A Lecture upon the Shadow

Stand still, and I will read to thee

A lecture, love, in love's philosophy.

         These three hours that we have spent,

         Walking here, two shadows went

Along with us, which we ourselves produc'd.

But, now the sun is just above our head,

         We do those shadows tread,

         And to brave clearness all things are reduc'd.

So whilst our infant loves did grow,

Disguises did, and shadows, flow

From us, and our cares; but now 'tis not so.

That love has not attain'd the high'st degree,

Which is still diligent lest others see.

 

Except our loves at this noon stay,

We shall new shadows make the other way.

         As the first were made to blind

         Others, these which come behind

Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.

If our loves faint, and westwardly decline,

         To me thou, falsely, thine,

         And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.

The morning shadows wear away,

But these grow longer all the day;

But oh, love's day is short, if love decay.

Love is a growing, or full constant light,

And his first minute, after noon, is night.

 

请站一下，听我给你讲一课，

　　亲爱的，讲讲爱的哲学。

　　我们在此散步已经三个小时，

　　陪伴我们的是两个影子，

　　这影子本产自我们自己；

　　而现在太阳已恰好照着头顶，

　　我们踩着自己的影，

　　一切东西都显得美丽、清晰。

　　我们的爱苗也这样成长，

　　我们的遮盖掩饰也这样

　　渐渐消逝。但如今不再这样。

　　那种爱情还未升上最高点，

　　当它还在竭力躲避旁人的眼。

　　除非我们的爱停在午时，

　　我们会在另一面造出新的影子。

　　起初的影子用来骗旁人，

　　后来的影子用来骗我们——

　　对付自己，蒙骗自己的双眼。

　　假如我们的爱情渐渐削弱，

　　就会我对你、你对我

　　把各自的行为遮遮掩掩。

　　上午的影子浙渐耗完，

　　下午的影子却不断发展．

　　一旦爱情衰退．它的来日苦短！

　　爱以饱满不移的光照临世界，

　　     但它正午若过，下一分钟就是夜。