4

Ah me, why did they build my house by the road to the market town?

They moor their laden boats near my trees.

They come and go and wander at their will.

I sit and watch them; my time wears on.

Turn them away I cannot. And thus my days pass by.

Night and day their steps sound by my door.

Vainly I cry, "I do not know you."

Some of them are known to my fingers, some to my nostrils, the blood in my veins seems to know them, and some are known to my dreams.

Turn them away I cannot. I call them and say, "Come to my house whoever chooses. Yes, come."

In the morning the bell rings in the temple.

They came with baskets in their hands.

Their feet are rosy-red. The early light of dawn is on their faces.

Turn them away I cannot. I call them and I say,"Come to my garden to gather flowers. Come hither."

In the mid-day the gong sounds at the palace gate.

I know not why they leave their work and linger near my hedge.

啊，为什么他们把我的房子建在通向市镇的路边呢？

他们把满载的船拴在我的树上。

他们任意地来回游逛。

我坐着看他们，我的光阴都浪费了。

我不能把他们打发走。于是我的日子就过去了。

日日夜夜他们的脚步声在我门前回荡。

我徒然地喊道：“我不认识你们。”

有些人是我的手指认识的，有些人是我的鼻孔认识的，我脉管中的血液似乎认得他们，有些人是我的魂梦认识的。

我不能把他们打发走。我呼唤他们说：“谁愿意到我房子里来就请来吧。对，来吧。”

清晨，庙里的钟声响起。

他们拿着篮子来了。

他们的脚是玫瑰红色。熹微的晨光照在他们脸上。

我不能把他们打发走。我呼唤他们说：“到我的花园里采花吧。到这里来吧。”

中午，锣声在庙殿门前响起。

我不知道他们为什么放下工作在我篱畔流连。

The flowers in their hair are pale and faded; the notes are languid in their flutes.

Turn them away I cannot. I call them and say, "The shade is cool under my trees. Come, friends."

At night the crickets chirp in the woods.

Who is it that comes slowly to my door and gently knocks?

I vaguely see the face, not a word is spoken, the stillness of the sky is all around.

Turn away my silent guest I cannot. I look at the face through the dark, and hours of dreams pass by.

他们发上的花已经褪色凋谢了，他们横笛里的音调也显得疲倦。

我不能把他们打发走。我呼唤他们说：“我的树荫下是清凉的。来吧，朋友们。”

夜里蟋蟀在林中鸣叫。

是谁慢慢地来到我的门前轻轻地敲？

我模糊地看到他的脸，他一句话也没说，四围的天空是静默的。

我不能打发走我沉默的客人。我在黑暗中望着他的脸，梦想的时间过去了。