GEMA-GEMA

Sajak William Ernest Henley



II



Hidup itu getir. Menantang seluruh tahun-tahun,

Muda dan renta, mengelam oleh gigihkerja dan airmata.

Haruskah berjaga hanya untuk kerja, letih lalu tersedu?

Pada matahari, di antara dedauan, pada bunga-bunga,

Terlelap diam, impian maut , saat-saat memberat...



Tabik, izinkan aku tidur.



Si kaya menang memperolok si tua, tahun tak berdaya;

Si mahsyur mutiara sembunyi di laut airmata;

Cinta mesti memudar juga, atau hidup sendiri dan nelangsa.

Di sinar matahari, menembus dedaunan, melintasi bunga,

Ketika kita lelap, maut mendekat menembus waktu....



Tabik, izinkan aku tidur.





ECHOES



II



Life is bitter. All the faces of the years,

Young and old, are grey with travail and with tears.

Must we only wake to toil, to tire, to weep?

In the sun, among the leaves, upon the flowers,

Slumber stills to dreamy death the heavy hours . . .

Let me sleep.



Riches won but mock the old, unable years;

Fame's a pearl that hides beneath a sea of tears;

Love must wither, or must live alone and weep.

In the sunshine, through the leaves, across the flowers,

While we slumber, death approaches though the hours! . . .

Let me sleep.



1872