（原诗属五步抑扬格，交韵6节；拙译每行10字，各以全韵谐之。－欢迎针砭！）
一千年之前，我便已身故， I who am dead a thousand years,
遗下这和谐的古老歌赋。 And wrote this sweet archaic song,
给你吧，因为，在迢递之路－Send you my words for messengers
我已然无力再向前举步。 The way I shall not pass along.
我并不在乎你漂洋过海， I care not if you bridge the seas,
以及那叱咤风云的能耐， Or ride secure the cruel sky,
或是否以金属还是石块－ Or build consummate palaces
营建起华丽的宫殿、楼台。 Of metal or of masonry.
但你还有没有音乐、美酒? But have you wine and music still,
雕塑的群像、恋人的明眸? And statues and a bright-eyed love,
善良与罪恶的蠢俗念头－ And foolish thoughts of good and ill,
并且向着它们膜拜、祈求? And prayers to them who sit above?
当晚风吹开了梦幻之花， How shall we conquer?Like a wind
我们还怎么去攻战、征伐? That falls at eve our fancies blow,
三千年前的盲诗人荷马－ And old Maeonides the blind
曾这样发问，又如何作答? Said it three thousand years ago.
呵，尚未出世的陌生友人， O friend unseen, unborn, unknown,
师承咱优雅英语的学生－ Student of our sweet English tongue,
独独在夜间念我的遗韵： Read out my words at night, alone:
我生为诗人，我也曾年青。 I was a poet, I was young.
鉴于我不可能睹君尊容， Since I can never see your face,
更无缘搂抱你－双手紧拥； And never shake you by the hand,
穿越时空，我把灵魂掬捧－ I send my soul through time and space
你会理喻这祝愿的深衷！ To greet you. You will understand.
－by James Elroy Flecker（1884 －1915 ）
［附］：流沙河译本－（待录）
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