翻译John Milton Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent

翻译John  Milton Sonnet 19:  When I consider how my light is spent

译者：沅湘

 

  When I consider how my light is spent,

   Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

   And that one Talent which is death to hide

   Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent

  To serve therewith my Maker, and present

   My true account, lest he returning chide;

   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”

   I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent

  That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need

   Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

  Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed

   And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:

   They also serve who only stand and wait.”

 

当我考虑到我的光是如何的用尽，

在前半生，在这宽阔的黑暗世界，

死将收去的天才跟我在一起积屯

着没用，虽灵魂更坚定主张用来

为造我者服务，我怕他听后责骂;   

于是将我的真心表述，天真地问：

 “不给光，上帝是否在苦力敲榨？”

不过，为了把这悄悄话打住耐心

马上回答：“人的劳作或者天赋

上帝并不需要；谁最能忍受他的

温和束缚，谁就最好的为他服务。

他的领域是王国，成千上万人得

令翻山过海奔跑而去不息也不停，

也有服务的人，他们只是站着等。”