但我不能  

时间只会说：我早就告诉过你，
时间只知道我们要付出的代价；
如果我能告诉你，我会让你知悉。

如果我们在小丑们表演时哭泣，
如果我们在乐手们演奏时跌倒，
时间只会说：我早就告诉过你。

尽管没有什么命可算，何必
因为我对你的爱言词无以复加，
如果我能告诉你，我会让你知悉。

风吹过来， 一定来自某地，
树叶枯萎， 一定有其缘由；
时间只会说：我早就告诉过你。

也许玫瑰真的要长起，
幻象真的打算长留；
如果我能告诉你，我会让你知悉。

假如狮子们都起身别离，
所有的小溪和士兵都逃走；
时间只会说：我早就告诉过你?
如果我能告诉你，我会让你知悉。

1940年10月

作者 / [英国]W.H.奥登
翻译 / 西蒙、水琴
选自 / 《迁徙的花园：奥登诗101首》，雅众文化

But I Can’t 

Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be”told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And all the brooks and soldiers run away;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.

October 1940

Wystan Hugh Auden