The First Snow

The first snow came. How beautiful it was, falling so silently all day long, all night long, on the mountains, on the meadows, on the roofs of the living, on the graves of the dead. All white save the river, that marked its course by a winding black line across the landscape; and the leafless trees, that against the leaden sky now revealed more fully the wonderful beauty and intricacies of their branches. What silence, too, came with the snow, and what seclusion! Every sound was muffled, every noise changed to something soft and musical. No more tramping hoofs, no more rattling wheels. Only the chiming of sleigh-bells, beating as swift and merrily as the hearts of children.

Version by Student(s):

初雪

2015级汉语国际教育专业张璐等译

初雪飘临，美丽如斯。悄无声息，昼夜不止。

飞上山巅，洒向草原。飘至屋顶，落在坟冢。

山河苍茫，银装素裹。惟余河流，蜿蜒前行。

枯藤老树，古木虬枝。枝丫错落，直刺天宇。

暮霭沉沉，愈显壮丽。千里雪飘，万籁寂静。

大地之声，化为乐曲。马蹄远去，车轮声寂。

惟闻雪橇，叮咚作响。宛若童心，跳动不息。

Reference Version：

初雪

初雪降临。真美啊！整日整夜，悄无声息地飘落，落在高山上，落在草地上，落在生者的房顶上，落在逝者的坟茔上！万物皆白，惟有河流蜿蜒成一条黑线穿过雪野。还有那光秃秃的树木，映衬着灰蒙蒙的天空，更显得枝桠交错，姿态万千。初雪飘落时，是何等的宁谧，何等的幽静！万籁俱寂，所有的噪音都化做柔和的音乐。没有了得得的马蹄声，也听不见嘎嘎的车轮声！只有雪橇铃声如乐，似孩子们的心儿在欢快地跃动。