约翰·弥尔顿《失明》
2021-03-08 16:53阅读：
约翰·弥尔顿《失明》
(1608-1674)
我思索如何渡过余生
在这黑暗广阔的世界上，
那种被死神藏匿的才能
在我这里毫无用场，
虽然我灵魂扭曲
但我愿终身侍奉我主
以免被他责问，
“上帝强求你只在光明中劳作吗?”
我天真地自问。唯有忍耐，才能
听到回答:“上帝不需要任何人的劳作
和奉献：谁能更好地承受
他温和的枷锁，谁就服侍得最好。
他至高无上；万众依照他的安排
在陆
地和海洋上奔波：他们
也服侍那些站着等待的人。”
［老英译］
“On His Blindness”
byJohn Milton(1608-1674)
When I consider how my light is
spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and
wide,
And that one talent which is death to
hide
Lodg’d with me useless, though my soul more
bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and
present
My true account, lest he returning
chide,
“Doth God exact day-labour, light
denied?”
I fondly ask. But Patience, to
prevent
That murmur, soon replies: “God doth not
need
Either man’s work or his own gifts: who
best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His
state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding
speed
And post o’er land and ocean without
rest:
They also serve who only stand and
wait.”
