美国语文第六册 第217期:比尔和乔(2)

（单词翻译）

How Bill forgets his hour of pride, While Joe sits smiling at his side;

乔笑盈盈坐在他旁边，比尔怎会忘记他何等自豪；

How Joe, in spite of time's disguise, Finds the old schoolmate in his eyes, — Those calm, stern eyes, that melt and fill,

尽管时光可伪装，乔又是怎样，从老同学的眼神中读出异样，

As Joe looks fondly up to Bill, Ah! pensive¹ scholar, what is fame? A fitful tongue of leaping flame; A giddy whirlwind's fickle² gust³, That lifts a pinch of mortal dust;

当乔天真地端详比尔，那眼神混杂了镇定和严厉，哎，陷入沉思的学者，名望是什么东西？是跳动着火焰的舌头；一阵令人眩晕的变幻无常的旋风，只刮起一捏尘土；

A few swift years, and who can show, Which dust was Bill, and which was Joe.

时光荏苒，谁能说明白哪捏尘土是比尔，哪捏又是乔。

The weary idol⁴ takes his stand, Holds out his bruised⁵ and aching hand, While gaping⁶ thousands come and go - How vain it seems, this empty show!

疲惫的偶像保持着他的姿势，伸出他伤痕累累和疼痛难耐的手，在成千上万张大了嘴的人面前走来走去-这多么徒劳，这场空洞的表演！

Till all at once his pulses thrill: T is poor old Joe's, "God bless you, Bill!" And shall we breathe in happier spheres, The names that pleased our mortal ears;

直到他的脉搏马上剧烈跳动：可怜的老乔，“上帝赐福与你，比尔！”我们在快乐的气氛下低语，提到的是取悦我们终将变聋的耳朵的名字；

In some sweet lull⁷ of heart and song, For earth born spirits none too long, Just whispering of the world below,

在心底和歌声温柔的旋律里，因为世间没有什么精神会存在太久，下界在低语呢喃，

When this was Bill, and that was Joe? No matter; while our home is here, No sounding name is half so dear;

这是比尔，那是乔吗？不要紧；我们的家园在这里；

When fades at length our lingering day, Who cares what pompous⁸ tombstones say? Read on the hearts that love us still, Hic jacet Joe, Hic jacet Bill.

当我们逗留不去的日子终将逝去时，谁会在意自负的墓石说些什么？不妨继续读那些还爱我们的心吧，长眠于此的乔，长眠于此的比尔。