Paradise Lost

 

失乐园

John Milton

约翰·弥尔顿

Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage

可是，那威力，那强有力的

Can else inflict(给予打击) do I repent or change,

胜利者的狂暴，都不能叫我懊丧，或者叫我改变初衷，

Though changed in outward luster; that fixed mind

虽然外表的光彩改变了，

And high disdain, from sense of injured merit,

但坚定的心志和岸然的骄矜

That with the mightiest raised me to contend,

决不转变；由于真价值的受损，

And to the fierce contention brought along

激动了我，决心和强权决一胜负，

Innumerable force of spirits armed

率领无数天军投入剧烈的战斗，

That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,

他们都厌恶天神的统治而来拥护我，

His utmost power with adverse power opposed

拿出全部力量跟至高的全力对抗，

In dubious Battle on the Plains of Heav'n,

在天界疆上做一次冒险的战斗，

And shook his throne. What though the field(战场，战役) be lost?

动摇了他的宝座。我们损失了什么？

All is not lost; the unconquerable will,

并非什么都丢光：不挠的意志、

And study of revenge, immortal hate,

热切的复仇心、不灭的憎恨，

And courage never to submit or yield:

以及永不屈服、永不退让的勇气，

And what is else not to be overcome?

还有什么比这些更难战胜呢？

That Glory never shall his wrath or might

他的暴怒也罢，威力也罢，

Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace

决不能夺去我这份光荣。

With suppliant knee, and deify his power

经过这一次战争的惨烈，

Who from the terror of this Arm so late

好容易才使他的政权动摇；

Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,

这时还要弯腰屈膝，向他哀求怜悯，拜倒在他的全力之下，

That were an ignominy(耻辱) and shame beneath

那才真正是卑鄙、可耻，

This downfall; since by fate the strength of Gods

比这次的沉沦还要卑贱。

And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,

因为我们生而具有神力，秉有轻清的灵质，不能朽坏，

Since through experience of this great event

又因这次大事件的经验

In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced,

我们要准备更好的武器，

We may with more successful hope resolve

更远的预见，更有成功的希望，

To wage by force or guile eternal war

用暴力或智力向我们的大敌

Irreconcilable, to our grand Foe,

挑起不可调解的持久战争。

Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy

他现在正自夸胜利，得意忘形，

Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven.

独揽大权，在天上掌握虐政呢。”

So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain,

背叛的天使这样说了，虽忍痛说出

Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair:

豪言壮语，心却为深沉的失望所苦。