给少女们的忠告
To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time
赫立克
Robert Herrick
赫立克(Robert Herrick,1591-1674),英国十七世纪一位有影响的诗人。他推崇本·琼生,诗歌受到古典诗人的影响。1648年他出版了唯一的诗集《金苹果园》,诗集后附有一批宗教诗歌《圣诗》,共有400多首。这些诗作大多活泼迷人,有着精美的艺术性和装饰风格。诗歌主题丰富,内容多样,如描写乡村节日,庆贺丰收,表达对美好快乐的生活的向往等等。《给少女们的忠告》是他广为流传的一首诗,讲青春易逝,时光难再,应及时享受人生。
可以摘花的时候,别错过,
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
时光老人在飞驰;
Old time is still a-flying,
今天还在微笑的花朵
And this same flower that smiles today,
到明天就会枯死。
Tomorrow will be dying.
太阳,那盏天上的华灯,
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
向上攀登得越高,
The higher he's a-getting,
路程的终点就会越临近,
The sooner will his race be run,
剩余的时光也越少。
And nearer he's to setting.
青春的年华是最为美好的,
That age is best which is the first,
血气方刚,多热情;
When youth and blood are warmer;
过了青年,那越来越不妙的
But being spent, the worse, and worst
年月会陆续来临。
Times still succeed the former.
那么,别怕羞,抓住机缘,
Then be not coy , but use your time,
你们该及时结婚;
And while ye may, go marry;
你一旦错过了少年,
For having lost but once your prime ,
会成千古恨。
You may forever tarry .