Does the road wind1 up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the long day?
From morn to night, my friend.

But is there for the night a resting-place?
 A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
 You cannot miss that inn2.

Shall I meet other wayfarers3 at night?
 Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight4?
  They will not keep you standing at that door.

Shall I find comfort, travel-sore5 and weak?
  Of labor you shall find the sum6.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
  Yea, beds for all who come.

---

这条道是否曲曲折折一路上坡？
是的，直到尽头。
这段旅程是否需走整日之多？
从早到晚，我的朋友。

且问夜幕降临可有店歇脚？
长夜漫漫，需栖身之所。
天色漆黑会不会寻它不到？
那家客栈你绝不会错过。

夜晚我是否会遇到其他旅伴？
那些先行上路的人们。
我需不需敲门，或见面便呼喊？
他们不会让你在门外久等。

我能否寻得安慰，以解旅行的酸痛和疲惫？
整日的劳累终有所报。
有无足够的床位，让我和所有旅客安睡？
来者有份，床已备好。
 

 

 

    Christian Rossetti (1830－1894).

这是一首以对话形式写成的寓言诗。它描述了一次爬坡旅行，并以旅行者到达一家客栈结束。细心的读者不难发现，这条上坡的道路代表了人生的奋斗旅程，白天和黑夜分别象征人生的过程和终点（死亡）。原诗采用abab韵式，译文力图保留。