The Guy in the Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn't your father, your mother or wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you are a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.
--Dale Wimbrow
[1895-1954]
《镜中人》
当你在自我奋斗中坚持不懈，
而世界只给你一天好日子，
那么就照照镜子，
听听镜中人说些什么。
他不是你的母亲、父亲和配偶，
他是主宰你命运的人，
他希望你快乐、不要介意生活中的不愉快，
他会一直陪伴你抵达终点。
假如镜中人是你的朋友，
他会帮你通过最危险最困难的考验。
也许你像杰克荷尔挖到一棵神奇的种子，
想像自己出人头地，
但是镜中人说你游手好闲。
假如你不敢直视他的眼睛，
也许你欺骗了整个世界，
所到之处仍然掌声如潮。
但假如你欺骗镜中人，
最终的报应就是心痛和眼泪。
（美国诗人）