感傷旅行

- If this won’t turn out something, - another will; - no matter, - ’tis an assay upon human nature - I get my labour for my pains, - ’tis enough; - the pleasure of the experiment has kept my senses and the best part of my blood awake, and laid the gross to sleep.

I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beersheba, and cry, ’Tis all barren; - and so it is: and so is all the world to him who will not cultivate the fruits it offers. I declare, said I, clapping my hands cheerily together, that were I in a desert, I would find out wherewith in it to call forth my affections: - if I could not do better, I would fasten them upon some sweet myrtle, or seek some melancholy cypress to connect myself to; - I would court their shade, and greet them kindly for their protection. - I would cut my name upon them, and swear they were the loveliest trees throughout the desert: if their leaves wither’d, I would teach myself to mourn; and, when they rejoiced, I would rejoice along with them.

私は陽気にポンと手を打って言いました。私だったら、たとえ砂漠の中にいたって、何か自分の愛情を呼び覚ますものを見つけてみせますよ――もし他にどうしようもなけりゃ、せめて美しい天人花の樹にでも愛情をつなぎとめるとか、私の愛情を注ぐに足る、愁いを含んだ糸杉でも探すでしょうね。（・・・）幹に私の名前を刻んで、おまえたちは砂漠中で一番愛らしい木だよと言ってやり、その葉が枯れればともに嘆くことを学び、再び若葉が萌出ればともに喜びを分かちあうことでしょう。