Acquainted with the night

黑夜的知己

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain --and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

我以为我早就熟悉这黑夜。

我冒雨出去，又冒雨回来。

我已越出街灯照亮的边界。

我看到城中的小巷最悲惨。

我经过敲更的守夜人身边，

我不愿多讲，低垂下眼帘。

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height

One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night.

我停住，脚步再也听不见，

从另一条街升起越过屋顶

传来一声好似折断的哭喊，

那不是叫我回去或说再见；

在更远、远离尘世的高处，

有一座钟悬着，一闪一闪，

它宣称时间不错又不正确，

我以为我早就熟悉这黑夜。