中诗英译《诗经 秦风 蒹葭》

蒹葭苍苍，白露为霜。所谓伊人，在水一方，溯洄从之，道阻且长。溯游从之，宛在水中央。

蒹葭萋萋，白露未晞。所谓伊人，在水之湄。溯洄从之，道阻且跻。溯游从之，宛在水中坻。

蒹葭采采，白露未已。所谓伊人，在水之涘。溯洄从之，道阻且右。溯游从之，宛在水中沚。

<The Book of Odes and Hymns. The Reeds and Silver-grasses>

The reeds and silver-grasses, dense and vast, made thy vision lost,

The late Fall dew vapor hath with the season turned into white frost.

The beloved one for whom I have always admired and longed,

Might be somewhere in the depth of morass beyond.

To look for her if along that meandering water I go upstream,

A journey lengthy and full of obstacles it would seem.

To look for her if along the babbling water I go downstream,

Right there in the center of water she is standing it would seem.

The reeds and water-grasses are so luxuriant and still stay,

The white frost hath not vaporized even after it endured sun ray.

The beloved one I always hide in the bosom of my heart,

Might be at the water’s edge, she is virtuous and smart.

To look for her if along that meandering water I go upstream,

A journey very lengthy and ascending it would seem.

To look for her if along the babbling water I go downstream,

Right there on the little mound she is standing it would seem.

The reeds and water-grasses are plentiful and profuse,

The white frost would not stop forming when it comes to its dues.

The beloved one whom I always miss,

Might be at the water-margin and she is listening to water’s fizz.

To look for her if along the meandering water I go upstream,

A journey very winding and full of obstacles it would seem.

To look for her if along the babbling water I go downstream,

Right there on the islet she is standing it would seem.