10

LET your work be, bride. Listen, the guest has come.

Do you hear, he is gently shaking the chain which fastens the door?

See that your anklets make no loud noise, and that your step is not over-hurried at meeting him.

Let your work be, bride, the guest has come in the evening.

No, it is not the ghostly wind, bride, do not be frightened.

It is the full moon on a night of April; shadows are pale in the courtyard; the sky overhead is bright.

Draw your veil over your face if you must, carry the lamp to the door if you fear.

No, it is not the ghostly wind, bride, do not be frightened.

Have no word with him if you are shy; stand aside by the door when you meet him.

If he asks you questions, and if you wish to, you can lower your eyes in silence.

Do not let your bracelets jingle when, lamp in hand, you lead him in.

Have no word with him if you are shy.

Have you not finished your work yet, bride? Listen, the guest has come.

Have you not lit the lamp in the cowshed?

Have you not got ready the offering basket for the evening service?

Have you not put the red lucky mark at the parting of your hair, and done your toilet for the night?

O bride, do you hear, the guest has come?

Let your work be!

10

放下你的工作吧，我的新娘。听，客人来了。

你听见没有，他在轻轻地摇动那拴门的链子？

小心不要让你的脚镯响出声音，

在迎接他的时候你的脚步不要太急。

放下你的工作吧，新娘，客人在晚上来了。

不，这不是一阵阴风，新娘，不要惊惶。

这是四月夜中的满月，

院里的影子是暗淡的，头上的天空是明亮的。

把轻纱遮上脸，若是你觉得需要；

提着灯到门前去，若是你害怕。

不，这不是一阵阴风，新娘，不要惊惶。

若是你害羞就不必和他说话，

你迎接他的时候只须站在门边。

他若问你话，若是你愿意这样做，

你就沉默地低眸。

不要让你的手镯作响，

当你提着灯，带他进来的时候。

不必同他说话，如果你害羞。

你的工作还没有做完吗，新娘？

听，客人来了。

你还没有把牛棚里的灯点起来吗？

你还没有把晚祷的供筐准备好吗？

你还没有在发缝中涂上鲜红的吉祥点，

你还没有理过晚妆吗？

啊，新娘，你没有听见，客人来了吗？

放下你的工作吧。