4. 英诗汉译《三重愚人》

作者：约翰·多恩   译者：黎历

我知道，我是两重愚人，
因为爱，又因为在哀怨的诗中
说爱；
但那位智者在哪里呢，如果她不否认，
那绝不会是我？
然而，就像地球内部狭窄弯曲的小巷
可以清除海水烦人的盐分一样，
我想，如果我能让韵律的烦恼来缓解疼痛，
我应该可以减轻自己的痛苦。
带给数字的悲伤不会如此强烈，
因为用诗句束缚它，才能驯服它。

但当我这样做的时候，
某个人，在演示他的艺术和嗓音时
设置并歌唱我的痛苦；
并且，通过取悦许多人，再次释放
诗句所抑制的悲伤。
诗歌的贡品属于爱和悲伤，
但阅读起来不是令人愉悦。
爱和悲伤在这样的诗歌里得到强化，

因此爱和悲伤的成就被如此宣扬，
而我，从两重傻瓜，变成了三重傻瓜；
谁稍微明智一点，谁就是最棒的傻瓜。

编者注：
玄学诗人约翰·多恩于 1572 年的今天出生。

The Triple Fool

By John Donne

I am two fools, I know,

For loving, and for saying so

In whining poetry;

But where's that wiseman, that would not be I,

If she would not deny?

Then as th' earth's inward narrow crooked lanes

Do purge sea water's fretful salt away,

I thought, if I could draw my pains

Through rhyme's vexation, I should them allay.

Grief brought to numbers cannot be so fierce,

For he tames it, that fetters it in verse.

But when I have done so,

Some man, his art and voice to show,

Doth set and sing my pain;

And, by delighting many, frees again

Grief, which verse did restrain.

To love and grief tribute of verse belongs,

But not of such as pleases when 'tis read.

Both are increased by such songs,

For both their triumphs so are published,

And I, which was two fools, do so grow three;

Who are a little wise, the best fools be.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/poem-of-the-day

A note from the editor:

Metaphysical poet John Donne was born on this day in 1572.

图片来自网络，致谢！