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I thought I should ask of thee--but I dared not--the rose wreath thou hadst onthy neck. Thus I waited for the morning, when thou didst depart, to find a few fragments on the bed. And like a beggar I searched in the dawn only for a stray petal or two.
Ah me, what is it I find? What token left of thy love? It is no flower, nospices, no vase of perfumed water. It is thy mighty sword, flashing as a flame, heavy as a bolt of thunder. The young light of morning comes through the window and spread itself upon thy bed. The morning bird twitters and asks,`Woman, what hast thou got?' No, it is no flower, nor spices, nor vase of perfumed water--it is thy dreadful sword.
I sit and muse in wonder, what gift is this of thine. I can find no place to hide it. I am ashamed to wear it, frail as I am, and it hurts me when press it to my bosom. Yet shall I bear in my heart this honour of the burden of pain, this gift of thine.
From now there shall be no fear left for me in this world, and thou shalt be victorious in all my strife. Thou hast left death for my companion and I shall crown him with my life. Thy sword is with me to cut asunder my bonds, and there shall be no fear left for me in the world.
From now I leave off all petty decorations. Lord of my heart, no more shall there be for me waiting and weeping in corners, no more coyness and sweetness of demeanour. Thou hast given me thy sword for adornment. No more doll's decorations for me!
译文:
我想我应该向你请求——但又不敢——你颈上的玫瑰花环。就这样等了一早上,当你离开后,在你床上找到一些碎片。拂晓,我像乞丐一样寻觅,只为一两片散落的花瓣。
唉,我找到了什么?你留下了什么爱的信物?不是鲜花,不是香料,也不是一瓶香水。那是你锋利的宝剑,闪如烈焰,重若雷霆。晨光透过窗户,铺洒在你床上。晨鸟叽叽喳喳问道:“姑娘,你得到了什么?”不,不是花朵,不是香料,也不是一瓶香水——是你可畏的宝剑。
我坐下思量,疑惑不解,你这是什么礼物。我无处收藏,也羞于佩带,我如此柔弱,将其拥在胸前会伤到我。但我愿意全心承受你这份礼物,这痛苦负担的荣光。
今后我在这世上无所畏惧,你在我所有战斗中获胜。你让死神与我作伴,我将以生命为其加冕。我用你的宝剑斩断我的枷锁,我在世上无所畏惧。
今后我将远离一切繁琐的装饰。我心灵的主人,我不会在角落里垂泪等待,也不再娇羞作态。你已将宝剑赠给我佩带。我不再需要玩偶装饰。
翻译手记:
孟加拉语原作为《渡口集·赐予》。
是什么,让一个柔弱娇羞的少女变成一个坚强无畏的女性?苦难可以,孩子可以,精神的觉醒也可以。
女性强,则国家强!