63

TRAVELLER, must you go?

The night is still and the darkness swoons upon the forest.

The lamps are bright in our balcony, the flowers all fresh, and the youthful eyes still awake.

Is the time for your parting come?

Traveller, must you go?

We have not bound your feet with our entreating arms.

Your doors are open. Your horse stands saddled at the gate.

If we have tried to bar your passage it was but with our songs.

Did we ever try to hold you back it was but with our eyes.

Traveller, we are helpless to keep you. We have only our tears.

What quenchless fire glows in your eyes?

What restless fever runs in your blood?

What call from the dark urges you?

What awful incantation have you read among the stars in the sky, that with a sealed secret message the night entered your heart, silent and strange?

If you do not care for merry meetings, if you must have peace, weary heart, we shall put our lamps out and silence our harps.

We shall sit still in the dark in the rustle of leaves, and the tired moon will shed pale rays on your window.

O traveller, what sleepless spirit has touched you from the heart of the midnight?

63

行路人，你必须走吗？

夜是静寂的，黑暗在树林上昏睡。

我们的凉台上灯火辉煌，繁花鲜美，

青春的眼睛还清醒着。

你离开的时间到了吗？

行路人，你必须走吗？

我们不曾用恳求的手臂来抱住你的双足。

你的门开着。你的立在门外的马，也已上了鞍鞯。

如果我们想拦住你的去路，也只是用我们的歌曲。

如果我们曾想挽留你，也只是用我们的眼睛。

行路人，我们没有希望留住你，我们只有眼泪。

在你眼里发光的是什么样的不灭之火？

在你血管中奔流的是什么样的不宁的热力？

从黑暗中有什么召唤在引动你？

你从天上的星星中，念到什么可怕的咒语，

就是黑夜沉默而异样地走进你心中时

带来的那个密封的秘密的消息？

如果你不喜欢那热闹的集会，如果你需要安静，

困乏的心啊，我们就吹灭灯火，停止琴声。

我们将在风叶声中静坐在黑暗里，

倦乏的月亮将在你窗上洒上苍白的光辉。

啊，行路人，是什么不眠的精灵从中夜的心中和你接触了呢？