当时光已逝 When Day is Gone
佚名/Anonymous
How comforting it is to see a cheerful and contented old age; and to behold a poor fellow, like this, after being tempest-tots through life, safely moored in a snug and quiet harbor in the evening of his days! His happiness, however, sprung from within himself, and was independent of external circumstances; for he had that inexhaustible good-nature, which is the most precious gift of Heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and tranquil in the roughest weather.
On inquiring further about him I learned that he was a universal favorite in the village, and the oracle of the taproom; where he delighted the rustics with his songs, and, like Sinbad, astonished them with his stories of strange lands, and shipwrecks, and sea-fights. He was much noticed too by gentlemen sportsmen of the neighborhood; had taught several of them the art of angling; and was a privileged visitor to their kitchens. The whole tenor of his life was quiet and inoffensive, being principally passed about the neighboring streams, when the weather and season were favorable; and at other times he employed himself at home, preparing his fishing tackle for the next campaign, or manufacturing rods, nets, and flies, for his patrons and pupils among the gentry.
遇见一位快乐而满足的老者是多么让人欣慰啊！他经历了与暴风雨搏斗的一生，终于在暮年时，安全地停靠在温暖而平静的海港。然而，他的快乐源于他自身和不受外部环境影响的性格。他有着无穷无尽的好脾气，这是上天赐予的最珍贵的天赋。它像油一样，散布在不平静的思潮上，并在最恶劣的天气里保持思维流畅、冷静。
经过更细致的了解，我知道他在村里很受人们喜爱，是酒吧里的哲人。在村里，他的歌声使村民们快乐。像辛巴达一样，他讲述的奇异之地、海难和海战的故事让人们惊讶不已。他也备受邻近地区爱好运动的绅士们的喜欢，他曾将钓鱼的技巧教给他们其中的几个人，还拥有进入他们厨房的特权。他的整个生命历程是宁静的、与世无争的。当天气和季节宜人时，他大部分时间在邻近地区的溪流捕鱼。其他时间，就待在家里准备下次捕鱼，或为他的贵族顾客和学生制作钓竿、渔网和鱼饵。