试译奥登的名篇<If I could tell you>
<If I could tell you> 是英国/美国著名诗人奥登的代表作之一。这几天看到诸多中文译本，我也跟着凑个热闹。
《如果我能告诉你》
时间默然不语除了“我已经告诉你”，
时间只知道我们必须付出的代价；
假如我能告诉你我会让你知晓。
我们是否会为戏谑的表演动容，
我们是否会随优美的旋律起舞，
时间默然不语唯有“我已经告诉你”。
尽管，没有良辰美景可以期许，
我对你的爱难以用言语表达，
假如我能告诉你我会让你知晓。
吹拂而过的风一定起自某个地方，
树叶的枯萎凋零也一定有缘由；
时间默然不语唯有“我已经告诉你”。
或许玫瑰真的想要绽放，
美景当真期望驻足留下；
假如我能告诉你我会让你知晓。
假如所有的狮子都起身离去，
溪流远逝，士兵们四散逃逸；
时间默然不语除了“我已经告诉你”，
假如我能告诉你我会让你知晓。
下面是奥登先生英文原作
<If I could tell you>
By： W. H. Auden 1940.10
Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble* when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.
The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
uppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.
译注
* stagger 和stumble 均指不稳的或身不由己的动作. Stagger and stumble suggest unsteady or uncontrolledmovement.
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