William Butler Yeats (1865- 1939)
When you are old, gray-haired and sleepy,
Take a nap by the fire, take down this book,
Read slowly, imagine the gentle eyes,
Your eyes were once, and their shadows were deep;
How many people love your happy and elegant moments,
Loving your beauty with true or false love,
But there is one person who loves your pilgrim soul,
Love the sadness on your aging face;
Bend down by the glowing fireplace,
Whispering a little sadly, how love dies,
Pacing on the mountains overhead,
Hide his face among the stars.
when you are old
William Butler Yeats
Translated by Zou Zhongzhi
When you are old, gray-haired and sleepy,
Take a nap in front of the fire, take down the book,
Read slowly, dream back,
Before, your eyes were gentle and deep;
How many people envy your happiness and elegance,
They love your beauty, and this love is false and true.
Only one person loves your pilgrim soul,
I also love the sadness contained in your vicissitudes;
The fire is burning, you bend over,
A wisp of sadness, a few whispers, the person who loves you has gone,
He walked on a high mountain,
The stars in the sky covered his face.