美国语文第六册 第79期:三个警告(3)
但是，当他发现自己的财富累增，
While thus along life's dusty road,
就这样沿着生活那条坎坷路，
The beaten track, content he trod,
精疲力竭地前行，他对自己的跋涉心满又意足，
Old Time, whose haste no mortal spares,
不再匆忙的时间老人，
Uncalled, unheeded, unawares,
没有召唤，没有留意，也没有意识到，
Brought on his eightieth year.
他一晃就到了八十岁。
And now, one night, in musing mood,
此时，一天晚上，他陷入沉思，
As all alone he sate,
对眼下的一切没有不满足，
The unwelcome messenger of Fate
命运女神的使者不期而至
Once more before him stood.
就在他面前站立。
Half-killed with wonder and surprise,
他奇怪和惊讶得要死，
"So soon returned!" old Dodson cries.
“这么快就回来了!”老道德森喊道。
"So soon d' ye call it?" Death replies:
“这么快你就忘了?”死神答道：
"Surely! my friend, you're but in jest;
“当然没有!我的朋友，你语带讥讽;
Since I was here before,
自从我以前来这儿，
T is six and thirty years at least,
已经至少三十六年了，
And you are now fourscore."
你现在正好八十岁。”
"So much the worse!" the clown rejoined;
“过得越久越糟糕!”这个小丑反驳说;
"To spare the aged would be kind:
“上了年纪人会达观：
Besides, you promised me three warnings,
另外，你向我承诺过三个警告!
Which I have looked for nights and mornings!"
我旦夕间都希望得到答案!”
"I know," cries Death, "that at the best,
“我知道，”死神咆哮道，“能那样当然最好，
I seldom am a welcome guest;
很少有人把我当成受欢迎的客人;
But do n't be captious, friend; at least,
但别强词夺理，朋友;至少，
I little thought that you'd be able
我根本没想过你能
To stump about your farm and stable;
逃出你的农场和马厩;
Your years have run to a great length,
你的寿命已经很长，
Yet still you seem to have your strength."
看来你似乎还有体力。”
