한노인이기나긴길을내려가는데,
저녁어스름이내렸네.잿빛저녁은추었고,
앞에는물줄기가느릿느릿흐르는깊고넓은시내가있었네.
황혼을지나온노인에게흐르는시내는두렵지않았지.
그런데그는강저편에무사히다다르자,다리를놓기시작했네.
곂에있던동료순례자가말했지.
“노인장,공연히다리놓느라힘을빼고계시는군요.
여정이끝날테이니,노인장은다시는이길을지나지않을거외다.
깊고넓은시내를건너왔는데
어째서저력무렵,이렇게다리를놓으시는거요?“
다리놓던노인이얼굴을들었네.
“선한친구여,내가오늘지난길을뒤따르는이들이있소.
어느젊은이의발이이길에닿게될거요.
이거센물결이내게는별것아니었으나
아직머리가검은이에게는함정이될수도있소.
그또한어스름녘에이길을건너야할터이니
선한친구여,나는그들을위해다리를놓고있다오.“
윌알렌드롬굴(1860-1934)
ThebridgeBuilder
Anoldman,goingalonehighway,
Cameattheeveningcoldandgray,
Toachasm,vastanddeepandwide,
Throughwhichwasflowingasullentide.
Theoldmancrossedinthetwilightdim-
Thatsullenstreamhadnofearsforhim;
Butheturned,whenhereachedtheotherside,
Andbuiltabridgetospanthetide.
"Oldman,"saidafellowpilgrimnear,
"Youarewastingstrengthinbuildinghere.
Yourjourneywillendwiththeendingday;
Youneveragainmustpassthisway.
Youhavecrossedthechasm,deepandwide,
Whybuildyouthebridgeattheeventide?"
Thebuilderliftedhisoldgrayhead.
"Goodfriend,inthepathIhavecome,"hesaid,
"Therefollowethaftermetoday
Ayouthwhosefeetmustpassthisway.
Thischasmthathasbeennaughttome
Tothatfair-hairedyouthmayapitfallbe.
He,too,mustcrossinthetwilightdim;
Goodfriend,Iambuildingthebridgeforhim."
byWillAllenDromgoole(1860-1934)
