《The Altar of Heaven》翻译1

原文作者毛姆（W.S.Maugham）
原文：
It stands open to the sky, three round terraces of white marble, placed one above the other, which are reached by four marble staircases, and these face the four points of the compass. It represents the celestial sphere with its cardinal points. A great park surrounds it and this again is surrounded by high walls. And hither, year after year, on the night of the winer solstice, for then heaven is reborn, generation after generation came the Son of Heaven solemnly to worship the original creator of his house. Escorted by princes and the great men of the realm, followed by his troops, the emperor purified by fasting proceeded to the altar. And here awaited him princes and ministers and mandarins, each in his allotted place, musicians and the dancers of the sacred dance.
自己的译文：
天坛与天空相对，由三层汉白玉造的露台环绕而成，露台层叠而上，四角分别是大理石石阶，分别朝向着指南针的四个方位（东南西北），象征着天体和对应的方位。天坛由一个大的公园环绕而成，而公园又落于高墙之内。每年冬至时节，即天重生之日，天子将在此处庄严祭祀。在皇亲国戚，朝廷重臣及御林军的护卫下皇帝净身前往天坛。而各位皇子，大臣及百官各就其位，一旁乐师舞者则奏乐起舞相迎。
参考译文：
天坛面向苍穹，为一汉白玉石三层圆形建筑，梯状递升，东南西北分设台阶，代表天体及其四大方位。天坛四周为一片广大园林，园边又有高墙环绕。每届冬至之夜，亦即一元复始之时，天子都要驾临此处，向皇天（皇室之源）顶礼膜拜，年年如此，代代如此。皇帝斋戒净身，然后向天坛行进，左右有王宫显要伴驾，其后有军人武士护送。皇亲大臣以及百官按其位肃立迎候，另有乐师舞者奏乐起舞。