王粲·《七哀诗·其二》英译

其二

　　

荆蛮非我乡，何为久滞淫？

方舟溯大江，日暮愁我心。

山冈有余映，岩阿增重阴。

狐狸驰赴穴，飞鸟翔故林。

流波激清响，猴猿临岸吟。

迅风拂裳袂，白露沾衣襟。

独夜不能寐，摄衣起抚琴。

丝桐感人情，为我发悲音。

羁旅无终极，忧思壮难任。

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Lamentations

Wang Can

 

II

 

The savage Jingzhou is not my hometown;

Why then should I live here and settle down?

When up the Yangtze River I sail the boat,

The setting sun adds on a grievous note.

While the sun throws its last rays on the mount,

The crags reveal more shades than one my count.

The fox returns into its hidden hole

While o’er its native woods the bird patrol.

 

The rushing torrents roar aloud and clear

While monkeys wail on banksides far and near.

Into my sleeves swift winds fly straight and true

While evening moistens my thin dress with dew.

As I stay awake all by myself at night,

I’m dressed and play the lute in bright moonlight.

The lute appears to understand my mind,

Readily uttering notes of saddest kind.

As I am doomed to wander here and there,

The sad home thoughts are more than I can bear.