London, 1802试译

London, 1802

by William Wordsworth

Milton! thoushouldst be living at this hour;
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart;
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

伦敦1802

少波/译

弥尔顿，你应该生活在今天；

英格兰需要你：她已是

死水一滩；祭坛，利剑，笔杆，

炉边，大厅与亭台连成一片，

殆尽了从古英格兰陪嫁来的遗产——

内在的幸福感。我们如今自私自利；

哦！让我们振奋，重回我们这里；

赋予我们礼仪、美德、自由和权力；

你的灵魂如一颗明星，四散而栖；

你的声音像大海：

纯净如毕露的天堂，雄奇且随意；

你走在人生的必经之路上，

欢快而又虔诚；然而你的心

也不辞为最卑微的事而尽力。