The Resolute Courtier

Prithee, say aye or no;

If thou’lt not have me, tell me so;

I cannot stay,

Nor will I wait upon

A smile or frown.

If thou wilt have me, say;

Then I am thine, or else I am mine own.

Be white or black; I hate

Dependence on a checkered fate;

Let go, or hold;

Come, either kiss or not：

Now to be hot,

And then again as cold,

Is a fantastic fever you have got.

A tedious woo is base,

And worse by far than a long grace：

For whilst we stay,

Our lingering spoils the roast,

Or stomach’s lost;

Nor can, nor will I stay;

For if I sup not quickly, I will fast.

Whilst we are fresh and stout

And vigorous, let us to ’t;

Alas, what good

From wrinkled man appears,

Gelded with years,

When his thin wheyish blood

Is far less comfortable than his tears?

我们不能迟迟等待。

只怕炉中的晚餐也会烧焦，

只怕进食的胃口全都败坏;

若不能马上品尝，

我宁可禁食守斋。

趁我们年富力强，

促成这磨人的情爱;

莫让时光催老容颜，

莫让头发霜打雪盖。

为何还要久久拖延?

为何还要迟迟等待?

拖到心里滴血万事已休，

等到眼中落泪青春不再。

托马斯•希普曼(Thomas Shipman 1632―1680)英国诗人 这首诗虽然是当面口头求婚，但语言却古朴高雅，如“aye”、“fast”、“thou”、“grace”及“prithee” 等等，全无口语痕迹。这种诗歌的语言风格必须仔细分辨,谨慎移植;否则就会亵渎诗魂与艺魂,辜负作者与读者。