The question is asked, “Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and a girl clasping① clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?”
And the answer is given. “Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle② of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled③, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion④ for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love—that is old love.”
① claspv. 紧抱,紧握;扣住,钩住
② spectaclen. 场面;景象;引人羡慕(或轻视)的人(或事物)
③ gnarledadj. (树干、树枝)多瘤的,多节的;(手、指)粗糙的
④ devotionn. 虔诚;忠诚;挚爱,热爱;献身,奉献
爱之美
有人问道:“生命中有没有比青年男女紧握对方纯洁的双手和心灵,走向婚礼的殿堂更美的事呢?有没有什么事物比年轻的爱更美丽?”
有人回答:“有啊,有更美的事。那就是一对老年夫妇一起走在小路上,他们的手饱经风霜,但仍然紧紧相握;他们的脸布满皱纹,却依然容光焕发;他们的心在肉体上又老又累,但依然对彼此有着强烈的爱和虔诚。是的,有比年轻的爱更美丽的事,那就是年老的爱。”