2.18 The Rainy Day(雨天)


The Rainy Day


Sullen clouds are gathering fast over the black fringe of the forest.

O child, do not go out!

The palm trees in a row by the lake are smiting their heads against the dismal sky; the crows with their draggled wings are silent on the tamarind branches, and the eastern bank of the river is haunted by a deepening gloom.


Our cow is lowing loud, tied at the fence.

O child, wait here till I bring her into the stall.

Men have crowded into the flooded field to catch the fishes as they escape from the over-flowing ponds; the rain water is running in rills through the narrow lanes like a laughing boy who has run away from his mother to tease her.


Listen, someone is shouting for the boatman at the ford.

O child, the daylight is dim, and the crossing at the ferry is closed.

The sky seems to ride fast upon the madly-rushing rain; the water in the river is loud and impatient; women have hastened home early from the Ganges with their filled pitchers.


The evening lamps must be made ready.

O child, do not go out!

The road to the market is desolate, the lane to the river is slippery. The wind is roaring and struggling among the bamboo branches like a wild beast tangled in a net.

雨 天

乌云很快地集拢在森林的黝黑的边缘上。

孩上,不要出去呀!

湖边的一行棕树,向暝暗的天空撞着头;羽毛凌乱的乌鸦,静悄悄地栖在罗望子树的枝上。河的东岸正被乌沉沉的暝色所侵袭。


我们的牛系在篱上,高声鸣着。

孩子,在这里等着,等我先把牛牵进牛棚里去。

许多人都挤在池水泛滥的田间,捉那从泛滥的池中逃出来的鱼儿;雨水成了小河,流过狭弄,好像一个嬉笑的孩子从他妈妈那里跑开,故意要恼她一样。


听呀,有人在浅滩上喊船夫呢。

孩子,天色暝暗了,渡头的摆渡已经停了。

天空好像是在滂沱的雨上快跑着;河里的水喧叫而且暴躁;妇人们早已拿着汲满了水的水罐,从恒河畔匆匆地回家了。


夜里用的灯,一定要预备好。

孩子,不要出去呀!

到市场去的大道已没有人走,到河边去的小路又很滑。风在竹林里咆哮着,挣扎着,好像一只落在网中的野兽。