Who loves his country will not rest
Content with1 vow and pledge2 alone,
But flies her banner in his breast
And counts her destiny his own—
Not only when the bugle3 plays
Stands forth to give his life for her,
But on the field of common days
Is strong to live his life for her.
He is not satisfied to claim
As heritage her power and fame,
But, striving4, earns the right to wear
The shining honor of her name.
热爱祖国的人不仅仅
满足于誓言和效忠,
而让国旗在心头飞扬
国运牵连着他的命运——
不只在号角吹响的时刻
挺身而出,为国捐躯,
在每一个普通的日子里,
也要顽强执着,为国争光。
不洋洋得意四处标榜
享有祖国的威望和声誉,
而是不懈努力去赢取
祖国名字所赋予的荣光。
壮怀激烈地宣誓呼号,金戈铁马驰骋沙场是司空见惯的表现爱国行为的场景,也是爱国主义的应有之义。然而,在诗人看来,心系国家命运,在日常生活中贡献自己的力量来促进祖国的壮大也是同样重要的。这样的爱国行为,也许是我们每一个普通人更容易做到的吧?
诗中三个not...but... 结构不是排斥前者,肯定后者,有所褒贬;而是两者对举,同样肯定,表现对爱国主义更全面的理解。诗的结构整齐,每行八个音节;最后一个音节大多以双元音构成,显得从容柔和。使诗的形式较好地服务于诗的内容:亲切冷静地表述自己的思想,而不是声色俱厉地贬斥他人的观点。
1. rest/be content with 满足于…
2. vow [vau] n. 誓言; pledge [pled?廾] n. 誓约
3. bugle n. 军号
4. strive [straiv] v. 努力