1964年春
毛泽东 著
许渊冲 译
READING HISTORY
Tune: “CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRIDEGROOM”
Spring 1964
人猿相揖别。
When man and monkey waved goodbye,
只几个石头磨过，
Leaving some tools of the stone age,
小儿时节。
It was man’s childish stage.
铜铁炉中翻火焰，
Then bronze and iron melted, flames rose high.
为问何时猜得，
When did man learn the art, you know?
不过几千寒热。
But a few thousand years ago.
人世难逢开口笑，
Few men exchanged broad smiles instead of blows;
上疆场彼此弯弓月。
They shot each other on the battlefield with bows.
流遍了，
The plain turned red
郊原血。
With blood they shed.
——
一篇读罢头飞雪，
One book just red,
White hair snowed on my head.
但记得斑斑点点，
I remember but a few lines,
几行陈迹。
A few traces and signs.
五帝三皇神圣事，
The sacred deeds of emperors and kings
骗了无涯过客。
Deceived so many people for so many springs.
有多少风流人物？
How many of them deserved a real hero’s name?
盗跖庄蹻流誉后，
Rebels like Dao Zhi and Zhuang Qiao outdid their fame.
更陈王奋起挥黄铖。
Chen Sheng revolted then
With his axe-wielding men.
歌未竟，
Their songs ne’er ceased;
东方白。
Bright was the east.
