THE SONNET 羅塞蒂十四行詩詩序

THE SONNET
D. G. Rossetti

A Sonnet is a moment's monument,-- 十四行詩是"剎那"的紀念碑

Memorial from the Soul's eternity  立於心靈永恆的紀念堂

To one dead deathless hour. Look that it be, 紀念那死而不死的時刻

Whether for lustral rite or dire portent,  無論是輝煌的時刻 或可怕的凶兆 

Of its own intricate fulness reverent:  心目所至 見其盈滿無缺  精緻嚴整

Carve it in ivory or in ebony,  雕入白象牙或黑檀木

As Day or Night prevail; and let Time see  有如日夜自然之交替  然後讓時間見證

Its flowering crest impearled and orient.  它鑲滿大小珍珠的冠冕是如何的光彩奪目

A Sonnet is a coin: its face reveals  一首十四行詩是一個錢幣  它的正面展露

The soul,--its converse, to what Power 'tis due:--  靈魂 - 反面則視其受甚麼力量左右而定 --

Whether for tribute to the august appeals  十四行詩可以當作對生命是各樣莊嚴的欲求

Of Life, or dower in Love's high retinue  或是對愛情最高祭司的奉獻

It serve; or, 'mid the dark wharf's cavernous breath,  在黑暗渡頭慘惻的陰風之中

In Charon's palm it pay the toll to Death.  在忘川擺渡人的掌中   它繳付了通往死亡的船資