(七月)
余于二月中自纽约归,夜渡赫贞河,出纽约港,天雨昏黑,惟见高屋电灯隐现空际。余欲观自由神像于此黑暗之中作何状,遍觅乃不可见。已而舟转向车站,遥见水上众光围绕,其上一光独最高亦最明。同行者指谓余曰:“此自由也。”余感叹此语,以为大有诗意,久拟为作一诗记之,而卒不果。后举以告所知,亦皆谓可以入诗,遂作一章。屡经删改,乃得下稿,殊未能佳。
CROSSING THE HARBOR
As on the deck half-sheltered from the rain
We listen to the wintry wind's wild roars,
And hear the slow waves beat
Against the metropolic shores.
And as we search the stars of Earth
Which shine so staringly
Against the vast,dark firmament,—
Pedestalled upon a sphere of radiancy,
One Light stands forth pre-eminent.
And my comrade whispers to me,
"There is 'Liberty'!"
〔中译〕
夜过纽约港
我们驻足甲板,半侧身子淋着雨,
聆听冬日之风狂暴地怒号,
静听那海浪缓缓地拍击,
纽约这座大都巿之海岸。
我们搜寻一地球之星,
她映村在广袤、漆黑之苍穹里,
显得如此之耀眼、明亮,——
在那一团光辉之垫座上,
有一簇光是如此地灿烂、出众。
吾同伴在耳际低语:
“此即‘自由女神’像也!”