泰戈尔《园丁集》新译第7首·王子

7

O mother, the young Prince is to pass my door,—how can I attend to my work this morning?

Show me how to braid up my hair; tell me what garment to put on.

Why do you look at me amazed, mother?

I know well he will not glance up once at my window; I know he will pass out of my sight in the twinkling of an eye; only the vanishing strain of the flute will come sobbing to me from afar.

But the young Prince will pass by our door, and I will put on my best for the moment.

O mother, the young Prince did pass by our door, and the morning sun flashed from his chariot.

I swept aside the veil from my face, I tore the ruby chain from my neck and flung it in his path.

Why do you look at me amazed, mother?

I know well he did not pick up my chain; I know it was crushed under his wheels leaving a red stain upon the dust, and no one knows what my gift was nor to whom.

But the young Prince did pass by our door, and I flung the jewel form my breast before his path.

译文：

啊，母亲，年轻的王子就要从我们门前路过，——这个清晨我哪有心思干活？

教我怎么盘发；告诉我穿什么衣裳。

你为什么惊讶地看着我，母亲？

我很清楚他不会瞧一眼我的窗子；我知道一眨眼他就走出我的视线；只有渐渐消散的残笛声从远处向我呜咽。

但是年轻的王子会从我们门口路过，我要为这一刻穿上最好的衣裳。

啊，母亲，年轻的王子从我们门口走过了，朝阳在他车辇上闪耀。

我拉开脸上的面纱，扯下颈上的红宝石项链仍在他行经的路上。

你为什么惊讶地看着我，母亲？

我很清楚他不曾捡起我的项链；我知道它被他的车轮碾成尘埃里的一抹残红，没人知道我的礼物是什么样子，是给谁的。

但是年轻的王子路过了我们门口，我也把胸前的珠宝扔在了他走过的路上。