Chapter 86

Death, thy servant, is at my door. He has crossed the unknown sea and brought thy call to my home.
 
The night is dark and my heart is fearful---yet I will take up the lamp, open my gates and bow to him my welcome. It is thy messenger who stands at my door.
 
I will worship him placing at his feet the treasure of my heart.
 
He will go back with his errand done, leaving a dark shadow on my morning; and in my desolate¹ home only my forlorn self will remain as my last offering to thee.
 
死亡，你的仆人，来到我的门前．他渡过不可知的海洋临到我家，来传达你的召令．
 
夜色沉黑，我心中畏惧――但是我要端起灯来，开起门来，鞠躬欢迎他．因为站在我门前的是你的使者．
 
我要含泪地合掌礼拜他．我要把我心中等财产，放在他脚前，来礼拜他．
 
他的使命完成了就要回去，在我的晨光中留下了阴影；在我萧条的家里，只剩下孤独的我，作为最后献你的祭品．

1 desolate   

adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂

参考例句：

• The city was burned into a desolate waste.那座城市被烧成一片废墟。
• We all felt absolutely desolate when she left.她走后，我们都觉得万分孤寂。