我请求一个吉普赛朋友
去摸仿一个古时的形象
并说着古人的名训。
她收回她的下巴,
把她的脖子和头弄成
尼罗河方尖碑之状
说:
从你嘴中取出塞口物,孩子,
且尽管保持沈默。
别告诉人任何事，因没有人听,
可你的嘴唇却要准备好随时开讲。

Gypsy

I asked a gypsy pal
To imitate an old image
And speak old wisdom.
She drew in her chin,
Made her neck and head
The top piece of a Nile obelisk
and said:
Snatch off the gag from thy mouth, child,
And be free to keep silence.
Tell no man anything for no man listens,
Yet hold thy lips ready to speak.

---By Carl Sandberg (美1878-1967)
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