I sometimes hold it half a sin

把心中哀伤用文字表出——

    To put in words the grief I feel;

　　我有时认为这近乎罪愆；

    For words, like Nature, half reveal

　　因为文字也宛若大自然，

And half conceal the Soul within.

对内里的灵魂半遮半露。

But, for the unquiet heart and brain,

但对不平静的心灵和脑，

    A use in measured language lies;

　　有节律的诗句有个用途，

    The sad mechanic exercise,

　　这哀哀劳作使痛苦麻木——

Like dull narcotics, numbing pain.

虽然机械却可充麻醉药。

In words, like weeds, I'll wrap me o'er,

我要把文字当丧服裹上，

    Like coarsest clothes against the cold;

　　一如以粗布的衣裳御寒；

    But that large grief which these enfold

　　但巨大的悲痛也在里面，

Is given outline and no more.

便仅仅显出个依稀模样。