《If I Could Tell You》
W. H. Auden
Time will say nothing but I told you so,
时间只会沉默,重复它的预言,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
代价的筹码唯有光阴知晓;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
若我能向你倾诉,我必不再遮掩。
If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
当小丑戴上面具,若我们仍会垂泪,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
当琴声流淌,若我们仍踉跄难前,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
时间只会沉默,重复它的预言。
The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
风起时必有来处,却无人能辨,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
落叶腐朽的因果亦隐入尘烟,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.
时间只会沉默,重复它的预言。
Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
或许玫瑰曾渴望挣脱荆棘的锁链,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
幻影也妄图在虚空中刻下永远;
If I could tell you I would let you know.
若我能向你倾诉,我必不再遮掩。
Suppose the lions all get up and go,
倘若众狮蓦然起身,沉默着离散,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away;
溪流与士兵皆溃散于荒原;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
时间是否仍沉默,重复它的预言?
If I could tell you I would let you know.
若我能向你倾诉,我必不再遮掩。