拉宾德拉纳特·泰戈尔（RABINDRANATH TAGORE,1861年—1941年），印度诗人、文学家、社会活动家、哲学家和印度民族主义者。代表作有《吉檀迦利》、《飞鸟集》、《眼中沙》、《四个人》、《家庭与世界》、《园丁集》、《新月集》、《最后的诗篇》、《戈拉》、《文明的危机》等。

1861年5月7日，拉宾德拉纳特·泰戈尔出生于印度加尔各答一个富有的贵族家庭，13岁即能创作长诗和颂歌体诗集。1878年赴英国留学，1880年回国专门从事文学活动。1884至1911年担任梵 社秘书，20年代创办国际大学。1913年，他以《吉檀迦利》成为第一位获得诺贝尔文学奖的亚洲人。1941年写作控诉英国殖民统治和相信祖国必将获得独立解放的遗言《文明的危机》。 《吉檀迦利》作为现代最美散文诗为世界人民所膜拜。

41.

Where dost thou stand behind them all, my lover, hiding thyself in the shadows? They push thee and pass thee by on the dusty road, taking thee for naught. I wait here weary hours spreading my offerings for thee, while passers-by come and take my flowers, one by one, and my basket is nearly empty.

The morning time is past, and the noon. In the shade of evening my eyes are drowsy with sleep. Men going home glance at me and smile and fill me with shame. I sit like a beggar maid, drawing my skirt over my face, and when they ask me, what it is I want, I drop my eyes and answer them not.

Oh, how, indeed, could I tell them that for thee I wait, and that thou hast promised to come. How could I utter for shame that I keep for my dowry this poverty. Ah, I hug this pride in the secret of my heart.

I sit on the grass and gaze upon the sky and dream of the sudden splendour of thy coming---all the lights ablaze, golden pennons flying over thy car, and they at the roadside standing agape, when they see thee come down from thy seat to raise me from the dust, and set at thy side this ragged beggar girl a-tremble with shame and pride, like a creeper in a summer breeze.

But time glides on and still no sound of the wheels of thy chariot. Many a procession passes by with noise and shouts and glamour of glory. Is it only thou who wouldst stand in the shadow silent and behind them all? And only I who would wait and weep and wear out my heart in vain longing?

我的情人，你站在大家背后，藏在何处的阴影中呢？在尘土飞扬的道上，他们把你推开走过、没有理睬你。在乏倦的时间，我摆开礼品来等候你，过路的人把我的香花一朵一朵地拿去，我的花篮几乎空了。

清晨，中午都过去了。暮色中，我倦眼蒙胧。回家的人们瞟着我微笑，使我满心羞惭。我像女丐一般地坐着，拉起裙儿盖上脸，当他们问我要什么的时候，我垂目没有答应。

呵，真的，我怎能告诉他们说我是在等候你，而且你也应许说你一定会来。我又怎能抱愧地说我的妆奁就是贫穷。

呵，我在我心的微隐处紧抱着这一段骄荣。

我坐在草地上凝望天空，梦想着你来临时候那忽然炫耀的豪华——万彩交辉，车辇上金旗飞扬，在道旁众目睽睽之下，你从车座下降，把我从尘埃中扶起坐立你的旁边，这褴褛的丐女，含羞带喜，像蔓藤在暴风中颤摇。

但是时间流过了，还听不见你的车辇的轮声。许多仪仗队伍都在光彩喧闹中走过了。你只要静默地站在他们背后吗？

我只能哭泣着等待，把我的心折磨在空虚的伫望之中吗？


42

Early in the day it was whispered that we should sail in a boat, only thou and I, and never a soul in the world would know of this our pilgrimage to no country and to no end.

In that shoreless ocean, at thy silently listening smile my songs would swell in melodies, free as waves, free from all bondage of words.

Is the time not come yet? Are there works still to do? Lo, the evening has come down upon the shore and in the fading light the seabirds come flying to their nests.

Who knows when the chains will be off, and the boat, like the last glimmer of sunset, vanish into the night?

在清晓的密语中，我们约定了同去泛舟，世界上没有一个人知道我们这无目的无终止的遨游。

在无边的海洋上，在你静听的微笑中，我的歌唱抑扬成调，像海波一般的自由，不受字句的束缚。

时间还没有到吗？你还有工作要做吗？看罢，暮色已经笼罩海岸，苍茫里海鸟已群飞归巢。

谁知道什么时候可以解开链索，这只船会像落日的余光，消融在黑夜之中呢？


43

The day was when I did not keep myself in readiness for thee; and entering my heart unbidden even as one of the common crowd, unknown to me, my king, thou didst press the signet of eternity upon many a fleeting moment of my life.

And today when by chance I light upon them and see thy signature, I find they have lain scattered in the dust mixed with the memory of joys and sorrows of my trivial days forgotten.

Thou didst not turn in contempt from my childish play among dust, and the steps that I heard in my playroom are the same that are echoing from star to star.

那天我没有准备好来等候你，我的国王，你就像一个素不相识的平凡的人，自动地进到我的心里，在我生命的许多流逝的时光中，盖上了永生的印记。

今天我偶然照见了你的签印，我发现它们和我遗忘了的日常哀乐的回忆，杂乱地散掷在尘埃里。

你不曾鄙夷地避开我童年时代在尘土中的游戏，我在游戏室里所听见的足音，和在群星中的回响是相同的。

44

This is my delight, thus to wait and watch at the wayside where shadow chases light and the rain comes in the wake of the summer.

Messengers, with tidings from unknown skies, greet me and speed along the road. My heart is glad within, and the breath of the passing breeze is sweet.

From dawn till dusk I sit here before my door, and I know that of a sudden the happy moment will arrive when I shall see.

In the meanwhile I smile and I sing all alone. In the meanwhile the air is filling with the perfume of promise.

阴晴无定，夏至雨来的时节，在路旁等候了望，是我的快乐。

从不可知的天空带信来的使者们，向我致意又向前赶路。

我衷心欢畅，吹过的风带着清香。

从早到晚我在门前坐地，我知道我一看见你，那快乐的时光便要突然来到。

这时我自歌自笑。这时空气里也充满着应许的芬芳。


45

Have you not heard his silent steps? He comes, comes, ever comes.

Every moment and every age, every day and every night he comes, comes, ever comes.

Many a song have I sung in many a mood of mind, but all their notes have always proclaimed, `He comes, comes, ever comes.'

In the fragrant days of sunny April through the forest path he comes, comes, ever comes.

In the rainy gloom of July nights on the thundering chariot of clouds he comes, comes, ever comes.

In sorrow after sorrow it is his steps that press upon my heart, and it is the golden touch of his feet that makes my joy to shine.

你没有听见他静悄的脚步吗？他正在走来，走来，一直不停地走来。

每一个时间，每一个年代，每日每夜，他总在走来，走来，一直不停地走来。

在许多不同的心情里，我唱过许多歌曲，但在这些歌调里，我总在宣告说：“他正在走来，走来，一直不停地走来。”

四月芬芳的晴天里，他从林径中走来，走来，一直不停地走来。

七月阴暗的雨夜中，他坐着隆隆的云辇，前来，前来，一直不停地前来。

愁闷相继之中，是他的脚步踏在我的心上，是他的双脚的黄金般的接触，使我的快乐发出光辉。


46

I know not from what distant time thou art ever coming nearer to meet me. Thy sun and stars can never keep thee hidden from me for aye.

In many a morning and eve thy footsteps have been heard and thy messenger has come within my heart and called me in secret.

I know not only why today my life is all astir, and a feeling of tremulous joy is passing through my heart.

It is as if the time were come to wind up my work, and I feel in the air a faint smell of thy sweet presence.

我不知道从久远的什么时候，你就一直走近来迎接我。

你的太阳和星辰永不能把你藏起，使我看不见你。

在许多清晨和傍晚，我曾听见你的足音，你的使者曾秘密地到我心里来召唤。

我不知道为什么今天我的生活完全激动了，一种狂欢的感觉穿过了我的心。

这就像结束工作的时间已到，我感觉到在空气中有你光降的微馨。

47

The night is nearly spent waiting for him in vain. I fear lest in the morning he suddenly come to my door when I have fallen asleep wearied out. Oh friends, leave the way open to him---forbid him not.

If the sounds of his steps does not wake me, do not try to rouse me, I pray. I wish not to be called from my sleep by the clamorous choir of birds, by the riot of wind at the festival of morning light. Let me sleep undisturbed even if my lord comes of a sudden to my door.

Ah, my sleep, precious sleep, which only waits for his touch to vanish. Ah, my closed eyes that would open their lids only to the light of his smile when he stands before me like a dream emerging from darkness of sleep.

Let him appear before my sight as the first of all lights and all forms. The first thrill of joy to my awakened soul let it come from his glance. And let my return to myself be immediate return to him.

夜已将尽，等他又落了空。我怕在清晨我正在倦睡的时候，他忽然来到我的门前。呵，朋友们，给他开着门罢——

不要拦阻他。

若是他的脚步声没有把我惊醒，请不要叫醒我。我不愿意小鸟嘈杂的合唱，和庆祝晨光的狂欢的风声，把我从睡梦中吵醒。即使我的主突然来到我的门前，也让我无扰地睡着。呵，我的睡眠，宝贵的睡眠，只等着他的摩触来消散。呵，我的合着的眼，只在他微笑的光中才开睫，当他像从洞黑的睡眠里浮现的梦一般地站立在我面前。

让他作为最初的光明和形象，来呈现在我的眼前。让他的眼光成为我觉醒的灵魂最初的欢跃。

让我自我的返回成为向他立地的皈依。


48

The morning sea of silence broke into ripples of bird songs; and the flowers were all merry by the roadside; and the wealth of gold was scattered through the rift of the clouds while we busily went on our way and paid no heed.

We sang no glad songs nor played; we went not to the village for barter; we spoke not a word nor smiled; we lingered not on the way. We quickened our pace more and more as the time sped by.

The sun rose to the mid sky and doves cooed in the shade. Withered leaves danced and whirled in the hot air of noon. The shepherd boy drowsed and dreamed in the shadow of the banyan tree, and I laid myself down by the water and stretched my tired limbs on the grass.

My companions laughed at me in scorn; they held their heads high and hurried on; they never looked back nor rested; they vanished in the distant blue haze. They crossed many meadows and hills, and passed through strange, far-away countries. All honour to you, heroic host of the interminable path! Mockery and reproach pricked me to rise, but found no response in me. I gave myself up for lost in the depth of a glad humiliation---in the shadow of a dim delight.

The repose of the sun-embroidered green gloom slowly spread over my heart. I forgot for what I had travelled, and I surrendered my mind without struggle to the maze of shadows and songs.

At last, when I woke from my slumber and opened my eyes, I saw thee standing by me, flooding my sleep with thy smile. How I had feared that the path was long and wearisome, and the struggle to reach thee was hard!

清晨的静海，漾起鸟语的微波；路旁的繁花，争妍斗艳；在我们匆忙赶路无心理睬的时候，云隙中散射出灿烂的金光。

我们不唱欢歌，也不嬉游；我们也不到村集中去交易；我们一语不发，也不微笑；我们不在路上留连。时间流逝，我们也加速了脚步。

太阳升到中天，鸽子在凉阴中叫唤。枯叶在正午的炎风中飞舞。牧童在榕树下做他的倦梦，我在水边卧下，在草地上展布我困乏的四肢。

我的同伴们嘲笑我；他们抬头疾走；他们不回顾也不休息；他们消失在远远的碧霭之中。他们穿过许多山林，经过生疏遥远的地方。长途上的英雄队伍呵，光荣是属于你们的！讥笑和责备要促我起立，但我却没有反应。我甘心没落在乐受的耻辱的深处——在模糊的快乐阴影之中。

阳光织成的绿荫的幽静，慢慢地笼罩着我的心。我忘记了旅行的目的，我无抵抗地把我的心灵交给阴影与歌曲的迷宫。

最后，我从沉睡中睁开眼，我看见你站在我身旁，我的睡眠沐浴在你的微笑之中。我从前是如何地惧怕，怕这道路的遥远困难，到你面前的努力是多么艰苦呵！


49

You came down from your throne and stood at my cottage door.

I was singing all alone in a corner, and the melody caught your ear. You came down and stood at my cottage door.

Masters are many in your hall, and songs are sung there at all hours. But the simple carol of this novice struck at your love. One plaintive little strain mingled with the great music of the world, and with a flower for a prize you came down and stopped at my cottage door.

你从宝座上下来，站在我草舍门前。

我正在屋角独唱，歌声被你听到了。你下来站在我草舍门前。

在你的广厅里有许多名家，一天到晚都有歌曲在唱。但是这初学的简单的音乐，却得到了你的赏识。一支忧郁的小调，和世界的伟大音乐融合了，你还带了花朵作为奖赏，下了宝座停留在我的草舍门前。

50

I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings!

My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.

The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say `What hast thou to give to me?'

Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to thee.

But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little gram of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee my all.

我在村路上沿门求乞，你的金辇像一个华丽的梦从远处出现，我在猜想这位万王之王是谁！

我的希望高升，我觉得我苦难的日子将要告终，我站着等候你自动的施与，等待那散掷在尘埃里的财宝。

车替在我站立的地方停住了。你看到我，微笑着下车。我觉得我的运气到底来了。忽然你伸出右手来说：“你有什么给我呢？”

呵，这开的是什么样的帝王的玩笑，向一个乞丐伸手求乞！我糊涂了，犹疑地站着，然后从我的口袋里慢慢地拿出一粒最小的玉米献上给你。

但是我一惊不小，当我在晚上把口袋倒在地上的时候，在我乞讨来的粗劣东西之中，我发现了一粒金子。我痛哭了，恨我没有慷慨地将我所有都献给你。