美国语文第六册 第221期:为死者悲(4)
如果你是一位朋友，曾经做过错事，不论在思想、言语还是行为上，那么你的精神境界一般而言会有局限性;
if thou hast given one unmerited pang to that true heart, which now lies cold and still beneath thy feet;
假若你的心脏确实产生了不适的剧痛，你就应该在温度较低的地方平躺下来;
then be sure that every unkind look, every ungracious word, every ungentle action, will come thronging back upon thy memory, and knocking dolefully at thy soul;
然后可以肯定的是每一种近乎残酷的神情，每一句勉强的话语和每一个缺乏教养的行为，都会从记忆深处复活，令人沮丧地敲打和拷问着你的灵魂;
then be sure that thou wilt lie down sorrowing and repentant on the grave, and utter the unheard groan, and pour the unavailing tear;
此后在鬼门关前你肯定要忍受悲哀和悔恨的折磨，发出无人能听到的叹息，涌出徒劳的眼泪;
more deep, more bitter, because unheard and unavailing.
之所以更深沉和辛酸，是因为无人能听到和徒劳无益。
Then weave thy chaplet of flowers, and strew the beauties of nature about the grave;
接下来，人们为你编花圈，为坟墓点缀大自然的美;
console thy broken spirit, if thou canst, with these tender, yet futile, tributes of regret;
用这些温馨然而无甚意义的东西安慰你那颗破碎的心，聊表惋惜;
but take warning by the bitterness of this, thy contrite affliction over the dead, and henceforth be more faithful and affectionate in the discharge of thy duties to the living.
但是，通过悲痛借以告诫，你对撒手人寰已经悔悟，从此以后将更忠实和充满深情地履行你对活人的责任。
