Edward Hopper - Bridge in Paris, 1906

  Danie是我在Pub打工時認識的一位外國朋友,來自南非,不懂中文;平時,他也和在此地的大部分外國人一樣,在補習班擔任英文老師,但私底下,則是從事自由創作的表演者、詩人、畫家。

  初次見面時,他獨自坐在角落,較之其他外國朋友,他顯得特別沉默,然直覺彼此身上的「氣息」頗相近,便聊及興趣;原來他也喜歡讀書、聽音樂。雖然溝通得很勉強,尤其外文經過中譯後,與原音出入頗大,但透過猜字過程,發現原來他也喜歡杜斯妥也夫斯基、喬依思、毛姆、卡夫卡,還有古典音樂和歌劇--當他低聲吟誦John Donne的「Death, be not Proud」時,他的眼神讓我想起某種氣氛,便是如此詩、此音樂,所以。

 

  Acquainted With The Night


   I have been one acquainted with the night.

   I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain.

   I have outwalked the furthest city light.

 

   I have looked down the saddest city lane.

   I have passed by the watchman on his beat

   And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

 

   I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

   When far away an interrupted cry

   Came over houses from another street,

 

   But not to call me back or say good-bye;

   And further still at an unearthly height,

   A luminary clock against the sky

 

   Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

   I have been one acquainted with the night.

 

   --Robert Frost
 


  熟悉黑夜(中譯參考:曹明倫等)


   我已熟悉這樣的黑夜,熟悉黑夜。

   我曾冒雨出去又冒雨回來。

   我到過街燈照不到的郊野。


   我見過城裡最凄涼的小巷。

   我曾走過巡夜更夫的身旁,

   不想解釋我為何垂下目光。


   我曾停下腳步屏息傾聽,

   遠方傳來斷續的呼喊,

   從另一條街道,越過屋頂,


   但不是叫我回去或說再見;

   而在遠方一個神秘的高處

   有只發亮的鐘襯映著天幕,


   它宣稱時間沒錯,但也不正確。

   我已熟悉這樣的黑夜 ,熟悉黑夜。

 

   --Robert Frost

 

 

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