刘征·《海燕戒》英译

Commandment for the Petrel

Liu Zheng

In a zoo there grew up a little petrel

Through sheer genetic chains earned him that title.

Don’t mock at him for his fear of the tempest

He has never seen a real sea at all.

Today the searching little petrel flew over to the sea.

Weary and worn, he reeled right and left.

As he murmured about his bad fortune,

Out of the thick clouds emerged a mansion.

The very sight of it filled the petrel with joy:

“Oh yes, this is the sea to which I belong!

With all these skyscrapers grand and gorgeous!

Could there be any other paradise?

“There must be a good cage decked in jewels

Which is warm, serene and stainless;

There must be a first-rate cook making a feast.

Whoever opens his mouth shall have what he likes.

“Sometimes you may flap your wings and go some rounds,

For recreation, utterly at leisure and free;

Sometimes you may even sing in the tempestuous rain,

With sound and danger all blocked out of the windowpanes.

“Look at the vehicles flowing like water!

What a large crowd is here to cheer me!

How foolish I was to fly on and on

When happiness is right before my eyes.”

An old petrel cut him short:

“That’s a mirage! By no means a mansion!

Hold the lightening and ride on the cloud stallion,

Look! A fierce tempest is approaching!”

The little petrel whistled in contempt:

“I know how to plan for myself.

The sea is fickle by nature.

I’d rather not bury myself here.”

In a minute the sea became very rough.

Countless petrels soared into the air, dancing.

What a sight!

The little petrel stumbled towards the mirage,

Dipped into the waves and never showed up again.

Don’t take it for granted petrels are born petrels,

Mere petrel feathers will never make you a seafarer.

（中国文学出版社 编译）