For God's sake let us sit upon the ground
看在上帝的面上，让我们席地而坐
And tell sad stories of the death of kings –
说说忧伤的故事，有关国王的死亡—
How some have been deposed, some slain in war,
有些被废黜，有些战死沙场，
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,
有些被他们废黜之人的魂魄困扰
Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping killed,
有些被妻子毒害，有些在睡梦中被杀掉，
All murdered. For within the hollow crown
无一善终。因为在这空虚的王冠之内
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
圈住了国王的肉体凡胎
Keeps death his court; and there the antic sits,
死亡是他的朝廷，丑角坐在这里，
Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp,
嘲笑他的高贵，鄙夷他的壮丽，
Allowing him a breath, a little scene,
给他一口气、一幕戏，
To monarchize, be feared, and kill with looks,
扮演君主，被人畏惧，杀伐随意，
Infusing him with self and vain conceit,
给他灌输自私自负的幻想，
As if this flesh which walls about our life
好像这血肉之躯，生命的围墙
Were brass impregnable; and humoured thus,
是坚不可摧的铜墙铁壁；就此满足，
Comes at the last, and with a little pin
直到最后，用一枚细小的针
Bores through his castle wall, and – farewell, king!
刺穿他城堡的墙壁，然后—别了，国王！
Cover your heads, and mock not flesh and blood
戴上帽子吧，休要嘲笑血肉之躯
With solemn reverence. Throw away respect,
用那庄严的敬意。把尊敬都抛弃，
Tradition, form, and ceremonious duty;
传统、形式，还有繁文典仪
For you have but mistook me all this while.
因为一贯以来，你们都错看了我。
I live with bread, like you; feel want,
我吃面包生活，就像你；也会空虚，
Taste grief, need friends. Subjected thus,
也品尝悲伤，需要朋友，臣服至此，
How can you say to me I am a king?
你怎能对我说我是国王？
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