卷一（五）　黄道、银河、行星与彗星

The Zodiack

［黄道］

Two more Oblique, and which in adverse Lines / Surround the Globe, Observe: One bears the Signs / Where Phoebus drives and guides his fiery Horse / And varying Luna follows in her Course.

再看两个斜行的圆，它们以相反的方向环绕天球：一个承载着星座，福玻斯在那里驾驭他火热的马，盈亏多变的月亮随着他运行。

Where Planets err as Nature leads the Dance, / Keep various measures undisturb'd by Chance; / Its highest Arch with Cancer's beams do glow, / Whilst Caper lies, and freezes in the low: / Twice it divides the Equinoctial line, / Where fleecy Aries, and where Libra shine.

行星在那里漫游，随着自然引领的舞步，各守不同的节拍，不受偶然扰乱；它最高的拱弧在巨蟹的光芒中闪耀，摩羯则躺在低处冻僵；它两次切过赤道，就在毛茸茸的白羊与天秤闪耀的地方。

Three Lines compose it, and th' Eclyptick's found / Ith' midst; and all decline into a Round.

它由三条线组成，黄道线在正中；三条线都斜斜地弯成一个圆。

Nor is it hid, nor is it hard to find, / Like others open onely to the Mind; / For like a Belt with studs of Stars the Skies / It girds and graces; and invites the Eyes: / To twelve Degrees its Breadth, to thrice sixscore / Its Length extends, and comprehends no more:

它既不隐蔽，也不难找，不像别的圆只向心智敞开；它像一条缀着星钉的腰带，环束并装点天空，引人注目：它的宽是十二度，长是三个一百二十度，再没有更多。

within these bounds the wandring Planets rove, / Make Seasons here, and settle Fate above. / The other Round from Bears oppos'd begun

漫游的行星就在这些界限之内运行，在这里造成季节，在上方定下命运。另一个圆从两熊的对面开始，

The Milky way

［银河］

Runs adverse to the Chariot of the Sun, / It leaves the Pole, and from its Round retires, / And cuts inverted Casiopeia's Fires: / Thence still descending and obliquely drawn / It passes through the Body of the Swan, / Then Cancer's fires, the headlong Bird of Iove, / The Line and Zodiack where the Planets rove:

与太阳的车道方向相反；它离开天极，从那个圆圈退开，切过倒置的仙后的火光；然后继续下降，斜斜地穿过天鹅的身体，再经过巨蟹的火光、朱庇特那头朝下的鸟、赤道和行星漫游的黄道：

And thence in various windings turns to meet / The other Centaur, and entwines his feet: / And thence to mount through Argo's Sails begins, / The Line, and lowest portion of the Twins; / Then joyns the Driver, and from thence ascends / O'er Perseus, and to Cassiopeia tends, / There 'tis receiv'd in her inverted Chair, / In her the Round begins, and ends in Her.

又从那里曲折回转，去与另一个半人马相会，缠绕他的双足；再从那里经南船的帆升起，穿过赤道和双子最低的部分；然后与御夫相接，从那里向上越过英仙，趋向仙后；在她倒置的宝座里被接住，这个圆从她开始，也在她那里结束。

Twice cuts the Tropicks, Zodiack and the Line, / And is as often cut by those agen.

它两次切过两条回归线、黄道和赤道，也同样多次被它们切过。

Nor need we with a prying Eye survey / The distant Skies to find the Milky way, / It must be seen by All, for every night / It forcibly intrudes upon our sight, / And will be mark'd for shining streaks adorn / The Skies as opening to let forth the Morn.

我们不必用窥探的眼睛审视遥远的天空去寻找银河，人人都必定看得见：因为每一夜它都强行闯入我们的视线，必定引人注意；一道道闪光的条纹装点天空，仿佛天空正要裂开，放出清晨。

And as a beaten Path that spreads between / A troden Meadow, and divides the Green.

好像一条踩出来的小路，伸展在被践踏的草地中间，把绿草分开。

Or as when Seas are plow'd behind the Ship, / Foam curls on the green surface of the Deep.

又好像船在海上犁过，船后的泡沫在深海碧绿的水面上卷起。

In Heaven's dark surface such this Circle lies, / And parts with various Light the Azure Skies.

这个圆就这样躺在天的暗面上，以不同的光把蔚蓝的天空分开。

Or as when Iris draws her radiant Bow / Such seems this Circle to the World below.

又像伊里斯拉开她光芒四射的弓，这个圆在下界看来就是这样。

It all surpriseth, our inquiring sight / It upward draws, when through the Shades of Night / It spreads its Rays, and darts amazing Light.

它令所有人惊奇；当它在夜的阴影中铺开光线、射出惊人的光时，便把我们探询的目光引向上方。

Fond Men the sacred Causes strive to find, / And vainly measure with a feeble Mind: / And yet they strive, they madly whirl about / Through various Causes, still condemn'd to Doubt.

痴愚的人们努力寻找那神圣的原因，用软弱的心智徒然测度；可他们仍在努力，疯狂地在种种原因中打转，始终被判定陷于怀疑。

Various Opinions about the Milky way

［关于银河的种种见解］

Whether the Skies grown old, here shrink their Frame, / And through the Chinks admit an upper Flame.

或者是天空老了，在这里收缩了框架，从裂缝中放进上方的火焰。

Or whether here the Heavens two Halves are joyn'd / But odly clos'd, still leave a Seam behind: / Or here the parts in Wedges closely prest, / To fix the Frame, are thicker than the Rest, / Like Clouds condens'd appear, and bound the Sight, / The Azure being thickned into White.

或者是诸天的两半在这里相接，却合得古怪，仍留下一道接缝；或者是这里的部分像楔子一样紧紧压在一起，为了固定框架，比其余部分更厚，像凝聚的云，挡住视线，蔚蓝被加厚而成了白色。

Or whether that old Tale deserves our Faith, / Which boldly says, that this was once the Path / Where Phoebus drove; and that in length of Years / The heated track took Fire and burnt the Stars.

或者那个古老的传说值得我们相信：它大胆地说，这曾是福玻斯驾车的道路，年深日久，被烤热的车辙着了火，烧焦了群星。

The Colour chang'd, the Ashes strew'd the Way, / And still preserve the marks of the Decay: / Besides, Fame tells, by Age Fame reverend grown, / That Phoebus gave his Chariot to his Son, / And whilst the Youngster from the Path declines / Admiring the strange Beauty of the Signs;

颜色变了，灰烬撒满路上，至今还保留着毁坏的痕迹。此外，传闻——因年代久远而受人尊崇的传闻——说福玻斯把车交给了他的儿子，那少年赞叹星座奇异的美，离开了道路；

Proud of his Charge, He drove the fiery Horse, / And would outdoe his Father in his Course.

他为自己的职责而骄傲，驱赶着火热的马，想在行程上胜过父亲。

The North grew warm, and the unusual Fire / Dissolv'd its Snow, and made the Bears retire; / Nor was the Earth secure, each Countrey mourn'd / The Common Fate, and in its City's burn'd.

北方变暖，那不寻常的火融化了它的雪，使两熊退避；大地也不安全，每个国家都为共同的命运哀悼，它们的城市都在燃烧。

Then from the scatter'd Chariot Lightning came, / And the whole Skies were one continued Flame.

接着，从破散的车上发出闪电，整个天空成了一片连绵的火焰。

The World took Fire, and in new kindled Stars / The bright remembrance of its Fate it bears.

世界着了火，在新燃起的群星中，留着它这场劫数的鲜明纪念。

Thus Fame, nor must the softer Fable die / That Iuno's Breast o'erflowing stain'd the Skie, / And made that Milky way, which justly draws / Its Name, the Milky Circle from its Cause.

传闻如此；那个较温柔的故事也不该湮没：朱诺的乳房溢出乳汁，染白了天空，造成了这条乳白之路；它因此得名，正是由于这个缘故叫作「乳白之圈」。

Or is the spatious Bend serenely bright / From little Stars, which there their Beams unite, / And make one solid and continued Light?

或者这宽阔的弯带之所以宁静明亮，是因为众多小星在那里汇聚光芒，造成一道连成一片、连绵不断的光？

Or Souls which loos'd from the ignoble Chain / Of Clay, and sent to their own Heaven again, / Purg'd from all dross by Vertue, nobly rise / In Aether wanton, and enjoy the Skies.

或者是灵魂：它们摆脱了泥土那卑贱的锁链，被送回自己的天上，凭德行洗净一切渣滓，高贵地升起，在以太中自在徜徉，享受天空。

Great Atreus Sons, Tydides fixt above, / And stout Achilles equal to our Iove; / With three-ag'd Nestor: He that bravely stood / The Dangers of the Land and of the Floud.

伟大的阿特柔斯的两个儿子、被定在上方的堤丢斯之子，还有可与朱庇特相比的勇猛的阿喀琉斯，以及活过三代人的涅斯托耳；还有那个勇敢经受了陆上与海上种种危难的人，

Vlysses, Nature's Conquerour, enjoy / The Skies deserv'd; with all the Chiefs at Troy.

自然的征服者尤利西斯，也享有他应得的天空；还有特洛伊城下的所有首领。

Iove's Son Sarpedon, He that Lycia sway'd: / The black Merione, the Martial Maid, / Had Fate stood Neuter, Troy's securest Aid.

朱庇特之子萨耳珀冬，统治吕西亚的那位；黝黑的墨里俄涅；还有那位尚武的少女，假如命运保持中立，她本是特洛伊最可靠的援助。

With all those Kings that Greece or Asia bore, / Or Pella greatest in her Conquerour.

还有希腊或亚细亚所生的所有君王，以及因她的征服者而最为伟大的佩拉。

Next these the grave and prudent Heroes rise, / Whose solid Riches lay in being Wise; / There good Zeleucus, stout Lycurgus shine, / Solon the just, and Plato the Divine.

其后升起庄重审慎的英雄们，他们实在的财富就在于有智慧：善良的扎琉库斯、刚毅的吕库古在那里闪耀，还有公正的梭伦、神圣的柏拉图。

His Master next, whose Bloud unjustly spilt / On Athens still reflects a real Guilt.

接着是他的老师，他的血被不公正地洒下，至今仍让雅典背负着真实的罪责。

Next Persia's Scourge who strew'd the joyfull Floud / With Xerxes fleet, and check'd the growing God: / Who broke his Force, when Neptune bore the chain, / And prov'd his juster Title o'er the Main.

再其后是波斯的克星：他用薛西斯的舰队铺满欢腾的海潮，遏止了那位日益膨胀的神；当海神被套上锁链时，他击破了那人的兵力，证明了自己统治大海的名分更为正当。

Here Romans joyn'd, the greatest Croud, reside, / The Kings, e'er Tarquin stain'd the Throne with Pride.

这里汇聚着罗马人，人数最多：有塔克文以骄横玷污王位之前的诸王。

The Horaces our Army in our Wars, / The Town which he defended, Cocles bears; / Next Clelia rides, the brightest Maid in Fame, / And Scevola more glorious by his Maim.

有贺拉提乌斯兄弟，他们在战争中就是我们的一支军队；有科克勒斯，他以一身撑住了自己保卫的城；其次是克洛埃利亚，名声最光彩的少女；还有斯凯沃拉，因残肢而更加荣耀。

Then He on whom the Helping Crow bestow'd / A Name, and in the Figure brought in a God.

然后是那个人：相助的乌鸦赐给他一个名字，在那形象里带来了一位神。

Camillus who the Stars deserv'd to gain / For saving Iove, when Thunder roar'd in vain; / Patient of wrongs, and whilst alive ador'd, / The Founder of that Rome that He restor'd.

卡米卢斯，他在雷霆徒然轰鸣时拯救了朱庇特，因而配得上群星；他忍受冤屈，生前受人崇敬，是他所恢复的那个罗马的缔造者。

Next Brutus sits, and next, unlearn'd in Fear, / The fierce Revenger of the Pyrrick War, / Papyrius shines; The Decii, o'er their Foes / In Triumphs Equal, Rivals in their Vows.

其次坐着布鲁图斯；其次是不知恐惧、对皮洛士战争施以凶猛报复的帕皮里乌斯在闪耀；德西乌斯父子，战胜敌人的凯旋不相上下，献身的誓愿也彼此争先。

Fabritius, Curius, for their Country bold, / Alike in Courage, and too great for Gold.

法布里修斯、库里乌斯，为国家而勇敢，同样英勇，伟大到黄金也无法收买。

Marcellus, Sword of Rome, the third that bore / A Royal spoyl, and Cossus grac'd before: / Next Fabius sits, who left the Common way / To Victory, and Conquer'd by Delay.

马塞卢斯，罗马之剑，第三位夺得王者战利品的人，科苏斯在他之前已获此荣；其次坐着法比乌斯，他离开通常的取胜之路，以拖延征服了敌人。

Livy and Nero glorious for the fall / Of haughty Carthage in her Asdrubal.

李维乌斯与尼禄，因在哈斯德鲁巴身上击败骄横的迦太基而荣耀。

The Scipio's Africks Fate both joyn'd in One, / The latter ending what the first begun.

两位西庇阿，合起来就是阿非利加的劫数，后一位完成了前一位开始的事业。

Pompey by Thrice the Conquer'd World ador'd, / Before God Caesar stoopt to be our Lord: / The fam'd Metelli; Tully, Rome's defence, / Deserving Heaven for pretious Eloquence.

庞培，被他三次征服的世界所崇敬，那是在神圣的恺撒屈尊做我们的主人之前；著名的梅特卢斯家族；还有图利乌斯，罗马的捍卫者，以宝贵的雄辩配得上天界。

The Claudian Race, and the Emilian Line / With Fortune's Conquerour great Cato shine.

克劳狄家族、埃米利乌斯一脉，与征服了命运的伟大加图一同闪耀。

But Venus Iulian race, who drew their rise / From Heaven, return again and fill the Skies; / Where great Augustus, with his partner Iove / Presides, and views his Father fixt above.

而维纳斯的尤利乌斯一族，从天上兴起，又回到天上，充满天空；伟大的奥古斯都在那里与他的伙伴朱庇特一同主持，看着他的父亲被定在上方。

Quirinus joyns him, and is pleas'd to see / The Caesars grow Rome's Founders more than He.

奎里努斯与他相伴，乐于看见恺撒们成长为比他更伟大的罗马缔造者。

The highest Arch contains the greater Gods, / The Godlike Heroes fill these next Abodes; / Those generous Souls, that ran an equal race / In Vertues Paths, and claim a second place.

最高的拱顶容纳着较大的诸神，其次的居所住满神一般的英雄：那些慷慨的灵魂，在德行之路上跑完同样的赛程，要求居于第二等的位置。

Thus far my Muse hath with success been crown'd, / Or found no stops, or vanquisht those she found.

到这里，我的诗神已戴上成功的冠冕，要么没遇到阻碍，要么战胜了所遇的阻碍。

And thus incourag'd now she boldly dares / To sing the Fatal compacts of the Stars.

受此鼓舞，她如今敢于大胆歌唱群星注定的约定。

But stop thy flight, sing all the Fires that shine / And influence too, and finish thy design.

但请止住你的飞翔，先歌唱一切闪耀的火光及其影响，完成你的计划。

The Planets

［行星］

Seven Fires refuse the Worlds Diurnal force, / From West to East they roll their proper Course.

有七团火抗拒世界每日的推动力，从西向东运行它们自己的轨道。

Cold Saturn, Iove, fierce Mars, the fiery Sun, / With Mercury 'twixt Venus and the Moon.

寒冷的土星、木星、猛烈的火星、火热的太阳，还有介于金星与月亮之间的水星。

Some swift. some slow, they measure different Years, / And make the wondrous Musick of the Spheres. / But these are constant, these adorn the Night,

有的快，有的慢，它们量出长短不同的年，奏出天球奇妙的音乐。这些都是恒常的，它们装点着夜晚，

Meteors

［流星］

Whilst Others seldom shine and then affright. / For few have view'd a Comet's dreadfull train, / Which Wars foretells, and never shines in vain, / Soon catch on Fire, and die as soon again.

而另一些很少闪耀，一闪耀就令人惊恐。因为很少有人见过彗星可怕的长尾，它预告战争，从不白白闪耀；它们很快着火，又很快熄灭。

The Reason's this; when days serenely fair / Have chas'd the Clouds, and cleans'd the lower Air, / And mists breath'd out from Earth rise through the Sky, / The moister parts are conquer'd by the Dry.

原因是这样的：当晴朗的日子赶走云彩、清洗了低处的空气，从大地呼出的雾气升上天空时，较湿的部分被较干的部分制服。

And Fire entic'd by the Convenient Mass / Descends, and lights it with a sudden blaze: / But since the Body's thin, the Parts are rare / And Mists, like smoak, lie scattered through the Air; / As soon as e'er begun, the feeble fire / Must waste, and with the blazing Mass expire.

于是火被这合宜的物质引来，降下来，突然把它点燃成一团烈焰；但因为这物体稀薄，各部分疏散，雾气像烟一样散布在空中，那微弱的火刚一开始就必定耗尽，随着燃烧的物质一同熄灭。

For did they long exist, their constant Light / Would seem to bring new Day upon the Night; / Whole Nature's Course would change, and from the Deep / The Sun would rise, and find the World a-sleep.

因为假如它们长久存在，它们持续的光就会像在夜里带来新的白天；整个自然的进程都会改变，太阳会从深海升起，却发现世界还在沉睡。

Several sorts of Meteors

［流星的种类］

But since in various Forms the Mists must rise, / And shine in the same Figures o'er the Skies, / These sudden Flames thus born by Chance at Night, / Must shew as much variety of Light.

但既然雾气升起时形态各异，在天空闪耀时也显出同样的形状，那么这些夜里偶然生成的突然的火焰，也必定显出同样多样的光。

Stella Crinita

［长发星］

Some equally diffus'd, like flaming Hair, / Draw fiery Tresses through the Liquid Air. / And streight the Mass that fiery Locks appear'd

有的均匀散开，像燃烧的头发，在流动的空气中拖着火的发辫。紧接着，那显出火焰卷发的一团

Barbata

［胡须星］

Grows short, and is contracted to a Beard. / Whilst some in even and continu'd streams,

变短，收缩成胡须。而有的成为均匀连续的光流，

Trabs

［梁］

Are round like Pillars, or are squar'd like Beams.

圆的像柱子，方的像横梁。

Pithetes

［瓮］

And some with Belly'd Flames large Tuns present, / Alike in shape, and equal in extent.

有的带着鼓腹的火焰，呈现大桶的样子，形状相仿，大小相等。

Bostruchias

［卷发星］

Some ty'd in knots like hairy Curls are spread, / A narrow Covering o'er the Comets Head.

有的像打结的卷发一样铺开，在彗星的头上形成窄窄的覆盖。

Lampadias

［火炬］

The Meteor Lamp in parted Flames appears, / The Sheaf uneven shakes her bended Ears.

流星之灯显出分开的火焰；那捆麦束参差不齐，摇动着弯垂的麦穗。

Stipulae ardentes

［燃烧的麦秆］

But still when wandring Stars adorn the Night,

但每当漫游的星装点夜晚时，

Stella cadens

［坠星］

The falling Meteors draw long trains of Light. / Like Arrows shot from the Celestial Bow,

坠落的流星拖出长长的光迹。它们像从天上的弓射出的箭，

Acontiae

［标枪星］

They cut the Air, and strike our Eyes below: / Fire lies in every thing, in Clouds it forms / The frightfull Thunder, and descends in storms.

划破空气，射中我们下界的眼睛。万物之中都藏着火：在云中它形成可怕的雷，又在风暴中降下。

It passes through the Earth, in Aetna raves, / And imitates Heaven's Thunder in its Caves.

它穿过大地，在埃特纳火山里狂怒，在洞穴中模仿天上的雷霆。

In hollow vales it boyls the rising Flouds, / In Flints 'tis found, and lodges in the Woods, / For tost by storms, the Trees in Flames expire, / So warm are Nature's parts, so fill'd with Fire.

在空洞的山谷里，它使涌出的泉水沸腾；在燧石里能找到它，它也藏身在树林中；因为被风暴摇撼的树木会在火焰中死去：自然的各部分如此温暖，如此充满了火。

Therefore when Mists, which wandring Flames retain, / Pursue and catch, and leave as soon again, / Blaze o'er the Skies when through the parted Frame / The Meteors break in one continued Flame, / Or when midst Rain, or through a Watry Cloud / Quick Lightning flies, or Thunder roars aloud, / Wonder no more; for o'er the spatious All / Is fire diffus'd, and must consume the Ball.

所以，当含着游荡火焰的雾气追逐、捕捉火焰，又很快把它放开，在天空闪耀；当流星穿过裂开的天体，成为一道连绵的火焰；或者当雨中、水汽的云中有闪电疾飞、雷声大作时，不要再惊奇了；因为火遍布在广大的万有之中，终必焚毁这个世界，

When eating Time shall waste confining Clay, / And fret the feeble Body to decay.

那是在吞噬的时间耗尽了约束它的泥土、把这虚弱的躯体磨损到朽坏的时候。

Thus far through paths untrod my Muse has gone, / Found different Causes, but not fixt on One, / Such various Flowers in Nature's field invite / Her gathering Hand, and tempt her greedy sight; / That drawn by many she scarce one enjoys, / Lost in the great Variety of Choice. / For Earthy Mists involving Seeds of Flame

我的诗神沿着无人走过的小路走到这里，找到了种种不同的原因，却没有确定其中一个；自然的田野里有如此多样的花朵，诱引她采集的手、诱惑她贪看的眼；被许多花吸引，她几乎一朵也没享受到，迷失在选择的繁多之中。因为含着火种的土质雾气

Different Opinions about Meteors

［关于彗星的不同见解］

May rise on high, and fiery Comets frame; / Or little Stars by Nature joyn'd in One / May shine, though undiscover'd when alone.

也许升到高处，形成火热的彗星；或者是小星被自然合成一体，便能闪耀，尽管单独时看不见。

Or they are constant Stars, whose Natural Course / The Sun o'er powers by his prevailing Force, / Draws from their Orbs, and shadows by his Light.

或者它们是恒常的星，太阳以压倒的力量胜过它们的自然运行，把它们从轨道上拉过来，用他的光遮住它们，

Then frees again, and opens to our sight. / Thus Mercury, thus Venus disappears, / Then shines again, and leads the Evening Stars. / Or God in pity to our Mortal state

然后又放开，让我们重新看见。水星就是这样，金星也这样隐没，然后又闪耀，领着昏星出来。或者是神怜悯我们凡人的境况，

Comets presage

［彗星是预兆］

Hangs out these Lights to shew approaching Fate; / They never idly blaze, but still presage / Some coming Plague on the unhappy Age.

挂出这些灯，来显示将临的命运；它们从不白白闪耀，总是预示不幸的时代即将来到的灾祸。

No Crop rewards the cheated Farmer's toil, / He mourns, and curses the ungratefull Soil; / The meagre Ox to the successless Plow / He yoaks, and scarce dares make another Vow.

庄稼不报答受骗农夫的辛劳，他哀叹，诅咒那忘恩的土地；他把瘦弱的牛套上徒劳的犁，几乎不敢再许一个愿。

Or wasting Plagues their deadly Poisons spread, / Encreasing the large Empire of the Dead.

或者致命的瘟疫散布毒害，扩大死者的广大帝国。

Men die by Numbers, and by heaps they fall, / And mighty Cities make one Funeral.

人们成批死去，成堆倒下，强大的城市办成同一场葬礼。

On groaning Piles whole huddled Nations burn, / And Towns lie blended in one Common Urn.

整个整个的民族挤在呻吟的柴堆上焚烧，城镇混在同一个公共的骨灰瓮里。

The Plague of Athens

［雅典大疫］

Such Plagues Achaia felt, the fierce Disease / Laid Athens waste, and spoil'd the Town in Peace.

亚该亚感受过这样的瘟疫：凶猛的疾病使雅典荒芜，在和平之中毁坏了这座城。

It bore the helpless Nation to the Grave, / No Physick could assist, no Vows could save; / Heaps fell on Heaps, and whilst they gasp'd for Breath, / Heaps fell on those, and finisht half their Death.

它把无助的民族送进坟墓，没有医药能救，没有誓愿能挽回；尸堆压在尸堆上，人们还在喘息之时，又有尸堆压在他们身上，替他们完成了一半的死亡。

None nurst the Sick, the nearest Kinsmen fled; / None stay'd to bury, or to mourn the Dead.

没有人照料病人，最亲的亲人也逃走了；没有人留下埋葬或哀悼死者。

The Fires grown weary dy'd beneath their Spoils, / And heapt-up Limbs supply'd the place of Piles.

火也烧累了，熄灭在它的掠物之下；堆起的肢体代替了柴堆。

Vast Emptiness and Desolation reign'd, / And to so great a People scarce one Heir remain'd.

广大的空旷与荒凉统治一切，如此众多的人民，几乎没留下一个继承人。

Such are the Plagues that blazing Stars proclaim, / They light to Funerals their unlucky Flame.

燃烧的星宣告的就是这样的瘟疫，它们为葬礼点亮不祥的火焰。

They shew not onely private Plagues to come, / But threaten Mortals with the Day of Doom.

它们不只显示将来的个别灾祸，还以末日威胁凡人：

When Piles Eternal Heaven and Earth shall burn, / And sickly Nature fall into her Urn.

那时永恒的诸天与大地将化为火葬的柴堆燃烧，病弱的自然将倒进她的骨灰瓮。

Wars

［战争］

They sudden Tumults, and strange Arms declare, / And when close Treach'ry shall start up to War.

它们宣告突然的骚乱和奇异的兵戈，宣告隐秘的背叛何时会突然兴起为战争。

When faithless Germans did of late rebell, / And tempt their Fate, when Generous Varus fell, / And three brave Legions bloud the Plains did drown, / O'er all the Skies the threatning Comets shone.

不久前，背信的日耳曼人反叛，冒犯他们的命运，慷慨的瓦卢斯战死，三个勇敢军团的血淹没了平原，那时满天都闪耀着凶兆的彗星。

E'en Nature seem'd at War, and Fire was hurld / At Fire, and Ruin threatned to the World.

连自然也似乎在交战，火向火投掷，毁灭威胁着世界。

These things are strange, but why should these / surprize, / The Fault is Ours, since we with heedless Eyes / View Heaven, and want the Faith to trust the Skies.

这些事很奇异，可为什么要让人惊奇呢？错在我们，因为我们用漫不经心的眼睛看天，缺乏信赖天空的信心。

They Civil-Wars foretell, and Brothers rage, / The Curse and the disgraces of an Age.

它们预告内战和兄弟的狂怒，那是一个时代的诅咒与耻辱。

Never more Comets drew their dreadfull Hair / Than when Philippi saw the World at War.

彗星拖出可怕的长发，从没有比腓立比看见世界交战的时候更多。

Scarce had the Plains drunk up the former Bloud, / On scatter'd Bones and Limbs the Romans stood / And fought again; disdaining meaner Foes, / (A wretched Conquest where the Victors lose) / Our Empire's power did its own self oppose; / And great Augustus o'er the slaughter'd Heaps / Pursu'd bright Victory in his Father's steps.

平原刚刚饮干先前的血，罗马人就站在散落的骨骸与肢体上再次交战，不屑于较低贱的敌人（可悲的胜利，胜者也是输家），我们帝国的力量反对它自己；伟大的奥古斯都踏过成堆的尸体，循着父亲的脚步追逐光辉的胜利。

Nor did the Rage end here, the Actian fight, / That bloudy dowry of a wanton Night, / Remain'd, and rais'd by Cleopatra's Charms / The headlong Nations ran again to Arms.

狂怒也没有到此为止：亚克兴之战——一个放荡之夜的血腥嫁妆——还在后面；被克娄巴特拉的魅力激起，各民族又一头冲向兵戈。

The Chance for the whole World was thrown again, / And the Skies Ruler sought upon the Main, / Then War obey'd a Woman, Timbrels strove / With Thunder, Isis with the Roman Iove.

整个世界的机运被再掷一次，天空的统治者要在海上寻求；那时战争听命于一个女人，铜铃鼓与雷霆相争，伊西斯与罗马的朱庇特相争。

Nor stopt it here, but the degenerate Son / Stain'd all the Glory that his Father won.

也没有停在这里：那堕落的儿子玷污了他父亲赢得的全部荣耀。

The Seas great Pompey freed He seiz'd again, / His Pirates lay like Tempests on the Main.

伟大的庞培解放了的海，他又夺了回去，他的海盗像风暴一样盘踞海上。

The Relicks of the Wars, the Impious Slaves / Were arm'd for fight, and ravag'd o'er the Waves.

战争的残余、不虔敬的奴隶被武装起来作战，在波涛上劫掠。

Till the torn fleet di'd all the Seas with Bloud, / And Asia's Chains reveng'd the injur'd Floud.

直到破碎的舰队用血染红了整个海，亚细亚的锁链为受害的海潮报了仇。

Let this, O Fates! suffice; Let Discord cease, / And raging Tumults be confin'd by Peace.

命运女神们啊，这就够了；让纷争停止，让狂暴的骚乱被和平束缚。

Let Caesar triumph, let the World obey, / And long let Rome be happy in his Sway.

让恺撒凯旋，让世界服从，让罗马在他的统治下长久幸福。

Long have him here, and when she shall bestow / A God on Heaven enjoy his Aid below.

让她长久拥有他在世间；当她终于把一位神献给天界时，仍在下界享受他的佑助。