Moonlight by Sara Teasdale

Moonlight

 

Sara Teasdale, 1884 - 1933

 

It will not hurt me when I am old,

     A running tide where moonlight burned

          Will not sting me like silver snakes;

The years will make me sad and cold,

          It is the happy heart that breaks.

 

The heart asks more than life can give,

     When that is learned, then all is learned;

          The waves break fold on jewelled fold,

But beauty itself is fugitive,

          It will not hurt me when I am old.

 

月光

 

衰老不会伤害我，

洒满月光的激流

不会像银蛇把我螫伤；

流年将使我悲哀和冷漠，

只有快乐的心才会受伤。 

 

心对生活总有无法满足的索求，

懂得它时， 也就懂得生活；

晶莹的浪花一波碎一波， 

可美丽终将流走，

衰老不会伤害我。