三
转瞬即逝的音符
所有伟大的诗歌都是在永恒的白色光芒下绘制出的一副多彩图画。当背景缺失时，诗歌也许与文学有关，但并不构成文学。
中国最好的诗歌都有一种对生命转瞬即逝的敏锐认识。在大多数情况下，这种认识含而不露，但却是无处不在的弦外之音。然而在不少情况下，转瞬即逝的音符作为歌曲的中心主旨突显出来。我们来听听这首“蜉蝣”是如何唱的吧：
They are but the wings of an ephemera,
These gorgeous robes of mine.
Oh the burden of my soul!
I wonder where I shall return.
They are but the wings of an ephemera,
These shining clothes of mine.
Oh the burden of my soul!
I wonder when I shall return.
The ephemera is digging its hole,
I see sackcloths moving like snowflakes.
Oh the burden of my soul!
I wonder how I shall return.
回译成中文如下：
我身上华丽的袍裳
不过是蜉蝣的翅膀
哦！我的心灵如负重担
吾乡将在何方
我身上耀眼的衣裳
不过是蜉蝣的翅膀
哦！我的心灵如负重担
吾将何时归乡
蜉蝣挖穴破土而出
我看到雪白麻衣裳
哦！我的心灵如负重担
吾将如何归乡
“蜉蝣”原文：
蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。心之忧矣，於我归处。
蜉蝣之翼，采采衣服。心之忧矣，於我归息。
蜉蝣掘阅，麻衣如雪。心之忧矣，於我归说。
这首歌很有可能是由一个在社会上地位爬得很高的人所创作，他发现甚至伟人也会有一天以某种方式离开这个世界。很显然这是一位老人，儿孙满堂，所以他想象出一个由白色麻衣组成的送葬队伍，像雪花一样白，像雪片一样不计其数。
请听另一首歌，这是对一个不会享受生活的守财奴的忠告。看起来汉学家理雅格（James Legge）把这首诗翻译得相当好，所以我在此冒昧地使用他的译文：
The thorny elms on the mountains grow,
And the white elms rise where the grounds are low.
You have suits of robes which you never wear;
You have steeds and cars you are fain to spare.
And these another will have by and by,
For the time will come when you shall die.
The k'ao trees thrive on the mountain's brow,
And the new trees rise where the grounds are low
Unwatered your courts, your rooms are unswept;
Your drums and your bells all silent are kept.
All these another shall have by and by,
For the time will come when you shall die.
The varnish trees on the mountains grow,
And the chestnuts rise where the grounds are low.
Why not, at the feast, your lute gaily play,
To add to your joy, and lengthen the day.
Another's your house will be by and by,
For the time will come when you shall die.
回译成中文如下：
刺榆生在山坡上，白榆长在低洼地。你有锦袍从不穿，你有车马从不骑。有朝一日你归天，家产全被别人占。
栲树生在山眉上，新树长在低洼地。庭房你从未洒扫。你有钟鼓从不敲。有朝一日你归天，家产全被别人占。
漆树生在山坡上，栗树长在低洼地。何不弹唱享盛宴，暮去朝来喜心田。有朝一日你归天，家产全被别人占。
“山有枢”原文：
山有枢，隰有榆。子有衣裳，弗曳弗娄。
子有车马，弗驰弗驱。宛其死矣，他人是愉。
山有栲，隰有杻。子有廷内，弗洒弗埽。
子有钟鼓，弗鼓弗考。宛其死矣，他人是保。
山有漆，隰有栗。子有酒食，何不日鼓瑟？
且以喜乐，且以永日。宛其死矣，他人入室。
