詩經.曹風.蜉蝣

蜉蝣之羽，衣裳楚楚。

心之憂矣，於我歸處。

蜉蝣之翼，采采衣服。

心之憂矣，於我歸息。

蜉蝣掘閲，麻衣如雪。

心之憂矣，於我歸説。

Mayflies

Flittering swiftly, mayflies’ wings

Gleam like glistening outerwear.

Life so short, my heart with woe wrings,

Where should I forth fare and forth fare?

Fluttering quickly, mayflies’ wings

Gleam like glittering outerwear.

Life so brief, my heart with grief wrings,

Where is my home, I’m not aware?

Lo, mayflies break out of the ground,

Clad in a snow-white flax robe.

Life so short, my heart with pain bound,

Where to repose, I’ll have to probe?

Tr. Ziyuzile

(To be revised)

27/03/23