归期

归期

试译艾米丽·狄金森的一首情诗:

归期

归期难必，亦既秋日
维夏徂暑，且念且止
浅笑盈盈，含嗔颦颦
宛若幽妇，拂掸青蝇

归期难必，亦既期年
绩绕节气，抱朴混沌
如履如临，且贮且分
佳期既至，只盼良辰

归期难必，亦既隔世
纤纤素手，量之计之
天地消磨，形体槁枯
乃至碧落，垂垂老矣

归期难必，此生将尽
汝予有命，迢迢相离
且掷今生，如抛糠粃
永生之水，饮之如醴

不日不月，君子于役
悠悠苍天，曷其有极
既刺且伤，仿若妖蜂
唯赠毒针，蛰蛰不语

Emily Dickinson (1830–86)

Part Three: Love
VI

If you were coming in the fall,
I'd brush the summer by
With half a smile and half a spurn,
As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls,
And put them each in separate drawers,
Until their time befalls.
 
If only centuries delayed,
I'd count them on my hand,
Subtracting till my fingers dropped
Into Van Diemen’s land.

If certain, when this life was out,
That yours and mine should be,
I’d toss it yonder like a rind,
And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length
Of time’s uncertain wing,
It goads me, like the goblin bee,
That will not state its sting.