37

WOULD you put your wreath of fresh flowers on my neck, fair one?

But you must know that the one wreath that I had woven is for the many, for those who are seen in glimpses, or dwell in lands unexplored, or live in poets’ songs.

It is too late to ask my heart in return for yours.

There was a time when my life was like a bud, all its perfume was stored in its core.

Now it is squandered far and wide.

Who knows the enchantment that can gather and shut it up again?

My heart is not mine to give to one only, it is given to the many.

37

“你愿意把你的鲜花的花环挂在我的颈上吗，佳人？”

“但是你要晓得，我编的那个花环，是为大家的，

为那些偶然瞥见的人，

住在未开发的大地上的人，

住在诗人歌曲里的人。”

现在来请求我的心作为答赠已经太晚了。

曾有一个时候，我的生命像一朵蓓蕾，

它所有的芬芳都储藏在花心里。

现在它已远远地喷溢四散。

谁晓得有什么魅力，可以把它们收集关闭起来呢？

我的心不容我只给一个人，它是要给予许多人的。