28

YOUR questioning eyes are sad. They seek to know my meaning as the moon would fathom the sea.

I have bared my life before your eyes from end to end, with nothing hidden or held back. That is why you know me not.

If it were only a gem, I could break it into a hundred pieces and string them into a chain to put on your neck.

If it were only a flower, round and small and sweet, I could pluck it from its stem to set it in your hair.

But it is a heart, my beloved. Where are its shores and its bottom?

You know not the limits of this kingdom, still you are its queen.

If it were only a moment of pleasure it would flower in an easy smile, and you could see it and read it in a moment.

If it were merely a pain it would melt in limpid tears, reflecting its inmost secret without a word.

But it is love, my beloved.

Its pleasure and pain are boundless, and endless its wants and wealth.

It is as near to you as your life, but you can never wholly know it.

28

你的疑问的眼光是含愁的。

它要追探了解我的意思，好像月亮探测大海。

我已经把我生命的终始，全部暴露在你的眼前，

没有任何隐秘和保留。因此你不认识我。

假如它是一块宝石，我就能把它碎成千百颗粒，

穿成项链挂在你的颈上。

假如它是一朵花，圆圆小小香香的，

我就能从枝上采来戴在你的发上。

但是它是一颗心，我的爱人。何处是它的边和底？

你不知道这个王国的边极，但你仍是这王国的女王。

假如它是片刻的欢娱，它将在喜笑中开花，

你立刻就会看到、懂得了。

假如它是一阵痛苦，它将融化成晶莹的眼泪，

不着一字地反映出它最深的秘密。

但是它是爱，我的爱人。

它的欢乐和痛苦是无边的，它的需求和财富是无尽的。

它和你亲近得像你的生命一样，但是你永远不能完全了解它。