Contemplation Upon Flowers
Poem by Henry King

方壶斋译

BRAVE flowers--that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain!
You come abroad, and make a harmless show,
And to your beds of earth again.
You are not proud: you know your birth:
For your embroider'd garments are from earth.

愿我勇敢如花开，愿我谦卑如花落。
花开四野不伤春，花归尘榻神自若。
花心无傲知来历，花衣来自泥土地。

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever Spring:
My fate would know no Winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing.
O that I could my bed of earth but view
And smile, and look as cheerfully as you!

花开有定遵天时，我却期春无尽之。
寒冬不来生无死，花谢人亡两不思。
但愿花君能教我，含笑尘榻可面直，

O teach me to see Death and not to fear,
But rather to take truce!
How often have I seen you at a bier,
And there look fresh and spruce!
You fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath
Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.
Henry King

教我无畏对死亡，慨赴黄泉不抵抗。
灵柩台前常见君，花红叶绿新鲜样。
教我坦然对春尽，零落成泥犹飘香。