四个四重奏:第41期 小吉丁(11)
What we call the beginning is often the end
我们叫做开始的往往就是结束
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
而宣告结束也就是着手开始。
The end is where we start from.
终点是我们出发的地方。
And every phrase and sentence that is right (where every word is at home,
每个短语和每个句子只要安排妥帖（每个词都各得其所，
Taking its place to support the others,
从它所处的位置支持其他的词，
The word neither diffident nor ostentatious,
文字既不羞怯也不炫耀，
An easy commerce of the old and the new,
新与旧之间的一种轻松的交流，
The common word exact without vulgarity,
普通的文字确切而不鄙俗，
The formal word precise but not pedantic,
规范的文字准确而不迂腐，
The complete consort dancing together)
融洽无间地在一起舞蹈）
Every phrase and every sentence is an end and a beginning,
那么每个短语每个句子都是一个结束和一个开始，
Every poem an epitaph.
每首诗都是一篇墓志铭。
And any action is a step to the block,
而任何一个行动都是走向断头台，
to the fire, down the sea’s throat or to an illegible stone: and that is where we start.
走向烈火，落入大海或走向一块你无法辨认的石碑的一步：而这就是我们出发的地方，
We die with the dying:
我们与濒临死亡的人们偕亡：
See, they depart, and we go with them.
瞧，他们离去了，我们与他们同行。
We are born with the dead:
我们与死者同生：
See, they return, and bring us with them.
瞧，他们回来了，携我们与他们俱来。
The moment of the rose and the moment of the yew-tree are of equal duration.
玫瑰飘香和紫杉扶疏的时令经历的时间一样短长。
A people without history is not redeemed from time,
一个没有历史的民族不能从时间得到拯救，
for history is a pattern of timeless moments.
因为历史是无始无终的瞬间的一种模式，
So, while the light fails on a winter’s afternoon, in a secluded chapel
所以，当一个冬天的下午天色渐渐暗淡的时候，在一座僻静的教堂里
History is now and England.
历史就是现在和英格兰。