ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!)
阿博.本.艾德汉姆(祝愿他的部落壮大!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
深夜,从香甜的梦中醒来,
And saw within the moonlight in his room,
屋内,月色如水,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,
光华耀眼,宛如百合盛开,
An angel writing in a book of gold.
有位天使,在金灿灿的书上誊写。
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold;
祥云环绕,四周静寂无声,
And to the presence in the room he said,
他不免打消怯意,上前问道,
"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
“你在写什么?” 幻影抬头,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
声音柔和,巧笑嫣然:
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
“我在抄写,信奉上帝的名单。”
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
“有我吗?”阿博又问。“哦,没有。”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
顿时,阿博语调有点凄然,
But cheerly still; and said, I pray thee, then,
但依然快乐,那,我为你祈祷,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.
把我记成,热爱同胞的人吧。
The angel wrote, and vanished.
天使写毕隐去,翌日夜晚,
The next night it came again, with a great wakening light,
再度降临,带来恢弘光明,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed;
照亮那些,上帝赐予的爱意,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
瞧,本.艾德汉姆的名字熠熠生辉!