January 16th sixteen

How do I love thee

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

 

我是怎样的爱你？

伊丽莎白·勃朗宁

我是怎样的爱你？诉不尽万语千言：

我爱你的程度是那样地高深和广远，

恰似我的灵魂曾飞到了九天与黄泉，

去探索人生的奥妙，和神灵的恩典。

无论是白昼还是夜晚，我爱你不息，

像我每日必需的摄生食物不能间断。

我纯洁地爱你，不为奉承吹捧迷惑，

我勇敢地爱你，如同为正义而奋争！

爱你，以昔日的剧痛和童年的忠诚，

爱你，以眼泪、笑声及全部的生命。

要是没有你，我的心就失去了圣贤，

要是没有你，我的心就失去了激情。

假如上帝愿意，请为我作主和见证：

在我死后，我必将爱你更深，更深！

———袁广达　梁葆成译