜悦作代价。
Must lose one joy, by his life's star foretold.
*37.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十七首
原谅我，啊，请原谅吧，并非我无知，
Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make
不明白一切德性全归于你、属于你；
Of all that strong divineness which I know
可是，你在我心里构成的形象，
For thine and thee, an image only so
却就象一堆虚浮不实的泥沙！
Formed of the sand, and fit to shift and break.
是那年深月久的孤僻，象遭了
It is that distant years which did not take
当头一棒，从你面前尽往后缩，
Thy sovranty [1], recoiling with a blow,
迫使我眩晕的知觉涌起了疑虑和
Have forced my swimming brain to undergo
恐惧，盲目地舍弃了你纯洁的面目，
Their doubt and dread, and blindly to forsake
最崇高的爱给我歪曲成最荒谬的
Thy purity of likeness and distort
形状。就象一个沉了船的异教徒，
Thy worthiest love to a worthless counterfeit.
安然脱险，上了岸，酬谢保佑他的
As if a shipwrecked Pagan, safe in port,
海神，献上了一尾木雕的海豚--
His guardian sea-god to commemorate,
那两腮呼呼作响、尾巴掀起了
Should set a sculptured porpoise, gills a snort
怒浪的庞大的海族--在庙宇的门墙内。
And vibrant tail, within the temple-gate.
[1] sovranty = sovereignty
*38.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十八首
第一次他亲我，他只是亲了一下
First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
在写这诗篇的手，从此我的手就越来
The fingers of this hand wherewith I write;
越白净晶莹，不善作世俗的招呼，
And ever since, it grew more clean and white, ...
而敏于呼召：“啊，快听哪，快听
Slow to the world-greetings, quick with its `Oh, list,'
天使在说话哪！”即使在那儿戴上一个
When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst
紫玉瑛戒指，也不会比那第一个吻
I could not wear here, plainer to my sight,
在我的眼里显现得更清楚。
Than that first kiss. The second passed in height
第二个吻，就往高处升，它找到了
The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed,
前额，可是偏斜了一些，一半儿
Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!
印在发丝上。这无比的酬偿啊，
That was the chrism of love, which love's own crown
是爱神擦的圣油！－－先于爱神的
With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.
华美的皇冠。那第三个，那么美妙，
The third upon my lips was folded down
正好按在我嘴唇上，从此我就
In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed,
自傲，敢于呼唤：“爱，我的爱！”
*39.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第三十九首
为着你的魄力和盛德－－你那样
Because thou hast the power and own'st the grace
犀利地望着我，通过我那给泪雨
To look through and behind this mask of me,
冲洗得成了灰白的面具、照彻了
( Against which, years have beat thus blanchingly
我灵魂的真实面目（灰暗疲乏的
With their rains, ) and behold my soul's true face,
人生的证明！）也为着你只知道忠诚，
The dim and weary witness of life's race! --
只知道爱，只是朝我看，通过我那
Because thou hast the faith and love to see,
麻木的灵魂，看到了那忍耐的天使
Through that same soul's distracting lethargy,
一心期待着天堂里的位置；又为着
The patient angel waiting for a place
无论是罪恶、是哀怨、甚至上帝的谴责，
In the new heavens! -- Because nor sin nor woe,
死神的逼近的威胁－－不管这一切，
Nor God's infliction, nor death's neighbourhood,
叫人们一看就掉首而去，叫自己
Nor all which others viewing, turn to go, ...
想着都厌恶。。。却没什么能吓退你；
Nor all which makes me tired of all, self-viewed, ...
亲爱的，那你教我吧，教我怎么样
Nothing repels thee, ... Dearest, teach me so
把感激尽量倾吐，正象你把恩惠布施。
To pour out gratitude, as thou dost, good.
*40.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四十首
是啊，咱们这世道，谈情说爱，多的是！
Oh, yes! They love through all this world of ours!
我不想问：真有爱这回事吗？有就有吧--
I will not gainsay love, called love forsooth.
从小，我就听惯了人们嘴里的“爱”，
I have heard love talked in my early youth,
直到才不久--那会儿采来的鲜花
And since, not so long back but that the flowers
香味还没散呢。不管是回教徒、“外教徒”，
Then gathered, smell still. Mussulmans and Giaours
笑一笑，手绢儿就摔过来；可是一哭，
Throw kerchiefs at a smile, and have no ruth
谁也不理了。“独眼龙”的白牙齿咬不紧
For any weeping. Polypheme's white tooth
硬果子，假使淋过了几阵骤雨，
Slips ib the nut if, after frequent showers,
果壳变得滑溜溜--从没想把这称做
The shell is over-smooth, -- and not so much
“爱”的东西，也跟他们的“恨”、以至
Will turn the thing called love, aside to hate
跟“淡漠”并列。可是你，亲爱的，你不是
Or else to oblivion. But thou art not such
那样的情人！你从那哀怨和疾病里
A lover, my Beloved! Thou canst wait
伺候了过来，教心灵终于接通了心灵，
Through sorrow and sickness, to bring souls to touch
人家会嫌“太晚”了，而你想还没想到。
And think it soon when others cry `Too late.'
*41.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四十一首
我满怀着感激和爱，向凡是在心里
I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
爱过我的人们道谢。深深的感谢啊，
With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
好心的人们，打牢墙外经过，驻足
Who paused a little near the prison-wall
听取我三两声稍微响亮些的音乐，
To hear my music in its louder parts
这才继续赶路，奔赴市场或是圣殿、
Ere they went onward, each one to the mart's
各自的前程，再无从召唤。可是你，
Or temple's occupation, beyond call.
当我的歌声低落了、接不上了，代之以
But thou, who, in my voice's sink and fall
哭泣，你却叫神的最尊贵的乐器
When the sob took it, thy divinest Art's
掉在脚下，倾听我那夹杂在泪珠里的
Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot
怨声。。。啊，指点我，该怎么报答
To harken what I said between my tears, ...
你的恩情吧！怎么能把这一片
Instruct me how to thank thee! -- Oh, to shoot
回旋荡漾的情意奉献给未来的
My soul's full meaning into future years,
岁月，由它来给我表白，向耐久的
That _they_ should lend it utterance, and salute
爱情致敬，凭着那短暂的人生！
Love that endures, from Life that disappears!
*42.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四十二首
“未来啊，任你怎样临摹，也描不成
`_My future will not copy fair my past_' --
我过去的样本了，”我曾这么写过，
I wrote that once; and think at my side
以为守护在我身畔的天使会同意
My ministerig life-angel justified
这话，把仰天呼吁的眼光瞥向那
The word by his appealing look upcast
高踞玉座的上帝。待我回过头来，
To the white throne of God, I turned at last,
看见的却是你，还有你我的天使
And there, instead , saw thee, not unallied
结伴在一起！一向为哀怨、病痛
To angels in thy soul! Then I, long tried
所折磨的我，就把幸福抱得那么紧。
By natural ills, received the comfort fast,
一见了你，我那朝拜的手杖
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrim's staff
抽了芽、发出了绿叶，承受着
Gave out green leaves with morning dews impearled.
清晨的露珠。如今，我再不追寻
I seek no copy now of life's first half:
我生命中前半的样本，让那些反复
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
吟叹、卷了角的书页放过在一边，
And write me new my future's epigraph,
我给我重写出新的一章生命！
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world!
*43.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四十三首
我是怎样地爱你？让我逐一细算。
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
我爱你尽我的心灵所能及到的
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
深邃、宽广、和高度－－正象我探求
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
玄冥中上帝的存在和深厚的神恩。
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
我爱你的程度，就象日光和烛焰下
I love thee to the level of everyday's
那每天不用说得的需要。我不加思虑地
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
爱你，就象男子们为正义而斗争；
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
我纯洁地爱你，象他们在赞美前低头。
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
我爱你以我童年的信仰；我爱你
I love thee with the passion put to use
以满怀热情，就象往日满腔的辛酸；
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith
我爱你，抵得上那似乎随着消失的圣者
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
而消逝的爱慕。我爱你以我终生的
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
呼吸，微笑和泪珠－－假使是上帝的
Smiles, tears, and all my life -- and, if God choose,
意旨，那么，我死了我还要更加爱你！
I shall but love thee better after death.
*44.EEB
白朗宁夫人抒情十四行诗集第四十四首
亲爱的，你从一整个夏天到冬天，
Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers
从园子里采集了那么多的花
Plucked in the garden, all the summer through
送给我；而这幽闭的小室里，它们
And winter, and it seemed as if they grew
继续生长，仿佛并不缺少阳光和
In this close room, nor missed the sun and showers.
雨水的滋养。那么同样地凭着
So, in the like name of that love of ours,
这爱的名义－－那爱是属于我俩的，
Take back these thoughts which here unfold too,
也请收下了我的回敬；那在热天，
And which on warm and cold days I withdrew
在冷天，发自我心田的情思的花朵。
From my heart's ground. Indeed, those beds and bowers
不错，在我那园圃里确是长满着
Be overgrown with bitter weeds and rue,
野草和苦艾，有待于你来耘除；Instruct thine eyes to keep their colours true,
向你自己说，它们的根都埋在我的深心。
And tell thy soul, their roots are left in mine.
And wait thy weeding; yet here's eglantine,
可这儿也有白玫瑰，也有常春藤！
Here's ivy! -- take them, as I used to do
请收下吧，就象我惯常接受你的花。
Thy flowers, and keep them where they shall not pine.
好生地护养着，别让它褪落了颜色， |