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The Human Abstract
人的抽象观念
Pity would be no more
那就无须有什么怜悯，
If we did not make somebody poor,
若是我们并没有使人穷困：
And Mercy no more could be
也不必再施什么恩德，
If all were as happy as we.
若是所有的人都像我们这样快乐：
And mutual fear brings Peace,
互相的畏惧带来了和平，
Till the selfish loves increase;
直到自私的爱与日倶增。
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
于是残酷织成一张罗网，
And spreads his baits with care.
小心翼翼地把钓饵装上。
He sits down with holy fears,
他坐下来，怀着神圣的敬畏，
And waters the ground with tears;
地面沾湿了他的眼泪：
Then Humility takes its root
然后谦逊便生了根
Underneath his foot.
就在他的脚下生存。
Soon spreads the dismal shade
不久奥秘在他的头顶
Of Mystery over his head,
笼罩下阴暗的黑影；
And the caterpillar and fly
而幼虫和虻蝇
Feed on the Mystery.
就靠奥秘喂养为生。
And it bears the fruit of Deceit,
结出了奸诈的果实
Ruddy and sweet to eat,
红红的，又甜又好吃：
And the raven his nest has made
而乌鸦把他的巢筑成，
In its thickest shade.
就在它那最浓密的树阴。
The gods of the earth and sea
大地与海洋的诸神，
Sought through nature to find this tree,
在大自然中把这棵树遍寻，
But their search was all in vain:
但他们的搜寻毫无所得；
There grows one in the human Brain.
在人类的头脑里就长着一棵。
