The More Loving One

W.H.Auden

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well 仰望群星的时分，我一清二楚，

That, for all they care, I can go to hell 尽管它们关怀备至，我亦有可能赴地府，

But on earth indifference¹ is the least 可是尘世间我们丝毫不必畏惧

We have to dread² from man or beast 人类或禽兽的那份冷漠。

How should we like it were stars to burn 倘若群星燃烧着关怀我们的激情，

With a passion for us we could not return 我们却无法回报，我们作何感想？

If equal affection cannot be 倘若无法产生同样的感情，

Let the more loving one be me 让我成为更有爱心的人。

Admirer as I think I am 尽管我自视为群星的崇拜者，

Of stars that do not give a damn 它们满不在乎，

I cannot, now I see them, say 现在我看群星，我却难以启齿，

I missed one terribly all day 说我成天思念一颗星星。

Were all stars to disappear or die 倘若所有的星星消失或者消亡，

I should learn to look at an empty sky 我应该学会仰望空荡的天空，

And feel its total dark sublime³ 同时感受天空一片漆黑的崇高，

Though this might take me a little time 虽然这样可能要花费一点时间。