多情自断肠 Courting Disaster

作者：Rowan Noel Williams

节选自萨森家族的埃梅特大人写给伊莉丝夫人的书信

From a collection of letters, from Lord Emet of House Sassen to the Lady Elise

我最亲爱的伊莉丝：

自上次一叙，已过去许久，自您首次唤我相见，更显遥远。我对您的敬仰之情想必依然余韵犹存吧？亲爱的，勿忘我。您的纤纤玉足踏过的每一寸土地都是我膜拜的圣所……

My dearest Elise,

It has been far too long since we last met, and longer still since you bade me visit you. Surely you have not forgotten how much I esteem you? Forget me not, my darling; I worship the very ground your lovely legs tread…

我的女士，每次相见，您都显得愈发光彩照人。您白皙的皮肤透着无与伦比的光泽。当您驾临凡夫俗子的市井，我早已陷入无可救药的销魂狂喜。若您的目光能从我身上拂过一瞬，我此生将别无他求！

我今晚可否登门拜访？我曾前往您的宅邸，但无人回应。若您不介意我冒昧进门，我愿在您的玉足前奉上薄礼。摘自我家族花园的玫瑰，红艳好似您的朱唇……

You are more radiant each time I see you, my lady. Your pale skin shines with an incomparable luster. As you pass in the streets attended by those unworthy of your attention, I am caught helpless, enraptured. If only you would favor me with your glance!

Shall I call upon you tonight? Last I came to your abode, there was no answer, but if you would not object to me letting myself in, I would lay such presents at your lovely feet. Roses from my family’s gardens, as red as your lips…

我的女王，您是否愿意与我共进晚餐？或许这一次，我可以博您一笑……？

还望您不要见怪，不过您家中的蜘蛛网令我略感……不安。若不嫌弃，我可派下人妥当处理，以您满意为准。

Would you dine with me, my queen? Perhaps this time, I might entertain…?

If you would not take it amiss, the presence of the cobwebs in your home leaves me somewhat… unsettled. Should you so desire, I have a maid who would happily attend to these matters, if so instructed.

求求您，请告诉我您还会再见我！我已知错，不该乱动您家中的小客人，他们乖巧懂事，幼小无害。我保证同样的错误绝不再犯。

我好像看见您的一只……宠物……戴着一个华贵的发带，是伊斯特里斯大人几年前赠给他夫人的礼物，但肯定不是同一个吧？

Please, say you will see me again! I know better now than to dispose of your little house guests, which are no doubt as helpful as they are harmless. I promise my mistake will not be repeated.

如果您不满意，或许我可以为您献上我收藏的一顶无价的王冠？

I believe I saw one of your… pets… adorned with an expensive-looking headband given by Lord Istris to his wife some years ago, but surely it is not the same one?

爬上您家门前的阶梯，每次都如同永世，虽然您的宠物让我不安，但我心中始终都带着亲切的渴望与倾慕向上攀登。因为在阶梯的顶端是我挚爱的女士，我纤弱的女神，我的女王！

If that piece did not please you, perhaps I might offer you a priceless diadem from my collection, instead?

To ascend the stairs of your home always seems to take an eternity, and though your pets unsettle me, I climb each time with fond eagerness and admiration in my heart. At the top lies my lady love, my slender goddess, my queen!

啊，伊莉丝！您将我俘获！您的美降服了我，我在您温柔的拥抱中无力抵抗。您只需要一声令下，我将欣然献上我的心脏，给我的挚爱。

向您致以毋庸置疑的无限忠诚。

Oh, Elise! You captivate me! Your beauty arrests me, and I am powerless in your tender embrace. You have only to ask, my love, and I will give you my heart.

埃梅特•萨森

Yours without question & endlessly devoted,

Emet Sassen