I Started Early—Took My Dog

我早早启程，带着我的狗——Emily Dickinson (1830-86)

I started early, took my dog,

我早早启程，带着我的狗，

And visited the sea;

去拜访大海;

The mermaids in the basement

海底的美人鱼

Came out to look at me,

出来看着我，

And frigates in the upper floor

上面一层的帆船

Extended hempen hands,

伸出大麻制的双手，

Presuming me to be a mouse

想象我变成一只老鼠

Aground, upon the sands.

搁浅，在沙滩上。

But no man moved me till the tide

可是没有人移动我直到潮水

Went past my simple shoe,

漫过我的一简朴的鞋子，

And past my apron and my belt,

漫过我的围裙，我的腰带，

And past my bodice too,

也漫过我的胸衣，

And made as he would eat me up

假装他要吃掉我

As wholly as a dew

真似一滴露珠

Upon a dandelion's sleeve—

在蒲公英的袖子上——

And then I started too.

然后我又动身

And he—he followed close behind;

而他——他紧紧地跟在后面;

I felt his silver heel

我感觉到了他银色的脚踵

Upon my ankle,—then my shoes

漫过我的脚踝，--然后我的鞋子

Would overflow with pearl.

好似珍珠四溢。

Until we met the solid town,

直到我遇见坚固的小城，

No man he seemed to know;

他似乎不认识任何人;

And bowing with a mighty look

带着刚毅的表情

At me, the sea withdrew

向我鞠躬，海退潮了