卷一（三）　北天与南天的星群

The little Bear

［小熊座］

The smaller Bear, though less in size and light / In narrower Circles she commands the Night, / Yet Tyre prefers, for through the Ocean tost / They sail by her and find the foreign Coast; / These stand not front to front, but each doth view / The others Tayl, pursu'd as they pursue.

小熊的形体与光芒都较小，在较窄的圆圈里统领黑夜，推罗人却更看重她，因为他们在大洋上颠簸时，靠她航行，找到异国的海岸；两熊并不面对面站着，而是各自望着对方的尾巴，追逐对方，也被对方追逐。

The Serpent

［天龙座］

Betwixt and round these two the Serpent twines, / At once divides, and to their place confines; / Secure from meeting they're distinctly roll'd, / Nor leave their Seats, and pass the dreadfull fold: / These keep the Vertex, but betwixt the Bear / And shining Zodiack where the Planets Err, / A Thousand Figur'd Constellations roll, / Some near the Zodiack, some plac'd near the Pole:

一条大蛇在这两熊之间、又绕着它们盘旋，既把它们分开，又把它们限在各自的位置；它们安然无忧，不会相遇，各自分开旋转，不离开自己的座位，也不越过那可怕的蛇身：两熊占据着天顶，而在熊与闪亮的黄道——行星漫游之处——之间，有上千个形象各异的星群在旋转，有的靠近黄道，有的靠近天极：

Whose differing Powers by tempering Skies combin'd / Make Seasons fruitfull, and refresh Mankind.

它们不同的力量由调和的天空结合起来，使季节丰饶，使人类振作。

Hercules

［武仙座］

First near the North, as conscious of his shame / A Constellation kneels without a Name;

首先，靠近北方，有一个星群仿佛自知羞愧，跪在那里，没有名字；

Bootes

［牧夫座］

And next Bootes comes, whose order'd Beams / Present a Figure driving of his Teams. / Below his Girdle, near his Knees, He bears

接着来的是牧夫，他排列整齐的星光呈现出一个赶着牲口的人形。他在腰带以下、膝盖附近带着

Arcturus

［大角星］

The bright Arcturus, fairest of the Stars.

明亮的大角，群星中最美的一颗。

The Crown

［北冕座］

Behind his Back the radiant Crown is view'd, / And shines with Stars of different magnitude; / One plac'd i'th' front above the rest displays / A vigorous light, and darts surprizing rays.

在他背后可以看到光芒四射的冠冕，上面闪耀着大小不同的星；前方有一颗高过其余的，发出强劲的光，射出惊人的光芒。

This shone since Theseus first his faith betray'd, / The Monument of the forsaken Maid.

自从忒修斯背弃了誓言，它就在那里闪耀，是那被遗弃的少女的纪念。

The Harp

［天琴座］

Nor far from these distended Lyra lies, / Well strung, the sounding glory of the Skies.

离这些不远，张开的天琴躺在那里，琴弦齐整，是天上发声的荣耀。

This Orpheus struck when with his wondrous Song / He charm'd the Woods, and drew the Rocks along; / When Hell obey'd, when Death resign'd her Chain, / And loos'd his dear Eurydice again; / This gain'd it Heaven, and still its force appears, / As then the Rocks it now draws on the Stars.

这就是俄耳甫斯弹过的琴：那时他以奇妙的歌声迷住了森林，引动了岩石；冥府服从了他，死神解开锁链，放回他亲爱的欧律狄刻；这琴因此在天上得了一席，它的力量至今仍在显现：当年它引动岩石，如今它引动群星。

The Planets dance, and to the tunefull sound / The Heaven consents, and moves the fatal Round.

行星随着和谐的乐声起舞，诸天应和，转动着命运的圆圈。

Ophiuchus

［蛇夫座］

Next Ophiuchus strides the mighty Snake, / Untwists his winding Folds, and smooths his Back, / Extends its Bulk, and o'er the slippery Scale / His wide stretcht Hands on either side prevail: / The Snake turns back his Head, and seems to rage, / That War must last where equal Powers engage.

接着是蛇夫，他跨着巨大的蛇，解开它盘绕的身体，抚平它的脊背，把它的躯体拉直，张得很开的双手在滑溜的鳞片两边压制着它：蛇回过头来，似乎在发怒，因为力量相当的双方交战，战争就没有了结。

The Swan

［天鹅座］

Next view the Swan, whom Iove advanc'd above, / That Form's reward by which He caught his Love.

接着看那天鹅，朱庇特把它升上天空，作为那副形体的酬谢——他曾借这副形体得到他的爱人。

When shrouded in the fair deceitfull shape, / He cheated trusting Leda to a Rape: / Now grac'd with Stars his Wings stretcht o'er the Skies.

那时他藏在这美丽而欺人的形体里，骗了轻信的勒达，占有了她：如今天鹅被群星装点，翅膀张开在天空中。

The Arrow

［天箭座］

And next the Swan the shining Arrow flies:

天鹅旁边，闪亮的箭在飞：

The Eagle

［天鹰座］

The towring Eagle next doth boldly soar, / As if the thunder in his Claws he bore: / He's worthy Iove, since He, a Bird, supplies / The Heaven with sacred Bolts, and arms the Skies.

接着，高飞的天鹰大胆地翱翔，仿佛爪中握着雷霆：它配得上朱庇特，因为它虽是一只鸟，却为天庭供给神圣的雷矢，武装了诸天。

The Dolphin

［海豚座］

Next rais'd from Seas the Dolphin's Tail appears, / The Glory of the Floud and of the Stars.

接着，海豚从海中升起，露出尾巴，它是洪波的荣耀，也是群星的荣耀。

The Horse

［飞马座］

Whom while the Horse (one radiant Star doth grace / His generous Breast) pursues with eager pace, / His Legs before, as running, He extends,

马急急地追赶着它（一颗明亮的星装饰着它高贵的胸膛），它的前腿伸出，好像在奔跑，

Andromeda

［仙女座］

But clos'd in fair Andromeda he ends.

却终止于美丽的仙女身上，与她合在一起。

Perseus

［英仙座］

Her Perseus joyns, her Foot his Shoulder bears / Proud of the weight, and mixes with her Stars. / Five splendid Stars in its unequal Frame

珀耳修斯与她相连，她的脚踩在他的肩上，他以这份重量为荣，与她的星交织在一起。五颗明亮的星组成一个不等边的框架，

The Triangle

［三角座］

Deltoton bears, and from the shape a Name; / But those that grace the sides dim Light display / And yield unto the Basis brighter Ray.

这就是三角，它也因形状而得名；但点缀两边的星光线暗淡，让底边发出更亮的光。

Cepheus and Cassiopeia

［仙王座与仙后座］

Next with her Cepheus Cassiopeia shines, / Her posture sad, and mourns amongst the Signs; / She sees her Daughter chain'd, the rolling Tide / The Monster spout, and curses her old Pride: / She fears that Perseus will inconstant prove, / And now in Heaven forget his former Love;

接着，卡西俄珀亚与她的刻甫斯一同闪耀，她姿态悲伤，在星座之间哀悼；她看见女儿被锁住，翻滚的潮水中海怪在喷水，她诅咒自己从前的骄傲：她怕珀耳修斯会变心，如今在天上忘了从前的爱；

But He attends, and bears the Gorgon's head, / His Spoil, and witness of a coming aid.

可是他守候在旁，带着戈尔贡的头——那是他的战利品，也是援救将至的见证。

Heniochus

［御夫座］

Near the bent Bull a seat the Driver claims, / Whose skill conferr'd his Honour and his Names, / His Art great Iove admir'd, when first he drove / His rattling Carr, and fixt the Youth above.

在弯身的金牛附近，御者占了一席，他的技艺为他赢来荣誉与名号：当他第一次驾着隆隆作响的车时，伟大的朱庇特赞赏他的技艺，就把这青年安置在天上。

The Hoedi

［小山羊］

Next stormy Hoedi shine which shut the Main, / And stop the Sailers hot pursuit of gain.

接着闪耀的是带来风暴的小山羊，它们封锁大海，止住水手对利益的狂热追逐。

The Goat

［母山羊］

Then shines the Goat, whose Brutish Duggs supply'd / The Infant Iove, and nurst his growing Pride.

然后闪耀的是那母山羊，她的乳汁喂养过婴儿朱庇特，养大了他日渐增长的威势。

From that wild Food He did to Heaven aspire, / Fierce Thunder throw, and dart the blasting Fire.

靠着那野性的食物，他才得以上升天庭，掷出猛烈的雷霆，射出焚毁的火焰。

Then mindfull of her Care the gratfull God / Repaid her with those Skies which she bestow'd.

于是这位知恩的神记着她的照料，用天空来回报她——那天空本是她所赐。

The Pleiades and Hyades

［昴星团与毕星团］

Then Pleiades and Hyades appear, / The sad Companions of the turning Year.

然后昴星团与毕星团出现了，她们是一年轮转中令人忧伤的伙伴。

Born by the Bull they lead they Tempests forth, / And close the Constellations of the North.

她们由金牛驮着，引出风暴，北方的星群到此为止。

Farewell cold North, thy Ice benums my Muse, / I fly from Thee, and warmer Regions chuse; / Betwixt the Tropicks of the Traveling Sun, / I'll trace the Signs that burn the torrid Zone, / Then pass those bounds and view the Stars that roll / Between cold Caper and the lower Pole.

别了，寒冷的北方，你的冰冻麻木了我的诗神；我离开你，选择更温暖的地方：我要循着那横越炎热地带的星座，在旅行的太阳的两条回归线之间走一趟；然后越过这些界限，看看在寒冷的摩羯与下方天极之间转动的群星。

Orion

［猎户座］

First next the Twins, see great Orion rise, / His Armes extended stretch o'er half the Skies: / His stride as large, and with a stately pace / He marches on, and measures a vast space.

先看双子旁边，伟大的猎户升起，他的双臂伸展，越过半个天空：他的步幅一样大，迈着庄严的步子前行，量过一片广大的空间。

On each broad Shoulder a bright Star's display'd, / And three obliquely grace his hanging Blade.

他宽阔的双肩上各有一颗亮星，三颗星斜斜地点缀着他垂挂的佩剑。

In his vast Head immerst in boundless spheres / Three Stars less bright, but yet as great, he bears.

他巨大的头隐没在无边的天球里，带着三颗不那么亮、却同样大的星。

But farther off remov'd, their Splendor's lost, / Thus grac'd and arm'd He leads the Starry Host.

只是因为离得更远，它们的光辉才失去了：他就这样装饰着、武装着，率领星辰的大军。

The Dog-Star

［天狼星］

Next barks the Dog, and from his Nature flow / The most afflicting Powers that rule below, / Heat burns his Rise, Frost chills his setting Beams, / And vex the World with opposite Extremes.

接着是吠叫的犬，从他的本性中流出下界最为凶猛的力量：它升起时，炎热炙烤，它沉落时，霜冻冰寒，以两个相反的极端困扰世界。

He keeps his Course, nor from the Sun retreats, / Now bringing Frost, and now encreasing Heats: / Those that from Taurus view this rising Star, / Guess thence the following state of Peace and War, / Health, Plagues, a fruitfull or a barren Year.

他保持着自己的路线，不从太阳面前退缩，时而带来霜冻，时而增加炎热：那些从托罗斯山上观望这颗星升起的人，由此推测接下来的和平与战争、健康与瘟疫、丰年与荒年。

He makes shrill Trumpets sound, and frightens Peace, / Then calms and binds up Iron War in Ease.

他使尖厉的号角吹响，惊走和平；然后又使战事平息，把铁血的战争束缚在安宁之中。

As he determines, so the Causes draw, / His Aspect is the World's supremest Law.

他如何决定，诸般原因便如何牵引，他的面貌就是世界最高的法则。

This Power proceeds from the vast Orb He runs, / His Brightness equals or exceeds the Sun's.

这力量来自他所运行的广大天球，他的光辉等于甚至超过太阳。

But far remov'd he through the distant space / Darts feeble splendour from his Azure face.

只是因为远在遥远的空间里，他才从蔚蓝的面庞上射出微弱的光芒。

Yet others He excells, no fairer Light / Ascends the Skies, none sets so clear a bright.

但他仍胜过其他的星，没有更美的光升上天空，也没有哪颗星沉落时如此清澈明亮。

Procyon. The Hare

［南河三；天兔座］

Next Procyon view, and next the nimble Hare,

接着看南河三，再看敏捷的天兔，

Argo

［南船座］

Then Argo sailing through the liquid Air; / Advanc'd from all the Dangers of the Tides, / Which first she stem'd, she now securely rides.

然后是南船，在流动的空气中航行；她摆脱了当初冲破的潮水的种种危险，如今安然驶行。

Heaven is her Port, and now she rules the Flouds, / A Goddess made for saving of the Gods.

天空是她的港口，如今她统领着洪波，因为救过众神而成了女神。

The Serpent

［长蛇座］

Close by the Serpent spreads; whose winding Spires / With order'd Stars resemble scaly Fires.

紧挨着伸展的是长蛇；它盘绕的身体上星星排列整齐，像带着鳞片的火焰。

The Crow. The Cup

［乌鸦座；巨爵座］

Next flies the Crow, and next the generous Bowl / Of Bacchus flows, and chears the thirsty Pole.

接着飞来乌鸦，然后是酒神巴克斯的慷慨酒杯在流淌，使干渴的天极欢欣。

The Centaur next in double shapes exprest, / A Humane Body joyns a Horse's Breast.

接着是半人马，以双重的形体表现：人的身体接上马的胸膛。

The Altar

［天坛座］

The World's great Temple next, and Altar lies / Grac'd with the Gifts of conquering Deities, / When Earth-born Giants did the Skies invade, / The lesser Gods implor'd the greater's Aid; / His Power Iove doubted when he view'd from far / The threatning force of the unequal War.

接着是世界的大神庙与祭坛，以得胜的众神的献礼装饰：当大地所生的巨人进犯天庭时，较小的神向较大的神求援；朱庇特从远处望见这场力量悬殊的战争来势汹汹，也怀疑起自己的力量来。

When He inverted Nature's Frame beheld, / That Earth rose upward, and that All rebell'd.

那时他看见自然的框架颠倒过来，大地向上升起，万物都在反叛。

That Hills on Hills heap'd, rais'd their threatning / Head, / And frighted Stars approaching Mountains fled; / When impious Armies at a monstrous Birth / Broke through the Bowels of the gaping Earth, / Of disagreeing Forms, and frightfull Makes, / Vast Humane Bodies twisted into Snakes.

群山堆叠在群山之上，抬起威胁的头，受惊的群星躲避着逼近的山岳；不虔敬的大军在一场怪异的诞生中冲破张开大口的大地的腹腔，他们形状不一，样貌可怖，巨大的人身扭结成蛇形。

E'er this no Danger and no fear was known, / And wanton Iove sate idly in his Throne.

在此以前，没有任何危险，也没有任何恐惧，朱庇特闲适地坐在宝座上。

But lest some greater Power (soft ease betray'd / His Mind to doubt) should yield the Rebels aid, / He rais'd this Altar, and the Form appears / With Incense loaded, and adorn'd with Stars.

但为了防备有更强大的力量（安逸使他心生疑虑）援助叛军，他立起了这座祭坛，它的形象至今仍在，满载香火，以群星为饰。

The Whale

［鲸鱼座］

Next on his Belly floats the mighty Whale / He twists his Back, and rears his threatning Tail; / He spouts the Tide, and cuts the foaming Way, / Wide gapes his Mouth, as eager on his Prey; / Such on Andromede He rusht, and bore / The troubled Waves beyond their usual shore.

接着，巨大的鲸鱼漂浮着露出腹部，他扭动脊背，竖起威胁的尾巴；他喷出潮水，劈开泡沫翻涌的水路，张开大口，像是急于扑向猎物；他当年就是这样扑向安德罗墨达，把汹涌的波浪推过了平常的海岸。

The Southern Fish

［南鱼座］

Next Swims the Southern Fish, which bears a Name / From the South-wind, and spreads a feeble Flame.

接着游来南鱼，它的名字来自南风，发出微弱的光。

The Flouds

［水流］

To him the Flouds in spacious windings turn, / One Fountain flows from cold Aquarius Urn; / And meets the other where they joyn their Streams / One Chanel keep, and mix the Starry Beams.

宽阔蜿蜒的水流流向南鱼，一道源泉从寒冷的水瓶的瓮中流出；它与另一道相会，两股水流合在一起，走同一条河道，星光交融。

Betwixt th' Eclyptick and the latent Bears / Whose creaking Axis turns the rolling Spheres, / Those stranger Skies are painted with these Stars.

在黄道与那隐而不见的两熊之间——两熊吱吱作响的天轴转动着旋转的天球——那片陌生的天空就以这些星点缀。

Which ancient Artists in their wondrous Lines / Transmit to Fame, and call the Southern Signs.

古代的星学家用奇妙的线条把这些星传扬后世，称之为南方星座。

The other part lies hid, the vast abode / Of unknown Nations, by our Feet untrod.

另一部分隐藏着，那是不为人知的民族的广大居所，我们的脚从未踏到过。

From the same Sun they take their common Light, / But different Shades: in an inverted site, / Their Signs o'th' left Hand set, and rise o'th' right.

他们从同一个太阳得到共同的光，影子却不同：位置颠倒，他们的星座在左手边沉落，在右手边升起。

Their Skies as large, their Stars as splendid run, / Equal i'th' rest, but are excell'd by One, / By Caesar's Star which doth o'er us preside, / Earth's present joy, and Heaven's future pride.

他们的天空一样广大，他们的星一样灿烂地运行，其余各方面都相同，只有一颗星胜过他们：那就是恺撒之星，它在我们上空主宰，是大地当今的欢乐，也是上天未来的荣耀。

The Southern Pole

［南天极］

For that the lower Pole resemblance bears / To this Above, and shines with equal Stars; / With Bears averse, round which the Draco twines, / At once divides them, and at once consines, / That there as many Constellations move, / We must believe from what we find above.

因为下方的天极与上方这个极相似，闪耀着同样多的星；那里也有两只背过身去的熊，有一条龙绕着它们盘旋，既把它们分开，又把它们限住；那里有同样多的星群运行，我们必须凭在上方所见来相信。

For Fancy, which decaying Sense supplies, / Not onely feigns a Vertex like to This, / But all resembling Beauties of the Skies. / These are the Stars which scattered o'er the Pole

因为想象会补足衰退的感官，不仅虚构出一个与这里相似的天顶，还虚构出诸天所有相似的美景。这些就是散布在天极上的群星，

The Figures of the Constellations onely fansied

［星群的形象只出于想象］

In different Places fixt complete the Whole; / But raise thy thought from sense, nor think to find / Such Figures there, as are in Globes design'd; / Nor think that Stars set close compose the Frames, / Or that the Signs are all continued Flames.

它们固定在不同的地方，构成整体；但要让你的思想超越感官，不要以为在那里会找到天球仪上画的那种形象；也不要以为是密集的星组成那些框架，或者星座都是连续不断的火焰。

For then we soon should see the World expire, / Frail Nature could not bear so great a Fire; / Some Places vacant conscious of her State / She leaves, unable for so vast a Heat.

因为那样的话，我们很快就会看见世界灭亡，脆弱的自然承受不了这么大的火；她知道自己的状况，留下一些空处，承受不了那样巨大的热。

For 'tis her kind intent alone to show / By certain Stars, those Signs that rule below; / Such notice give, and such fair hints impart; / As Men may take, and may improve to Art: / The Stars mark out the Shapes, the lower Beams / Answer the high, the middle the extremes.

因为她仁慈的用意，只是用某些星标示出那些主宰下界的星座；给出这样的提示，这样明白的线索，让人能够领会，并能发展成一门技艺：星标出形象的轮廓，下面的光呼应上面的，中间的呼应两端。

Fansie those parts that lie obscur'd between, / For 'tis enough that some of them are seen: / But chiefly then when Cynthia's beams are clear, / And full, but few, though still the same, appear; / And whilst the vulgar fly, their place possess;

介于其间、隐而不见的部分，就凭想象补足，因为能看见其中一些就够了：尤其是当辛西娅的光清朗而圆满时，能看见的星虽少，却仍是那几颗；当普通的星纷纷退隐时，它们仍占着自己的位置；

Nor lose their Light, nor mingle with the Less. / Yet these still keep one Course, They still pursue / Their constant track nor vary in a New.

它们不失去光芒，也不与较暗的星混同。而且它们始终保持同一条路线，始终沿着恒常的轨迹，不在新路上变换。

From one fixt point they start, their Course maintain / Repeat their whirl, and visit it again: / And this is strange, and this doth more surprize / Than all the other wonders of the Skies, / That such unwieldy frames their signs should draw, / As mov'd by Reason, and confin'd by Law;

它们从一个固定的点出发，保持行程，重复旋转，又回到那一点：这才是奇事，比天上其他一切奇观更令人惊异：如此庞大笨重的框架，画出的星座竟像是受理性推动、受法则约束一般；

No change in distance nor in site appear, / Though great their Number, long the rolling year. / A most convincing Reason drawn from Sense,

距离不变，位置也不变，虽然它们的数目很多，旋转的年岁很长。这是从感官得出的最有力的理由，