王粲·《七哀诗·其三》英译

边城使心悲，昔吾亲更之。

冰雪截肌肤，风飘无止期。

百里不见人，草木谁当迟。

登城望亭燧，翩翩飞戍旗。

行者不顾反，出门与家辞。

子弟多俘虏，哭泣无已时。

天下尽乐土，何为久留兹？

蓼虫不知辛，去来勿与谘。

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Lamentations

Wang Can

 

III

 

The tiny border city makes me sad,

Where I once stayed and things were very bad.

The ice and snow would cut into the skin

And chilly winds would often have set in.

Since not a soul is seen for miles around,

Where on earth are woodsmen to be found?

When I watch the beacon tower from the wall,

I see the army banners large and small.

 

Never knowing if they might return,

The soldiers leave their homes with deep concern.

So many soldiers become prisoners of war

That like floods their tears will pour and pour.

As happy lands are everywhere on earth,

Why abide in land that knows no mirth?

The natives hardened by a life severe

Do not care if they ever leave here.