天惊一声雷，地倾绝其维。 顿时九州寂，无语皆泪水。 相告不成声，欲言泪复垂。 听时不敢信，信时心已碎。
Heaven
is rocked with a clap of thunder; Earth
reels, snapping its cord.1 The
nation is stunned into sudden silence; As
we stand mutely, tears stream forth. We
would speak, but find not our tongues, Each
word broken by anguished sobs. Hearing
the news, we dared not believe; Believing
the news, our hearts are rent.
1.
In ancient China, legend had it that heaven was round and the earth square. The
former was supported by nine pillars and the latter secured with four cords.
Once one of the cords were severed, the earth would tilt.
（肖兰 译） |
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