January 16th sixteen
How do I love thee (by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861))
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
译文:我是怎样的爱你?(伊丽莎白·勃朗宁)
我是怎样的爱你?诉不尽万语千言:
我爱你的程度是那样地高深和广远,
恰似我的灵魂曾飞到了九天与黄泉,
去探索人生的奥妙,和神灵的恩典。
无论是白昼还是夜晚,我爱你不息,
像我每日必需的摄生食物不能间断。
我纯洁地爱你,不为奉承吹捧迷惑,
我勇敢地爱你,如同为正义而奋争!
爱你,以昔日的剧痛和童年的忠诚,
爱你,以眼泪、笑声及全部的生命。
要是没有你,我的心就失去了圣贤,
要是没有你,我的心就失去了激情。
假如上帝愿意,请为我作主和见证:
在我死后,我必将爱你更深,更深!
---袁广达 梁葆成译