年轻人的心 ---What the Heart of the Young Man

对歌者说的话 Said to the Psalmist

不要用忧伤的调子对我说： Tell me not,in mournful numbers,

“人生不过是一场幻梦！” "Life is but an empty dream!"

昏睡的灵魂无异于死去， For the soul is dead that slumbers¹,

事物的真相和外表不同。 And things are not what they seem.

人生是真切的！人生是实在的！Life is real! Life is earnest!

它的归宿决不是荒坟； And the grave is not its goal;

“你本是尘土，必归于尘土”， "Dust thou art,to dust returnest,"

这是指躯壳，不是指灵魂。 Was not spoken of the soul.

我们命定的目标和道路 Not enjoyment,and not sorrow,

不是享乐，也不是受苦； Is our destined² end or way;

而是行动，在每个明天 But to act,that each to-morrow

都超越今天，跨出新步。 Finds us further than to-day.

智艺无穷，时光飞逝； Art is long,and Time is fleeting³,

这颗心，纵然勇敢坚强， And our hearts,though stout⁴ and brave,

也只如鼙鼓，闷声敲打着， Still,like muffled⁵ drums,are beating

一下又一下，向坟地送丧。 Funeral marches to the grave.

在这世界辽阔的战场上， In the world's broad field of battle,

在这人生巨大的营帐中； In the bivouac of Life,

莫学那听人驱策的哑畜， Be not like dumb,driven cattle!

要做一个战斗的英雄！ Be a hero in the strife⁶!

别指望未来，不管它多迷人！ Trust no Future,howe'er pleasant!

把已逝的过去永久埋葬！ Let the dead Past bury its dead!

行动吧－－趁着每一个今天！ Act,---act in the living Present!

赤心在胸中，上帝在头上！ Heart within,and God o'erhead!

伟人的生平昭示我们： Lives of great men all remind us

我们能够生活得高尚， We can make our lives sublime⁷,

而当告别人世的时候， And,departing,leave behind us

留下脚印在时间的沙上； Footprints on the sands of time;

也许我们有一个兄弟 Footprints,that perhaps another,

航行在庄严的人生大海， Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

遇险沉了船，绝望的时刻， A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

会看到这脚印而振作起来。 Seeing,shall take heart again.

那么，让我们起来行动吧， Let us,then,be up and doing,

对任何命运都敢于担戴； With a heart for any fate;

不断地进取，不断地追求， Still achieving,still pursuing

要学会劳作，学会等待。 Learn to labor⁸ and to wait.