作者:紀伯倫(Kahlil Gibran)
摘自《先知》
When love beckons you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
—— On Love
當愛召喚你時,跟隨它,雖然它的道路艱難而險峻。
當它展翅擁抱你時,依順它,雖然它羽翼中的利刃會傷害你。
當它開口對你說話時,相信它,雖然它的聲音會像狂風勁掃園中的花朵似的擊碎你的夢。
愛雖然可以為你加冕,但也能將你釘上十字架;它雖然可以幫助你成長,但也能將你削砍剪刈。
它會攀至枝頭高處,撫慰你在陽光下顫動的最柔嫩的葉子;但也會潛至你的根部,動搖你緊緊依附著大地的根須。
——《愛》
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together,
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
—— On Marriage
奉獻你們的心,但並不是要你們緊握住對方的心不放。
因為只有生命的手才能握緊你們的心。
應站在一起,但不要靠得太近,
因為廊柱分立,才能撐起廟宇。
橡樹和松柏也不能在彼此的陰影下生長。
——《婚姻》
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