《國風·周南·關雎》英譯

《國風·周南·關雎》在中國文學史上占據著特殊的位置。它是《詩經》的第一篇，而《詩經》是中國文學最古老的典籍。讓我們一起來欣賞辜正坤與Arthur Waley 兩個英譯本。

原詩

詩經·國風

周南·關雎

關關雎鳩，在河之洲。

窈窕淑女，君子好逑。

參差荇菜，左右流之。

窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。

求之不得，寤寐思服。

悠哉悠哉，輾轉反側。

參差荇菜，左右采之。

窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。

參差荇菜，左右芼之。

窈窕淑女，鐘鼓樂之。
1

辜正坤譯：

Ospreys

Hark! The ospreys merrily call

On the islet off the river shore.

The girl is lovely and slenderly tall,

Whom the gentleman would adore.

The water plants are long and short,

Here and there they can be sought;

The lovely girl is slenderly tall,

Day and night he would her recall.

The first courtship comes to bay,

He longs for her wildly night and day.

The lingering longing grips him tight,

He tosses, unable to sleep at night.

The water plants are long and short,

Here and there they can be caught;

The lovely girl with frail appeal,

He’ll befriend with zither and zeal.

The water plants are long and short,

Here and there they can be stored.

The lovely girl is slenderly tall,

With bells and drums he wins her after all.

2

Arthur Waley譯：

Song

“Fair, fair”, cry the ospreys

On the island in the river.

Lively is this noble lady,

Fit bride for our lord.

In patches grows the water mallow;

To left and right one must seek it.

Shy was this noble lady;

Day and night he sought her.

Sought her and could not get her;

Day and night he grieved.

Long thoughts, oh, long unhappy thoughts,

Now on his back, now tossing on to his side.

In patches grows the water mallow;

To left and right one must gather it.

Shy is this noble lady;

With great zither and little we hearten her.

In patches grows the water mallow;

To left and right one must choose it.

Shy is this noble lady;

With gongs and drums we will gladden her.