頌詩譯選
盲童
噢,說甚麼東西叫作光,
我一向不能夠分享?
眼光又是怎樣的幸福美好,
噢,說給你可憐的瞎孩子知道。
你說起美妙的東西你能看得清,
你說太陽的照耀光明;
雖然我感覺得到他的溫暖,
但他怎能造成黑夜和白天?
安排晝和夜的是我自己,
在於我睡覺或是遊戲;
如果我保持常醒不眠,
對於我那就永遠是白天。
我常聽到你們的長嘆聲,
惋惜我的憂患不幸;
不過我確能夠忍耐堅持,
我從不曾知道的損失。
無法得到的請不要告訴我
免得破壞我心靈的歡樂:
因此,每當我能夠歌唱,
我是個瞎孩子,我是君王。
奚波(Colley Cibber, 1671-1757)英國演員兼劇作家。1730年,被舉為“桂冠詩人”,但為當世文人Alexander Pope, Samuel Johnson等所鄙。為Pope之長詩Dunciad主角。
The Blind Boy
O, say what is that thing called Light,
Which I must ne'er enjoy?
What are the blessings of the sight,
O, tell your poor blind boy!
You talk of wondrous things you see,
You say the sun shines bright;
I feel him warm, but how can he
Or make it day or night?
My day or night myself I make
Whene'er I sleep or play;
And could I ever keep awake
With me 't were always day.
With heavy sighs I often hear
You mourn my hapless woe;
But sure with patience I can bear
A loss I ne'er can know.
Then let not what I cannot have
My cheer of mind destroy:
Whilst thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy.
Colley Cibber, 1671-1757
English actor, playwright & poet laureat