是留下些好遺言的死人,其中當然有很多一廂情願的想像成份。活人死人也是物以類聚的。
我們就認識上下兩代的人,但人類文明已經有好幾百代的死人累積,
與死人交流,收獲是相對較多的。但我們也有很多地方超越死人,所以也不必執著。
就讓未來的人類去神交我們吧。
之所以提到結交死人,是想起了這一首詩:
My days among the dead
Robert Southey (1774–1843)
MY days among the dead are passed;
Around me I behold,
Where’er these casual eyes are cast,
The mighty minds of old;
My never-failing friends are they,
With whom I converse day by day.
With them I take delight in weal,
And seek relief in woe;
And while I understand and feel
How much to them I owe,
My cheeks have often been bedewed
With tears of thoughtful gratitude.
My thoughts are with the dead; with them
I live in long-past years;
Their virtues love, their faults condemn,
Partake their hopes and fears,
And from their lessons seek and find
Instruction with an humble mind.
My hopes are with the dead; anon
My place with them will be,
And I with them shall travel on
Through all futurity:
Yet leaving here a name, I trust,
That will not perish in the dust.
(以下為網上的中譯,抱歉一時查不到是誰翻的了。)
我一生是和死人一起过的
我一生是和死人一起过的;
我举目四顾,
无论眼光落在哪里,
全是古代的伟大人物;
他们是我的知交朋友,
我和他们日日聊天叙旧。
我和他们一起享福,
苦恼来时他们为我分忧;
我得到他们多少好处,
我自明白在我心头。
我的感激的泪,
常湿润了我的腮。
我心神想的全是死人,我和他们
好多年来生活在一起,
我爱他们的长处,憎他们的缺点,
分享他们的希望与恐惧。
我以谦逊的心
从他们寻求教训。
我的希望寄托在死人,不久
我也将和他们在一处,
我将和他们一起走,
走上所有未来的路;
在人间会留下一点名,
永不磨灭在尘世中。