唱 歌(一七)
【英】克里斯蒂娜·罗塞蒂 著
熊良銋 译
065
我是一位国王,
或是一位皇上,
我戴着堂皇的冠冕,
和君王的荣光;
我挥舞着
金黄色的权杖,
一朵鲜紫的旗花,
象王旗迎风飘扬、
精明的元老
和耆宿贤能,
都是我的顾问,
他们返老还童;
站在我周围恭候的,
全是贵妇王公,
而欢乐的贫民,
在我的门前鞠躬。
066
有一物有头没有眼,
有一物有眼没有头,
只要动脑筋就能找到答案,
尽管如此推求,
一半答案与线挂钩。
067
如果老鼠会飞,
或是乌鸦会游水,
如果鲱鱼会走路说话,
我就愿意象他无悔。
如果老鼠会飞,
他就可能飞开;
如果乌鸦会游水,
他就可能变白;
如果鲱鱼会走路说话,
他会说什么来?
068
给我唱支歌吧——
要我唱什么歌?——
快乐的三姐妹,
围着圈子舞婆娑。
她们的腿脚轻快,
象鸟的翅膀灵活。
给我讲个故事吧——
我有什么可讲?
讲悲伤的两姐妹,
和悲鸣的丧钟,
叮一声当一声,
丧钟响叮当。
附录:原诗
Sing-Song (XVII)
Written by Christina G. Rossetti
Translated by Liangren Xiong
065
I am a King,
Or an Emperor rather,
I wear crown-imperial
And prince's-feather;
Golden-rod is the scepter
I wield and wag,
And a broad purple flag-flower
Waves for my flag.
Elder the pithy
With old-man and sage,
These are my councilors
Green in old age;
Lord-and-ladies in silence
Stand round me and wait,
While gay ragged-robin
Makes bows at my gate.
066
There is
on
And
there's on
You may find the answer if you try;
And when all is said,
Half the answer hangs upon a thread!
067
If a mouse could fly,
Or if a crow could swim,
Or if a sprat could walk and talk,
I'd like to be like him.
If a mouse could fly,
He might fly away;
Or if a crow could swim,
It might turn him grey;
Or if a sprat could walk and talk,
What would he find to say?
068
Sing me a song—
What shall I sing? –
Three merry sisters
Dancing in a ring,
Light and fleet upon their feet
As birds upon the wing.
Tell me a tale—
What shall I tell?
Two mournful sisters,
And a tolling knell,
Tolling ding and tolling dong,
Ding dong bell.
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