熟諳夜晚 (Acquainted with the Night)


我曾是夜的舊識。

我曾走進雨中，又從雨中歸來。

我曾走過城中燈火的盡頭。

我曾下瞰這城鎮最悲慘的胡同。

更夫巡夜時，我曾走過他身旁，

並垂下眼簾，不願吭聲。

當遠處斷續的哭聲

從另一條街的屋舍傳來，

我曾駐足靜立，不出一絲聲響。

但它並非喚我回來或是說再見；

而更遠的靜謐在超凡絕塵的高處，

一只發光的時鐘頂著天幕。

宣稱時間沒有對錯。

我曾是夜的舊識。



---羅伯特‧佛洛斯特作

﹝吳孝明 譯﹞

 I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.


I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.


I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,


But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height

One luminary clock against the sky


Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night.

---by Robert Frost