I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
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试着翻译这首罗伯特•佛罗斯特的诗,我觉得我对意境演绎和改编, 夹杂自己私货很多。如果需要定量,翻译后的语言大概80%忠实原文。
违背原诗意境注一:诗人写的守望者的watchman on his beat,是指巡逻的人按正常的工作节奏出巡,碰上了这个孤独走路的人。我翻译的这位工作人员更为主动对行者相望,在意境上不太忠实于原文,是为被动的主动。原诗该是自然的四目相对,而行者自己回避不愿有任何与别人的交流,诗人表达的是一个很主动的被动。