Chinese Soldier威斯坦·休·奥登

中国士兵穆旦 译


Far from the heart of culture he was used:
他被使用在远离文化中心的地方,
Abandoned by his general and his lice,
又被他的将军和他的虱子所遗弃,
Under a padded quilt he closed his eyes
于是在一件棉袄里他闭上眼睛
And vanished. He will not be introduced
而离开人世。人家不会把他提起。

When this campaign is tidied into books:
当这场战役被整理成书的时候,
No vital knowledge perished in his skull;
没有重要的知识在他的头壳里丧失。
His jokes were stale; like wartime, he was dull;
他的玩笑是陈腐的,他沉闷如战时,
His name is lost for ever like his looks.
他的名字和模样都将永远消逝。

He neither knew nor chose the Good, but taught us,
他不知善,不择善,却教育了我们,
And added meaning like a comma, when
并且像逗点一样加添上意义;
He turned to dust in China that our daughters
他在中国变为尘土,以便在他日

Be fit to love the earth, and not again
我们的女儿得以热爱这人间,
Disgraced before the dogs; that where are waters,
不再为狗所凌辱;也为了使有山、
Mountains and houses, may be also men.
有水、有房屋的地方,也能有人烟。


1938
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