THE EAST IN GOLD

Somehow this world is wonderful at times,
As it has been from early morn in May;
Since I first heard the cock-a-doodle-do,
Timekeeper on green farms--at break of day.

Soon after that I heard ten thousand birds,
Which made me think an angel brought a bin
Of golden grain, and none was scattered yet--
To rouse those birds to make that merry din.

I could not sleep again, for such wild cries,
And went out early into their green world;
And then I saw what set their little tongues
To scream for joy--they saw the East in gold.

黄金の東空

なぜか時々　この世界はすごい、
５月のある朝早くも　そうだった。
最初に　コケコッコーが聞こえた、
緑の農場の時計係だ――それが夜明け。

そのあとすぐに　一万羽の小鳥の声、
それで僕は思った、天使がカゴに一杯
黄金の麦を入れてきたけど、まだまいてないんだ――
鳥たちがあんなに浮かれて騒ぐのは。

もう眠れない、こんな囀りの嵐では、
だから　早いけど鳥たちのいる緑の世界に出た。
それでわかった　小さな喉で
喜び叫んでいたわけが――黄金の東方を見たんだ。