1938年初,詩人奧登與摯友衣修伍德訪問中國,
此時正是南京大屠殺慘劇發生不久。
這期間,他創作了一首詩,題名《中國士兵》。
《在戰爭時期》(詩組之十八)—《中國士兵》
作者:W.H. 奧登(英裔美國詩人)
他被使用在遠離文化中心的地方,
又被他的將軍和他的蝨子所遺棄,
於是在一件棉襖裡他閉上眼睛
而離開人世。人家不會把他提起。
當這場戰役被整理成書的時候,
沒有重要的知識在他的頭殼裡喪失。
他的玩笑是陳腐的,他沉悶如戰時,
他的名字和模樣都將永遠消逝。
他不知善,不擇善,卻教育了我們,
並且像逗點一樣加添上意義;
他在中國變為塵土,以便在他日
我們的女兒得以熱愛這人間,
不再為狗所凌辱;也為了使有山、
有水、有房屋的地方,也能有人煙。
查良錚 譯
選自《穆旦譯文集》(第4卷),人民文學出版社
原文參考
Far from the heart of culture he was used:
Abandoned by his general and his lice,
Under a padded quilt he closed his eyes
And vanished. He will not be introduced
When this campaign is tidied into books:
No vital knowledge perished in his skull;
His jokes were stale; like wartime, he was dull;
His name is lost for ever like his looks.
He neither knew nor chose the Good, but taught us,
And added meaning like a comma, when
He turned to dust in China that our daughters
Be fit to love the earth, and not again
Disgraced before the dogs; that where are waters,
Mountains and houses, may be also men.
詩人奧登與中國士兵合影
昭昭前事,惕惕後人。
勿忘國恥,自強不息。
戰火硝煙雖然散去,但傷痛不應被淡忘。
2018年第60期
總第106期
審核:熊正林
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